#063 - James Swanston - An Ex-Army Officer's Guide to Entrepreneurial Success
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have James Swanston, the CEO and co-founder of Voyage Control and an ex-officer in the British Army.
Learn about military leadership principles applied to business and entrepreneurship, war strategies to improve decision-making, how military principles work in business, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
Serving as an army officer and key lessons learned
Applying war principles to business decisions
Making long-term plans and dealing with uncertainty
Stress management and discipline for entrepreneurs
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
----------------------------------------
James Swanston | CEO and Co-founder of Voyage Control | ConTech
----------------------------------------
Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
----------------------------------------
Timestamps:
(0:00-2:59) - Intro
(2:59-6:40) - Background on military experience
(6:40-9:45) - Key lessons as an army officer
(9:45-12:01) - War principles relevant to business
(12:01-15:16) - Motivation for starting Voyage Control
(15:16-16:19) - Teamwork lessons from military
(16:19-17:09) - Principles for hiring people
(17:09-15:53) - Leadership principles
(15:53-24:00) - Decision-making process in military
(24:00-27:39) - Dealing with unexpected challenges
(27:39-29:29) - Stress management
(29:29-31:49) - Discipline lessons learnt
(31:49-40:09) - Logistics experience
(40:09-40:37) - Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
#028 - Delia Visan - A Masterclass in Customer Success
How do you get your customers to fall in love with your brand?
On today's podcast we have Delia Visan, a master, influencer and advocate in the world of customer success.
Delia is currently the head of Customer Success at Bright Spaces and is one of the top 25 CS Leaders of 2023.
Getting existing customers to spend more is far easier than obtaining new customers. And in this episode we chat about how CS can result in improved customer retention and a higher customer lifetime value.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why customer success is important and why startups NEED it
How small businesses can integrate customer success into their operations
Current and future trends in customer success
How to learn (and dream in) new languages
---------------------------------------
Delia Visan
Head of Customer Success @Bright Spaces || 25 Most Creative CS Leaders of 2023 by EverAfter || 2022 Top Influencers in the CS Space by Custify
---------------------------------------
Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
---------------------------------------
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:01) - Intro
(00:02:01-00:04:06) - Tech world in Romania
(00:04:06-00:04:56) - Is Romania exporting tech outside?
(00:04:56-00:05:42) - Are tech teams based in Romania?
(00:05:42-00:07:18) - When did you discover customer success and what did you love about it?
(00:07:18-00:08:02) - Is customer success different in proptech then the other industry?
(00:08:02-00:08:54) - What is customer success?
(00:08:54-00:10:27) - What is the checklist for customer success?
(00:10:27-00:11:59) - From where the customer success starts?
(00:11:59-00:13:47) - Customer success implementations
(00:13:47-00:15:18) - When should companies implement customer success?
(00:15:18-00:17:21) - Customer obsession and customer is not always right
(00:17:21-00:20:07) - What is bright spaces?
(00:20:07-00:21:54) - Customer success with lease owner
(00:21:54-00:22:04) - Is bright spaces designed for Romanian market?
(00:22:04-00:23:42) - Future plans
(00:23:42-00:24:34) - Delia other passion
(00:24:34-00:26:18) - What are some future trends you see right now?
(00:26:18-00:27:51) - Segmentation of the customers
(00:27:51-00:29:12) - Should startup approach customer success differently then other businesses?
(00:29:12-00:30:13) - Customer satisfaction
(00:30:13-00:32:14) - How to deal with customer that you don't like?
(00:32:14-00:33:34) - Simple thing to do for customer success
(00:33:34-00:37:00) - Delia is multilingual
(00:37:00-00:37:42) - Books or resources
(00:37:42-00:38:28) - Course
(00:38:28-00:38:51) - More about Delia
(00:38:51-00:39:16) - Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
#026 - Alex Walzer - All Things Innovation In Construction
How do we gamify the construction industry?
On today's show we have someone who has interesting and incredible ideas for the future of the construction - Alex Walzer.
Alex is currently a Doctoral Researcher for Entrepreneurship for Digital Fabrication and Robotics in Construction
In this episode, we discuss:
Future innovations in the construction industry
How gamification can make construction more fun and engaging
Open innovation as a way to help you find new and better ways to build things
Failure - an important part of learning and innovation
---------------------------------------
Alex Walzer - Into Construction Tech
Doctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich
---------------------------------------
Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
---------------------------------------
(00:00:00-00:00:17) - Intro
(00:00:17-00:01:43) - How Alex reached where he is now?
(00:01:43-00:02:32) - Research
(00:02:32-00:03:31) - How do you stay focused?
(00:03:31-00:04:34) - What is worth your time from internet?
(00:04:34-00:05:33) - Strategies that can help who is embarking into construction
(00:05:33-00:06:22) - Favorite subject in contech
(00:06:22-00:07:18) - Implementation of robotics
(00:07:18-00:07:44) - Transition into robots in construction
(00:07:44-00:10:29) - Game
(00:10:29-00:12:00) - Energy
(00:12:00-00:15:04) - VC landscape in robotics
(00:15:04-00:18:12) - Contech in the moment
(00:18:12-00:19:04) - Digital fabrication
(00:19:04-00:20:03) - How digital fabrication is different?
(00:20:03-00:22:59) - What excites you in contech
(00:22:59-00:23:30) - How do we get there?
(00:23:30-00:26:18) - Consulting business and how it provides values?
(00:26:18-00:30:50) - Role of education
(00:30:50-00:33:28) - Where did you take your inspiration from?
(00:33:28-00:34:25) - Books
(00:34:25-00:36:08) - If you have unlimited budget where you would spend it>
(00:36:08-00:37:19) - More about Alex
(00:37:19-00:37:36) - Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
#030 - Stephen Poppe - ConTech Advising & Implementation At General/Main Contractors
Why do construction (tech) companies fail?
On today's podcast, we have Stephen Poppe, ConTech Advisor and Customer Success Leader.
Stephen is currently the Manager for Research & Development at HITT Contracting and Executive Partner at Blue Collar Capital
In this episode, we discuss:
Where people go wrong with construction tech & why companies fail
Considerations when investing in construction tech companies
Implementation and strategies for Main Contractors
Stephen's terrible taste in football (soccer) team
---------------------------------------
Stephen Poppe
R&D | Contech Advisor | Customer Success Leader | Construction Professional | Lean Practitioner(ish)
---------------------------------------
Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
---------------------------------------
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:01:57) - Intro and Sponsor
(00:01:57-00:04:13) - Why did Stephen choose Contech?
(00:04:13-00:06:02) - What are people not getting right with technology?
(00:06:02-00:07:55) - Should construction companies focus on the management process?
(00:07:55-00:10:34) - Why does a company fail in Contech?
(00:10:34-00:12:43) - What is the lean startup methodology?
(00:12:43-00:14:08) - What is important when investing in a company as a capital allocator?
(00:14:08-00:16:55) - What are the initial problems that a startup face?
(00:16:55-00:18:23) - What is HITT?
(00:18:23-00:21:28) - Labor shortage
(00:21:28-00:22:42) - Is there something else that we should focus on except technology?
(00:22:42-00:24:23) - Future of tech
(00:24:23-00:27:38) - How can we get the basics right?
(00:27:38-00:31:17) - Trends in construction tech
(00:31:17-00:33:49) - VC doesn’t like 100-million-dollar ideas?
(00:33:49-00:35:48) - Book recommendations
(00:35:48-00:36:37) - Hobbies
(00:36:37-00:36:51) - More about Stephen
(00:36:51-00:37:09) - Outro
How Starpath Robotics Plans to Mine Space Water From Moon- Is It Even Possible?
Construction robots: From hot dogs to highways?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how robotics is changing construction.
We learned about Starpath Robotics' plan to mine water on the Moon for rocket fuel. This could change how we explore space.
We also covered how construction companies are now more open to using robots. This is due to a lack of skilled workers.
Patric and Gabriele shared insights on investing in construction tech startups.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why robotics companies should start with specific problems
✅ How construction robots can help with labor shortages
✅ What investors look for in robotics startups
✅ The importance of building a track record in robotics
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Billion-Dollar Blindspots: Are Construction Tech's 'Best' Lists Building on Quicksand?
Is the construction industry building its future on a foundation of hype? Think again. The latest market maps and "best-of" lists might be leading you astray.
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored McKinsey's updated report projecting a $22 trillion construction market by 2040, alongside the industry's looming labor crisis.
We discussed the expansion of the Bricks and Bytes podcast network, including new shows like "BitBuilders" focusing on robotics in construction.
Patric also shared his critical analysis of "best-of" lists and market maps in construction tech, revealing surprising insights about company success rates.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why the construction industry is facing its most challenging and high-activity era ever
✅ How robotics might transform on-site construction in unexpected ways
✅ Why well-funded companies often underperform compared to their less publicized counterpart
✅ The importance of looking beyond funding and PR when evaluating construction tech startups
-----------------------------
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
-----------------------------
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
-----------------------------------
Company Mentioned:
- McKinsey
Gecko Robotics
Monumental
Mighty Buildings
Nexii
-----------------------------------
00:01.08 - 14:00: Introduction and Bricks and Bytes podcast network updates
14:00 - 20:10: McKinsey's updated construction productivity report
20:10 - 29:00: Labor shortage in construction industry
29:00 - 38:00: Potential solutions to labor shortage
38:00 - 44:00: Attracting talent to construction industry
44:00 - 50:30: Patric Hellermann's analysis of "best-of" lists
50:30 - 54:00: Detailed breakdown of study results
54:00 - 57:30: Discussion on implications of the study
57:30: Closing remarks and end of episode
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
The Niche Domination Strategy - Why 1% of a Huge Market Could Kill Your Startup
Is your startup targeting just 1% of a massive market? Think again. This common pitch strategy might be hurting your chances with investors.
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Opus Flow's €1.7 million investment to boost their ERP solution for sustainable installers.
We also explored the 3D visualization market, discussing by 7.2 (formerly known as Apex Partners)'s investment in Lumion, a key player in AEC software.
Patric also shared valuable insights on building successful startups in crowded markets like construction tech.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why focusing on a specific niche can be more powerful than chasing a small slice of a big market
✅ How Opus Flow stands out in the competitive ERP space
✅ Why adding AI isn't always enough to beat established players like Lumion
✅ The importance of profitability in your core business before expanding
-----------------------------
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
-----------------------------
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
-----------------------------------
Company Mentioned:
- OpusFlow
- Lumion
- Enscape
- Twinmotion
- Inframarket
-----------------------------------
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker
06:32 Navigating the Crowded Market: Opus Flow's Differentiation
10:40 The Challenges of a Red Ocean Market and Margin Compression
13:00 The Importance of Partnerships and Distribution for Opus Flow
21:37 Becoming a Category Leader: Challenges and Opportunities for Opus Flow
24:03 Introduction to the Rendering Industry
26:28 Challenges Faced by Startups
31:20 The Importance of Differentiation and Capturing Entire Workflows
36:12 The Significance of Focusing on Specific Niches
44:46 Building a Profitable Core Business
48:30 The Misconception of Targeting a Small Percentage of a Large Market
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Why 2D Design Still Beat 3D & The Surprising Impact of AI on Architectural Firms and Pricing
Is the future of architecture in 2D, not 3D? Testfit founder's has got a surprising take…
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned how TestFit grew from a weekend project to raising a Series A, changing how architects do feasibility studies.
We also discovered why small firms might replace big ones like Gensler, as AI changes how architecture works.
Patric shared why "outcome as a service" companies are shaking up the construction tech world.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why 2D design might still beat 3D and VR
✅ How AI could change the money side of architecture
✅ Why keeping customers matters more than getting new ones in construction tech
✅ The role of VC money in an industry that rarely reinvests in itself
-----------------------------------
Company Mentioned:
TestFit
Gensler
Autodesk
Prologis
Katera
Good Eggs
--------------------------------------
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
------------------------------------
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Background
09:31 Issues with the Design Stack
18:44 The Importance of 2D Design
23:43 Automation and Problem Solving
26:01 Challenges in the Design Stack
26:53 Building Meaningful Automation in AEC
30:07 The Impact of Narratives in the Venture Industry
33:24 The Future of Architecture and Design in an AI-Driven World
34:21 The Potential Fragmentation of the AEC Industry
41:07 Picking VCs and the Importance of Customer Retention
.avif)
