Most construction companies talk a big game about safety. PPE, compliance forms, toolbox talks—but why do crews still cut corners? In this episode, Adam and Jeff tackle the uncomfortable truth: safety programs don’t create safety culture—leadership does . They share raw stories from the field, call out lazy thinking, and unpack why most “compliance-first” approaches are doomed to fail. If you’re a GC, superintendent, or project manager trying to keep your people safe without being a babysitter—t...
Jul 24, 2025•20 min•Ep. 16
Do General Contractors still deserve their fee—or are they just expensive middlemen? In this provocative episode, Adam and Jeff tackle a controversial listener question: "Do we even need General Contractors anymore?" With the rise of tech-driven management and self-performing owners, the traditional role of GCs is under scrutiny. Join the debate as they explore: Why GCs transitioned from hands-on builders to "paper-pushing" construction managers. Hidden risks subcontractors and GCs face if owner...
Jul 10, 2025•12 min•Ep. 15
Managing your construction budget is tough—but who's got it tougher? Subs or GCs? Adam (former trade contractor) and Jeff (former GC) face off in this episode to settle a classic industry debate: whose project budget is actually harder to manage? You'll hear: Why subcontractor budgets might actually be more complex. Hidden pitfalls subs face daily that GCs rarely experience. Real-world stories of budget management gone sideways (and lessons learned the hard way). Think you know which side has it...
Jun 24, 2025•17 min•Ep. 14
“That Could Never Happen Here…Right?” – A Cautionary Tale of Financial Fraud What if one trusted employee could quietly put your entire company at risk? This week on Construction Hot Takes , Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson dig into a real-life story that could happen in any construction business. With Greg out on the road, Adam shares a case of financial fraud at a billion-dollar firm, where a regional manager manipulated millions in the books – and nearly brought the whole operation down. Names ...
Jun 11, 2025•20 min•Ep. 13
Fresh from a business leaders conference in Las Vegas, Adam brings back eye-opening insights on how rapidly AI is advancing… and why every construction company, big or small, can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Jeff and Adam unpack real-world ways AI can make a difference for contractors. From predictive scheduling and automated delay claims to AI-powered contract reviews, smarter procurement, and even proposal writing, they share clear strategies that any construction business can start using...
May 23, 2025•14 min•Ep. 12
Episode Summary In this mini-episode of Construction Hot Takes, our experts tackle a common challenge in the construction industry: what to do after purchasing Procore construction management software. They share practical insights on implementation, training, and maximizing the value of your Procore investment. Key Points Discussed - Beyond the "Orange Easy Button"- Why Procore isn't a magic solution and requires proper implementation - Implementation Strategy - Setting up roles, permissions, a...
Apr 23, 2025•7 min•Ep. 11
There’s a huge disconnect between construction operations and finance teams—and when it comes to construction risk management, that divide can cost projects big. Who should really be responsible for reducing risk on construction projects? Is it construction accounting and finance, or does project management and field operations need to step up? In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam, Greg, and Jeff break down how construction business leaders can bridge the gap between construction fina...
Mar 20, 2025•18 min•Ep. 10
In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam, Greg, and Jeff reveal the 5 simple mistakes that can completely ruin and de-rail a construction project by causing delays and budget overruns and tanking profitability. According to Ascent CEO Adam Cooper, one of the biggest mistakes too many construction companies are making today is simple not fully reading or understanding construction contracts. Too many general contractors and subcontractors skim through contracts without catching key clauses...
Mar 06, 2025•15 min•Ep. 9
You can’t afford to miss this episode. The team at Ascent Consulting tackles the threat of risks hanging over your construction project. Adam warns that most contractors are not sufficiently risk averse. They don’t see risks coming until it is too late. Jeff advises using risk as a lens to plan a project – by identifying every possible problem. With a wide range of examples, Adam, Jeff and Gregory unpack macro and micro risks. They explain how micro risks often surface on site, such as schedulin...
Feb 20, 2025•21 min•Ep. 8
In this episode the team at Ascent Consulting digs deeper into private equity in the construction sector and how they help companies prepare for exit and growth. CEO Adam Cooper breaks down the perspective of private equity firms pre acquisition and post acquisition. Senior Consultant Gregory Gorman unpacks for listeners how each private equity firm has its own mandate and strategy as they prepare to acquire a construction company. Both Adam and Gregory speak from their experience working behind...
Feb 06, 2025•21 min•Ep. 7
In this episode Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, pull back the curtain on their construction background. The hosts reveal the paths that led to their current roles at Ascent Consulting. When his stepdad encouraged him to pick up summer work on a construction site, Jeff fell in love with the industry as a teenager. Gregory’s story starts in New York where he worked at a hedge fund before transitioning to CFO of a construction company...
Jan 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 6
This is a can’t miss episode for listeners who want to understand the ins and outs of private equity in construction. Gregory Gorman, senior consultant at Ascent Consulting, kicks off the discussion by breaking down the difference between private equity and direct investment. The team discusses the various considerations when a construction company is looking to be bought out by a private equity firm. They clearly explain the “due diligence” phase of such a buyout, and factors like ownership sta...
Jan 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 5
Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, senior consultants at Ascent Consulting, unpack the pros and cons of integrating construction software into your business. Together Gregory and Jeff answer the question: Is construction software all it’s cracked up to be? They caution that there is no easy button when it comes to construction software. It’s important to consider the return on investment when it comes to costs and implementation, including training your teams to use the newly adopted software. A...
Dec 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 4
Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, together with senior consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, dig into how to maximize your return on investment after purchasing Procore. All three hosts agree that the construction management software is a Swiss army knife. But Procore is not in the business of helping new users get up to speed on how best to use the system. That’s where Ascent Consulting comes in, to help companies that paid top dollar for Procore understand the ins and outs of the...
Nov 14, 2024•20 min•Ep. 3
In the latest episode, Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson, discuss WIP (Work in Progress) and how to use the accounting method to best manage construction projects. They emphasize the importance of being honest about the finances of an ongoing project, and trusting the data in your WIP to manage that project effectively. Adam, Greg, and Jeff unpack how to best use your WIP to track everything from budgeting and forecasting, to change orde...
Oct 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 2
In this episode, Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson, dissect a crucial topic for construction companies: the difference between growth and scaling. They break down the distinct challenges each phase brings, from the top-line revenue focus of growth to the structured, intentional nature of scaling. The team explores common pitfalls when companies grow too quickly, such as lack of standardized processes and the strain of employees wearing t...
Oct 17, 2024•18 min•Ep. 1
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Oct 11, 2024•39 sec
