The fastest way to burn profit is to build off bad data. We sit down with Tylor Foster, founder and CEO of DirtLab, to unpack how rushed designs, mismatched elevations, and vague standards cascade into RFIs, idle equipment, and rework—and how to stop it before a blade ever touches dirt. Tylor draws on years at Granite’s large projects group to show why clean inputs and strong project controls aren’t optional; they’re the foundation that turns weekly WIP into real insight and keeps your forecast honest.

We walk through the real-world path from paper plans to usable GPS models: drone topos, machine control, takeoffs that become working documents, and constructibility reviews that surface conflicts when they’re cheap to fix. If you’ve ever tried to plug engineer CAD directly into your machines, you know the pain: broken layers, missing standards, unusable formats. DirtLab acts as a digital translator between designers and operators, packaging issues and files so engineers can respond fast—and so your crews build it right the first time.

Training is the multiplier. Not the “click here, then here” kind, but the kind that teaches the why, so your team can adapt when the perfect dataset doesn’t exist. Tylor shares ten-second tips that add up to months of savings, plus a frank take on dealer support gaps and how to build a support network that sticks. We also tackle the generational shift: younger leaders embracing base and rover and machine control to control costs, veterans guarding hard-won craft, and the middle ground where tech makes good operators great. The bottom line: technology is no longer about nice-to-have ROI; it’s about the feasibility of staying competitive as owners and DOTs codify digital delivery.

If you’re tired of finding problems in the field, want fewer RFIs, and need models your machines can trust, this conversation lays out the system: clean inputs, constructibility-first modeling, and training that scales from bid to blade. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share it with your crew, and leave a review to help more builders find it.

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Hard work shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Sy sits down with Zach Estes, founder of Lean Dirt, to unpack a simple, battle-tested way to run civil construction with less chaos and more clarity. We get straight into the 2-3-4 framework, two systems, three actions, four routines, that turns hidden information into visible standards and transforms accountability from a speech into a system.

We start by reframing value vs waste and why civil construction is real value creation, then zoom into the tools that make teams faster: a single home for project information, a clean action system that leaders actually use, and “success statements” that define outcomes for every role. Zach shows how to rate performance green, yellow, or red without micromanaging, how to write standards people can follow, and how daily logs close the loop with estimating so bids reflect real production, not wishful numbers. Sy shares field-tested wins and misses, from switching software to the cost of a gas line strike, and how transparency with crews creates buy-in when margins are thin.

We also explore practical tech that pays off immediately. A basic to‑do app beats a notebook for capture, organization, and review. AI becomes a pocket coach for routes, checklists, calculations, and training scripts. And “mise en place” applies to project data as much as tools: everything in its place, accessible in one spot. The thread running through it all is purpose: clarify why you wake up, put it where you’ll see it, and then make the plan, the numbers, and the tasks just as visible. That’s how you move from firefighting to forward motion.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review so more builders find it. Got a question or a guest you want on the mic? Drop us a note at bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com and let’s tackle it together.

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Think your marketing problem needs more ad spend? Luke Eggebraaten argues it needs a better foundation. We dig into the exact steps excavation and utility contractors can take to get found, get picked, and get paid, without wasting cash on “magic” lead promises. Luke shares how he went from broad small-business marketing to serving the dirt world exclusively, why that focus matters, and how his team helps crews build a digital presence that matches the quality of their work in the ground.

We walk through the essentials: claim and optimize your Google Business Profile, build clear service pages that answer real questions, and make reviews a habit after every job. Then tie it together with short, authentic posts across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and, don’t skip this, your Google Business updates. You’ll learn how Google evaluates authority, relevancy, and user experience in an AI-first world, and why strong content beats keyword tricks every time. Luke also tackles the biggest money pit he sees: paid ads without an operational or digital base. His rule of thumb is simple: build the fire, then add fuel.

This conversation goes beyond lead flow. We show how the same funnel that wins jobs also attracts better people: awareness of your culture, consideration on a clean careers page, conversion with a quick application. When you keep marketing during busy seasons, you flatten peaks and valleys and gain leverage to choose better clients and projects. Along the way, we swap practical tactics for consistent posting, talk through partner red flags, and share mindset tools, priorities, gratitude, and patience that keep owners from burning out.

If you’re ready to replace guesswork with a grounded plan, hit play and take notes. Then subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a contractor who needs a real marketing reset.

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