Bridging the Gap: How Strong Processes and Team Training Create Construction Businesses That Last
In the construction industry, team misalignment, unclear processes, and siloed communication are more than just frustrating—they’re expensive. Whether you're running a growing subcontracting business or managing multiple departments as a general contractor, the difference between a thriving operation and one constantly putting out fires often comes down to how well your teams communicate and follow process. In this episode of Construction Trailblazers, host Samantha Prestidge talks with Josh from Sulphur Prairie Management about the real-world struggles and solutions around construction leadership, team management, communication, and operational efficiency—especially between accounting and project management. If you've ever been caught in the “who dropped the ball” blame game, this episode is for you.
Top Takeaways from This Episode:
✅ Build trust from day one: New hires perform better when they’re trusted and supported.
✅ Don’t just follow processes—teach why they matter.
✅ Break down silos between departments to avoid costly mistakes.
✅ Focus on cash flow awareness at every level of the organization.
✅ Training isn't optional—it's how you create stability and scalability.
Build Trust from Day One
One of the most powerful (and overlooked) ways to improve team performance is to assume the best from your new hires. According to Josh, leaders should train as if the employee is not going to leave. “You need to extend that trust immediately,” he says, “because that’s what builds buy-in and stronger performance.”
Trust early on doesn’t mean skipping accountability—it means giving your people the tools, context, and support they need to succeed. When trust is embedded into onboarding, employees lean into their roles faster and are less likely to become disengaged or overwhelmed.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Documented processes make it safer to extend trust. When someone stumbles, they have a fallback—not a free fall.
Don’t Just Follow the Process—Explain Why
A major issue in construction companies is rigid adherence to process without any context. Take payment workflows, for example. Josh shares a scenario where a general contractor’s accounting department refuses to process a subcontractor payment because a project manager hasn’t clicked the “approve” button—even though it’s 90 days past due. That’s not just frustrating; it’s legally risky.
The takeaway? If your team doesn’t understand the urgency or purpose behind a process, they won’t know when—and how—it’s appropriate to escalate, adapt, or bypass the standard steps.
🎯 Lesson: Processes should serve the business, not create bottlenecks. Make training part of your process adoption strategy, and always include why a process exists.
Break Down the Silos Between PMs and Accounting
Construction businesses often struggle because departments operate in silos. Josh emphasizes the importance of empathy and proactive communication between project managers and accountants.
Instead of saying “that’s not my job,” or assuming the other team is incompetent, PMs and accounting staff need to collaborate. A simple mindset shift—like asking “what did I do wrong here?”—can open the door to better communication and stronger alignment.
🧠 Mindset Shift: “We’re one team. Let’s figure this out together.”
Cash Flow Awareness Isn’t Just for the CFO
Every construction business exists for one key reason: money. As blunt as that sounds, Josh reminds us that profitability isn’t a dirty word—it’s essential. Every team member should understand how their actions impact the bottom line, from purchase approvals to how quickly timesheets are submitted.
And here’s the hard truth: 91.5% of construction businesses don’t survive 20 years. That means if you want staying power, you need a financially literate team that makes smart, timely decisions.
💡 Action Step: Make cash flow education a part of regular team meetings, not just something you look at when you’re in a crunch.
Training Creates Resilient, Scalable Teams
Training isn’t just about teaching someone how to do a task—it’s about equipping them to think critically, understand the big picture, and contribute meaningfully. Josh points out that even employees with construction management degrees often lack real-world understanding. The key is to start with the “why,” then layer in the how.
He also offers a fresh take on project management: “A PM is like the bucket of a project. Your team does the work, but the PM fills in the gaps so the bucket holds more water.” Whether your PMs come from the field or the classroom, training them to identify and fill those gaps is how you create operational flow and project success.
👷 Pro Insight: Technical training is important—but so is teaching people how to communicate across departments, manage change, and stay aligned to company goals.
Final Thoughts: It All Comes Down to Culture, Clarity, and Cash Flow
If there’s one thing to take away from this conversation, it’s that sustainable construction businesses don’t just happen. They’re built intentionally—with process, with training, and with people who understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Whether you’re a subcontractor scaling your team or a general contractor tightening operations, it’s time to ask: are we just checking boxes, or are we building a company that can weather the long haul?
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
Want to hear more of Josh’s insights on EOS, real-world training, and how to keep your projects running smoothly without burning out your team?
👉 Listen to the full episode of Construction Trailblazers here: https://constructiontrailblazers.com/
(Or find us on your favorite podcast platform!)
💬 Got a trailblazing story of your own? Reach out on LinkedIn or email us at hello@constructiontrailblazers.com—we’d love to hear from you.