The Site Shed
The Site Shed is a global podcast for tradies and trade-based business owners, designed to educate and inform around the topics that matter most in running a business.
Hosted by former plumber and digital agency owner Matt Jones, the podcast covers real-world conversations on apprenticeships, marketing, systems, technology, hiring, leadership, and more — all tailored to the trades.
Each episode features practical insights, honest lessons, and expert guests from across the industry. Whether you're a plumber, builder, electrician, landscaper, or any hands-on business owner, you'll find ideas and experiences you can apply straight away.
If you're ready to work smarter, not harder, The Site Shed offers tools, ideas, and perspectives to help your business move forward.
The Site Shed
The Shocking Truth About Why Nearly Half of Your Leads Never Convert, And How to Fix it I ft. Erick Vargas | Ep. 447
In this episode, host Matt Jones sits down with Erick Vargas, entrepreneur and co-founder of Followup CRM, for a deep dive into the world of customer relationship management (CRM) in the construction and trade industries. Kicking off the first podcast of 2025, Matt and Erick unpack the evolving role of CRMs—from their origins as lead and sales tools, to their vital importance in streamlining operations, improving communication, and scaling businesses.
Erick shares his journey developing Followup CRM, a platform specifically designed for contractors that emerged out of real-world frustrations with generic software. Together, they explore the critical differences between CRMs, job management, and project management software, and discuss why so many businesses lose sales simply by failing to follow up with leads. With practical anecdotes, industry stats, and insights into integrating new tech, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to future-proof their trade business and build company value through smart systems and processes.
Whether you're a business owner, salesperson, or just interested in construction technology, you’ll find plenty of actionable takeaways on maximizing your pipeline, optimizing your team, and driving real growth.
Listen to the video version of this podcast at https://youtu.be/2AChnrdchRs
00:00 "Streamlining CRM in Trade Biz
06:19 "Importance of Persistent Follow-Up
07:32 Maximize Follow-Up for Sales Success
11:48 Instant On-Site Quoting Boosts Conversions
13:37 "Improve, Don't Settle"
20:24 "CRM's Impact on Construction Businesses"
23:47 Transforming Knowledge into Scalable Systems
25:39 Embracing and Adopting Technology
30:03 "Team Collaboration Enhances Customer Success"
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Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today!
👀 Check This Out:
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