Struggling to keep your pipeline full? Losing jobs to competitors even when your work is better? Tired of relying on word of mouth and hoping the phone rings?
The AltaVista Angle is built for contractors who want a more reliable way to grow.
Hosted by a team that works with over 600 contractors across the country, this podcast brings a real-world view of what is working right now in contractor marketing, sales, and business operations. You’re not getting theory. You’re getting insight based on what contractors are actually seeing every day.
Each episode breaks down sales and marketing strategies that help contractors generate new opportunities, win more bids, and build a stronger, more scalable business. You’ll learn what works in contractor marketing today, from digital outreach to improving your close rate and pricing jobs with confidence.
This podcast covers contractor marketing, sales strategies, improving your internal processes, and using technology to grow a more efficient and competitive business.
Whether you run a roofing company, paving business, HVAC company, or another trade service, you’ll get clear direction you can apply to your business.
If you want more jobs, better clients, and stronger revenue, this show will show you how to get there.
Playing the Long Game: How Industry Relationships Drive Growth
How can commercial contractors use industry associations, peer groups, and networking to build stronger relationships and support long-term business growth? In this episode of the AltaVista Angle, we speak with Aaron Moore, president of PPD Painting and co-founder of the Commercial Painting Industry Association. Aaron explains how consistent industry involvement has helped PPD Painting build its reputation, stay visible, and develop lasting relationships with commercial property managers and...
27 Aug 2026
Organic Revenue Growth from Existing Customers
In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, and Bryan Dunkel explain how contractors can increase revenue from current customers through cross-selling, better communication, and stronger account management. They discuss why every division must be ready before a company promotes more services, how to educate customers without overwhelming them with sales messages, and why trust should guide every offer. The team also shares practical ways to promote services through ...
17 Aug 2026
How Contractors Can Hire and Develop Top Salespeople
What separates an average salesperson from a top performer? In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, the team discusses how to identify, hire, develop, and retain salespeople who are disciplined, competitive, and ready to work. Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, and Bryan Dunkel are joined by AltaVista Sales Manager Jake McLaughlin. Jake explains his approach to cold calling and how consistent effort helped him reach his year-end sales goal by April. The conversation addresses a common hiring qu...
16 Jul 2026
Winning Jobs Isn't Enough: How Contractors Build Lasting Customer Relationships
Winning one job is one thing. Owning the customer relationship is how you build a great business. In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, and Bryan Dunkel discuss what it takes to move beyond winning bids and build long-term customer relationships that create lasting value for your business. The conversation covers every stage of the customer lifecycle, from winning the first opportunity and delivering an exceptional first job to expanding relationships, handli...
15 Jun 2026
The Marketing Technology Explosion: What Actually Works?
New marketing tools are launching faster than ever. AI-powered lead generation platforms, buyer intent software, CRM automations, sales agents, data providers, and countless other technologies all promise the same thing: more leads, more sales, and faster growth. But which tools actually deliver results? In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, Bryan Dunkel, and Brian Nichols discuss the rapid growth of marketing technology and share their perspective on how con...
20 May 2026
Building a Contracting Business Through Every Growth Stage
In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, and Bryan Dunkel break down the real challenges contractors face when building and growing a business through different stages of growth. From startup struggles to scaling a mature company, the conversation covers what separates contractors that continue growing from those that get stuck. The team also discusses today’s economic climate, how interest rates and market conditions are impacting contractors, and why process, c...
28 Apr 2026
Why Some Contractors Are Thriving (And Others Aren’t) | Construction Industry Insights
In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, the team sits down with Mike Henderson, President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Baltimore, to break down what’s really happening across the construction industry today. From shifting market conditions to workforce challenges, this conversation covers what contractors are facing right now, and what separates companies that are growing from those that are struggling. They discuss how diversification and service work are ...
1 Apr 2026
Contractor Marketing Mistakes That Slow Your Growth
Are your marketing mistakes slowing down your growth? In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, and Bryan Dunkel break down the most common contractor marketing mistakes and how they directly impact your ability to win work in today’s market. From missed opportunities to inconsistent strategy, they cover what separates growing companies from those falling behind. You'll discover: How poor follow-up and lack of process hurt closing ratesThe role of CRM systems in ...
16 Mar 2026
Cold Calling Still Works: The Mindset & Strategies That Build Real Business
Many companies overlook the power of cold calling in today’s digital world, but the truth is, it remains one of the most effective lead generation strategies. In this episode, AltaVista sales veterans Aaron Hockel, Ray McLaughlin, and Bryan Dunkel sit down with sales manager Ben Hollingsworth to discuss why cold calling continues to be one of the most effective lead generation strategies for B2B sales. The team shares real experiences from years in the field and explains how preparation, mi...
22 Jan 2026
Navigating AI-Driven Search: Winning Strategies for Contractors
Is AI finding your business? In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, host Aaron Hockel and Managing Partner Ray McLaughlin dive into the transformative impact of AI-driven search on SEO, specifically for contractors. Joined by SEO expert Kent VanderWoude, they explore how AI is reshaping traditional search methods and the pivotal role your website plays in this new landscape. You'll discover: How AI platforms like ChatGPT are changing the SEO gameThe decline in click-through rates and...
19 Nov 2025
How Strong Company Culture Builds High-Performing Teams
A strong team doesn’t happen by accident. It grows from a culture that pushes people to show up, stay accountable, and support each other. In this episode, Aaron and Ray sit down with guest Todd Mohr for a real conversation about what drives a healthy culture and how it impacts performance across an organization. Together, they talk through the daily habits that shape team behavior, the role leaders play in setting the tone, and why hiring people who fit your values is one of the most import...
13 Oct 2025
Back to Basics: Sales & CRM Discipline for Contractors
Are you losing deals before you ever get a chance to bid? In this episode of The AltaVista Angle, the partners at AltaVista Strategic Partners share why “back to basics” sales fundamentals matter now more than ever. You’ll hear: Why intake calls and follow-up set the tone for every opportunityHow CRM discipline impacts closing ratiosReal stories of missed opportunities from poor lead handlingA $600 service call that grew into $30,000+ in projectsWhat contractors can do today to sharpen fund...
8 Sept 2025
AI for Contractors: From Automation to SEO
Whether you want to speed up proposal follow-ups, improve your sales process, or understand how AI changes SEO for contractors, this episode of The AltaVista Angle shares practical ways to put AI to work in your contracting business right now. Host Aaron Hockel is joined by Managing Partner Ray McLaughlin, Partners Brian Nichols and Bryan Dunkel, and COO Kendall Mason. Together, they explain where AI adds real value for contractors, how to start small, and what to measure so you see results....
19 Aug 2025
Private Equity for Contractors: What to Know Before You Partner
Whether you’re actively exploring a sale, considering a private equity partner, or just want to understand how private equity impacts contracting businesses, this episode of The AltaVista Angle gives you an insider’s view into how it really works — and what to know before making a move. Host Aaron Hockel and AltaVista Managing Partner Ray McLaughlin sit down with Andrew Sachs, Founding Partner at Mauloa, who brings over 30 years of private equity experience. Andrew shares how his approach di...
17 Jul 2025
Closing More Deals in 2025: Contractor Sales Strategies That Work
The economy might be slowing down, but the most successful contractors are still winning — and this episode breaks down exactly how. Host Aaron Hockel and the AltaVista leadership team unpack how sales best practices, strategic marketing, and consistent execution are helping contractors stay competitive and close deals in 2025. You'll hear real client stories, industry insights, and proven methods that are working right now. Key takeaways from this episode include: Why consistency and hustl...
27 Jun 2025
The State of the Contractor Economy — and What To Do About It
Host Aaron Hockel interviews Brian Nichols, Bryan Dunkel, and Ray McLaughlin about the current state of the contractor economy and the crucial issues impacting contractors today.
Who has been a guest on The AltaVista Angle
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Brian Nichols
Bryan Dunkel
Ray McLaughlin
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
24 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
5
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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