Episode 7 – Matt Cranney on Leadership: Passion Doesn’t Come First. Effort Does.

Matt Cranney has spent 22 years at M3 Insurance — a private, independent agency with 68 shareholders and no majority owner — and he’s now Executive Vice President helping lead its strategy, small-business division, and HR consulting arm. In this conversation with host Allan Breidenbach, Matt breaks down how M3 built a culture that refuses to rank customers above employees (or vice versa), why the agency deliberately talks about “effectiveness” instead of “efficiency,” and how they’re rolling out AI as something “redemptive, not replacing.”

Is a Barndominium the right fit for you?

Also known as a barndominiums are growing in popularity for good reason. These post-frame buildings offer consumers tremendous flexibility and options. But is a barndominium the right fit for you? This guide is designed to help you answer that question.

Shouse Survey

	Yes	No
You understand that barndominium/shouse pricing is comparable to studwall home construction, particularly those with traditional 2-3 car garages and basements. Interior finishes are the same in either building type, and the advantages of a barndominium/shouse largely go away when the garage/shop space is modest and a basement is required. In many cases, you can expect to pay the same as studwall construction (i.e., somewhere between $175 - $250 per square foot depending on your market).
You want an attached garage and/or shop space > standard 2-3 car garage (i.e., > 1,200 square feet). Using post-frame building design, a barndominium/shouse is able to create large usable spaces cost-effectively in ways that traditional studwall construction cannot.
You like the aesthetic of steel (for the roof and sidewalls) typically used in a barndominium/shouse. Alternate materials may be used on the exterior, but they add cost.
You are comfortable using a concrete floating slab (or equivalent) to meet your foundation needs. A barndominium/shouse can be built on nearly any concrete foundation, including traditional basements. However, traditional basements are not necessary with a barndominium/shouse and having one increases cost.
You want to do some of the interior work yourself (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fixtures), or you want to be the general contractor for that scope of work. While some builders will do full turnkey projects, most prefer to perform work through completion of the building shell.

Is a Shouse the right fit for you?

Shouse = Shop + House

Also known as a barndominium, shouses are growing in popularity for good reason. These post-frame buildings offer consumers tremendous flexibility and options. But is a shouse the right fit for you? This guide is designed to help you answer that question.

Shouse Survey

	Yes	No
You understand that barndominium/shouse pricing is comparable to studwall home construction, particularly those with traditional 2-3 car garages and basements. Interior finishes are the same in either building type, and the advantages of a barndominium/shouse largely go away when the garage/shop space is modest and a basement is required. In many cases, you can expect to pay the same as studwall construction (i.e., somewhere between $175 - $250 per square foot depending on your market).
You want an attached garage and/or shop space > standard 2-3 car garage (i.e., > 1,200 square feet). Using post-frame building design, a barndominium/shouse is able to create large usable spaces cost-effectively in ways that traditional studwall construction cannot.
You like the aesthetic of steel (for the roof and sidewalls) typically used in a barndominium/shouse. Alternate materials may be used on the exterior, but they add cost.
You are comfortable using a concrete floating slab (or equivalent) to meet your foundation needs. A barndominium/shouse can be built on nearly any concrete foundation, including traditional basements. However, traditional basements are not necessary with a barndominium/shouse and having one increases cost.
You want to do some of the interior work yourself (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fixtures), or you want to be the general contractor for that scope of work. While some builders will do full turnkey projects, most prefer to perform work through completion of the building shell.

Episode 7 – Matt Cranney on Leadership: Passion Doesn’t Come First. Effort Does.

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