Built to Last
Podcast Description
Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business. Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long haul.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show covers themes such as recruitment transformations, workplace culture, and entrepreneurial journeys, with episodes including discussions on post-pandemic hiring trends, employer branding, and the importance of cultural fit within organizations, providing listeners with actionable strategies for sustainable success.
Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business.
Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long haul.
In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Nick MacGregor, General Manager of McGregor’s Industrial Group.
Nick shares a grounded look at what it takes to lead a traditional, hands-on business through growth, succession, technology adoption, and changing market realities.
https://www.ironhousepro.com
00:00 – Introduction
• Levi and Colby introduce the episode and how they connected with Nick.
02:03 – Meet Nick MacGregor
• Nick introduces himself and McGregor’s Industrial Group.
03:18 – Growing Up in the Family Business
• Nick shares early memories of sweeping floors and helping around the shop.
06:40 – Transitioning Leadership Across Generations
• Nick talks about his father’s semi-retirement and the human side of succession.
12:22 – What Changes in the Top Seat
• Nick reflects on the surprises of becoming general manager.
14:19 – What McGregor’s Industrial Group Does
• Nick explains the company’s four main business units.
16:31 – Bringing Technology Into a Traditional Business
• The group discusses how digital change started inside the company.
21:56 – Building Custom Software and Learning the Hard Way
• Nick shares the story of trying to build an operations management system.
24:58 – Why ERP Projects Are So Difficult
• Nick explains why larger software implementations require serious time, money, and support.
28:25 – Payroll, CRM, and Other Technology Lessons
• Nick shares more examples of software challenges and lessons learned.
30:39 – Why Iteration Matters
• Nick explains why tools rarely work perfectly on day one.
32:51 – Training and Leadership Development
• Nick talks about courses, industry associations, and learning in smaller chunks.
35:25 – Building Culture Across Four Generations
• Nick discusses culture, visibility, and staying connected to employees.
37:20 – Making Hard Strategic Decisions
• Nick shares the decision to exit a major market that no longer made sense.
41:35 – Opportunities in the Maritimes
• Nick explains why he is optimistic about regional industrial growth.
43:59 – Staying Hands-On With Customers
• Nick talks about the “get it done” attitude and helping customers directly.
48:30 – Getting Stronger Before Growing Again
• Nick explains the choice to strengthen the foundation of the business.
50:52 – Letting People Fail and Learn
• Nick shares why mistakes are part of skill development.
52:31 – Hiring and Retaining Skilled Trades
• Nick talks about apprenticeship pathways, retention, and the labour market.
55:44 – Advice for Emerging Leaders
• Nick shares the value of hard work, ownership, and passion.
58:41 – Family, Work, and Raising Kids
• Nick talks about family life, support, and the realities of balancing responsibilities.
1:04:06 – AI Adoption and Automation
• Nick shares how his view on AI has changed and where automation may help.
1:07:45 – Finding Better Ways to Work
• Nick reflects on manual labour, burnout, and rethinking old processes.
#BuiltToLastPodcast #FamilyBusiness #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #DigitalAdoption #SkilledTrades
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