Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Dirt Talk by BuildWitt
Host: Aaron Witt
Episode: Hiring Developers and Predictability (BuildWitt Update #24)
Date: October 27, 2025

In this behind-the-scenes update, Aaron Witt shares the latest developments at BuildWitt, focusing on their ongoing efforts to expand their software development team, the push toward greater organizational predictability, and continual improvements to both their training content and major industry events. With characteristic humor and candor, Aaron details project highlights, team progress, and the broader vision for BuildWitt’s future.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. BuildWitt Operations and Media Expansion

• Aaron describes BuildWitt’s multi-faceted approach, which covers media, training videos, marketing, and events management.
• Quote [00:22]: “Everybody thinks it’s just me running around with the camera. And while I do do plenty of that do do, there’s plenty of brilliant people here at BuildWitt doing all sorts of things to make the dirt world a better place, build the dirt world’s next generation.”

2. Training Video Library and Production Upgrades

• BuildWitt has amassed a library of 2,000+ training videos tailored for the civil construction industry.
• The team is now revisiting earlier content to enhance quality, leveraging improved techniques and standards developed over the years.
• Recent projects: Medium Dozer and Medium Excavator walkarounds, now produced with advanced voiceover paired with fresh footage from local CAT dealer Thompson Machinery.
• Aaron loves the new direction:
  • Quote [03:55]: “We’re doing it a little differently as well with voiceover. I love voiceover… I think it’s great. I’ve gotten a lot better at it now.”

3. Upcoming Ariat Dirt World Summit

• The 3rd annual Ariat Dirt World Summit will be held November 5-7 in Dallas, Texas, featuring around 1,500 industry leaders from 500 companies.
• Star-studded speaker lineup includes Jesse Cole (Savannah Bananas), James Clear (Atomic Habits), Kim Scott (Radical Candor), Mark Miller (Chick-fil-A), and Tim Grover (Michael Jordan’s trainer).
• Unmatched for leadership and industry insight—not a typical “snooze fest.”
• Quote [06:34]: “If you’re looking for another industry event that is a snooze fest, this is definitely not for you. But if you’re a leader looking to elevate yourself, your team, looking for like minded individuals that are hungry, then look no further…”

4. Internal Software Development and Transition

• BuildWitt is actively hiring more developers to strengthen its internal software team.
• The legacy BuildWitt Training Platform will be retired in favor of the upgraded BuildWitt Improve platform, effective November.
• This transition allows for all resources to be diverted to platform improvement.
• Recent software release has improved platform speed and reliability for daily internal and external users.
  • Quote [11:28]: “We use it every day at BuildWitt. I used it yesterday. Today it’s performing a lot better. It’s really exciting to see it improve.”

5. Focus on Product Improvement and Software Mindset

• The software team is now building better admin tools and certification tracking.
• Aaron reflects on the transition to a software company, citing the importance of actions matching intentions:
  • Quote [13:07]: “Just because we’ve called ourselves a software company has not meant we’re a software company. It’s taken a while to really make that transition. But we’re there, we’re moving right along. We have metrics that are very much software company metrics and we have a great product that’s getting better.”

6. Sales Progress and Custom Content Deals

• The sales team has booked 89 meetings, close to their ambitious monthly goal of 100 since restructuring.
• New multi-year deals are being signed with large and small civil construction firms; deals include custom training video content.
• Custom content often benefits both the client company and the broader industry.
  • Example: Garney’s videos on underground and plant construction will serve their employees and the entire BuildWitt Improve user base.
  • Quote [18:21]: “I think it’s a huge advantage for any company to be featured in our training video library… it’s a win, win, win all the way around when they’re also videos for the overall industry.”

7. Final Stages of Summit Sales and Event Planning

• The team is pushing hard to finalize ticket sales and secure last-minute event sponsors.
  • Quote [20:12]: “It is a pain tracking down some of these folks. It’s a very busy time of year. I don’t blame them at all for not picking up. I’d be doing the same thing if I were them, moving dirt, laying pipe…”

8. 2026 Planning: Emphasis on Predictability and Consistency

• The leadership team will meet in Phoenix to set 2026 plans and budget, with the year’s guiding theme being “predictability” (or perhaps “consistency”).
• Greater rigor is needed in forecasting, hitting targets, and minimizing surprises for a steadier, more effective business.
  • Quote [22:18]: “The theme for 2026 will be predictability… We have to tune the organization to be predictable, steady and to deliver results consistently. Maybe consistency is even a more important word.”
• The focus is on reliable execution in software, training, events, and storytelling—“the nuts and bolts” that create lasting impact.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "When you don’t have a roadmap to follow, you kinda just figure it out. ... In theory, if you’re smart. I’m not, but our team is and we’ve gotten way better." – Aaron Witt, [01:31]
• On transitioning to a software company:
  “Just because we’ve called ourselves a software company has not meant we’re a software company.” – Aaron Witt, [13:07]
• The “dog with five legs” quote:
  “Just because you call a tail a leg does not make it so as far as dogs are concerned.” – Aaron Witt, [12:45] (referencing Abraham Lincoln)
• On what truly matters:
  “I’ve learned as I’ve gotten further in business that that’s the stuff that matters the most. It’s not the sexy stuff that makes a difference. It is the everyday nuts and bolts.” – Aaron Witt, [23:38]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:22 – Introduction to BuildWitt’s operations and different business arms
• 01:30 – Evolution and improvement of training video content
• 04:10 – New production techniques: voiceover and local partnerships
• 06:34 – Preview and benefits of Ariat Dirt World Summit
• 10:05 – Software development team expansion, platform transition
• 11:28 – Recent technical improvements and user experience
• 13:07 – Mindset shift to a true software company
• 16:45 – Sales achievements and custom content strategy
• 18:21 – How custom videos benefit individual companies and the industry
• 20:12 – Last-minute summit sales push
• 22:18 – Looking ahead: 2026 focus on predictability and consistency
• 23:38 – Reflections on consistent execution as key

Conclusion

This episode delivers a candid, enthusiastic look at both the visible progress and behind-the-scenes grind powering BuildWitt’s evolution. Aaron Witt’s humor and passion shine as he highlights the importance of continual improvement, the transition toward a software-focused mindset, and the challenge of driving business predictability. The Ariat Dirt World Summit, software overhaul, and ongoing videography all reflect BuildWitt’s commitment to elevating the entire construction and mining industry.