If the Math Ain't Mathing Part 1 - Revenue, Cost and Margin

Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

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In this episode of Verify Infield, host Jacob Edmond sits down with returning guest John VanErem, Executive VP at Adams Group, to break down the financial fundamentals every millwork company should understand, but many overlook.

This isn’t just another chat about spreadsheets. John brings real-world clarity to the concepts of revenue recognition, cost tracking, and contribution margin, using real data from the AWI Cost of Doing Business Survey. If you're a project manager, estimator, engineer—or just trying to understand how the money actually flows—this is the episode for you.

About Our Guest

John Van Erem is the Executive Vice President at Adams Group and an AWI instructor, known for his practical approach to millwork finance. With years of experience managing complex projects and leading financial analysis, John is passionate about helping millwork teams—from the shop floor to the C-suite—understand the numbers behind the work.

Where to Learn More

• Get the full PowerPoint presentation here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cvF34bmYwQ9qYi8Wq8Mq0Wgram-H-kKt/view?usp=sharing
• Find out more about the AWI Cost of Doing Business Survey: https://awinet.org/codbs/
• Learn more about Adams Group: https://discoveradams.com/
• Follow John on social media:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvanerem/

Final Thoughts

If the math ain’t mathing at your shop, this episode will help you decode why and what you can do about it. Whether you're tracking hours, chasing change orders, or trying to justify a raise, understanding revenue and margin is critical to your success and your company's future.

📌 Stay tuned for Part 2: High-Profit Habits

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