Using software as a supplement

RCS Influencer Trent Cotney says new technologies are a tool, but not a replacement for being purposeful and consistent in everything that you do.

Editor's note: The following is a transcript of a conversation with Trent Cotney, partner of Adams and Reese. You can watch the interview, listen to the conversation or read the transcript below.

Megan Ellsworth: Hello everyone, my name is Megan Ellsworth here at RoofersCoffeeShop.com and you're listening to an influencer interview and I'm here with Trent Cotney, one of our amazing influencers. Hi Trent. So good, excited to be chatting with you. This is the last topic of 2025. This is December's topic, which is crazy. And it's all about business practices and technology. So the question is, how can contractors balance traditional business practices with new technologies for long-term success?

Trent Cotney: Yeah. So new technologies are a tool. They're an enhancement, right? But, nothing replaces being purposeful and consistent in everything that you do. So, you know, regardless of who I'm talking to, I tell them, look, if you show up and you show up consistently, if you have a script and you follow the script, you're going to be successful, right? It's, sticking to the fundamentals. So software can absolutely supplement what you're doing, make you more efficient, you know, lot of discussions about AI and other tools that are out there.

These are all wonderful will save you time and effort, but business fundamentals are fundamentals, right? It still requires, you know, monitoring AR, monitoring customer service, understanding logistics, understanding and, you know, looking for operational excellence. So I think if you remember the fundamentals and remember that software and AI are just add-ons, then you will be successful.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah, I completely agree, especially when there's so many different options being thrown at people right now and everyone's saying, you need this, you need that, you need this. It's easy to get overwhelmed and think that you need all of the new things, but it's sometimes tried and true is what's been used the longest. Well, thank you so much Trent for today's wisdom and insight, and I look forward to chatting with you more in 2026.

Trent Cotney: Same here. Thanks.

Megan Ellsworth: Alright everyone, stay tuned. We have more influencer interviews coming to you before the end of the year. See ya.