Continuity Plans – Not Just for the Swine Flu Outbreak

It’s a great idea to plan ahead in your business so that natural disasters, illness, injuries and family emergencies cause the least disruption possible. That’s the idea behind a Continuity Plan – your business can continue in some way if a future event occurs that would disrupt normal business practices.

Probably the most important thing you can do for yourself and your employees, customers and family in the case of a disaster is to remain calm. Having a contingency plan in place will help you to feel confident should anything untoward happen.

Here are some tips to help you with your own Continuity Plan:

1. Involve other employees in the planning process to ensure a thorough, workable plan. Make sure everyone in your organization knows the plan.
2. Develop an up-dated list of contact information for customers, vendors, subcontractors, and employees that you keep with you at all times.
3. Check to be certain you will have access to any warehouse or office space if you are not the primary occupant or if you sub-lease.
4. If you plan to work from home, test your systems now to be sure your remote access connections work.
5. If you have employees and you plan to allow them to work from home, test their remote access systems, too. Also check their internet access to make sure it is adequate.
6. Make note of all user names and passwords required for programs and web access. Make sure that employees who could be working from home have done the same.
7. Determine which functions are critical for your business and which can be put on the back burner in case your staff is reduced.
8. Cross train your employees so that all necessary jobs can be covered.
9. Test or activate on-line banking.
10. Make arrangements for additional labor if your own labor is unavailable.
11. Make arrangements for your own job functions and those of all key employees should you be unable to work.
    
    

How to verify an e-mail address

It’s easy to verify snail mail addresses and phone numbers through reverse directories or phone books. But what if you have a contact list full of old e-mail addresses? Maybe you’ve sent an e-mail and haven't yet received a reply.

You can check to make sure the e-mail address is still valid. (Whether or not the recipient will open the e-mail is another story entirely!)

Go to verify-email.org and enter the address. The system will tell you if the e-mail address still exists.

Believe

When no one else believes in you, believe in yourself and watch the magic happen!
Enjoy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Professional Remodeler’s Business Results Survey Is Out

If you haven’t seen it yet, you should check out Professional Remodeler Magazine’s 2009 Business Results Survey. You can find it on-line at http://www.housingzone.com/proremodeler/article/CA6649117.html?nid=2470&rid=10200878.

There is nothing really surprising to all of us who have been living through this economic downturn. Company revenues are down. Average job sizes are down. Number of jobs are up. Labor cost is up. Repeat and referral leads are up.

But it’s worth taking a look at the survey results and really studying the figures as well as the commentary. If you do, you will find out what projects are the most popular, which marketing techniques bring in the most leads, and the average owners’ compensation among the group. You can check your company’s numbers against the survey results to see where you stand.

Check out the article, Examining the remodeling market crash.

Source: Professional Remodeler

Inevitability Thinking

In yesterday’s post, I stated that “We live our lives differently when we know the outcome.”

You might ask, though, how do we know the outcome?

By utilizing inevitability thinking.

If it is inevitable (in our own minds) that we succeed, we will create all of the conditions necessary for that success to be inevitable. It’s a paradox but one with a positive outcome.

Be careful, though. Inevitability thinking can have negative outcomes, too, as it already does for so many. We think it is inevitable that we fail, that we don’t make the sale, that we struggle in our business.

It doesn’t have to be like that. Find it inevitable that you succeed and you will know the outcome.

We live our lives differently when we know the outcome

Ever watch a sporting event on tape when you already know the outcome? Chances are, if you already know your team or player had won, you tend to treat their set-backs in a different way. “It’s ok, better shot next time,” you might say. Or “You’ll turn this around.” And, sure enough, your team or player does. Most likely, you didn’t get upset or mad. You didn’t yell at the tv or berate the player. You remained pretty calm and you were able to enjoy the game.

Now imagine you are able to do that with your own life. You already know the outcome. You know that the steps you take toward that outcome will, in most cases, move you closer. But, occasionally, there will be a misstep and you’ll find yourself having to make an adjustment or re-group in a different direction. But it’s ok because you know that, in the end, you will reach your goal.

Wouldn’t you feel better when life throws you a curve ball? You wouldn’t waste time getting angry or sad or depressed. You wouldn’t waste your energy complaining or wishing for something different. You’d just move on. “It’s ok, I’ll do that better next time,” you might tell yourself.

Truth is we do know the outcome.

As Napoleon Hill said, “There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”

With that definiteness of purpose and that burning desire, we know the outcome. We will succeed.

That’s a life-altering change in our thought process.

How would you live your life if you already knew the outcome?

To Your Success,
Annette

P.S. “Where’s John?” some of you want to know. John has been busy selling. But I promise you he will be back this week with a great post. Check it out!

Another remodeling boom on the horizon?

Although we are in the midst of an economic crisis, the U.S. population continues to increase. Annual household growth is expected to rise by an average of more than 1.5 million for the 2009 to 2012 period.

But builders aren’t building new homes. Although housing prices as well as interest rates are at record lows, the demand just isn’t there right now. And it’s tough for developers and builders to find financing for their projects or their buyers.

So what’s going to happen once things turn around? And it will. It’s just a matter of time. All those people and no new homes to buy? Remodeling. Be ready.

Remodeling is a local market

You may be hearing about the horrible housing markets in Florida, Arizona and California. After all, it’s all the media focuses on. Those states are among the hardest hit in the housing melt-down. They also had some of the highest property values, too. Values were rising faster than new housing could be built. In hindsight, it was a recipe for disaster.

But what if you live in a different area of the country? What if you are in, say, Austin Texas, or Portland, Oregon? In those areas, housing was not hit as hard. The economies are, well, we can’t use the word “strong” any longer. Maybe “firm” would be a better characterization.

The point is that remodeling, like homebuilding, is a local economy. The media loves to make sweeping statements that make us believe it is the same all over the country. But it’s not. Even areas within hard-hit places like California, Arizona and Florida are doing better than others.

Focus on your own local market and don’t buy into the rest of it.

Help your remodeling customers feel good about their decisions

There’s a great question and answer on the HGTV Pro.com site that I want to share with you today. It characterizes how our remodeling customers and potential customers are feeling right now. They are afraid, scared, frightened. This state of fear makes it difficult for them to make a decision. So they continue to sit on the sidelines waiting. They’re not sure what they are waiting for. But they are waiting.

We need to convince our potential customers that they are making the right decision. We can do that through our marketing and sales processes. Help your customers feel good about the remodeling decisions they are making and you will see more projects come your way.

To Your Success,
Annette


Ed Del Grande: Ask Ed
April 6, 2009
Recession Remodeling: Money Down the Drain?

Q: Hi, Ed. My husband and I are loyal readers of your column, and we both decided we would follow your advice on the following matter. For the past several years we have been saving up to remodel our bathroom, and the highlight of the job will be installing a big, beautiful whirlpool tub. Now that we actually have the money to do the project, we are hesitant to start the job because of the slow economy. Is this a good time to remodel the bathroom, or should we wait? -Tina, Nebraska

A: Tina, you're not alone, and it seems with all the bad economic news being reported by just about every major media outlet, we've become a bunch of deer stuck in the headlights. I believe that if we all take a break from the doom and gloom and start living our lives again, we may actually get things moving!

Day after day, the news tells about the bad loans and how houses are losing money. However, what you don't hear is that now may be the best time in years to invest in your home if you have a little cash or equity built up.

For the first time in a long time, good contractors are readily available and are aggressively working with homeowners to keep labor costs down. Materials are also coming down in price, especially for larger luxury items. Also, investing in your present home with a big remodeling job or addition can give you the dream house you always wanted without the hassle of moving. So, if you like your neighborhood, have the room to expand, and have some cash on hand, I say go for the whirlpool tub!

I recently spoke to a friend of mine who is completing a gourmet kitchen addition to his present home, and he told me the toughest part was getting over the uncertainty of going forward with the project in an unstable market. Now that it's nearly complete, he and his wife are thrilled with the job and have no regrets. Also, since they will be able entertain at home in the new kitchen, they have no plans to move and feel confident it was a safe investment.

Isn't it nice to hear good real estate news for a change? So, let's all get moving with our own dream projects. Whether it's a kitchen, a bathroom, or even a swimming pool, now is the time to jump in the deep end instead of drowning in fear!

Source: HGTV Pro.com, Ed Del Grande: Ask Ed, April 6, 2009

Some Economic News (Read at your own risk!)

Both Kitchen & Bath Design News and Hanley Wood Market Intelligence Key Indicator Alert released their market updates yesterday. Both had a slightly positive spin because general sentiment is up a bit. There is also a slight increase in housing starts and increases in both new and existing home sales. Unfortunately, unemployment is at its highest rate since 1983. But, analysts say that job growth is the last thing to return after a recession. The reason? Businesses have cut back and will continue to produce as much goods and services as they can with as few people as possible in order to make up for previous losses due to the downturn.

Kitchen & Bath Design News did give some additional information that is of interest to remodelers and home improvement companies.

Market for ‘Green' Building Materials Outpacing Construction Growth
The U.S. market for "green" building materials generated sales of almost $57 billion in 2008 and is projected to grow 7.2% annually, to more than $80 billion, in 2013, outpacing the growth of building construction expenditures over that period, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland, OH-based industry research firm. Although green building materials are expected to account for an increasing share of materials used, growth will be driven primarily by the recovery of the residential construction market through 2013 as it rises from its depressed 2008 level, the Freedonia Group said. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified lumber and wood panels are expected to be the fastest-growing green products, growing more than three times as fast as the overall market for wood panels, the research firm found.

Source: Kitchen & Bath Design News Market Update, April 2009.


AIA Study Shows Universal Design Trending Upwards; Upscale Kitchen & Bath Features Declining
As the housing market continues to decline, accessible and energy-saving products are growing in demand, while the popularity of upscale kitchen and bath features is declining, according to a new American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey.According to the survey, consumers are increasingly looking for products that are renewable, promote accessibility or save energy. By contrast, trophy-like kitchen and bath features are waning in popularity as consumers remain cautious in their spending habits. "Because of concerns over affordability and resale value, it's not surprising that there has been a sharp decline in demand for high-end kitchen and bath products," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "However, some products and features remain in high demand. Despite the difficult economic conditions, homeowners are extremely interested in renewable flooring and countertops, energy-efficient and water-saving products, as well as having a dedicated recycling center."

Source: Kitchen & Bath Design News Market Update, April 2009.

Chinese Drywall Update

There's an update on the Chinese drywall issue in South Florida. It's called

l - a - w - s - u - i - t.



Here's a great article from NewsInferno.com. It's the best I've found so far on the issue. As you can see, the drywall may have been used in more areas than South Florida as was originally reported.





Chinese Drywall Lawsuit Filed in Louisiana
Date Published: Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

A Louisiana couple has filed a class action lawsuit claiming that defective Chinese drywall is in their home. The Louisiana Chinese drywall lawsuit is just the latest indication that the toxic material was used in homes beyond Florida.


Usually, drywall is manufactured in the U.S., but a shortage during the housing boom prompted many builders to buy drywall from China. The Florida Health Department has received around 119 complaints about drywall that has polluted homes with a putrid, “rotten-egg” smell. Fumes from the drywall reportedly corrode air conditioning coils and other metals, and have also been blamed for respiratory and sinus problems. Some residents have been forced to move from their homes, and a few builders in Florida have begun gutting homes and replacing the drywall.


The drywall problems have already sparked several lawsuits in Florida. One of the first was filed in January by the Bonita Springs law firm of Parker Waichman Alonso LLP. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, charges that Knauf Plasterboard and other defendants negligently manufactured and sold the defective drywall, which was “unreasonably dangerous” in normal use because it caused corrosion to air-conditioning and electrical components, and caused coughing and irritation of sinuses, eyes and throats.


According to the consumer group America’s Watchdog, drywall from China was likely used in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and even Hawaii. The group says the material was first introduced to the US in late 2000 or early 2001 and was primarily used in new US subdivisions, condominiums or home remodeling jobs. So far, America’s Watchdog’s environmental testing has found defective drywall in 41 states. In addition to Florida, those states also include Virginia, California, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Texas.


According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the Louisiana Chinese drywall lawsuit was filed by a couple living in a New Orleans suburb. The class action suit, which was filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana, names certain drywall manufacturers as defendants. The complaint alleges that their house, which was built in 2006, is emitting the rotten egg smell, causing respiratory problems and corroding electrical equipment.


According to the Journal, the Louisiana Chinese drywall lawsuit has raised concerns that the defective material may have been used in homes that were rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. The storm helped to create that shortage that caused so much Chinese drywall to be imported into the U.S.


USA Today is also reporting that a similar lawsuit has been filed in Alabama. A lawyer also told USA Today that there have been complaints about Chinese drywall in other states, as well.

Getting beyond set-backs

Sometimes things just don’t go our way. It’s true in our personal as well as professional lives.

Somehow we need to find ways to get beyond it. It’s tough, though. We tend to dissect the issue. Could we have done something different? Did we make a mistake along the way? Our focus re-directs inward and stays there, sometimes making it difficult to move on. We can begin to feel sorry for ourselves.

So how do we move on? If the issue was caused by you or someone else, forgive. If it’s an issue beyond your control, forget it. To turn your focus outward, begin by helping others.