New Year’s Resolutions for Your Business

A little inspiration for restarting and refocusing in the New Year

With New Year’s Eve often comes the desire to restart and create New Year’s Resolutions.  To make those resolutions a reality, they must be both realistic and attainable.  Often, we put so much pressure on the idea of resolutions that we bite off more than we can chew, and the new year hasn’t even started.  Additionally, many resolutions are “repeats” from the prior year, which should serve as a sign that goals should be reassessed.

For this reason, we have compiled a list of new year’s resolutions to consider for you, your business and your team.  Here are five resolutions to get started:

  1. Increase Social Responsibility – A business that gives back to the community is a business that is not only making a difference, but it is getting noticed. Volunteering and charitable giving foster a sense of collaboration and community for your team, as well as provide a sense of purpose.  Making efforts to be socially responsible has the potential to increase morale, as well as attract and retain employees (especially millennials).
  2. Expand Technology – Whether your CRM needs to be upgraded or you want to have more apps and onsite technology, improving your tech and gear is a goal that never goes out of style. Every year, something new and improved comes out on the market, often promising to make your internal operations easier and/or automated.  Whatever you choose, make sure it meets your overall company objectives, fits your budget and has been on the market long enough to prove its claims.
  3. Embrace Innovation – Don’t leave the creativity to your marketing team alone. Every team can use a little inspiration, and by embracing innovation in the new year, employees can inspire each other.  Your team holds the key to new and unique ideas for your business; after all, they are part of its success and understand daily operations better than anyone else.  How often do you solicit new business ideas from your employees? Encourage innovation by providing ways for team members to submit new and creative business ideas. This can easily be done through a suggestion box, and by creating contests and rewarding employees who submit the “most innovative” or “most creative” ideas, you can build momentum and make your business a place where innovation is both recognized and appreciated.  Consider adding monthly or quarterly brainstorming sessions specifically for sharing new ideas for management, communication, sales and more.
  4. Expand Contacts – A business can’t survive on repeat business alone. Take this year to set goals for expanding your leads and prospects.  Identify sources for leads, making sure they are accurate, current and industry-specific, such as those generated through HBW’s construction permits reports.
  5. Build Your Social Presence – Is your business taking full advantage of what social media has to offer? Through your website and social media platforms, you have the ability to reach thousands of potential customers. Additionally, when someone is given a referral to your company, sees an ad or hears your company name, their first step will most likely be to visit your website or look you up on FaceBook or Twitter. Take time to review and assess where you can improve on engaging your target audience through a properly developed social media strategy.

While this list is not comprehensive and covers only general areas of interest, perhaps it will spark a little inspiration and motivation to get your business focused on attainable goals that you can reach and even surpass in 2019.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Florida Swimming Pool Construction Report – November 2018

An HBW review of new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of November 2018

Last month, there were more than 1,200 swimming pool starts throughout the State of Florida.  Out of the five major regions reviewed, the southwest region ranked #1 for total new permits on file with HBW (306 permits), and Jacksonville continued to carry a higher value of construction with the average value of new swimming pool construction coming in at approximately $53.5k.

Here is a closer look at the permitting activity for new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of November 2018:

Southwest Florida

There were more than 300 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of approximately $13.5 million in Southwest Florida last month.  The counties with the greatest total number of new swimming pool permits on file for the one-month period include Lee and Collier.

Total Permits: 306

Average Value of Construction: $44,059.00

Active Builders: 88

Top Builder for Total Permits: Pinnacle USA (36 permits)

Top Counties: Lee County (140 permits); Collier County (73 permits)

 

Tampa

Last month, there were 267 swimming pool starts with a total construction value close to $13 million in Tampa.  More than half of all new pool construction took place in the counties of Hillsborough and Pasco.

Total Permits: 267

Average Value of Construction: $47,538.00

Active Builders: 85

Top Builder for Total Permits: Olympus Pools (27 permits)

Top Counties: Hillsborough County (98 permits); Pasco County (70 permits)

 

Orlando

Orlando ranked a close third for new swimming pool construction activity last month, having 263 new permits and total construction value in excess of $11 million.  More than half of all new construction permits originated from the counties of Orange and Brevard.

Total Permits: 263

Average Value of Construction: $41,886.00

Active Builders: 65

Top Builder for Total Permits: All Seasons (26 permits)

Top Counties: Orange County (90 permits); Brevard County (66 permits)

 

Southeast Florida

In the southeastern portion of Florida, there were 245 swimming pools starts with a total construction value in excess of $9 million last month.  The counties with the highest concentration of new permits include Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.

Total Permits: 245

Average Value of Construction: $37,102.00 (Lowest average value of construction in the State)

Active Builders: 112

Top Builder for Total Permits: A&G Concrete Pools (24 permits)

Top Counties: Miami-Dade County (76 permits); Palm Beach County (53 permits)

 

Jacksonville

While Jacksonville had the fewest total swimming pool starts (120 permits, total value: $6.4 million+), it held the highest average value of new construction (~$53.5k).  The majority of new pool construction could be found in the counties of St. Johns and Duval.

Total Permits: 120

Average Value of Construction: $53,514.00 (Highest average value of construction in the State)

Active Builders: 51

Top Builder for Total Permits:  Surfside Pools & Spas (11 permits)

Top Counties: St. Johns County (46 permits); Duval County (33 permits)

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Florida’s Top Three Counties for New Home Construction – November 2018

An HBW review of the Florida counties and regions with the greatest amount of new residential construction activity (housing starts) during the month of November 2018

As previously published on our blog last week (“Florida’s Top Home Builders – November 2018”), there were more than 4,300 housing starts throughout the Sunshine State during the month of November.   Out of the five major regions reviewed (Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Southeast, Southwest), Tampa ranked #1 for total housing starts (1,170 permits), and Orlando had the highest average value of construction (average value: $322,105).

When taking a look at the counties that are leading Florida for total housing starts, there were some high levels of new construction spread across the state, with the greatest concentration being in the Central region.  Here is a look at the top three counties for total new residential construction permits during the month of November 2018:

Orange County

Orlando’s Orange County is the center of everything Orlando. As Florida’s fifth-most populous county (population as of 2017: 1.349 million), it is no surprise that the greatest amount of new home construction is taking place there.  Last month, there were approximately 450 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $164 million in Orange County alone; that is nearly half of all new residential construction in Central Florida for the one-month period.

Hillsborough County

Ranking second-highest for total housing starts last month was Hillsborough County.  Hillsborough is home to the City of Tampa and is the fourth-most populous county in Florida, having a population of 1.409 million (2017).  Last month, there were approximately 375 housing starts in Hillsborough with a total construction value in excess of $127 million.

Pasco County

Pasco County ranked third-highest last month for new residential construction activity.  Pasco is significantly smaller than the neighboring county of Hillsborough, having a population of approximately 525,643 (2017).  Pasco County is included in the Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater Tampa Bay Area and is primarily considered a bedroom community for Tampa.  Last month, there were 300 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $89 million in Pasco County.

Other counties that held higher concentrations of new construction last month were Polk County (Tampa) with 298 new permits (total construction value: $62 million+) and Lee County (Southwest) with 294 new permits (total construction value: $65.1 million+).

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Florida’s Top Home Builders – November 2018

An HBW report on the home builders in Florida with the greatest number of housing starts for the month of November 2018

In Florida, there were more than 4,300 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database.  Across the five major regions reviewed (Tampa, Orlando, Southwest, Jacksonville, Southeast), Lennar Homes ranked as the #1 home builder in Florida for total housing starts during the month of November, having more than 600 new residential construction permits on file for the one-month period.

Next in line, D.R. Horton ranked #2 across the Sunshine State with more than 485 new permits last month. Both builders had higher concentrations of new construction in the areas of Tampa and Orlando as both metro areas had the greatest levels of new residential construction activity last month.

Here is a closer look at the top builders leading Florida residential construction by region:

Tampa

Out of the five major areas reviewed, the greatest number of housing starts took place in Tampa (1,170 permits), and out of the 170 active home builders in the area, Lennar Homes took top spot with 140 new permits and an average value of construction nearing $345k.  Based on the total number of permits on file with HBW for the one-month period, the top builders are as follows:

Builder # of Permits  Average Value
Lennar Homes 140  $    344,995.00
D.R. Horton 136  $    223,056.00
The Villages of Lake Sumter 99  $    287,015.00
Pulte Homes 79  $    252,727.00
Highland Homes 41  $    177,395.00

 

Orlando

The Orlando area ranked second-highest for new residential construction activity having approximately 1,000 housing starts last month.  Out of the 165 active builders in the area, Lennar Homes ranked #1 for total housing starts (131 permits), while Meritage Homes held a higher average value of construction (~ $480k).  Based on the total number of permits on file with HBW for the one-month period, the top builders in the Orlando area are as follows:

Builder # of Permits  Average Value
Lennar Homes 131  $    222,033.00
D.R. Horton 87  $    254,512.00
Pulte Homes 55  $    311,836.00
Meritage Homes 47  $    479,634.00
Ashton Orlando Residential 46  $    284,706.00

 

Southwest

Last month, there were nearly 900 housing starts in the southwestern region of Florida.  Out of the 180 active builders on file for the month, Lennar Homes ranked #1 for total new residential construction permits, having 136 housing starts with an average value of construction nearing $241k.  Based on the total number of permits on file with HBW for the one-month period, the top builders in the area are as follows:

Builder # of Permits  Average Value
Lennar Homes 136  $    240,904.00
D.R. Horton 106  $    216,896.00
Pulte Homes 100  $    232,573.00
Neal Communities of SW FL 63  $    206,844.00
Taylor Morrison 22  $    291,897.00

 

Jacksonville

In Jacksonville, there were approximately 720 housing starts last month. Out of the nearly 115 active builders in the area, Lennar Homes took top spot with 130 housing starts and an average value of construction in excess of $238.5k.  Based on the total number of permits on file for the one-month period, the top builders in the Jacksonville area are as follows:

Builder # of Permits  Average Value
Lennar Homes 130  $    238,613.00
D.R. Horton 116  $    123,722.00
KB Homes 49  $    154,736.00
Dream Finders Home 36  $    254,447.00
American Classic Homes 35  $      83,800.00

 

Southeast

During the month of November, there were approximately 520 housing starts in the southeastern region of Florida.  Out of the more than 140 active builders on file for the month, Lennar Homes ranked #1 for total housing starts, having 67 new permits with an average construction value close to $170k on file.  Based on the total number of permits for the one-month period, the top builders in Southeast Florida are as follows:

Builder # of Permits  Average Value
Lennar Homes 67  $    169,676.00
D.R. Horton 41  $    225,007.00
GHO Homes 31  $    386,252.00
Richbuilt Construction 26  $    158,327.00
Standard Pacific Homes 22  $    259,111.00

 

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Texas Top Home Builders – November 2018

An HBW review of new home construction in Texas and the builders leading housing starts during the month of November 2018

In Texas, there were more than 3,900 housing starts and total construction value of nearly $960 million last month.  Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Dallas ranked #1 for total permits (1,600+ permits) and held the highest average value of construction ($273,637).  Out of the hundreds of active home builders with new permits on file for the one-month period, D.R. Horton remained at the top of the leaderboard for total housing starts in Dallas, Houston and Austin, while Lennar Homes took top spot in San Antonio.

Here is a closer look at the new permits and top builders by metro area during the month of November:

Dallas

Dallas ranked #1 for total housing starts having 1,600 new residential construction permits with a total value in excess of $438 million last month.  Out of the four major metro areas reviewed, the average value of construction was highest in Dallas at $273,637, and the county with the highest concentration of housing starts was Tarrant (526 permits).

Out of the close to 200 active home builders in the area last month, D.R. Horton dominated with more than 515 housing starts, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits during the one-month period:

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 518
Lennar Homes 93
Megatel Homes 71
Pulte Homes 58
Bloomfield Homes 52

 

Houston

Last month, Houston ranked second-highest for total housing starts having nearly 1,320 new permits with a total value of $294.4 million.  The average value of new construction was on the lower end in Houston (average value: $223.5k), and nearly half of all new permits originated from Harris County (660 permits).

Out of the more than 250 active builders in the Houston area last month, D.R. Horton ranked #1 with 174 housing starts, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 174
Lennar Homes 102
Perry Homes 67
KB Homes 67
Meritage Homes 66

 

Austin

Last month, Austin (and surrounding areas) had a total of 573 new residential construction permits with a total value in excess of $140.3 million.  The average value of construction in Austin was mid-range coming in just under $245k, and the majority of all housing starts took place in Travis County (330 permits).

Out of the approximately 95 active home builders in the Austin area last month, D.R. Horton took top spot for total housing starts (129 permits), and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 129
Pulte Homes 48
KB Homes 33
Century Communities 28
Taylor Morrison Homes 18

 

San Antonio

Last month, there were nearly 415 housing starts in San Antonio with a total construction value of approximately $86.6 million. The average value of new construction was lowest in San Antonio (average value: $209.6k) out of the four metro areas reviewed, and more than half of all housing starts took place in Bexar County (217 permits).

Out of the 65 active builders in the area last month, Lennar Homes took top placement for total starts, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file with HBW:

Builder Total Permits
Lennar Homes 77
Continental Homes of Texas 48
KB Homes 39
Meritage Homes 22
Perry Homes 20

 

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Texas New Swimming Pool Construction Review – November 2018

New pool construction data as listed with HBW for the month of November 2018.

Last month, there were more than 400 new swimming pool permits added to the HBW database for Texas.  Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Dallas held the highest total number of new permits (200+ permits), while Austin held the highest average value of construction (average value: $72,583).

Here is a closer look at the latest construction permit data and leading pool builders by area for Texas during the month of November:

Dallas

As previously mentioned, Dallas had the highest total number of pool starts last month, having 201 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $9.1M.  The average value of new swimming pools in the area was $45,489, and the highest concentration of new pool construction could be found in the counties of Tarrant (53 permits), Collin (48 permits) and Dallas (44 permits)

Out of the approximately 90 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

1 – Riverbend Pools
2 – Puryear Custom Pools
3 – Premier Pools
4 – Robertson Pools
5 – Gold Medal Pools

 

Houston

Houston ranked second highest for total new swimming pool permits last month, having 122 pool starts with a total construction value of approximately $7.4M.  The average value of construction was nearly $61k, and the majority of starts took place in Harris County (85 permits).

Out of the more than 60 active builders in the Houston area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file with HBW:

1 – Platinum Pools
2 – Premier Pools
3 – Anthony & Sylvan Pools
4 – C3 Building Solutions
5 – Monarch Pools

 

Austin

Last month, there were nearly 70 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of approximately $5M in the Austin area, and nearly all new permits originated from Travis County (45 permits).  Due to a couple of higher value projects in the area ranging in value from $425k to $500k, the average value of new pool construction was highest in Austin out of the four major metro areas reviewed (average value: $72,583).

Out of the nearly 45 active pool builders in the area, the following ranked in the top five for total new permits on file:

1 – Anthony & Sylvan Pools
2 – Cody Pools
3 – Texas Pools & Patios
4 – Fun N Sun Pools of Austin
5 – Denali Pools

 

San Antonio

New pool construction was limited in the San Antonio area last month as there were just about 30 pool starts with a total construction value of $1.5M added to the HBW database.  The average value of new swimming pool construction was $51.5k, and nearly all new permits originated from Bexar County (20 permits).

Out of the 15 pool builders on file and active in the San Antonio area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

1 – Cody Pools
2 – Keith Zars Pools
3 – Pool Concepts by Pete Ordaz
4 – Anthony & Sylvan Pools
5 – Alamo Pool Builders

To gain more information on the pool builders and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

7 End-of-the-Year Checklist Items for Your Business

A look at a few areas for your business to review in closing 2018 and preparing for 2019

As we enter the final weeks of 2018, it’s easy to get swept into the hustle and bustle of the holidays and overlook the importance of year-end activities.  In addition to closing the books, running year-end financial reports and reviewing contracts and team performance, there are important steps necessary to properly prepare your business for the new year.  Here are a few key end-of-the-year actions to take in order to ensure a fresh and secure start to 2019.

  1. Sales – Find time to review last year’s sales plan (and even the year prior) to create accurate sales goals for the coming year. Additionally, assess how effective your sales process has been over the year, and make adjustments as necessary. Determine and develop ways to prequalify prospects, offer upgrades to existing clients and resell to former clients where engagement is needed.  Confirm and secure any services and valuable sources you have for lead generation (such as HBWeekly) to ensure that you will continue to receive fresh contacts to add to your CRM system.
  2. Marketing – Just as with sales, you should have already started to assess the effectiveness of your marketing strategy and efforts from this year. What was most effective, and which campaigns received the strongest response?  Make sure to incorporate the lessons learned into a new and improved marketing strategy for next year.
  3. Set Goals – Review last year’s revenue goals and use them to establish realistic new goals. While reviewing them every quarter should be standard practice to see how you are tracking toward them, the end of the year provides a long-range perspective that enables you to see if last year’s goals were attainable and what adjustments need to be made to facilitate growth.
  4. Employees – Along with showing appreciation for your employees through bonuses, holiday gifts and celebrations, you should expect to execute performance reviews now through January; it provides a perfect opportunity to reflect and reward successes as well as recognize opportunities for development. The results will define your training and hiring needs in the coming year.
  5. Audit Your Website – Just like any other part of your business, your website requires review and maintenance. Review your content, links and overall appearance to ensure that information is up-to-date and that the design and links are current and active.  Sometimes an action as simple as updating images or a header can make a difference.  And when it comes to SEO, run a few tests to see how visible your website is on search engines and determine what you can change to boost your listing.
  6. Update Your Vendors – Just as you should be taking inventory of your products, now is good time to review your vendors. In addition to verifying and confirming the information you have on file for current vendors and suppliers, review the rates you are paying and run comparisons to see if other vendors are offering better or more competitive pricing for the same services/products.  After all, your “Cost of Goods Sold” is one major contributing factor to the financial health of your business, and you have the ability to negotiate with current vendors or develop relationships and agreements with new ones.
  7. Back up EVERYTHING – Even though you most likely have a daily or weekly back-up system in place, you should still run a separate year-end backup. Beyond your accounting systems and reports, you should back up all files, computers, phones and calendars to a separate back up drive and potentially a cloud system.  Whatever method you choose, make sure it is secure and that you have a minimum of two separate locations for the backed up files.

As 2018 comes to a close, you can make the most of you and your team’s hard work through a few simple efforts; by reviewing sales and marketing strengths/weaknesses and assessing goals and team performance, you can apply the lessons of last year to make the coming year truly successful.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Construction Industry Conventions and Expos 2019

An overview of various industry conventions and expos coming up in 2019

The end of the year brings a time for performance reviews of the current year and plans for next year.  While you are probably working on budgets, marketing strategies and high-level goals, be sure to include detailed planning for construction industry events that can benefit your team and business.

In addition to seeing the latest and greatest the industry has to offer, conventions and expos provide unique and concentrated opportunities to network, expand your industry knowledge and catch up on continuing education credits.  If you are a manufacturer or supplier, it is the ideal time to showcase your latest products, connect with customers and meet newcomers to the industry that could benefit from your offerings.

Picking up and filling the gaps from where we last posted about “Construction Expos – Planning for 2019”, the following is a list of expos and event to consider as your plan ahead for the coming year:

Event: KBIS – Kitchen/Bath Industry Show and Conference
Date(s): February 19-21, 2019
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas, Nevada)

In conjunction with the NKBA – National Kitchen and Bath Association, KBIS is an inspiring and interactive industry event that showcases the latest industry-related products, trends and technologies. For 50 years, KBIS has represented the kitchen and bath industry. The event will host 600+ leading brands in the kitchen and bath industry, including over 100 new companies.

Event: ABC Convention
Date(s): March 24-28, 2019
Location: Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center (Long Beach, California)

The Associated Builders and Contractors relaunched its convention this year and will be continuing the movement with an extensive list of speakers, education sessions, networking opportunities and opening and closing night celebrations.

Event: Construction Financial Management Association Annual Conference & Exhibition
Date(s): June 1-5, 2019
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Founded in 1981, CFMA is the only organization dedicated to providing construction financial professionals with career development and networking opportunities. As of now, registration is not yet open, but the website offers a “save the date” and contact for more information, as well as an Exhibitor Prospectus for 2019.

Event: ENR FutureTech
Date(s): June 3-5, 2019
Location: Hyatt Regency (San Francisco, California)

ENR FutureTech is for business and IT leaders in architecture, engineering and construction to explore new and emerging technologies that can enhance construction productivity, profits and safety.  There are still opportunities for speakers, exhibitors and sponsors. The call for speaker applications is open through January 25, 2019.

Event: AIA Conference on Architecture – 2019

Date(s): June 6-8, 2019
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas, Nevada)

From 800+ exhibitors showcasing new high-tech materials and products to renowned keynote speakers and continuing education through seminars, tours and workshops, there is much to see, do and learn at this event.

Event: GreenBuild International Conference and Expo
Date(s): November 20-22, 2019
Location: Georgia World Congress Center (Atlanta, Georgia)

GreenBuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.  The event is geared toward professionals in architecture, construction, engineering, planning, and interior design who depend on thoughtful and ethical solutions which promote wellness and resiliency in construction and urban development. It is made up of a community of professionals, advocates and practitioners, students and teachers, designers and builders, and everything in between; it is created around the pursuit of forward thinking, new technology, and new ideas for the way people all over the world experience buildings.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

10 Holiday Marketing Must-Haves

While it would be ideal for you to already be in the midst of your holiday marketing campaigns, some small business owners find it challenging to make it a priority.  After all, you have your own business to manage, holidays and vacation schedules to juggle and everything (and everyone) to keep on track during the holiday frenzy.  For those of you who are looking to expand your marketing efforts this holiday season, it’s not too late.  Whether you had your campaign planned since last year or are just looking to give a little holiday boost to your marketing efforts, here are a few simple tips that serve both the ultimate planner and last-minute marketer this season:

  1. Create a Gift Giving Guide – Don’t worry, this one is not as extensive as it may seem.  Simply package a few of your top products or services and offer gift suggestions to your customers.  Start in December and send reminders and gift ideas each week.  Make sure if you give any holiday “special offers” that you define any necessary time limits or expiration dates.
  2. Gift Certificates – In the construction industry, most services are custom and unique to a client, property and location.  For this reason, offer gift certificates for renovations/remodels, maintenance services or small upgrades that could serve as credit with your company.
  3. Get a Holiday Makeover – Many of your products and services are already holiday-ready, but a little dash of creativity can give it the holiday twist it needs.  Perhaps you want to use the “12 Days of Christmas” or “Santa’s Top Gift List” to engage your customers.  You can promote it on social media and reward random followers with the prize of the day or special offer.
  4. Help Last-Minute Shoppers – During the final week leading up to Christmas, promote services and packages that can meet the needs of last-minute gift-givers.  Make it even better by providing an easy to download/print gift certificate or gift package description.
  5. Holiday Greetings – Get in early on your holiday greetings.  With the many options for custom online card design/mail services, you can easily have holiday greetings sent to your customers (via mail) within the next week.  The earlier you get them out, the better chance you will have for getting noticed.
  6. Create a Video – Along with holiday greetings, you can spread holiday cheer and wishes from your team by creating a fun video on YouTube.  A themed video that highlights a popular holiday song or plays upon a holiday story can be engaging and show the more personal side of your business.  Just remember to keep it professional.
  7. Turn up the Lights – Depending on your office space and location, you may or may not have the space for this one but consider creating an impressive holiday lights display.  If you have a storefront, decorate the window in a way that showcases your offerings, as well as displays a holiday scene that provides unique photo opportunities.
  8. Provide Holiday Prep Tutorials – Most of your clients (and prospects) will be preparing their homes for the holidays.  Give them the gift of guidance by offering a video, checklist or guide for getting their homes ready for guests, parties and holiday festivities.
  9. Give Gifts – This may seem like a no-brainer, but giving gifts to your current or longtime customers is a great way to show them your appreciation.  Gift baskets, tickets to events or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant are usually unexpected but very welcome ways to wish them a happy holiday.
  10. Ring in the New Year – As a construction professional, you offer a unique way to provide a fresh start for a home owner.  The new year brings opportunity to connect with customers and provide them with ideas for giving their home or office a fresh new look.  From landscaping services to interior design and build, investing in their home is a gift that will give back for many more holidays to come.

For information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Giving Back During the Holidays

A look at ways your business can give back to the community this holiday season

Thanksgiving just passed, and as with every year, the holiday gave us a moment to reflect and share our gratitude.  And while the celebration and feast have ended, the giving part of the holiday has just begun.  Thanksgiving serves as the official start of the holiday season, providing the ideal time to have your business give back to your community or favorite cause.

So, with just over a month before the year ends, how can your business begin to give back?  First, remember that your community project doesn’t need to happen today.  Rather, use this time to set goals, organize your team and make connections with organizations that you would like to have benefit from your efforts.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  1. Habitat for Humanity – For construction professionals, this is the most obvious and clear fit for what your business has to offer. Whether you choose to offer supplies, laborers or an office team of volunteers, the organization has a myriad of opportunities to participate in their home and life building efforts.  Visit their website to find volunteer, homeownership and ReStore donation and shopping opportunities in your local area.
  2. Toys for Tots – This organization has been around since 1947, serving as a very visible and easy way to spread holiday cheer. Whether you choose to partner up with a company already running a campaign, become a corporate sponsor or run your own campaign, it is a simple way for your team to participate in a “feel good” holiday effort.  While it may be a bit late to become a designated drop-off location, you can easily run a toy collection in your office and deliver it to one of their locations; simply locate a nearby drop-off site on their website.
  3. Food Drive – Thanksgiving isn’t the only time when local food banks and pantries are looking for non-perishable items. Nearly all soup kitchens and food pantries operate throughout the year, and a little donation goes a long way when it comes to motivating your team.  You can encourage everyone to bring in canned goods or any other items that your chosen charity needs; you may even want to hold a contest where the top three contributors (those who bring in the most cans) receive an additional vacation day or something similar.  Be sure to check with the charity to ensure you are collecting specific items and supplies that they need; most will have a list they can send to you or that is already listed on their website.
  4. Day of Service – Along with food donations, many food banks are looking for volunteers to help serve meals and/or sort food. Second Harvest Food Bank and other larger organizations have calendars readily available on their website with sign up forms to get started.  You can also coordinate with them to register your company and employees for a specific project or date of service.  In addition to food banks, you can benefit other causes or local charities by offering your team for a dedicated volunteer effort.  From beach cleanups to community improvement projects, it is just a matter of choosing which project and cause best suit your company and objectives.

Creating and joining efforts to benefit those in need not only make the season more rewarding, but it will bring your team together for a positive experience, building team morale and relationships.  Depending on your ability and availability, you may want to consider setting a new company tradition, making the season of “giving” the season of “giving back”.

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