PB August 2007

When was the last time you laughed at work? If it wasn't today, it could explain why your sales are not better than they are. Executives are realizing the benefits of a fun and happy workplace. According to researchers, people who have fun on the job are more creative, more productive and more loyal.

Professional Builder has recently established a new program in partnership with iLumen Financial Information Network that will make benchmarking much easier for builders. Called the Reed Construction Dashboard, this online program allows builders to quickly and efficiently upload financial data and compare it to other builders' metrics.

Here are this month's tips to help you gauge your home-building industry candidates.

Talk with most sales professionals today and the conversation sooner or later turns to the glory days of new home sales. They complain of customers today who shop and keep waiting for a better deal while traffic dwindles. There is no guarantee that we will ever see the kind of market that we witnessed in 2003–2005, and if — and this is a big if — it comes along again, chances ...

With a few notable exceptions, builders haven't figured out that if they create a disciplined, bulletproof building process, they'll have very few customer issues. And for those who do, they have time to deal with them

A great workplace offers more than good pay, a safe job site and an occasional pat on the back. Read about homebuilders — like those on Professional Builder’s Top Five Best Workplaces — who go the extra mile for their employees and stay competitive by attracting good workers who are productive, hardworking and loyal.

Regardless of company size, homebuilders need to be prepared for the day a talented manager decides to move on. Here's how.

Here's a look at product solutions for countertops.

Mike Baptist, president of Haven Properties, Atlanta, shares a few of the product selections that his firm likes to use in the homes they build.

The utilitarian laundry room is morphing into a bigger, more attractive space for more than washing clothes. Dog showers, gift-wrapping stations, study areas, sewing centers and potting sinks are common elements. The growing popularity of front-loading washers and dryers is also driving the trend. Laundry room storage has grown, too.