Constant learning is the key to Green building. Well, at least that is what I have been preaching. So what did I do several weeks ago? I went to learn from an assortment of individuals with diverse backgrounds who have a combined knowledge of hundreds of years.
Readers of Remodeling Magazine are most likely familiar with the Remodeling Leadership Conference and the Big50 awards. Perhaps some of you were even at the conference, held several weeks ago in Alexandria, VA. Few events bring together such a high caliber of remodeling companies in the spirit of sharing and growth. (If you have ever toyed with the idea of going, you should!)
To be honest, I had not planned on going this year. Why? The subject matter didn’t seem relevant (surviving tough times?), and the added expense didn’t seem important in a year in a year where we are keeping a close eye on the budget. It was incredibly short-sighted on my part; there is always something to learn at this kind of event and the cost is cheap. The nuggets of wisdom and inspired thought came spilling out almost right away.
Fixing the Weak Spots
One speaker was Mark Richardson, co-chairman of Case Remodeling/Design and author of How Fit Is Your Business?, the book on which his presentation was based. The “Case machine” is strong in its systems and market share. Mark started out by saying that we shouldn’t really feel bad for not knowing about our companies’ fitness because we have never had a gauge by which to measure it. When you buy a loaf of bread, the package lists useful nutritional information and even tells us how much of it we should eat. We in the building and remodeling world have no formal training requirements, no standards (other than the code) to adhere to, no tools to assess things daily.
Mark laid out a series of metrics, then asked us to evaluate our businesses. The fact that my business scored high is beside the point (there really was little question) because the process of evaluating yourself on specific criteria is where you become aware of the areas that need focus and attention. To paraphrase Mark: If your kid comes home with a report card that has an A or B in one subject, you don’t strive for an A+ when they are getting a C or D in another subject. Acknowledging and accepting your weaknesses is the first step toward a fit business. Developing a plan to “fix” the weak areas is the next.
Benchmarking the Process
I had the privilege of interviewing a number of Remodeling Leadership Conference attendees, to get their take on things and the pearls of wisdom they planned to take home (you can catch these revealing interviews soon on Remodeling TV; in the meantime, that’s Sunny Zimmermann to the left, and Tim Lemke above). Shawn McCadden commented that “without a reference point, you don’t know where you are going and you don’t know how far you have come”.
Which takes me back to my favorite topic. Green building is all about benchmarking, assessing, evaluating, and measuring improvement. For remodelers, opening up the process for review is nothing new. However, while we talk an awful lot about the structure, we seldom talk about the business behind the product. (And if you were to ask me to peer into my crystal ball, I would tell you that Green building programs will be turning their gaze toward the company and the process more than the structure.) Turning the spotlight on your own business is a critical step that many remodelers are reluctant to take.
The Remodeling Leadership Conference is all about growth, reflection, and honesty. Anecdotally, the remodelers I interviewed said their scores were in many ways a reflection of their operations. For some, improvement was top of mind; they knew exactly where they needed work and were completely comfortable saying “I got a 4 in [blank] category and now I know exactly what I am working on when I go home.” Others were reluctant to score themselves too highly, knowing that there is always room for improvement in every aspect of the business.
Beyond all this was the tangible sense that everyone was willing to take the time to help any of their peers if asked. This kind of camaraderie is too rare in our industry.
My suggestion? Make this conference part of your annual plan, and be sure to schedule a series of staff meetings to follow your return so as to capture the ideas, information, and excitement that you are sure to take away from this event.
Michael Anschel is the owner and principal of Otogawa-Anschel Design Build, a nationally recognized and award-winning design and build firm and a committed leader to the green building movement in Minnesota. Michael is vice-chair of the board of directors of Minnesota GreenStar and CEO of Verified Green, Inc., which consults with builders, remodelers, architects, and state and city officials on green building.
