We had a number of medium and large volume builders discussing everything from the recent stimulus programs, selling new homes, doing more with less, implementing software systems, working with trades and suppliers, vendor portals, home builder websites, the impact of green building on home builders. Some of the builders share their success stories in the current market and how they are leveraging technology to do more with less.

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Video

As a follow-up to our Coping with Financial Distress webinar from last August, this session will help Canadian and US builders identify how to analyze those ratios that are the most important in running their business. Using the information from your accounting systems can help you improve your bottom line and increase your profits. In addition, timely communication to lenders from their builders will help ensure viable financing solutions. Steve Hays and Felicia Malter, Partners in the Home Builder Services Group at RubinBrown LLP, will also share some information about what financial reporting might look like as we prepare for better times.

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Audio

Video

Many builders, both small and large, can achieve cost advantages and improved forecasting using purchase orders. In this session, builders will learn how to reduce costs as a result of issuing purchase orders and paying trades without relying on completion slips and invoices. Even if you are already using purchase orders for your trades, this session will provide additional opportunities for process improvement.

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Audio

Video

Now that the housing boom is behind us and the entire industry is dealing with a new reality, managing warranty and service costs is very important. In this session, we’ll show you how many builders have reduced their warranty and service costs, and improved customer satisfaction and referrals with small investments in online homeowner manuals, maintenance guides, newsletters and service request portals.

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Audio

Video

Similar to the Large Builder Roundtable this group provided an inside look at small and medium sized builders discussing the recent stimulus programs, selling new homes, doing more with less, implementing software systems, working with trades and suppliers, vendor portals, home builder websites, and the impact of green building on home builders. Each builder describes their experiences dealing with conditions in their market and how they use technology and processes to do more with less.

Audio

Video

Today’s home buyers are fearful of making a buying decision and consumer confidence is at historic lows. We as sales people must do all the heavy lifting to get them to want to buy. The key to this is repetitive contact and building a trusted relationship to enable them to take action without regret. This means using your system to its fullest to keep in touch with the prospect. None of us can remember all the details and the necessary follow-up schedule. This session will explore the reasons for the fear, despite the great values in the market, and justify the use of valuable tools you may already have to make high tech equal high touch.

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All Constellation customers have received invitations to our upcoming virtual user conference.  If you have still not registered, please do so using the links below.

Constellation HomeBuilder Systems is pleased to invite you to our first ever, Virtual User Conference on March 23 through March 27, 2009.

Join us for this FREE event in the comfort of your office, or any location with an internet connection and a phone.

Hosted by our BuildSoft, Builder 360, NEWSTAR, FAST and Constellation CRM (formerly “CFT”) product families, these series of webinars will include valuable product update sessions, industry best practices, and home builder roundtable discussions.

Delivered by Constellation experts and guest speakers, you will learn about new product enhancements, upcoming events, industry best practices, trends in the customer base, and opportunities to help you get the most out of your software system.

Product Update Sessions

On March 23rd at 1PM EST, we will be hosting the following product update sessions. Please register for the product update session of your choice using the links below.

– FAST

– NEWSTAR

– Builder 360

– BuildSoft

– Constellation CRM

Industry Best Practices and Guest Speakers

Lead Qualification and Sales Best Practices Ross Robbins – Shinn Group March 24th at 1 PM EST – Today’s home buyers are fearful of making a buying decision and consumer confidence is at historic lows. We as sales people must do all the heavy lifting to get them to want to buy. The key to this is repetitive contact and building a trusted relationship to enable them to take action without regret. This means using your system to its fullest to keep in touch with the prospect. None of us can remember all the details and the necessary follow-up schedule. This session will explore the reasons for the fear, despite the great values in the market, and justify the use of valuable tools you may already have to make high tech equal high touch.

Online Homeowner Warranty and Maintenance Brad Brickman – Constellation HomeBuilder Systems March 25th at 1 PM EST – Now that the housing boom is behind us and the entire industry is dealing with a new reality, managing warranty and service costs is very important. In this session, we’ll show you how many builders have reduced their warranty and service costs, and improved customer satisfaction and referrals with small investments in online homeowner manuals, maintenance guides, newsletters and service request portals.

Implementing a Purchase Order System Craig Schweikart – Constellation HomeBuilder Systems March 25th at 1:30 PM EST – Many builders, both small and large, can achieve cost advantages and improved forecasting using purchase orders. In this session, builders will learn how to reduce costs as a result of issuing purchase orders and paying trades without relying on completion slips and invoices. Even if you are already using purchase orders for your trades, this session will provide additional opportunities for process improvement.

Get the Information You Need from Your Accounting System Felicia Malter and Steven Hays – RubinBrown March 26th at 1 PM EST – As a follow-up to our Coping with Financial Distress webinar from last August, this session will help Canadian and US builders identify how to analyze those ratios that are the most important in running their business. Using the information from your accounting systems can help you improve your bottom line and increase your profits. In addition, timely communication to lenders from from their builders will help ensure viable financing solutions. Steve Hays and Felicia Malter, Partners in the Home Builder Services Group at RubinBrown LLP, will also share some information about what financial reporting might look like as we prepare for better times.

Builder Roundtable Discussion

On March 27th at 1PM EST, we will be hosting the following builder roundtable discussions. Please register for the session of your choice using the links below.

– Small Volume Builders and Remodelers

– Larger Volume Production Builders

Additional Information

Register now, or contact
Cathy Kotsopoulos via email or by phone at (888) 723-2222 x6140.

In conjunction with Shinn Consulting, we are pleased to invite you to our two-day seminar on Wednesday, November 5th and Thursday, November 6th at the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa in Vail, Colorado.

In this seminar, you will learn proven techniques to increase your operational efficiency and get the most from your information management systems.

In addition, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems will hold a 1/2 day workshop on November 7th to provide prescriptive techniques to get the most out of your existing software investment.

Managing your Company Out of the Downturn Seminar and Workshop Agenda

On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Constellation CRM is pleased to invite you and your staff to our one-day Regional User Conference at the Hilton Suites in Anaheim, CA.

The agenda is the following:

Click here to register or obtain additional information.

Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has added San Francisco to its list of regional user conferences for NEWSTAR customers.  For additional information and the conference agenda, please refer to the 2008 NEWSTAR Regional User Conference page.

Here are the basic details.

Date:
June 24, 2008 8AM – 5PM
Location:
Embassy Suites
San Francisco Airport Burlingame
Fee:
$350 USD
Additional Information
Cathy Kotsopoulos
Phone:(888) 723-2222 x6140