How to Breed Best-of-Breed
Centers of excellence should be a catalyst for developing a process-driven culture that is focused on delivering world-class results.
Centers of excellence should be a catalyst for developing a process-driven culture that is focused on delivering world-class results.
Clark Ellis, Principal with Continuum Advisory Group, and author of the recent article featured on builderonline.com “Moneyball for Homebuilders: Take an ‘everything matters’ approach to operations, and ‘small ball’ will get you the wins”, was recently invited to join an outstanding lineup of speakers at the 5th annual UBS Homebuilder University on April 9th in New York City. The theme of this year’s conference was how homebuilders can overcome increased lot, material and labor costs to build a profitable home that addresses the desires of the First Time Homebuyer. The conference is attended by professional investors who are interested in learning the true challenges that are facing today’s homebuilder, and which builders are best positioned for overcoming these challenges.
At Continuum, we get a little excited when baseball starts. We love the game, and of course the weather that comes along with it. If you’re in the same boat, our recent Big Builder article is for you. We see a big opportunity for builders to transition their strategy to a “small ball” approach, one that has seemed to work well for MLB teams in the post-steroid era (see the San Francisco Giants).
Take an ‘everything matters’ approach to operations, and ‘small ball’ will get you the wins. “Pitchers and catchers reporting.” There may be no sweeter four words in the English language when they are assembled in the preceding phrase. Along with…
The operational challenges of serving the first time homebuyer segment in 2015 are different and more problematic for most builders than they were between 2000 and 2007. With significant margin risk, working capital management requires a sharper focus from management.…
Continuum Advisory Group advises homebuilders on how to eliminate waste from their business, develop scalability, achieve profitable growth, and realize enterprise value.
Ten years ago, I left the construction industry because I needed a change. I wanted a break from the constant travel, and I wanted to get to know my home town of Denver again. So I took an opportunity to…
These are sage words of wisdom, especially when one considers this advice within the context of the U.S. construction industry. Capital asset owners — large American corporations and government agencies who spend roughly one trillion per year to construct pipelines,…
A strong estimator that is trained to accurately estimate a house and understands material management at the field level can be a home-run hire for any homebuilder. Unfortunately, in-house estimating functions were largely eliminated during the downturn. Most builders outsourced their estimating needs, allowed the trades or suppliers to do their own estimates, or transitioned from direct-buy to turnkey. Choosing to recreate an estimating function and finding space for it in your budget may seem unrealistic. But would $83,000 in direct savings change your mind?
Success in 2015 Depends on Being Flexible in the Utility Market. In an environment that will exhibit disruption and change, being nimble is a necessity. The concept of being flexible rather than ridged in the face of change is one…