CRM: The Good. The Bad. The Beautiful. Webinar 9-8-10 2pm Eastern

by Erik Cofield in News and Events 8/31/2010 4:34:00 AM
Topic: CRM: The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tools help you keep in better touch with your prospects and buyers, give you better control over the sales process, and give salespeople the freedom to concentrate on selling without worrying about their schedule.

This seminar will help you learn to get the most from your CRM program.

Date: Wednesday, September 8th Time: 2PM Eastern, 1PM Central, 12 Noon Mountain, 11AM Pacific, 8AM Honolulu
Presented by: Roger Fiehn, Erik Cofield & Mary LeBlanc
Cost: $37 No charge for Silver and Gold members. Program length: 1 hour.

Note: This presentation will be recorded. Your registration includes access to the full video recording so you can view and review the program as often as you like at no additional charge. Register today: CRM: The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful

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Constellation HomeBuilder Systems Acquires BuildTopia

by Wendi Pannell in 7/2/2010 10:00:00 AM

Markham, ON, June 25, 2010 –Constellation HomeBuilder Systems (“CHS”) has acquired the assets of BuildTopia of Rockville, Maryland, a web-based construction management software solution for residential home builders.  This acquisition is another example of Constellation’s dedication to the home building industry and its long term approach to providing mission critical technology solutions and services for home builders of all sizes.

“We continue to invest in new products and services and maintain our long-term commitment to the home building industry”, says Dexter Salna, President of Constellation HomeBuilder Systems.  As the largest software company dedicated to the homebuilding industry, Constellation continues to provide excellent support and services to help our customers successfully run their business now and in the future.  We welcome the customers and employees of BuildTopia to the Constellation family.

Constellation’s suite of homebuilding solutions include Software as a Service (SaaS) and hosting alternatives, in addition to solutions that builders can install on their own hardware.  In many cases, builders are choosing SaaS and hosting alternatives to get started quickly and avoid the upfront costs associated with purchasing hardware.  In addition to our fully integrated sales, production, accounting, and warranty solutions, Constellation also provides quick-start home builder websites with built-in best practices for online marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and security.

About BuildTopia
BuildTopia delivers comprehensive web-based construction project management software solutions for residential home builders delivered as a SaaS solution.  BuildTopia streamlines and integrates all core construction business processes in one powerful yet easy to use solution to increase production efficiency, reduce errors, maximize each sale, and provide excellent customer service. Builders, developers, and trade partners of every size rely upon BuildTopia to dramatically improve the effectiveness, efficiency and profitability of their businesses.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,400 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty. From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, vendor portal solutions, and web site solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry. Constellation’s product suite includes BuildSoft, Builder 360, Constellation CRM (CFT), Constellation Web Solutions, FAST, NEWSTAR, and Sales1440.

Media Inquiries
Cathy Kotsopoulos
ckotsopoulos@constellationhb.com
(888) 723-2222

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Project Management Gone Right!

by Erik Cofield in Articles | News and Events 4/23/2010 4:34:00 AM

Courtesy of Blue Tangerine Solutions, Erik Cofield and Wendi Pannell presented Project Management Gone Right. You can download it now!
Learn what you can do in your next project to ensure success from the beginning.
Know what pitfalls to avoid.
Get the key critical decisions to make long before starting any project
Understand Critical Path Project Management - What comes first and whose on second!

http://www.bluetangerinesolutions.com/webinar/4_20_2010_Webinar.wmv


Project Management Gone Right

by Erik Cofield in Articles | News and Events 4/14/2010 4:47:00 AM

BuildTopia is very pleased to provide business best practices for an upcoming project management best practices webinar  Think: Project Management Gone Right.

Join us for "Successful Strategies for Builders Changing Business Processes" April 20th at 1:00 Eastern, sponsored by Blue Tangerine Solutions. Register at http://bit.ly/NsN6r

Wendi Pannell and Erik Cofield offer insight and business best practices for builders, or anyone, facing a project involving business process change.

They will cover:
Action items you must know and do long before starting the project
Essential elements for a successful project management engagement
Pitfalls to avoid
and
Critical Path Project Management - What comes first and whose on second!

Attendees receive a copy of the presentation to share with the rest of your team.


An Honest Guide to Ensuring a Successful Implementation, Project or Initiative

by Wendi Pannell in Articles 3/16/2010 6:24:00 AM
My colleagues have been telling me for years “Write a blog”, or at least “Give me a break and write a blog entry”. My response, “Blah Blog”. I think they figured since I had so much to say, and passionately so, that I should vent via electronic means. The educational/professional side of me wanted to go look up ‘How to Blog’ or ‘Blogging for Non-Bloggers’- but instead of going that route – I’m going with my gut. My first blog is about implementations and specifically how to ensure a successful implementation with any software. What do I know about this topic you ask? I’ve been facilitating or overseeing implementations for an online software product for 7 years. Prior to that I worked with a company that developed software for several different industries, from the Recording Industry Association of America to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. In all of these industries and more, from small projects to multi-million dollar initiatives – there are common principles that guarantee success. And if you’re missing the first one – you’re success just got reduced by a significant percentage. But maybe you’re the person on the ground floor who is trying to convince your boss that you need a system/tool in place to make you and the company more successful. Then use #1 below as your first goal. But to reach that goal you have to have clear and measureable objectives. More about those in my next blog. Here’s our top 10 tips to ensure success of your next implementation.

1.    Executive leadership and commitment. If the decision isn’t coming from the top down, or you don’t have executive buy in – the chance of pulling the plug is greater. If you don’t start with this, make sure you get buy in quickly. Give them what they want – numbers and reports. Proove that the tool is helping them achieve a return on their investment.

2.    Set clear implementation adoption goals by module,milestone or phase as appropriate for your particular type of project and assign a reasonable timeline for each to be implemented with your Professional Service Manager (PSM).

3.    Do some basic data gathering.  Whatever tool or system that you’re going to start using – there’s bound to be data or information to put in it. Here’s an example of a standard list for homebuilders. Typically gathering this information means getting it into electronic format. Excel is your friend – and if it’s not, find a friend that is a friend of Excel.
•    Have a list of projects (sub-divisions) that you build in,
•    Have a list of lots you will build on in those projects,
•    Do you have a list of Plan names or numbers that you build?
•    Do you have a list of options you offer?
•    Have a list of Trade Partners (Vendors & Subcontractors)


4.    Take all the complimentary on line classes as soon as you can.  Your familiarity with the system will lead to a quicker implementation, potentially saving you money and will speed up getting the return on investment of using the system.  Finding a tool that has free online/on demand classes is a plus/plus. Also look for a tool that has a great help system that is easy to navigate or has a good search tool. Especially if they don’t have a FREE 800 number. BTW, this is one thing I am so proud of BuildTopia for having; an online help system, free on demand classes and an actual person that answers our 800 number. Hey, I get to toot our own horn – this is my blog!

5.    Schedule weekly implementation progress meetings with your PSM to review any uploaded data, steps needed to complete current goal, as well as what may be needed (data) for the next goal.  Keep things moving forward! This may be a 15 minute meeting, but it keeps everyone accountable to touching base and confessing to what did or didn’t get done. ACCOUNTABILITY! More...


Erik Cofield selected as Consultant at Builder Radio

by Erik Cofield in News and Events 2/3/2010 3:25:00 AM

BuildTopia is pleased to recognize Erik Cofield, VP Sales and Marketing, as a new consultant for Builder Radio!  More details available at www.builderradio.com.

Erik Cofield, CGA has leveraged technology and provided business management consulting for all sizes and types of builders, developers and Remodelers since 2000, including volume, multi-family and custom, to help them improve their business. He is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BuildTopia, a widely used international construction management software company.  He enjoys applying best practices to businesses and being part of their success, growth and financial stability. As a long time advocate for education and professionalism in the residential construction industry, he managed the education program for the Greater Houston Builders Association for 2 years and holds the CGA (Certified Graduate Associate) designation from the National Association of Homebuilders.  

He speaks on a variety of subjects and provides content to outlets including Home Builder Associations, HGTV, NAHB, magazines and e-zines. 

He has been published in the 2008 and 2009 NAHB Business Management Guides He writes the business management best practices blog here at BuildTopia www.buildtopia.com/blog 

He is an NAHB Approved Instructor for:         
Customer Service
         
Sales and Marketing for Remodelers
         
Introduction to Business Management
 
The CSP Course-Certified New Home Sales Professionals

One of the best compliments we here about Erik is from builders who tell us he has made a difference in how they run their business.

Congratulations Erik!


BuildTopia Supports Epcon at Sales Conference

by Erik Cofield in News and Events 1/14/2010 9:19:00 AM

We are happy to expand our role at the Epcon sales conference in Columbus this month.

As a preferred vendor for Epcon corporate and franchisees, it is not just about having customers. BuildTopia is also pleased to be providing training support on the system and sales best practices to help leverage the system to out position the competition. 

We know it has been a tough year for builders.  If you are going to have a smaller piece of the pie, make it very rich!  As a partner to Epcon, we are happy to announce we are as steadfast, solid, still growing, and still willing to give back added value to our clients.

BuildTopia supports and participates in numerous on site events, speaking engagements, presentations at home builder associations, on site group training, webinars with Builder Radio, Blue Tangerine Solutions and road shows with strategic partners such as New Home Source.

If you are interested in discussing our involvement in your organization, please contact Erik Cofield at ecofield@buildtopia.com


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St. Louis HBA proves most successful seminar with 14 new customers

by Erik Cofield in News and Events 1/8/2010 1:25:00 AM

The recent selling strategies seminar BuildTopia was at in St. Louis proved to be the most successful yet. BuildTopia's VP of Sales, Erik Cofield, joins Builder Homesite's, Chad Bria and Carol Flammer with mRelevance to promote the Builders Trifecta: You have to get leads, you have to have a great web site and social media presence and you have to manage leads like a Super-Hero! 

The attendance was incredible strong with over 60 attendees. BuildTopia ended up signing up 14 builders on BTLead in one day!

More "road shows" are planned. If you would like this seminar at your HBA, contact Erik Cofield at ecofield@buildtopia.com. The presentation may be complimentary in some cases.


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Transform Your Marketing With This Powerful Tip

by Erik Cofield in Articles 1/8/2010 1:20:00 AM

What helps sell more homes faster? A) construction science, B) deep pockets C) stellar sales people D) strategic marketing?

 

You guessed it, strategic marketing. You might have said all of the above, but not really because of the word “faster”. Why?  Construction science can build it faster. Money is great, but not if you waste it on poor marketing choices. Sales people help, but only if they have leads.  So, strategic marketing fits that bill.  

Do you think you are in construction? Too bad, you are also in marketing. You may have gotten in to this industry because you are a construction science guru, or maybe you are a brilliant architect, or you graduated from Business College and you got in it for the money or your parents gave you the business. It doesn’t matter, congratulations, you are now in marketing.

 

While most builders don’t usually do blow away marketing, some do. You can too. Whether you could build a home blind-folded, or you are a Harvard business grad, or you were a superintendent and are starting your own company, none of that matters if you are not marketing like a Transformer!  So here is a tip many builders overlook. It will help you out-position your competition. More...


BuildTopia in St. Louis - Seminar - Successful Selling Strategies

by Erik Cofield in Articles | News and Events 12/27/2009 1:43:00 PM

Join us as we head to St. Louis!  Erik will present his "Managing Leads Like a Super-Hero!" as one of the presenters with Builder Homesite.  BuildTopia is part of a road show with Builder Homesite as we head to Home Builder Associations around the country giving builders real world advice on successful selling strategies to sell homes online, or anywhere else. Carol Flammer with mRelevance joins as well.

RSVP details are in the flyer below.

If you would like this at your HBA, contact Erik Cofield at
ecofield@buildtopia.com.

St Louis 1-5-10 seminar on selling homes.pdf (54.78 kb)


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