HR: Can Your Business Survive Its Owner?
If you died tomorrow, who would run your company and see to it that your business continues to turn a profit? Get tips on succession planning from an NAHB member and legal professionals.

Most owners start thinking about succession plans when they consider retiring or leaving the business. But what would happen if you died tomorrow? Who would run your company and see to it that your business continues to produce top-quality homes, satisfy its customers, and turn a profit?

Because nothing in life is ever certain, it’s wise to put strategies and procedures in place now for how your business would proceed if you die or become incapacitated. This will help your business survive even if you don’t, and will help protect your assets and your employees. Select this link to learn what inspired custom builder Lucy T. Katz to develop a succession plan for her company, and to learn how to create a plan for your company.

IT: Protect Your Computer Network From Attack
When computer hackers target big corporations or the federal government, it makes the evening news. But “electronic terrorists” go after small businesses, too, because small firms’ computer security systems often are lax.

If hackers get into your network, they could use your e-mail system to distribute spam, purchase merchandise using your credit information, steal or damage important company data, and potentially put you out of business.

Select this link for an overview of tactics hackers use to attack computer networks, and to learn what you can do to prevent these attacks.
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Taxes: Use the Right Construction Codes
Many NAHB members own more than one construction-related enterprise. When completing your tax return, it is important to properly classify the business that provided your principal source of income. These codes for the Principal Business or Professional Activity classify sole proprietorships by the type of activity they are engaged in to facilitate the administration of the Internal Revenue Code. We’ve got the codes right here so you don’t have to look them up. [return to top]

Need Business Management Tools?
Just go to www.nahb.org/biztools, log on as a member, and you’ll have instant access to more than 190 business management resources. Get guidance on accounting & financial management, business strategy, computers & information technology, customer service, human resources, and more.

Resources are added often. Bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools so that you can go directly to these vital business management resources.
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OSHA Increases Enforcement Activities
Stepped-up enforcement activities on silica exposure and fall protection measures in recent weeks warrant a "heads up" to NAHB’s builder members. Reports of increased citations have surfaced over the past year — particularly in the area of fall protection — and NAHB has learned that the agency has increased its focus on inspecting residential construction sites. Fall protection measures on residential sites are now the second-biggest source of OSHA citations issued in the entire construction industry.

Meanwhile, Arizona roofing contractors have been warned that silica exposures from cutting roof tiles will be regarded as "willful violations" of OSHA protocol and may be subject to a hefty $70,000 fine. A potential reason for this crackdown is that OSHA is gathering ammunition to support a new silica regulation in the works. Check upcoming editions of NBN Online for details. Contact Rob Matuga at 800-368-5242, x8507 for questions on fall protection and George Middleton at 800-368-5242, x8590 for info on silica exposure.

In addition, select this link to learn how builders in Wichita, Kans. partnered with OSHA on jobsite safety. [return to top]

Does Your Business Measure Up?
Get your copy of the 2004 Cost of Doing Business Study and you’ll instantly see how your financial performance stacks up against the rest of the industry. The publication gives home builders a rare glimpse at other builders’ books by providing data about profitability, cost of sales, and expenses from hundreds of home builders across the country.
 
In this 2004 edition, you’ll learn how to develop cost control systems and get tips on cutting cycle time. Start working more profitably by ordering it today.
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Help Tsunami Survivors Rebuild Their Homes
Contribute to the newly formed Home Builders Care / National Housing Endowment - Tsunami Shelter Fund. Write your donation check to the National Housing Endowment and send it to:

                                          National Housing Endowment
                                                    1201 15th St., NW
                                               Washington, DC  20005

  Please reference "Tsunami Shelter Fund" in the memo field of your check.

Contact Kym Kilbourne at 800-368-5242, x8447 for more details.
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Business Opportunities From NAHB Councils and Departments

Reward and Motivate Your Sales Team

Strong sales—and motivated salespeople—are the lifeblood of successful home building businesses. Sponsored by NAHB's National Sales and Marketing Council, Million Dollar Circle awards are a cost-effective way to recognize leading salespeople and sales managers for producing millions of dollars in sales each year.

Million Dollar Circle citations are available in bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels to correspond to a million dollar sales mark. The program also offers lifetime plaque awards for those with six or more years of million dollar sales, as well as lapel pins. New the year is the Chairman’s Sales Leadership Award, a high-profile award for those who have reached $50 million or more in new home sales.

Order your Million Dollar Circle awards online today at http://www.milliondollarcircle.com/. 

Attend the Pillars of the Industry Conference

If you design, build, manage, or sell multifamily housing, you’ll benefit from attending the Pillars of the Industry Conference and Awards Gala. It takes place April 4-6 at the Doral Resort and Spa in Miami, Fla. Sponsored by NAHB’s Multifamily Area, this annual educational conference was developed by multifamily executives for multifamily executives. The Pillars Awards Gala recognizes the “best of the best” in the multifamily industry in over 30 categories, including finance, development, design, management and marketing. 

Advance registration is now closed, but you can register onsite starting April 4. Select this link for more information.

Explore the Active Adult Market

Presented by NAHB's Seniors Housing Council, Building for Boomers & Beyond: Seniors Housing Symposium 2005, is an educational and networking conference for builders, developers, and other industry professionals who serve the 50+ Market. The conference takes place May 16-18 in the Washington, D.C., metro area (Chantilly, Va.).

New this year is “How to Get Started in Active Adult Housing,” a pre-conference course on how to break into the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry, and “Designing for the Active Adult,” the first course in the Seniors Housing Council’s Professional Development Series.

Select this link to register online. For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar at 800-368-5242, x8338, or visit www.nahb.org/build4boomers.

Learn Design Trends and Strategies

The 2nd NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders takes place June 13-15 at the Westin Tabor Center in Denver. During this education event, you’ll learn the latest in residential housing design trends from the industry’s top design professionals; tour award-winning homes and communities that display the latest in cutting-edge architectural design; and learn how to profitably apply these design ideas to the homes you build.

Select this link for more information, to register, and to view the full schedule of events.

Enter the Mexican Housing Market

Attend the 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas and gain critical initial contacts with professionals in Mexico’s burgeoning residential construction industry.

The conference will be held November 3-5 in Mexico City at the Four Seasons hotel. The conference features six educational sessions, a property tour of higher-end housing, exhibits, and multiple networking opportunities with industry leaders and government officials.

As an added bonus, the first 100 registrants to the 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas will receive a complimentary registration to the 2006 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida.

Select this link to learn more about this successful conference series. Questions? Contact NAHB International at 800-36-5242, x8417. [return to top]

Member Advantage: Get Discount Pricing on More Than 80 GM Vehicles
GM is offering preferred supplier discount pricing on more than 80 General Motors vehicles, including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Saturn, HUMMER (except H1), and Saab passenger cars, light duty trucks, vans and SUVs as part of NAHB’s Member Advantage discount program.

Through the program:

• NAHB members get Preferred Supplier Pricing on all eight GM nameplates.
• NAHB members can realize the benefits of other GM offers in addition to the supplier price.
• NAHB members will receive their authorization codes and program details via direct mail from GM.

For complete details, go to www.gmfleet.com/nahb. The GM Preferred Supplier Pricing program runs through Jan. 3, 2006.

Other Member Advantage Discounts

For the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program and all of the participating companies, go to http://memberadvantage.nahb.org/. Or visit http://www.nahb.org/ to explore the full range of benefits associated with membership in your local, state, and national home builders associations. [return to top]