Brian Miller, HBANKY Executive Vice President

As Executive Vice President for the Home Builders' Association of Northern Kentucky (HBANKY), Brian Miller brings a few years of experience to the table, having worked for more than a decade with a local HBA and its SMC. He shares his insight into taking a realistic approach to the future by taking it one step at a time.

What is your background with HBAs? 

I have been Executive Vice President for three months with HBANKY.  I was previously at the Home Builders Association of Louisville for more than 11 years and served as their Vice President of Communications, working with our SMC on a regular basis.

What have been your biggest challenges?

The biggest challenges we face during these times are keeping our fingers on the pulse of our members.  Historically HBAs change very slowly, but we are having to change at an accelerated pace due to fast-evolving technology and the economy. Getting members to change their perspectives or methods in order to be more efficient can be difficult at times.

How have the problems in today’s building industry affected your association?

The obvious problem for an HBA during these times is money.  That being said, we have had to be very inventive, to do more with less.  The needs for our services actually increases during these tough times, though, financially, we can't always keep every program or benefit.  

Our members rely upon us to help keep their businesses going strong, and our members do a good job of communicating that during these times.  Many members are energized to talk to others about the benefits, which helps retain current members and attract new ones. 

When you get down to it, the message is about value.  Unless a company is wiped out, they need the HBA.  It then becomes a factor of how much they need the HBA, and, for us, to fulfill those needs appropriately.

What SMC programs or events have had the most positive effect on your membership recruitment and retention in general?

Our annual awards ceremony is very important to the SMC members.  The recognition that is realized from this program is important to our members.  When a prospective client walks into an office and stares at a wealth of accomplishment prominently displayed it speaks volumes for that member. That potential client is put at ease and the wall of unfamiliarity is brought down extensively.

What is the greatest strength of your association, and how do you, as an EO, maintain that strength?

Our strength is our diversity of services.  Some members will tell you that our government affairs initiatives are most important, others will say networking and others still will say the HBA brings business.  Whatever it is, we perform a juggling act to meet the needs of our diverse membership every day.  Beyond that, a friendly smile and having someone who knows you on a personal basis is extremely important during these times.

What are your tips for EOs wanting to find the same success as you have with your association and its SMC?

Stick with it.  Don’t repeat a series of “one and dones” with your SMC.  Programs take a while to grow and planning for sustained growth will get you there.  Babe Ruth didn’t hit a home run the first time up to the plate. He worked at it and worked at it.  It takes time.

What benefits does the SMC bring to your HBA? (Higher attendance, education, etc.)

Our SMC brings us a different culture.  Our various councils and committees almost have a life of their own.  The SMC provides a place for highly energized professionals to offer their talents to the entire group.

Do you have any programs that changed in response to the changes in the housing market? If so, what were the programs and how were they revamped?

Yes, we have had to drop some tours and some social events.  We are looking for ways to include what were separate SMC events under the banner of the HBA, thereby promoting the SMC members to the larger whole and to expose them to the entire HBA in these larger encompassing opportunities.

Final thoughts? 

Find ways to define success and help your SMC members achieve it.  Don’t set your bars too high when beginning a new effort.  The old proverb says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”  Find ways to celebrate the first ten steps, the next ten steps and every ten steps along the way and eventually that thousand miles will be in your rear view mirror.

  [ return to top ]