Builder365

In This Episode: 

Ryan Taft interviews sales expert Jeb Blount, who shares his journey into sales training and the founding of Sales Gravy. Jeb discusses the transformative impact of AI on the sales profession, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new technologies to remain relevant. He highlights the need for sales professionals to leverage AI to enhance human relationships rather than replace them, and shares insights from his new book, The AI Edge, on the subject. In this conversation, Jeb Blount and Ryan Taft discuss the transformative role of AI in B2B sales, particularly in the home building industry. They emphasize the importance of adapting AI tools to fit specific business needs, the necessity of personalized follow-up strategies, and the value of human effort in sales interactions. The discussion also covers practical applications of AI for sales leaders to enhance efficiency and improve customer relationships.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 Prioritizing Tasks with AI 07:00 The Impact of Team Culture 09:50 Introducing Jeb Blount 14:04 The Passion for Sales 16:46 The AI Edge: Embracing Technology in Sales 26:35 The Awakening of AI Creativity 29:24 The Three A's of AI Adoption 32:15 Transforming Follow-Up Strategies with AI 36:51 Personalization in Sales Follow-Up 41:58 The Importance of Human Touch in AI Communication 46:29 Leadership and AI: Enhancing Team Efficiency   About Jeb: Jeb Blount is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and one of the world’s leading experts on sales and leadership. With a dynamic career that spans over two decades, Jeb has transformed the way companies think about sales, providing innovative, actionable strategies to help sales professionals and leaders excel. His latest book, The AI Edge, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the sales landscape, equipping professionals with the tools to boost productivity, enhance customer relationships, and gain a competitive edge.    Acknowledgments:  Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In This Episode:

Ryan Taft engages with industry veterans Cliff Stahl from Meritage Homes and Nick Boniakowski from Opendoor. They discuss the evolving landscape of home building and real estate, focusing on the strategic shift at Meritage to enhance relationships with realtors and compete with resale homes. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, fair compensation for agents, and the role of technology in facilitating these partnerships. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Why would you not want to work with us? 05:29 Home Buyer Trivia 06:20 Interview with Cliff Stahl and Nick Boniakowski 09:05 Meritage Homes' Strategic Shift 14:42 Sales Operations and Realtor Relationships 17:28 Attracting and Compensating Agents 20:19 Opendoor's Role in the Market 25:54 Navigating the NAR Settlement 30:57 Personal Reflections and Concert Memories   About Cliff: Cliff Stahl brings over 14 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping sales strategies that have driven Meritage Homes to become one of the top five builders in the U.S.   About Nick: Nick Boniakowski, head of agent partnerships, has been instrumental in driving Opendoor’s innovation and growth over the past year. Boniakowski oversees Opendoor’s collaborations with agents and the company’s partnerships with online real estate platforms, expanding Opendoor’s reach to thousands of new customers, partners and industry stakeholders across 50 markets.   Acknowledgement: Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In This Episode:

Mary Beth Berry engages with Amy O'Connor to discuss the impact of AI on the home building industry. They explore how AI is transforming project management, enhancing customer experiences, and addressing concerns about data privacy. The conversation culminates in a live interview with ChatGPT, where the AI shares its capabilities and insights into the home building sector, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, personalization, and efficiency in modern construction practices.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 We Interview ChatGPT 00:37 Seasonal Changes & Holiday Traditions 05:13 The Impact of AI on Construction 09:11 Amy's Kids Usage of AI 12:29 The ChatGPT Interview 14:26 Top 3 Fears About Using AI according to AI 15:46 What Can AI Help With in Homebuilding? 17:41 What AI Knows About Top Home Building Companies 21:06 How Can Builders Stand Out From Their Competitors? 24:36 ChatGPT Voice is Programmed to Sound Natural  25:26 Using ChatGPT to Translate During Sales Conversations 27:05 The Advantage of Implementing AI Into Your Business 28:21 Two Things ChatGPT Wishes People Knew About It 30:16 What AI Has To Say About Mary Beth Berry 31:40 AI's Juicy Tidbits about Jeff Shore 32:42 Final Thoughts About the ChatGPT Interview   About ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a conversational AI developed by OpenAI, trained to assist users with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating creative content. Leveraging the power of advanced machine learning and natural language processing, ChatGPT can provide detailed information, offer advice, brainstorm ideas, and even create tailored writing and design suggestions. It's built on a foundation of broad general knowledge with capabilities to adapt to specific fields, ensuring it remains versatile and helpful across a variety of domains. Constantly updated with the latest techniques, ChatGPT aims to make digital interactions smoother, more insightful, and accessible to everyone.   Acknowledgement: Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365    *This episode features an interview with ChatGPT Voice, an AI assistant developed by OpenAI. While it strives for accuracy and clarity, any information shared should be double-checked, as occasional inaccuracies may occur. This conversation is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only.

In This Episode:

Back in July, Jeff interviewed Mollie Carmichael, Principal at Zonda, for the Sales & Marketing Leadership Summit. Their conversation explored the evolving landscape of home buying, with a focus on the critical need for clear communication with potential buyers and a deep understanding of consumer behavior. They discussed the impact of interest rates on purchasing decisions and the growing shift toward online home buying. The conversation highlighted the importance of transparent pricing, innovative home design, and adapting marketing strategies to meet changing consumer preferences, particularly in visual appeal and communication. Additionally, the speakers addressed challenges in online purchasing, the future of the real estate market, and the integration of technology, encouraging industry professionals to continuously innovate and enhance customer experiences.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 The Importance of Immediate Communication 02:31 Understanding Consumer Behavior in Home Buying 06:44 The Role of Interest Rates and Affordability 10:27 The Shift to Online Home Buying 14:08 Visual Appeal and Marketing Strategies 18:25 Consumer Preferences and Communication Channels 24:44 Transparent Pricing and Home Design 28:01 Challenges in Online Home Buying 30:48 Customer Experience and Sales Tools 34:06 Marketing Strategies and Customer Insights 39:38 The Future of Real Estate and Technology 46:38 Market Forecast and Closing Thoughts   About Mollie:

Mollie is a leading real estate advisor and Principal at Zonda, specializing in community and product insights. She combines her vast experience with Zonda’s consumer preference data to help builders strategize the best design that clients will love.

  Acknowledgment:  Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In this episode 

Jeanna Roach, CEO of Betenbough Companies, discusses the importance of defining culture and purpose within an organization and the growing trend of build-to-rent housing. She explores the challenges and setbacks faced in leadership roles, the unique culture and transparency of Betenbough, and their commitment to affordable housing and community giving. The discussion emphasizes resilience, generosity, and the impact of a strong organizational culture.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Defining Culture and Purpose 04:14 The Build-to-Rent Trend 08:10 Gina Roach's Journey to CEO 14:01 Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience 17:50 The Unique Culture of Beaten Bow 22:04 Transparency and Generosity in Business 25:48 Affordable Housing Commitment 29:55 Expanding with Purpose 31:49 Community and Global Giving

 

About Jeanna

Jeanna Roach is the CEO of Betenbough Companies. Her journey with Betenbough began in 2006, where she held various positions, including Public Relations Specialist, Marketing Manager, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Jeanna is known not only for her visionary leadership but also for defending and nurturing the company's culture, ensuring Betenbough Companies remains a place where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership development and has been instrumental in fostering the company’s unique, people-first culture.

 

Acknowledgment 

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In this episode: 

Qadra Evans, Director of Industry Relations for New Construction at Zillow, discusses the evolving landscape of the real estate market, focusing on consumer preferences, the role of technology in home building, and the importance of workforce development. Qadra shares insights from her role at Zillow, highlighting trends such as the increasing significance of pets in home buying decisions and the growing interest in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a solution to the affordability crisis. She also explores how builders are adapting to economic challenges and the expectations of younger buyers regarding smart home technology. The discussion concludes with a focus on the She Built Foundation and its efforts to inspire the next generation in the skilled trades.

 

Timestamps:

00:00 The Appeal of New Construction 03:14 The Rise of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 05:51 Consumer Preferences and Market Trends 11:50 The Impact of Technology on Home Building 19:13 Workforce Development in Home Building

 

About Qadra:

As the Director of Industry Relations for New Construction at Zillow, Qadra creates and nurtures strategic partnerships with homebuilders across the country, leveraging 20+ years of real estate experience and expertise. In her role, she shares valuable insights, data, and research with the industry, and showcase Zillow's innovative products and solutions that help homebuilders reach and engage more homebuyers online. She is passionate about elevating the skilled trades within underrepresented communities, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team at The House That She Built, a community of 20 female leaders who aim to overcome the international labor shortage in construction.

 

Acknowledgment: 

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In this episode

we are joined by Alaina Money-Garman, the founder and chief executive officer of Garman Homes, to share her journey and insights into the home building industry. As a visionary leader, Alaina offers a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities faced by women in construction, the importance of leadership development, and how to cultivate resilience in a competitive market. Her expertise in fostering innovation and building a successful company serves as an inspiration for aspiring leaders. The episode concludes with valuable advice for newcomers in the industry, emphasizing the need for creativity, compassion, and the courage to embrace change.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Authenticity and Making Space for Others 03:06 Emerging Trends in Home Building 05:47 The Journey of Alaina Money-Garman 11:57 Garmin Homes: A Different Approach 18:08 Innovation in Home Building 24:09 Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis 30:09 Future Predictions for Home Building 36:07 Advice for Newcomers in Home Building   About Alaina

Alaina Money-Garman is the founder and chief executive officer of Garman Homes, a company renowned for its innovative designs and customer-centric approach in the home building industry. With a focus on offering a custom-like experience within production homebuilding, Alaina has led her company to great success, constructing close to 400 homes annually. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of creating deep connections with clients and fostering a positive, inclusive work culture. In recognition of her contributions to the industry, she was awarded the Woman of the Year title at the Women in Residential Construction (WIR+CC) conference.

  Acknowledgment   Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In This Episode

Carol Ruiz, the owner and founder of Newground PR and Media, discusses the role of PR in home building and protecting a brand's reputation, as well as the importance of media training for executives. Carol also shares insights on crisis communications and the power of third-party credibility in PR. The conversation concludes with recommendations for some must-watch documentaries!

 

Timestamps

00:00 Answer The Question Honestly and Briefly 02:53 Understanding Buyer Sentiment in Housing Market 08:30 Carol Ruiz Interview 10:05 Separating Personal Brand from Business Brand 12:20 What Does A PR Person Do? 14:15 Dealing with Crisis Communications 17:50 Analyzing National Debacles from a PR Perspective 19:55 Understanding Media Training 21:26 Advice For When You Are On Camera 22:45 The Passion and Challenges of the Home Building Industry 23:53 Documentaries You Must Watch   About Carol  Carol Ruiz is the Principal of NewGround PR & Media, a full service communications & marketing firm with an all-encompassing understanding of how people discover & engage with brands. With deep expertise in real estate, architecture, and development, Carol has secured press in top-tier publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She is an active leader in the Urban Land Institute and frequently speaks at industry events like the International Builders’ Show.   Acknowledgment Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In this episode

Jim Adams, the founder of NewHomesDirectory.com, shares his entrepreneurial journey and mindset. The conversation revolves around the themes of persistence in the face of failure. The discussion highlights the significance of setting goals, the role of passion, and the impact of AI on the industry. Jim emphasizes the need for confidence in sales and the importance of leading with the heart in business.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Embracing Failure and Persistence 02:48 The Importance of Reading in Home Building 06:05 Confidence in Home Buying 08:57 The Journey of Jim Adams 11:52 Manifestation and Goal Setting 15:12 The Role of Passion in Achieving Goals 17:59 The Childlike Curiosity of Entrepreneurs 21:14 The Impact of AI on the Industry   About Jim Jim Adams has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 1999 he began harnessing the power of the Internet his first year in real estate where half of all his business came from his website being found on Internet searches. During that time he noticed that only resale homes websites were displayed in the results for ‘new homes’ searches. It was then that NewHomesDirectory.com was born; a web directory of new homes, displaying only new homes that would also be found for ‘new homes’ Internet searches. NewHomesDirectory.com proved immediately to be a valuable Internet marketing tool to new home builders. Today, NewHomesDirectory.com delivers thousands of new home consumers to builders’ websites each and every day.   Acknowledgments

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365

In This Episode 

Tim Sullivan, the Chief Advisory Officer for Zonda, shares his career journey in the home building industry, from starting as an intern in market research to becoming a leader in the field. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the home building industry, including the impact of new economic policies, interest rate fluctuations, and AI. They also explore the issue of affordability in housing and the need for innovation in the construction process. 

Timestamps

00:00 Are You Invested in The Future Of Home Building? 01:02 Where Would You Build Your Dream Home 03:18 Are You Prepared For The Change That's Coming in 2025 06:11 Tim Sullivan Interview 10:40 Comparison of Great Recession and COVID Era 11:40 Snapshot of the Housing Industry 14:14 Addressing Affordability in Housing 16:02 The Need for Innovation in Construction 17:06 Industry Leaders To Listen To 19:54 What Do You Most Enjoy About Your Job 21:03 Love Learning Something New 24:53 Michelle's Take on College Football

About Tim

Tim  has decades of experience in analyzing and valuing real estate development opportunities across the U.S. and Latin America. He has developed the ability to interpret diverse statistics and trends and translate them into actionable plans. Tim’s personal commitment to his clients is to constantly assess the economy, real estate market, and consumer trends to identify the most innovative and best ways to invest and develop profitably.

Acknowledgment

Builder365 is powered by Opendoor for Builders. For easy sales and smooth moves, visit www.opendoor.com/builder365