2010 HBAR PRESIDENT: Kevin McNulty

President, Lifestyle Builders and Developers

The President's Message: FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

 

Many of us are familiar with the decline of buggy whip sales in the early 1900’s. In the early days of World War I, buggy whip sales were booming as the war effort ramped up. The industry had no idea that radical change was coming, and that their business would basically ceased to exist in just a few short years.
 
In order for horses to be replaced as the common mode of transportation by the automobile, massive changes had to occur. Changes that would include:
-         public infrastructure
-         consumer preferences
-         technology
-         even jobs (as society shifted from an agricultural to industrial based economy)
 
These changes were massive, but they did occur. The buggy whip industry was decimated.   New and completely different products, such as spark plugs and carburetors came into demand. People still needed transportation. They just changed the type of products they invested in.
 
We stand at a similar crossroads today in housing. Think about all of the things that are undergoing MASSIVE shifts:
-         Demographics
-         Lending standards
-         Regulatory controls
-         Consumer preferences
-         Business management
-         Technology
-         Marketing tools (think Search Engine Optimization, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube)
 
In the midst of all this change, costs are going up, while consumers are either unwilling or unable to pay more.
 
People still need shelter. But, what will it look like?
Our businesses must continue to change, or die!
 
Our association must help us:
 
1)       Shape the future through strong ADVOCACY & LEGISLATIVE efforts
 
2)       Adapt for the future with forward looking EDUCATION programs
 
3)       Build relationships for the future through our NETWORKING events
 
4)       Communicate effectively today with our members and the public using cutting edge MARKETING and PR tools.
Our world is changing rapidly. Our association must also continue to change.
 
While we must honor our rich legacy, we also need to set a course for the future. We cannot be afraid to challenge the status quo. I do not believe that we are. Over the past year, under the leadership of Chris Corrada, we have:
-         Revamped the Parade of Homes
-         Introduced a new electronic dialog tool (“Writeboard”)
-         Initiated a Task Force to explore the feasibility of a multiple listing service dedicated solely to new homes
-         Proposed a dramatically different spring marketing event for 2010
-         And opened a dialog with numerous Commercial Builders, in order to broaden the scope of our membership umbrella
 
These changes were initiated and undertaken in the midst of an extremely difficult budget year. Chris Corrada did an exceptional job of leading us through the challenges and hard decisions dictated by declining revenues. 
 
These changes took courage, because they modified or challenged long standing ideas, and things that have previously been successful, in order to advance them to the next level.
 
We have to be willing to continue challenging the status quo. How else can we anticipate the future and equip our members to survive the radical shift from buggy whips to spark plugs?
 
But how do we balance the compelling need for change and the introduction of fresh new ideas with the history of our rich legacy and the wisdom of experience? I propose that we need to have strategic & operational goals which extend beyond the current president’s term of office. In 2010, we will take an idea birthed during Gray Stettinius’ term and the ‘Taking HBAR From Good to Great’ initiative, and develop it into a set of guiding principles of leadership for the association. I will work with the Leadership Ladder and the Executive Committee to develop a comprehensive and focused set of “3 Year Rolling Goals” which support and advance:
 
-         Advocacy
-         Education
-         Networking
-         Marketing & PR
-         We must do all of these things on a foundation Operational Excellence, which serves a broad, diverse and (hopefully) growing membership.
 
Once these goals have been developed on paper, we will submit them to the Board and allow them to be vetted and improved upon by leaning on the strength of our volunteer board and the wisdom of our past leadership.
 

I wish you all a successful 2010.