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Building Supply Managers: 6 Learnings from Arrested Development

Posted by Brandon Weaver | Mon, Dec 09, 2013 @ 11:00 AM

building supply increase salesIf you’ve ever seen Arrested Development, you know the Bluth family is a cast of hodgepodge characters who can easily serve as the example of a dysfunctional family. They have their own respective quirks and personal motivations, but one thing is certain: they are all out to win, even if it’s not in the best interests of the family name or family business.

The show is based on a family-owned real estate development company that has some shady deals to become profitable in southern California. Shady deals such as partnering with a foreign dictator (who shall remain nameless) to build homes illegally in Iraq and money laundering schemes didn’t help the company or family’s reputation. Through it all, though, there are still a handful of positive examples building supply managers can learn from the show and its band of misfits.

Everyone needs a leader – Michael Bluth

Michael is the sanest character of the bunch, the moral compass of the family, and has the most common sense in the group. He tries to limit excess spending and fix the company’s negative image with positive public relations. If it were not for him, each family member would continue to embarrass the company and probably drive it into the ground. By no means is Michael perfect, but he is the leader of the family whether the others admit it or not.

A lot of building supply businesses are family-owned and operated. The key is to avoid nepotism and the Peter Principle whenever possible. As a building supply manager, take a cue from Michael: Don’t promote employees to positions they’re not cut out for.

building supply salesDon’t be afraid to fail – George Oscar Bluth, aka G.O.B.

G.O.B. (pronounced “Jobe”) is the bumbling-idiot older brother who thinks he is suave with the ladies and super successful David Blaine copy, but in reality, is unimpressive at everything, including magic. Among his failed acts are attempting to bury himself, becoming his dead father’s body, and trying to pull a dove out of his pants. As often as he fails, he keeps trying to impress the Magician’s Alliance, a group he founded but was banned from for revealing a trick on the nightly news.

How does this apply to your building supply business? You’re probably not going to win every project where you submit a bid. You may lose some because you get under bid; you may lose some because your competitor is located closer to the job site. The key point to remember is to learn from your experiences so that you can better position yourself for future projects. And, like G.O.B., to never stop trying.

It’s all in the details – Dr. Tobias Funke

Tobias’ signature episode occurs when he gets depressed about his relationships with his wife and daughter and wanders off aimlessly about the pier in Newport Beach. In search of answers, he takes a flier for the Blue Man Group but doesn’t read it closely enough (he thinks it’s a support group for depressed individuals feeling blue). He ends up winning the audition for the group and is painted blue, obviously not his intention.

building supply lessonsWhat do we learn from this? Read the fine print. As a building supply manager, you are regularly faced with contracts from suppliers, invoices, and payroll stubs. Skipping over a few details can really cost your bottom line down the road.

Impress with your work – Bluth Company model home

This may be obvious, but make sure your work is professional and meets the appropriate building codes. No customer wants shoddy workmanship like the model home in the show. The Bluth Company model home suffered from poor construction including windows falling out of their frames and a living room collapsing from a water-damaged foundation, because no plumbing existed! Word of mouth carries a lot of weight, so having a stellar example of work completed can generate business without you having to even promote yourself. And impressing your customers can lead to future business, maybe even featured on the news.

Create unprecedented demand – The Netflix variable

Arrested Development only had a three year run on network television before it was cancelled, despite critical acclaim and numerous industry awards. But with a devoted fan base and unprecedented Netflix rentals, the show was brought back from the dead and new episodes were developed and distributed via streaming service.

How can you create your own unprecedented demand? Look at how others in your industry are doing the same. They’ve got creative marketing campaigns to stand out from the crowd. They’re requesting customer referrals, and rewarding those who do. It’s keeping their bids competitive. You know your business and competition better than anyone. Find your niche and where you can capitalize on competitors’ weaknesses.

Always look out for #1 – Everyone in the family!

Part of the originality and humor of the show is the constant backstabbing among characters. Michael trying to date GOB’s girlfriend and George Sr. undermining Michael’s desire to manage the company come to mind. Number one is not you or any one specific individual at your building supply business. Number one is your business. What is going to make the business more profitable and make you #1 in the industry or your local market?

There are many financial tips a building supply manager can learn from the show: None of the siblings wanted to work for their paycheck, since they were used to getting paid simply by having the Bluth name. George Sr. illegally held a stash of money in the walls of the family's Frozen Banana Stand. Lucille is more concerned with careless spending on her country club membership and having a drink in her hand than making sure the company stays afloat. But ... maybe the most important lesson is to have a back up plan like G.O.B. did by having a back door in his failed coffin illusion. No illusions with the free offer below, just a money truck waiting to back up to your front door. Learn how you and your building supplies business can make more green by going green!

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Topics: Building Materials

Written by Brandon Weaver