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Building Supply Managers: What’s YOUR Field of Dreams?

Posted by Heather Brautman | Tue, Dec 10, 2013 @ 10:00 AM

EarnWithChecksOK, you know it, you love it, say it with us: If you build it, he will come. In the building materials and building supply industry, you’re not talking about Shoeless Joe Jackson, you’re talking about customers. Many, many customers, who you hope will keep your company in business for a long time. You may not be building fields, but you’re indubitably building dreams. We talked to a few guests at the North American Building Materials Distribution Asssociation’s 2013 conference this year about how they build their big dreams.

You’re feeling alone. Conference attendees were experiencing a bit of a Catch-22. It’s good, of course, to dominate your industry. You want to be the go-to guys when someone needs building materials. But there are also benefits to having someone to turn to who’s also been through what you’re experiencing, whether it be knowledge of the best bulk warehouses to buy from or the easiest shortcuts to zoning red tape situations. There’s the NABMDA, of course, but don’t rule out other options such as the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, Lumbermen's Merchandising Corporation, Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, and the Southern Building Material Association. There’s power in numbers.

You’re worried about money. Even the most successful building supply company owner is going to have those little thought nasties that creep up in the middle of the night. Keep in mind that although money is rolling in, it’s not necessarily secured. One way to ensure the payments you receive don’t bounce or accrue fees is through check verification or guarantee. You’ll always know where your revenue stands. And when you want to open up sales to a huge demographic, there’s nothing like saying “Yes” when people say, “Will you take a check?” Can you imagine saying no, and having the potential customer take his large, and possibly recurring, order elsewhere?

You want to harness technology. A quick check of the conference agenda showed seminars with topics including using social networks and "hidden" websites as sales and competitive "intelligence agents,” how to balance business brick and mortar versus e-commerce, forecasts for repair and remodel and new construction, plus long-term global economic forecasts, regional economic updates, and an outlook on inflation. It’s no secret that electronics can help you get further faster in the industry. Implementation of a remote desktop capture system, a small scanner that works with your existing computer to scan and immediately process payments, can help you jump right into the technology pool and lower your carbon footprint. 

You’re dreaming in color. Green, that is. You’ve long heard about this trend called green building and are interested to know more. Conference attendees worried about “being too small to do it right,” “the affordability,” “still being able to bid competitively,” and “whether it’s a trend or people really do care about it.” And, you also want to make money while being an eco-friendly builder. Well, we’ve built something for this, and we invite you to come check it out. Step up to the plate and hit a home run with our free eBook on building green for the building materials and supply industry, Go Green, Earn Green:

 

building materials, green, eco-friendly

Topics: Building Materials

Written by Heather Brautman