“It is a great profession. There is the fascination of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper.
Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings jobs and homes to men. Then it elevates the standards of living and adds to the comforts of life.
That is the engineer’s high privilege.
To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope.
No doubt as years go by the people forget which engineer did it, even if they ever knew. …….
but the engineer himself looks back at the unending stream of goodness which flow from his successes with satisfactions that few professions may know.
I believe, in 1954, Herbert Hoover , our 31st President and only practicing engineer before becoming President was speaking about a land development engineer.
As I tell my students, this is the best time to enter the land development engineering field. There will be a shortage of land development engineers as real estate development projects start up again. That is a good thing!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Distinguish Yourself from Others
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204519,00.html
Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases
http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/10/05/daily48.html?ana=tt3245
Target slashes toy prices to challenge Wal-Mart this Holiday Season
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/10/05/daily34.html?ana=e_bjtt
Dell closing plant - 905 jobs lost
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/10/05/daily45.html?ana=e_bjtt
Economy Improving and 2nd recession unlikely
Just a few stories from yesterday's Business Journals. Not to continue a theme of difficulties but to emphasize the need for us all to:
1. interpret the news
2. expect for the worst and plan for the best
3. take advantage of opportunities. And
"How are we going to distinguish ourselves from our competition"?
We all have expertise; we all have creativity; we all have the desire to succeed in the worst of economic times. Now is the best time to re-brand yourself, ; build on your experiences and promote yourself from the competition. Do this if you are looking for a job; if you are seeking a new client; if you are preparing a proposal for a new project; if you are seeking a promotion............. it is time to do things differently and think out-side of the box! Shape the new norm.
As a Professional Engineer in 5-states, Professional Planner, industry stakeholder for many years, and an instructor at a University, I did not remain idle as our land development industry disappeared before our eyes. I got my real estate license. My emphasis will be on finding land to sell and maybe buy. Through this effort, will I be networking with those that are left standing in the industry? Projects are still being designed and constructed. Just not that many. I will create my engineering work through my real estate work. I plan on distinguishing myself from the competition and just maybe, create a niche that differentiates me from my competition. What is your plan?
Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases
http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/10/05/daily48.html?ana=tt3245
Target slashes toy prices to challenge Wal-Mart this Holiday Season
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/10/05/daily34.html?ana=e_bjtt
Dell closing plant - 905 jobs lost
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/10/05/daily45.html?ana=e_bjtt
Economy Improving and 2nd recession unlikely
Just a few stories from yesterday's Business Journals. Not to continue a theme of difficulties but to emphasize the need for us all to:
1. interpret the news
2. expect for the worst and plan for the best
3. take advantage of opportunities. And
"How are we going to distinguish ourselves from our competition"?
We all have expertise; we all have creativity; we all have the desire to succeed in the worst of economic times. Now is the best time to re-brand yourself, ; build on your experiences and promote yourself from the competition. Do this if you are looking for a job; if you are seeking a new client; if you are preparing a proposal for a new project; if you are seeking a promotion............. it is time to do things differently and think out-side of the box! Shape the new norm.
As a Professional Engineer in 5-states, Professional Planner, industry stakeholder for many years, and an instructor at a University, I did not remain idle as our land development industry disappeared before our eyes. I got my real estate license. My emphasis will be on finding land to sell and maybe buy. Through this effort, will I be networking with those that are left standing in the industry? Projects are still being designed and constructed. Just not that many. I will create my engineering work through my real estate work. I plan on distinguishing myself from the competition and just maybe, create a niche that differentiates me from my competition. What is your plan?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Less Bad is Good
My Blog of September 16th addressed the End of the recession - Current Predictions. Not a positive outlook but a layman's view of our economic forecast and the need to plan for the opportunities NOW and for the eventual rebound. Recently billionaire investor Warren Buffett was quoted in the Bloomberg Press from an interview on CNBC as follows:
He called the financial crisis an "economic Pearl Harbor"
"We have not bounced but we've quit going down"
The US economy has "hit a plateau at bottom"
"We're through the worst of it in residential real estate in all probability"
He doesn't expect a double -dip recession. Is this recession a "V" "U" "L" "W" ?
In my opinion and I continue to stress in various postings is that you plan for the worst and expect the best. Three out of the four scenarios defining a recession are not so good.
Expect the way we do what we do to change. We have to be willing to change our business mode of operation to be leaders and not followers. Social media networking is here to stay and you should become a participant.
Ali said "Float like a Butterfly and Sting like a Bee". The best opportunity which MAY BE re-authorized is the first time home buyer credit of $8,000. We hope to never see this give-away again but be ready in case congress re-authorizes the bill. You must know someone that can take advantage of the federal government giving them $8,000 if they buy a home which are affordable at low interest rates.
Stay focused on your goals.
He called the financial crisis an "economic Pearl Harbor"
"We have not bounced but we've quit going down"
The US economy has "hit a plateau at bottom"
"We're through the worst of it in residential real estate in all probability"
He doesn't expect a double -dip recession. Is this recession a "V" "U" "L" "W" ?
In my opinion and I continue to stress in various postings is that you plan for the worst and expect the best. Three out of the four scenarios defining a recession are not so good.
Expect the way we do what we do to change. We have to be willing to change our business mode of operation to be leaders and not followers. Social media networking is here to stay and you should become a participant.
Ali said "Float like a Butterfly and Sting like a Bee". The best opportunity which MAY BE re-authorized is the first time home buyer credit of $8,000. We hope to never see this give-away again but be ready in case congress re-authorizes the bill. You must know someone that can take advantage of the federal government giving them $8,000 if they buy a home which are affordable at low interest rates.
Stay focused on your goals.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Seminar Textbook
The new seminar that I outlined yesterday will be based on my book addressing large-scale mixed use developments. This book was published by John Wiley & Sons in 2008. I also use this textbook for my class at UNCC - "Land Development Studio".
Last night, the students presented segment one which was a standard single family subdivision with specific bulk requirements. They had to present their project to the class which acted as the general public and politicians. They performed very well and will only gain in confidence and organization as we enter into the multifamily site plan segment of the class. They responded very well in the question and answer session.
Monday, October 5, 2009
New 2010 Seminar
At the end of last week, I finished my discussions and negotiations with ASCE to continue my residential land development seminar into 2010. Seminars and continuing education always fall by the wayside during a recession. My seminar based around residential land development practices was a hit from 1997-2007. The last couple of years, we cancelled more than were held. We agreed on a new title, redefined the goal, and re-established the content. The future of land development and how the industry will work as we surface from this prolonged recession will be the focus of this new seminar. New title:
"Sustainable Land Development - Ensuring Growth in a Green Economy"
As I prepare the two day seminar, I will share the sessions on my blog to gain your input and suggestions. This new seminar will be scheduled for:
June 10 & 11 Minneapolis
July 15 & 16 San Francisco
Sept 16 & 17 Atlanta
I look forward to presenting each session on this blog for your review on relevance and interest. I will keep you posted!
"Sustainable Land Development - Ensuring Growth in a Green Economy"
As I prepare the two day seminar, I will share the sessions on my blog to gain your input and suggestions. This new seminar will be scheduled for:
June 10 & 11 Minneapolis
July 15 & 16 San Francisco
Sept 16 & 17 Atlanta
I look forward to presenting each session on this blog for your review on relevance and interest. I will keep you posted!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Customer Service & Customer Satisfaction
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/business_resources/starting_a_business/business_advice/at_your_service/2009/01/19/column60.html?s=sbc:3
The above article by Hal Becker is "Ramp up customer satisfaction for better sales in a down economy". By combining your goals of maximizing your resources to improve customer service will be key elements of business success over the next 6-months. Can we use social networking to replace face-to-face networking? As an example, a house listing that expires will receive multiple contacts from agents by phone, letter and maybe email. How many will make an effort to knock on their door and just drop off information? The sellers need only one agent to help them - and the winner is?
Remember, we need to help people in a down economy. We need to help them do their job better (because they have to work harder with less staff), we have to be a resource for them (because they have to do multiple jobs), we need to show them how to save money (because maintaining cash reserves is essential in a down turn), and we must always have excellent customer service (because stress in a down turn - turns up!)
Use all of your resources to improve your customer service by helping your customer or client succeed. I use my expertise as a valuable resource providing more upfront consultation without charge - more as a mentor. By practicing this approach, I am the winner.
Remember, you need to help your customer or client in a down economy.
The above article by Hal Becker is "Ramp up customer satisfaction for better sales in a down economy". By combining your goals of maximizing your resources to improve customer service will be key elements of business success over the next 6-months. Can we use social networking to replace face-to-face networking? As an example, a house listing that expires will receive multiple contacts from agents by phone, letter and maybe email. How many will make an effort to knock on their door and just drop off information? The sellers need only one agent to help them - and the winner is?
Remember, we need to help people in a down economy. We need to help them do their job better (because they have to work harder with less staff), we have to be a resource for them (because they have to do multiple jobs), we need to show them how to save money (because maintaining cash reserves is essential in a down turn), and we must always have excellent customer service (because stress in a down turn - turns up!)
Use all of your resources to improve your customer service by helping your customer or client succeed. I use my expertise as a valuable resource providing more upfront consultation without charge - more as a mentor. By practicing this approach, I am the winner.
Remember, you need to help your customer or client in a down economy.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Social Media Goal
http://rdnelli.ning.com/profiles/blogs/how-cheap-is-a-social by Rebecka Nelli
http://socialnomics.net/video/ this is a social media blog and the video was posted on this blog several weeks ago. Worth watching again.
Our goal of using social media to our advantage in the marketplace requires us to evaluate our social media options. To find out what works, the best advice is to try each networking site. But first, determine what you goal is in using each networking outlet. Is it professional?; selling a product?; promoting services?; venting?; or just being involved?
I joined LinkedIn less than a year ago and started a group "Land Development" in late January 2009. There are over 980 members from all over the world. This is a specialty group catering to a segment of the real estate development industry. A more general group would attract more members with diversified backgrounds. As an example, Network Charlotte is for anyone in Charlotte NC seeking to network with anyone about anything. This group was started in April 2009 and has over 3,800 members.
Whether it is a specific industry niche group or a general networking group, you must decide your personal, professional, or business goals and how social media can be used to meet your goals. Use the social media options to your advantage and select the otion best suited as a tool to reach your goals.
However, without a doubt, social media will be changing daily and with any new technology, it is best that you jump in now!
http://socialnomics.net/video/ this is a social media blog and the video was posted on this blog several weeks ago. Worth watching again.
Our goal of using social media to our advantage in the marketplace requires us to evaluate our social media options. To find out what works, the best advice is to try each networking site. But first, determine what you goal is in using each networking outlet. Is it professional?; selling a product?; promoting services?; venting?; or just being involved?
I joined LinkedIn less than a year ago and started a group "Land Development" in late January 2009. There are over 980 members from all over the world. This is a specialty group catering to a segment of the real estate development industry. A more general group would attract more members with diversified backgrounds. As an example, Network Charlotte is for anyone in Charlotte NC seeking to network with anyone about anything. This group was started in April 2009 and has over 3,800 members.
Whether it is a specific industry niche group or a general networking group, you must decide your personal, professional, or business goals and how social media can be used to meet your goals. Use the social media options to your advantage and select the otion best suited as a tool to reach your goals.
However, without a doubt, social media will be changing daily and with any new technology, it is best that you jump in now!
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