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When Money Is Tight, Consumers Shop for Expertise
As markets and money tighten, customers tend to spend more time debating purchases. They also become more discriminating when choosing a service provider or vendor.
 For builders and remodelers, qualities that tip the scales in their favor during times like these include experience, technical expertise, professionalism and good business management — key characteristics that are exemplified by an NAHB professional designation.
“Designations are extremely important because it gives you the opportunity to show your customers that you’ve done something that most other builders in the marketplace have not ― continuing your education and learning how to be a better builder,” says Tom Stephani, CGB, CAPS, MIRM, CMP, of William Thomas Homes in Crystal Lake, Ill.
More than technical expertise, many designees find that their designations also communicate another strength customers appreciate — self-improvement.
“A designation is an emblem that you have completed an element of study and that makes you a cut above — not just from what you’ve learned but that you’ve taken the initiative to want to improve yourself,” says Mike Weiss, CGR, CGB, GMB, CAPS, of Weiss RCMI, Carmel, Ind.
Jim Carr, GMB and a professor at the University of Arkansas, agrees. “Obtaining a designation adds credibility. It provides a third-party endorsement that says I’m not doing this just as a job, I’m doing it as a profession.”
To learn more about professional designations and course offerings in your area, visit www.nahb.org/education.
Want to Know Even More About Designations? Ask an Expert
“Ask an Expert,” the NAHB University of Housing service on the NAHB Web site for members seeking or earning designations, allows members to e-mail designation program graduates with questions that will help then earn their CSP, Master CSP, CMP or MIRM designations.
The graduates field questions and concerns ranging from course content to the designation process to how the designation has benefited them.
If you are thinking about enrolling in the CSP, Master CSP, CMP or MIRM designation programs or have already started the necessary course work and have questions or concerns, visit “Ask an Expert” on the NAHB Web site.
A variety of designation holders will provide you with guidance and help you navigate the ins and outs of the program.
Register for a Course at the 2007 International Builders’ Show
Pre-show courses at the 2007 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. are an easy and convenient way to start or complete earning your own professional designation.
IBS pre-show courses sell out quickly, so register early. For course descriptions and registration information*, visit www.nahb.org/preIBS, or contact the Office of the Registrar at 800-368-5242 x8EDU (8338).
*Note: Registration for these courses does not include registration for the International Builders’ Show®. Separate registration fees apply.
 NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips in Cooling Market
With the current cooling of the nation’s housing market expected to persist into the middle of next year, NAHB has developed a comprehensive online toolkit geared to providing association members with information that will help them prosper in today’s changing business environment.
To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar on the NAHB Web site.
For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242.
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