Copyright (c) 2012 FineHomebuilding.com en-us Fine Homebuilding - "Building Business" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/home-building-business-tips Sat, 26 May 2012 11:31:16 -0500 Fine Homebuilding - "Building Business" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/assets/images/cs_logo_sm.jpg http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/home-building-business-tips Tue, 22 May 2012 04:00:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21993/the-self-taught-mba-a-conversation-with-mike-benshoof-md-for-the-ailing-builder http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21993/the-self-taught-mba-a-conversation-with-mike-benshoof-md-for-the-ailing-builder Posted by FPR
“So you want to know, if you have a real business? Ask yourself if you can take off for a month or more and the operation runs just fine without you. If not, you don’t have a business—you have a job. I can fix that…” says Mike Benshoof. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21993/the-self-taught-mba-a-conversation-with-mike-benshoof-md-for-the-ailing-builder Mon, 07 May 2012 09:27:05 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21944/self-taught-mba-strategic-planning-part-3-organizing-a-strategic-planning-session http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21944/self-taught-mba-strategic-planning-part-3-organizing-a-strategic-planning-session Posted by FPR
Here's how to embark on a strategic planning session, run a business, and make it home in time for dinner. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21944/self-taught-mba-strategic-planning-part-3-organizing-a-strategic-planning-session Mon, 07 May 2012 09:25:35 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21829/self-taught-mba-strategic-planning-part-2-the-abcs-of-strategic-planning http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21829/self-taught-mba-strategic-planning-part-2-the-abcs-of-strategic-planning Posted by FPR
It's more critical than ever to have a plan of how you will deal with this tough economy. Strategic planning focuses on redefining high-level priorities and setting a course for the year ahead. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21829/self-taught-mba-strategic-planning-part-2-the-abcs-of-strategic-planning Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:31:41 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21792/the-self-taught-mba-business-and-strategic-planning-part-1-best-laid-plans http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21792/the-self-taught-mba-business-and-strategic-planning-part-1-best-laid-plans Posted by FPR
You may not have started your business with a formal plan, but writing one now may help you achieve your goals--now that you're old enough to think ahead! ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21792/the-self-taught-mba-business-and-strategic-planning-part-1-best-laid-plans Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:19:57 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22346/the-self-taught-mba-the-harvard-home-builder-story http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22346/the-self-taught-mba-the-harvard-home-builder-story Posted by FPR
A new book from researchers at Harvard University shows that American home builders were immensely profitable during the housing boom, but did little to improve the efficiency of their operations. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22346/the-self-taught-mba-the-harvard-home-builder-story Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:29:42 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21493/the-self-taught-mba-david-gerstel-on-running-a-successful-construction-company http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21493/the-self-taught-mba-david-gerstel-on-running-a-successful-construction-company Posted by FPR
You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of your Pants ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21493/the-self-taught-mba-david-gerstel-on-running-a-successful-construction-company Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:26:26 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21369/self-taught-mba-inspired-reading http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21369/self-taught-mba-inspired-reading Posted by FPR
Helpful business books categorized by the eight divisions of business management. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21369/self-taught-mba-inspired-reading Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:43:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21800/ct-zero-energy-challenge-announces-2010-11-winners http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21800/ct-zero-energy-challenge-announces-2010-11-winners Posted by FHB_Building_News
Prizes honor projects for energy efficiency, affordability, and low projected operating costs ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21800/ct-zero-energy-challenge-announces-2010-11-winners Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:43:02 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21736/ct-zero-energy-challenge-announces-2010-11-winners http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21736/ct-zero-energy-challenge-announces-2010-11-winners Posted by FHB_Building_News
ZEC prizes honor projects for energy efficiency, affordability, and low projected operating costs ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21736/ct-zero-energy-challenge-announces-2010-11-winners Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:24:17 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21601/the-smart-meters-contentious-opponents http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21601/the-smart-meters-contentious-opponents Posted by FHB_Building_News
They still remain very much in the minority, but anti-smart-meter groups are prompting investigations and continue to voice concerns about security and safety ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21601/the-smart-meters-contentious-opponents Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:42:53 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21367/self-taught-mba-you-cant-be-a-successful-builder-without-management-skills http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21367/self-taught-mba-you-cant-be-a-successful-builder-without-management-skills Posted by FPR
Businesses do not have a tangible structure, like the frame of a house, but every business has a framework nonetheless. The purpose of management is to keep that framework functioning effectively. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21367/self-taught-mba-you-cant-be-a-successful-builder-without-management-skills Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:02:48 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21548/canadas-solar-and-nze-power-play http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21548/canadas-solar-and-nze-power-play Posted by FHB_Building_News
A solar simulator and a research initiative at Concordia University in Montreal focus on solar energy applications and strategies for bringing building performance to net zero energy ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21548/canadas-solar-and-nze-power-play Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:48:23 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21544/opportunity-accompanies-objections-to-green-habitat-project http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21544/opportunity-accompanies-objections-to-green-habitat-project Posted by FHB_Building_News
Neighbors have stalled a 35-unit subdivision of energy efficient dwellings, but the delay gives a Habitat chapter time to refine its green building technique ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21544/opportunity-accompanies-objections-to-green-habitat-project Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:08:30 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21522/seattle-homeowners-build-an-affordable-net-zero-energy-house http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21522/seattle-homeowners-build-an-affordable-net-zero-energy-house Posted by FHB_Building_News
One couple’s quest for energy efficiency leads them to a relatively low-cost approach to design and construction ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21522/seattle-homeowners-build-an-affordable-net-zero-energy-house Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:25:08 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21510/the-pvsolar-thermal-switch-up http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21510/the-pvsolar-thermal-switch-up Posted by FHB_Building_News
As the cost of photovoltaic panels has declined, some developers of utility-scale renewable-energy power projects originally designed for solar thermal have been shifting to PV ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21510/the-pvsolar-thermal-switch-up Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:06:03 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21498/weatherizations-home-stretch-recovery http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21498/weatherizations-home-stretch-recovery Posted by FHB_Building_News
Even though the expanded Weatherization Assistance Program struggled out of the gate – and can always be improved – it has produced encouraging, credible results ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21498/weatherizations-home-stretch-recovery Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:17:36 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21473/uptick-expected-in-lead-paint-rule-enforcement http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21473/uptick-expected-in-lead-paint-rule-enforcement Posted by FHB_Building_News
EPA official tells NAHB webinar participants that the agency is increasing inspections of RRP job sites and stepping up enforcement ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21473/uptick-expected-in-lead-paint-rule-enforcement Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:03:36 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21423/does-marketing-push-for-aeroseal http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21423/does-marketing-push-for-aeroseal Posted by FHB_Building_News
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab touts the technology's track record for sealing leaks in duct systems and improving energy efficiency ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21423/does-marketing-push-for-aeroseal Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:49:55 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21339/the-self-taught-mba http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21339/the-self-taught-mba Posted by FPR
About 30 years ago, I read a Fine Homebuilding article that changed my career. I came upon it while building my second house. By then, I owned a sturdy Ford truck and a garage full of tools, and I... ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21339/the-self-taught-mba Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:30:06 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21355/japans-emerging-smart-town-boom http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21355/japans-emerging-smart-town-boom Posted by FHB_Building_News
Corporations partner on development of large communities whose top priorities include energy efficiency, renewables, and energy storage ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21355/japans-emerging-smart-town-boom