Question to Homebuilders and Developers:
What thoughts come to mind when you think of a Homeowner's Assocation meeting? Do you think of axiety, anger, tomatoes, frustration, friction and burning torches? Probably. I've had those thoughts, too.
Last Thursday, I entered such a meeting.
But this one had the makings of being worse. I was about to inform the homeowners that the construction of the clubhouse and pool would be delayed indefinitely. Not permanently, mind you, but for the foreseable future. Financing of the clubhouse and pool had recently by de-funded by my construction lender leaving me with no choice but to postpone the December 2009 opening.
Not surprising, tensions rose; emotions erupted. Profanity ensued.
After a period of civil discussion (missing from our culture in every day America) something amazing happened. I mean AMAZING. A handful of homeowners offered to loan the money to pay for the clubhouse. Unbelievable.
Details haven't been worked out and I'm sure there will be a few. One thing is for sure: My business has a new Joint Venture. I couldn't be happier.
In these (economic) times, can you think of anyone you'd rather partner with than your customers?
Showing posts with label Sun City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sun City. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
What's in a Name
At EPCON Communities, we have 11 different floor plans (as far as I know) and each floor plan is given its own name. We have Aboreta, Bramante, Colonnade, Ducal, Abbey, Canterbury. We have Villa and Chateau and Portico and Promenade. Did I mention the Palazzo?
So, I was thinking. What's the point of all of these exotic and hard-to-spell names and why does every other brand marketer do the same thing?
Pulte (Sun City Carolina Lakes) has 23 different plan names! They have Kenwood, Brookside, Muirfield, Pine Spring, Copper Ridge, Surrey Crest, Willow Bend, Crestwood Meadow.............you get my point.
Actually, what is the point?
Take a look at General Motors (er, Government Motors). They have 8 different brands and each brand has its own model names. Chevy alone has the Aveo, Cobalt, Colorado, HHR, Silverado, Malibu, Camero, Impala, Equinox, Traverse, Avalanche, Tahoe, Suburban and Corvette. What the heck is a Traverse?
How much time (and energy.......and money) is spent coming up with these silly names when the same amount of time (and energy........and money) could be spent on product efficiency and quality control? I'll bet you GM (and Pulte) have employees whose main job description is naming each of the products they build.
I don't drive a BMW, but they've got cool car names: X6, Z3, 750, M5.
So, what's in a name?
So, I was thinking. What's the point of all of these exotic and hard-to-spell names and why does every other brand marketer do the same thing?
Pulte (Sun City Carolina Lakes) has 23 different plan names! They have Kenwood, Brookside, Muirfield, Pine Spring, Copper Ridge, Surrey Crest, Willow Bend, Crestwood Meadow.............you get my point.
Actually, what is the point?
Take a look at General Motors (er, Government Motors). They have 8 different brands and each brand has its own model names. Chevy alone has the Aveo, Cobalt, Colorado, HHR, Silverado, Malibu, Camero, Impala, Equinox, Traverse, Avalanche, Tahoe, Suburban and Corvette. What the heck is a Traverse?
How much time (and energy.......and money) is spent coming up with these silly names when the same amount of time (and energy........and money) could be spent on product efficiency and quality control? I'll bet you GM (and Pulte) have employees whose main job description is naming each of the products they build.
I don't drive a BMW, but they've got cool car names: X6, Z3, 750, M5.
So, what's in a name?
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