THURSDAY, MAY 10
1:00–2:15 PM
Zap the Gap: How to Maintain
Your Sanity with All Four Generations
Meagan Johnson, Gen-Xer, co-author of Generations, Inc.
Never before have there been four generations in the workplace and the marketplace at the same time. What an opportunity for collaboration—and conflict. Meagan Johnson reveals how generational bias affects our perceptions of our clients and employees, and our behavior towards them. She explains the differences and the similarities among generations, and how to use that knowledge in our everyday business dealings.
2:30–3:30 PM
The Great Migration: Boomers on the Threshold of Retirement
Jeanne Anthony, Senior Project Manager, AARP Education and Outreach
There are 78 million Baby Boomers in the U.S.—and every year for the next twelve years, almost four million of them will celebrate their 60th birthdays. Some will retire, some will move into new or smaller homes. But a significant number will stay put. Will they remodel? And if they do, what are their attitudes toward universal design? Jeanne Anthony answers these and a host of other questions about the generation that has spent more to remodel their homes than any before them.
3:45–4:45 PM
The XYZ of It: Managing Multiple Generations
Larry Johnson and Meagan Johnson, father-daughter co-authors of Generations, Inc
Differing values, work-ethics, standards of quality, and attitudes toward customers can cause havoc on your team, or they can be a source of incredible energy and creativity. Father-daughter team Larry and Meagan Johnson will help you learn:
- How to manage and motivate different generations
- Success strategies for younger people who must work with or manage Boomers
- How to retain and develop young star performers while getting the best from veterans
- How to create a team where everyone works together
5:30–9:00 PM
Welcome Reception & Networking Buffet
FRIDAY, MAY 11
8:00–9:00 AM
He Sells/She Sells: How to Sell to Women and Other Important People
Colette Carlson, human behavior expert and author
It's no secret that women and men think, speak, and behave differently, and it's these differences that often create challenges when communicating with and selling to the opposite sex. Colette Carlson uses humorous examples and real case studies that will help you present, persuade, and sell for maximum results. You'll learn to:
- Recognize simple gender-based mistakes that can lose the sale
- Tailor your message to get the focused attention you need to be heard
- Re-frame questions to receive more than one-word answers
- Implement specific strategies when selling to couples
9:15–10:15 AM
Universal Design: Principles and Practice
Richard Duncan, MRP, Executive Director, The RL Mace Universal Design Institute
The increase in the number of individuals with disabilities and older persons has resulted in millions of households where occupants cannot fully use their homes or where such use is actually dangerous. Dick Duncan will explain fundamental universal design principles and show attendees design features and products that can be included in a variety of home remodeling projects.
10:30–11:30 AM
Helping Clients Pay
Jeff Moeslein, President, Legacy Remodeling
Dino Andreakos, Co-Owner, Bullfrog Builders
Bruce Pinsler, President, Galaxie Home Remodeling
Most people buy their car on credit (average price was $29,000 in 2010), but they pay cash for remodeling. This happens in part because car dealers offer financing and remodelers don't. The remodelers on this panel all use financing in their business and will share the ins and outs of set up, training, and implementation.
1:00–2:00 PM
Social Media and the Digitally Empowered Client
Chris Marentis, Founder & CEO, Surefire Social
A lot goes into the decision to choose a contractor. Videos and "before and after" images help, but in order to stand out you need to connect with the emotions that drive customers' choices. Chris Marentis will show how an integrated social marketing approach—including "social proof," SEO (search engine optimization), "social graphing," and before-and-after success stories—can start a dialogue with your customers and help them plan a dream remodeling project.
2:15–3:15 PM
Legal Whack-A-Mole: What's Next for the Remodeling Industry
D.S. Berenson, Berenson, LLP
Increasing regulation in an increasingly litigious society is making it more and more difficult to operate a traditional remodeling business. Plus, many of the safeguards remodelers think they have in place may be out-of-date or in error. D.S. Berenson will review the thorniest regulatory issues facing contractors today, and address the steps they must take now to prepare for new rules coming down the pike. A Q&A session will give attendee's an opportunity to probe more deeply into specific issues.
3:30–4:30 PM
Presto Change-O: A Magician's Guide to Laughing at Change
Brad Montgomery, Comedian, Author, Husband, Dad, Astronaut-Wanna-Be
It's clichéd to say that although we can't change what happens to us, we can change how we react. Now the problem becomes how can we change our attitudes when faced with the fears and anxiety that change inspires? For Brad Montgomery, the answer is easy: "Might as well laugh at it, it's gonna happen anyway!" You'll learn how to "let go" and allow the things we cannot change to happen, then gracefully find ways to adapt to our new realities.
6:30–9:30 PM
Big50 Reception and Dinner
Join your colleagues as Remodeling honors the 2012 Big50 winners with a reception and awards dinner. The prestigious Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year award and the Remodeling Service Excellence Awards will also be awarded at this special gala event. The gala is a great networking opportunity for attendees—join us and salute the industry's best.
