April Newsletter
Welcome to the second edition of the CDCI Newsletter.

"Our Mission is to be recognized as the leading provider of software solutions and service to the construction industry."

Efficiency + Productivity =Profitability.

• To ensure that the answer to this equation is achieved, one must
  take the steps necessary to bring a job to its profitable conclusion.
  
• Every job is different yet the series of steps taken to get from
  point A to point Z is consistent. If efficiency and productivity are
  applied to every job then a profitable conclusion should be guaranteed
  each time.

CDCI can help you ensure this profitable conclusion. Our software,
through an integrated series of automated tasks, automatic function and
rigidly defined checkpoints, performs the full cycle of estimate
organizing, back office accounting, job scheduling and on-site field
management to an ultra high level of efficiency. Cost containment is
realized and profits are enhanced every step of the way.

CDCI'S MONTHLY TIP

To manage customer relationships successfully, there must be a strong
link between a builder's internal systems, the Web, and the sales
operation. The ultimate goal is a management system that allows the
customer to take part in the home building process from any location and
for the builder to provide the best product with a smooth, stress free
closing. Technology can achieve this goal however the following basic
principles still remain the same:

• Buyers make decisions based on emotion: Human interaction, not
  automation, is what drives and aids most major buying decisions. E-mail
  can't communicate emotions. Prospects still want to feel as though they
  are important. Even if it's inconvenient try to meet with them in
  person and take their calls.
  
• Buyers want to have choices: Technology can be most effective
  in this part of the sales process. A website that allows a builder to
  explain the product and process, and displays product choices allowing
  buyers to indicate their preferences online, should be the ultimate
  goal. This will help prospects feel as though they are already a part
  of the team.

• Plot your CRM path: Carefully lay out the critical path of
  customer communications, decisions, and actions. Identify customer
  processes for homes built to customers' orders on bare lots, and the
  processes for spec or inventory homes. After analyzing these paths, see
  what can be done to improve them.
  
• Stay in contact: Maintain communication and explain the process
  to your customers throughout production. One way to manage customer
  expectations and keep the project going smoothly is to give customers
  private portals on your Web site so they can monitor their jobs online.
  
• Cut cycle time: Ensuring that your production process is
  coordinating with your CRM path will help to decrease cycle time between buyer related processes such as, prospect visits, lot selection, loan approval, and final selections.
  
• Discover why you didn't make the cut: Try to get feedback from
  prospects who didn't buy from you. Find out why they didn't choose your
  company and what they are looking for. For people to really tell you
  what they think, they may prefer providing information anonymously, Web
  sites are a great way to provide them with this opportunity. Use this
  information to improve your business functions.

Information received from NAHB Building Business Briefs, "Tech Talk:
Managing Prospects and Buyers" by Bill Allen

This Months Featured Article:
NAHB Building Business Briefs
PDA Update by Maggie Geoffroy

" Have you bought a personal digital assistant (PDA) yet? Like everything else electronic, the PDA market is changing constantly. That's why it's more important than ever to figure out what you want to do with a handheld device (track appointments, order materials, etc.) before you plunk down your money. After you've done that, compare PDA models for features, cost, and functionality. Here's a look at some PDA basics and options to get you started."

http://www.cdci.com/press/NAHB_April2003_PDAUpdate.htm