"One of the largest traveling carnivals in the world" is how some competitors describe the DAKAR Rally.

And in 2011, Mark Jennings-Bates and his team at Rally4Life plan on being the first Canadian 4WD entrant in this prestigious event – driving the Bowler Nemesis pictured here (we hope Mark will keep these wheels on the ground for the most part!)

To get there, they've assembled a talented team of volunteers who span across several geographic regions of the globe – codrivers, factory team technicians, publicity pros, events coordinators, marketing, sponsorship, legal, accounting, adminstrative... and the list goes on.

And it's no surprise that these folks need many of the benefits that BuildIT users enjoy – virtual access to information and communications, from anywhere at any time. That, and the ability for each team member to be kept in the loop on events, to have access to marketing collateral, and for everyone to know Mark's whereabouts on his journey to the DAKAR.

"We listened to their plan, their dream, and caught a glimpse of their vision," says Scott Hutchinson, Sales Director of BuildIT Systems. "Not only does this event win the WOW factor for motor sports enthusiasts, but Rally4Life can use the exposure to raise awareness and much needed funds for the charities they support." When asked where BuildIT could assist, it only seemed natural to offer BuildIT to get the team together... virtually.

And this is far more than a cool motorsport activity watched by millions around the world.

Mark and Jackie Jennings-Bates have made it their goal to raise upwards of $4 million for 2 worthy charities along the way, and bring to the forefront the desperate circumstances endured by millions of children and adults in countries such as Nicaragua, Sudan and Equador. As they build momentum, through events, social networking, and good old fashioned "word-of-mouth," they will be asking upwards of 200,000 supporters to take $20 out of their coffee budget and participate in the R4L goal.

Around 20 volunteers have been given access to BuildIT. Branded rally4life.org email, access to videos, press releases, sponsorship packages, shared calendar for upcoming events – these are just a few of the ways that BuildIT will keep the team together — on the same page — as they journey towards 2011.

For more information on Rally4Life, and how you can get involved, check them out online:

Web:  http://www.rally4life.org/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbrteam

Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/273439?m=618c3fb4

Help.

There's a lot of it available out there... for you... and much of it is free. Help with your marketing, business management, and ways to stay competitive, cash flow positive, and ahead of the pack.

And in this economy, why not take advantage of it ! 

1. Network organizations

Business after hours, Chamber of Commerce meetings, BNI or similar business networks. Rotary, Jaycees, and other service organizations. Trade organizations like NARI, NAHB, CHBA (for you Canadians). Get involved, and get the word out on your business. Associate with those that are going through similar experiences, and brainstorm with them. Many of these folks are willing to share their advice and help you out. Hey, you may just shake hands with your next customer.

2. SCORE big time

I came across SCORE the other day (Service Corps of Retired Executives http://www.score.org/). Here's what they say about themselves:

SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, VA and Washington, DC and has 370 chapters throughout the United States and its territories, with 11,200 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE was founded in 1964.

We are America's premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs.

Wow, I'd take them up on that one in a heartbeat. Just look at all the business templates that are available for your small but growing business:

http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html

3. Small Business Administration

The Small Business Adminstration (http://www.sba.gov/), or SBA, helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States.

Not only can they provide you with business planning, services, financing, marketing and a host of other tools, they can also help you find local State resources.

4. Economic Development Administration

Each State has one, and they all want YOUR business. They want you to succeed in their State. And they provide the tools to help you: access to capital, technical assistance, educational programs, peer groups and referrals to others in your situation who may be able to help out. Find your State's EDA here:

http://www.eda.gov/Resources/StateLinks.xml

5. Free Software Productivity Tools 

There are some great applications out there to make your job, and life, easier. Some of it will also raise you up a few notches in professionalism.

• SOHO productivity software -- http://www.zoho.com/
• Open Office (similar to Microsoft Office, but free) -- http://www.openoffice.org/
• Free calculators to help you do estimates:
  • http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,,HPRO_20196_28129,00.html
  • http://www.builditsystems.com/Resources/Calculators.aspx

6. Free Website

If you don't have one already, get one. Many free "template" websites exist.

If you subscribe to BuildIT, we'll give you one, and even help you get it set up.

You need a web presence. Your customers want to see what you're made of. And you'll fare much better if you give them a business card with yourname@yourbiz.com on it as opposed to a Gmail, Hotmail, or AOL email address (save those for your personal email - for business, spend a few dollars and get a proper email address that brands your business).

We can help you get a domain (www.yourbiz.com) and an email address yourname@yourbiz.com pretty quick, and for just a few bucks. Call us.

7. BuildIT

OK, time for the shameless self promotion :-)

But seriously, BuildIT is mission critical for many construction businesses that are weathering this financial crisis. This is a productivity tool that keeps you organized, on top of your scheduling, and gives key people visibility into what's happened, and what needs to happen next. Use it right, it will put more time back into your life, and more $$ in your jeans.

========================

So there you have it, just a sampling of tools and ideas geared to help you achieve more in your business.

Here's to your success !

Scott Hutchinson, CHO (Chief "Help" Officer)
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

Oxymoron is defined as a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms.

Truth. Advertising.

Contradictory?!

Can't say that I'm finding much truth in the advertising I'm coming across lately, maybe I'm just skeptical.

Or, it could be that we talk to 1000's of contractors across the planet, and we hear "the other side".

Flipping through the pages of the most recent Construction Executive magazine (March 2009 Issue), I was drawn, obviously, to the construction software ads. I'm always amused by the claims, and the cut throat competition out there is getting nasty.

I wouldn't say any of these are our competitors. We are a niche software product, for small to mid sized contractors, with a particular focus on construction scheduling, file management (organization) and communications.

But the "big guys" are out for blood.

For instance...

Software A

• states they're so far ahead of their competition, it's not even fair
• claims they are the leader in construction management software since the early 80's (was there even software back then?! can't remember, perhaps the VIC-20 or Commodore 64)

Software B

• warns you to "beware of imposters" - those that offer integrated construction solutions... but apparently don't in B's humble opinion 
• claims if you use other software besides theirs, you'll be left dead in the water (ouch, this is serious business)

Software C

• claims to be America's #1 construction accounting software (sorry Canada, and the rest of the world, we're only talking America here)
• has a pretty picture of the CEO on practically every ad (still trying to figure that one out - I guess he's the guy that's writing huge checks for ad space... with your money!!)

So which of these software companies are telling the truth? And how on earth are you and I going to test any of their claims?

Personally, I have never knowingly spoken to any contractor that has used, or is using any of the aforementioned programs, so I'm not here throwing mud. But I do want to raise the issue of whether you and I are getting the truth in any of these ads (or any others we come across). Because, if we buy something based on a claim that ends up being untrue, well, how would you feel?!

A wise colleage said to me years ago... "The truth is good enough." He followed up with another maxim that "it's only true when it's true for you."

So now for the "truth" about BuildIT.

• We're web based - nothing to install, nothing to maintain, no software headaches - period.
• We're small - you call us, you'll speak to one of the owners of the company
• We have extremely low overhead - your subscription goes to pay us - to build a better product - for you
• We've been around since 2000, so in "Internet" years, we're old
• We have never advertised in Construction Executive magazine
• We generally don't do print advertising - most of our leads (including you most likely) come through the Internet from search
• We're inexpensive, so you should see a return on investment within the first 30 - 60 days if you get lift off with the program

BuildIT has a great system that has helped many contractors over the years get control of their scheduling. It has helped them get more organized, and thus has been responsible for gaining efficiencies, building profits and avoiding costly mistakes, that if all added up... who knows what that number is. But I'll bet it's a big number collectively.

Recall the sage advice - if you think BuildIT is the best fit, test your claim, and see if it's true for you. Try BuildIT on a monthly basis, and if you don't see massive ROI in the short term, cut it loose... and you haven't sunk $1000's into some bloated software product that promised the world, and made some rather clever, if not misleading, claims.

Keep in mind, according to a recent article in Construction Executive, it's highly unlikely you'll use even 50% of a software product's capabilities... so why pay for the excess!? Determine what you need, what you're highest priorities (must-have's) are, and if they have anything to do with scheduling, file management, or improving communications within your team (and with those outside your organization), then there may be a good fit here with us.

(By the way, notice anything wrong with the compass graphic above!? - remember, "truth in advertising").

See you on the inside!

Scott Hutchinson (showing you my mug shot because, well, Software C guy might be on to something !!)
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

At the present time, we are in the midst of economic turmoil.

Record job losses.

GM on the brink of bankruptcy.

Housing starts are at a crawl, and forclosure auctioneers have never been busier. 

Some very telling trends are underway as well:

• grocery store "house" brands are in demand (lower prices rule) 
• garage sale advertisements on "Craigs List" are up 100% over this time last year
• more folks are buying frozen dinners in leiu of going out to restaurants
• "free" is in, whether it's clipping coupons, or using complimentary Internet access at public libraries
• Netflix memberships are growing rapidly (cheaper to rent movies than go to the theatre)

In these times, we are compelled to take stock of our "out-go" as our "in-come" is reduced or threatened in some way.

That means cutting back on the things that were nice to have... but not essential.

So what are essential services, when it comes to contracting busineses?

Anything that keeps you IN business, AND, keeps you PROFITABLE - that would be a good place to start.

Construction software systems are the backbone to many solid businesses out there that are weathering the storm. But not all construction software is "essential". Some of it is "bloated", and some is just plain too expensive.

We're getting reports back from the field, customers of brand "X" software, who say they "can't afford it" anymore. They may like some of the features of brand "X" but the monthly, per project, or annual maintenance costs are causing them to hemorrhage financially. 

Of course, these companies admit they still need something to manage their job scheduling, stay organized, and keep their people (employees, subcontractors, clients) in the loop. Some of these folks are seeing savings of $2K or more just by switching over to BuildIT.

We have the right combination of features - the "essential" ones - those that keep you organized and in control. Knowing where you are, what you need to do next, and have your key folks not "miss a beat" on the jobs you have running concurrently - that will keep the ball rolling in the right direction. Fewer mistakes happen. Margins are protected (you're not dipping into them to fix problems caused by the #1 issue in construction - miscommunication). Profits happen.

BuildIT also has a cost structure that can't be beat in the marketplace.

It means these customers get the job done, create income with much less "out-go", and enjoy the profits they worked hard to earn.

This could be your story !

BuildIT - the "essential service" for contractors.

Take it out for a spin, and see what the buzz is all about.

Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

My daughter is doing an online course for school. She had to submit her assignment by email.

Problem: she had to email 2 large files - both were over 10 MB (megabytes).

For you non-techies, a MB is big, 10 MB is very big.

Try sending emails with attachments that are 5 MB or higher, and you usually run into problems - your recipient doesn't get your email, or get's the email body, but without the attachment.

So I suggested she use the file sharing system in BuildIT. She did, and it was a piece of cake.

Here's how:

1) She launched a free test drive, then 2) uploaded the files to BuildIT, then 3) sent her teacher a "sharing link" to the files.

The cool thing is, she can even see now IF and WHEN her teacher downloads the file to view the assignment.

(Sometimes, a little BIG BROTHER can work in your favor - like seeing if one of your subcontractors or vendors has viewed the contract drawings you sent them in order for them to provide a price.)

I was amazed at how easy it was for her, not only to create the test drive, but to do the steps to upload the large files, then send the sharing links. Within minutes, the task was done... and I wondered if I should hire her to do customer support for BuildIT full time !!

So if you have any hesitation about launching a BuildIT test drive, and you don't have a teenager handy, give me a call, and I'll walk you through the setup. I'll even help you get your contact details and logo uploaded, and your first job and schedule polished off. You'll have lots of time to "play with the system" later, but for now, let's both get the job done, so you can be on your way.

C'mon, if a 13 year old can do it, you certainly can too !

Cheers!

Scott Hutchinson (a proud father of one clever daughter!)
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

Good question.

Years ago, when we first launched BuildIT, we met in an office, threw some numbers up on a whiteboard, and came up with a price.

We've made adjustments since then, up and down.

And after 8 years of building our customer base, and seeing customer after customer succeed with the program, we now have an answer.

Actualy, it's a compilation of answers.

BuildIT's worth is determined by YOU. and here is what YOU are saying:

• "my business is a million times better" (okay, a slight hyperbole there, but we get the idea)
• "the email spam filtering is worth the price of admission"
• "having each key person on my team able to access job and schedule information - pays for itself"
• "BuildIT helped me create a schedule in under an hour, for a fraction of the cost of buying a complicated scheduling software product"
• "We could not be doing the volume of work we are doing without BuildIT"
• "Thanks to BuildIT, we are in the process of having our most profitable year ever"

=========================

OK, we agree, it comes across as bragging, but these are your words, not ours.

Occasionally, we get someone test driving BuildIT who tells us they "can't afford" the program.

Think about it.

What they're really saying is, "I don't see a massive return on investment".

While no one can predict success with any system or product, our track record speaks for itself. And these same folks that are balking due to the subscription price can try BuildIT for free for 15 days. And to eliminate risk altogether, we offer a 30 day money back guarantee on the subscription. So, they've essentially got 45 days to determine if their hunch of "not worth it" is correct, OR if they actually do come out ahead. 

In other words, they really only lose if they don't try the system risk free to see if they get the rewards.

Seems simple to us !!

Let's just hope those that fail to do anything to improve their business, especially in these tough economic times, and who don't see the worth in systems like BuildIT... are YOUR competitors !

Scott Hutchinson (your BuildIT "sherpa")
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1

It's a tough slug out there right now.

You need to take advantage of all the tools out there, not only to make $$ and improve efficiency, but tools to help YOUR clients buy YOUR product.

Check out the new Federal tax credit - up to $8000 for qualified first time home buyers.

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

I've only seen a link to this on one customer's website. I would suggest that homebuilders make this prominent on their home page... today. It just may help you unload some inventory.

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

:: The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only.
:: The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
:: The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
:: The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
:: Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

For more information:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

Not a great time to be a CEO of a major corporation these days:

http://www.welcomebigwigs.com/

(Fine print: this is not an endorsement for JetBlue, just the comic relief. What a great way to advertise!).