Ric Heidenescher admits he’s a bit of a geek. “I’m an older builder, I didn’t growup with computers, but I love technology,” he says. That avid interest helped when he set out to create “a system that would make the selection process ajoy for the homeowner and an efficient management tool for our back office.”
Sounds like a tall order, but Heidenescher dove into the project. He spent countless hours working in Excel 2007 to develop electronic color selection sheets that he can download to portable USB drives. He gives the drives to clients, who take them along when they visit suppliers to see materials and select colors. The suppliers or the clients’ interior designers can insert the USB in their computers and record the client’s selections on the spot. The risks of incorrect client notes, faulty memory,and multiple versions of the same selection sheet are eliminated. Once the sheets are filled in, clients electronicallysign off on them and e-mail them to Heidenescher, who can then send them to the applicable staff and trades.
Excel 2007 has more graphic tools than previous versions, and Heidenescher spent hours getting the sheets to look professional and easy to use.The sheets are filled with hyperlinks, drop-down lists, and informative notes to smooth the selection process and each sheet comes with instructions that are accessed by clicking on its page number.
To make sure the clients understand the system, Heideneschergives them a visual demonstration on his 37-inch LCD screen. They also get a user-friendly “Introduction and General Information” sheet that explains how the system works.
Heidenescher says his suppliers are enthusiastic about the system. He’s just rolled it outwith new clients, but because they haven’t been through the selections process he doesn’t think they’ll be able to appreciate itor evaluate it very well. So he is also beta-testing the system on past clients-the ones who had to fill all those selections sheetsout by hand-to see how using it compares with their experience. He believes their comments and feedback will make the homebuilding process for his company, suppliers, trades, and-most important-future clients a far more enjoyable experience.
Heidenescher Homes Inc. Longwood, Fla.; Type of business: custom builder; Years in business: 22; Employees: 4; 2007 volume: $3.5 million; 2007 starts: 2
