Business Principles to Help You Excel

As the nation’s largest HERS Provider, we often get asked by our clients how they can be successful in the green building industry. While every company is certainly unique (size, location, market demand, etc.), there are four overarching business principles that we can definitively say will increase your competitive edge. Following these four principles will not guarantee you success – but they are an essential foundation for becoming a leader in this industry.

1. Be the expert
2. Be everywhere
3. Be involved
4. Be service oriented

In our last blog article, Be Everywhere, we discussed the importance of utilizing a multi-faceted marketing approach to create a memorable brand that leaves a lasting impression. Real social networks are not only a networking and growth strategy, but a way for you to be involved in your field and create valuable connections that open new doors for our shared future.

Business Blog #3 – Be Involved

The green building industry is experiencing rapid growth. While technical innovation is a key part of that success, collaboration and industry involvement could arguably be even more important. Two heads are always better than one, right? Being involved offers great potential to improve yourself, your brand, and the entire green building industry.

As the Pro’s Pro, we are involved for your benefit, to help you serve your clients better. We comment on all of the RESNET Standards updates, as well as updates to other programs that our raters work in, like Energy Star. Additionally, BER has staff who are involved with RESNET, PHIUS, and NEHERS as Board members and subcommittee members to help write and revise Standards updates.

Industry Conferences

Green building industry conferences and events are an exciting way to be more involved and the options are plenty. Conferences serve to bring industry professionals together to network and to further professional development through continued education.

• Some conferences also qualify for Professional Development Hours to HERS Raters meet RESNET requirements.
  The 2022 RESNET Conference is worth 18 PDH!
  Learn more here.
• You are not limited by your location! Virtual industry conferences offer the opportunity to meet other industry professionals nationwide and keep up to date on happenings outside of your area. Many conferences, such as this year’s The RESNET Conference, are offered both in person and virtual.

Builders Associations

Builders Associations are another great way to be involved in the green building industry. They operate on all geographical levels from local to national, so you can be involved regardless of your location. While each organization may offer unique benefits, all of them have the overarching goal of supporting the professional success of its members. This is often accomplished through:

• Education

  • Professional development courses
  • Industry-specific resources
  • Scholarships for members and their family members

• Networking

  • Meet other industry professionals directly through associations
  • A hub for discovering conferences and events to attend

• Advocacy

  • Act in the interest of its members to tackle a variety of industry issues at different government levels
  • Work with regulators and policymakers regarding code, legal issues, and more

Code Hearings and Meetings

Although Builders Associations can provide industry advocacy, YOU are your own best advocate. Attending code hearings and meetings creates the opportunity for you to become a resource for Code officials, fostering industry progress. Code officials are an overworked and unappreciated part of the building industry. Many jurisdictions keep lists of qualified professionals for reference when someone asks them for a recommendation. Raters, especially those who have earned their IECC/HERS Compliance Specialist certification, are uniquely qualified to ease the workload for code officials. This also enables you to keep up to date with pertinent information, allowing you to truly Be The Expert.