This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert May 26, 1999 Building & Remodeling Burgeoning 220 days until January 1, 2000 With the stock market at an all-time high and baby boomers spending money like there is no tomorrow, it is not surprising that the homebuilding and remodeling sectors are thriving. In 1998, more than $130 billion was spent on remodeling, according to Brett Martin, assistant director of communications of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. In addition, some 1.238 million homeowners are expected to start building some type of new single-family home this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. It doesn't get much better than this for the construction industry. But what of the consumers who seek to buy these goods and services? With demand so high, finding a competent architect, builder or contractor can be exceedingly difficult. (Some folks in Chicago already are paying more than the estimated bid price from one well-known designer to snare a spot on his short list of clients.) And it gets worse. There's a whole new contingent of less-than-competent and honest work people who are rushing to the fore, trying to get a piece of the action of this billion-dollar market. And consumers sometimes end up paying the price, with jobs left unfinished or poorly done and stressed nerves so frayed that arguments erupt among family members. As in other fields (e.g., work and health), we're seeing people taking control, getting the information they need and protecting themselves against these would-be perpetrators. If you or someone you know is in the market for these services, "caveat emptor," "Let the buyer beware." Arm yourself with as much advice as you can, be sure to detail contracts, check with friends for quality referrals and investigate any prospective supplier very thoroughly. Special thanks for the information in this trend alert to Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane, authors of the new book "Successful Homebuilding & Remodeling: Real-Life Advice for Getting the House You Want Without the Roof (or Sky) Falling In." (To order this book, click on click then the title.) © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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