Episode 60: Professional Development For Builders With Devin Perry

In episode 60 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Devin Perry, Executive Director of Business Improvement Programs for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Throughout this episode, Devin explains why professional development and how being able to access a broad range of resources is key to setting your building company up for success.

 

Inside episode 60 you will discover

• What NAHB is and how they help professional builders
• Why professional development is the key to changing the building industry
• The insider knowledge about what you should be paying attention to
• How other builders are preparing for uncertainty and unpredictability
• Proven ways to improve your work-life balance
• And much, much more.

 

Listen to the full episode to uncover exactly how professional builders are taking charge and ensuring their success.

 

Devin Perry, Executive Director of Business Improvement Programs for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

 

Devin Perry has been part of NAHB since 2015 and is committed to providing up to date resources for professional home builders. Spanning worldwide with over 140,000 members, NAHB connects builders with relevant councils as well as their inhouse initiatives such as their NAHB 20 club.

Connect with Devin

 

Timeline

1:43 About Devin and his role at NAHB

5:27 Key resources for your building company 

15:47 What the building industry is evolving to

19:53 The #1 way to prepare for uncertainty 

25:22 Work-life balance tips and tricks

 

Links, Resources & More

NAHB Website

APB Website

APB on Instagram

APB on Facebook

APB on YouTube

Join the Professional Builders Secrets Facebook group for builders & connect with professional builders world-wide.

Devin Perry:

Professional development is a huge aspect of what we do at NAHB. 

Devin Perry:

Affordability is the greatest challenge facing the housing market. 

Devin Perry:

This year, we're predicting that on the single-family side, there are going to be less than a million single-family housing starts. 

Devin Perry:

We are pushing that rock up hill to ensure that residential construction has that labour pool for the future. 

Devin Perry:

There's not a stone unturned in home building that we don't cover. 

Devin Perry:

You need to tap into your professional development opportunity so you're working on your business so it can grow.

Bosco Anthony:

Hello and welcome to the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, a podcast by the Association of Professional Builders (APB) for building company owners, general managers, VPs and emerging leaders. Here we discuss all things running a professional building company from sales processes to financials, operations and marketing. We have another exciting episode from the Professional Builders Secrets podcast. I'm joined today by Devin Perry, Executive Director of Business Improvement Programs for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Devin, thanks for being here today.

Devin Perry:

Ah, Bosco, thanks for having me. I’m excited about this opportunity.

Bosco Anthony:

Well, let's start off with a little bit about yourself and your role at NAHB. Do we call it NAHB? 

Devin Perry:

We go with the acronym, just NAHB. There you go.

Bosco Anthony:

Okay, NAHB. All right. That's good for our listeners out there. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at NAHB.

Devin Perry:

I'll focus on the NAHB side. First, I'm the Executive Director of Business Improvement Programs and that title covers a number of areas, but I began with the association in December 2015 as the Director of Membership Programs. The Building Systems Councils is a special interest group for members who either build, manufacturer or supply the modular panelised concrete or log and timber frame home industries. I moved on to be the director of that group in 2017, and then my responsibilities expanded to the Executive Director of Business Improvement Programs. 

Devin Perry:

In addition to the Building Systems Councils and overseeing that group, I have oversight of NAHB’s 20 Club program. I know we'll talk about that a little bit later. I am on a few additional committees, including the Single-Family Building, Custom Building in our Business Management and Information Technology Committees as well, and a mentoring program called Leadership Connect at NAHB. So, like I said, it's pretty broad in terms of responsibilities.

Bosco Anthony:

At the heart of things, you're there to help the builders, is the best way of putting it as well, and empower them.

Devin Perry:

Absolutely, through all of those different resources. At NAHB we have a ton of resources for home builders and I've got my corner of the association where I'm delivering those services to our members, so that's exactly right.

Bosco Anthony:

How far is the reach for the members as well? How far do you go?

Devin Perry:

We have 140,000 members worldwide. We are coast-to-coast here in North America with our local Home Builders Associations (HBAs) that feed into national. We also have state associations as well. And then we have a global membership group as well. So, we actually span the globe in terms of the home building industry.

Bosco Anthony:

How did you get into the industry? Was this something you would plan for when you went to high school and you were thinking, "Hey, this is where I'm going to go?" How did you stumble across this? Or was it an accidental career?

Devin Perry:

Yeah, I'm laughing because it was probably the latter, an accidental career. I went to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and got a degree in sports management marketing. I did use that degree for about 10 years. I worked for a couple of different professional sports organisations, the Phoenix Coyotes, the Washington Nationals and DC United. I was on the ticket sales and service side. Around the end of my 10th year in professional sports, towards the end of my career there, my family dynamic change. I got married and we had our first kid. I was looking for something that was a little bit more nine to five. We we're in Washington DC, and DC is the home of associations. If you think of an industry, it's got an association in Washington DC.

Devin Perry:

So I applied around, ended up at NAHB and that's where I really started my career in the residential construction industry. But just a little anecdote, I came into this industry pretty ignorant. I thought for log and timber frame homes, you cut down the trees at the build site and you went from there. It turns out these are highly engineered building systems. So it's been quite an education over the past almost seven years now. It's been a real joy, my time at NAHB.

Bosco Anthony:

So for our listeners out there, you've given a little bit about an overview of what you do, but for the potential new members or someone who's considering becoming a member, what are some of the benefits of joining the NAHB?

Devin Perry:

NAHB works under a three for one membership model. You join national through your local HBA, and there you have a number of benefits in your location working with your local HBA, where they can connect you with consumers, they provide education and it's great networking locally within your own community. In addition to that, you get membership of your state HBA. They're doing a lot of those same things. They're working with the governance of individual states and their state houses advocating for the home builders in that locality. 

Devin Perry:

Then you have national; we are just part of the membership mix as well, where we're providing numerous education opportunities and resources for our members, working on the governance side as well on Capitol Hill, and working with code officials in terms of the International Code Council to ensure housing affordability, not only for consumers, but that it's also affordable to build homes for our members.

Bosco Anthony:

Okay.

Devin Perry:

Yeah, it's at whole mix.

Bosco Anthony:

So, the theme of this conversation really is around professional development as well. So, how can professional development help transform and change the professional building industry in some ways?

Devin Perry:

Oh, it's so huge, Bosco. One of my areas of oversight, maybe we talked about this briefly, was NAHB's Builder 20 program, and let me describe that a little bit. We have over 500 members of the Builder 20 program, and they're subdivided into individual clubs, no more than 20 members in non-competing markets, hence that 20 Club moniker. In addition to being from non-competing markets, they are also from similar business backgrounds. 

Devin Perry:

We have groups for production, home builders, custom home builders and remodellers. In the 20 Club program, these groups of 20 members will get together twice a year, once in the spring, once in the autumn, and they really open up their businesses to each other. It's peer-to-peer business accountability. One of those meetings is focused on finance. We'll bring in a third party who will analyse everybody's books from a common form.

Devin Perry:

So, everybody's starting on the same page. It can help understand the numbers. They go around the room and really dive into each other's books. Then in that second meeting of the year, they'll bring in guest speakers, who'll tackle a specific topic in the home building industry. But it's just having that brain power of 20 leading builders or remodellers around a table and helping each other's businesses, it's a sight to behold the professional development that is there and watching people's businesses grow because of their interaction in that group. That's just one example of something that we offer at the NAHB.

Bosco Anthony:

Okay. What are some of the key events that you end up having throughout the year? You talked a little bit about these two events, but what do you produce for the builders out there on an annual basis that are your marquee or signature events?

Devin Perry:

Yeah, Bosco, a lot of people don't realise that the International Builder Show (IBS), which is the largest light construction trade show in North America, is a production of the NAHB. Earlier this year in January, it was either January or February, my apologies for not having the exact dates, but we were in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. We had over 70,000 people walk through the trade show floor visiting over a million square feet of exhibition space. That's one huge aspect of the IBS. In addition to that, we put on more than a hundred education sessions at the IBS as well, covering a large variety of topics in the home building industry.

Devin Perry:

Another layer on top of that is we have special interest areas at the IBS, one on the Building Systems Councils side where we focus on nothing but offsite construction. Over the three-day trade show, we offered upwards of 20 education sessions and networking events. But that's a huge tentpole event for NAHB, again, bringing over 70,000 people together annually. This upcoming year in 2023 it will be back in Las Vegas. So, we’re looking forward to that. The dates – I think we start at the end of January and end very early in February, but registration's going to open for that in September. So, we’re looking forward to getting everybody together in 2023.

Bosco Anthony:

What are some of the professional development opportunities for builders through the NAHB? What can they look forward to as part of their own development and learning side of things as well?

Devin Perry:

We talked about the 20 Club programs specifically. I'm going to focus on some broader programs that we offer. Once again, the IBS will offer education there. Throughout the year we offer numerous webinars and education sessions through the NAHB, covering all topics in residential construction, whether it be green building, offsite construction or business management. It's really never ended. Those all occur on a weekly basis. 

Devin Perry:

We also produce resources for our builder members as well. We have residential construction guidelines, and on the Building Systems Councils side, we recently developed a home builders’ guide to offsite construction. There are millions of other examples of resources like that, that NAHB offers its members. Many of those are free for the cost of being a member or we offer them at a reduced rate. So, professional development is a huge aspect of what we do at NAHB. It's not just governance, it's not just codes; professional development is, again, a huge part of what we do.

Bosco Anthony:

You've given me an overview of what the IBS is, and you've given me an overview of the Builder 20 groups as well from the lens of the builder. Let's change the question a little bit from the lens of someone who's either getting into the industry or has never been to the IBS or been part of the Builder 20 group. What should they expect on both sides? What can they expect from these two entities and how do they maximise that opportunity as well?

Devin Perry:

On the IBS side, I think over those three days there's so much to see that you really have to segment yourself and make a plan before you arrive onsite, whether that be in Orlando, like we were this year, or we're going to be in Vegas next year. But first and foremost, builders need to just walk the trade show floor and see all of the new products and services debuting for that year. It's amazing what our suppliers and service providers come up with and the products that they are developing to really change our industry. So, that's one aspect of the IBS. 

Devin Perry:

Another aspect of the show is the education side of things where over those three days you have an opportunity to attend. In terms of the IBS education, there's a hundred sessions there, then there are the learning opportunities as well that are probably too many days to count off the top of my head. You need to go through before you land onsite and star all those sessions you want to visit so you can get that education that you're looking for, because you really segment yourself. If you're interested in business management, there's a whole track for that. If you're interested in construction codes and standards, there's a whole track for that. I could go on and on.

Devin Perry:

There's also a networking and social aspect of it as well. We have events each night that are segmented by different builder populations and demographics. But there is something for everybody at all moments of the IBS where, again, you’re getting education, networking and seeing the latest building products and services. That’s how you enjoy that event. But again, it does take some pre-planning before you get boots on the ground.

Bosco Anthony:

You’ve given me an idea of how you help builders as well. With the shows past and present, obviously looking last year and moving forward this year, where do you see some of the market trends and what’s the big topic of conversation amongst the builders as well?

Devin Perry:

I’d say housing affordability overall. That touches so many different aspects of the industry. One, obviously inflation is a huge issue right now – and we’re tackling that from a government affairs perspective – that’s impacting building materials. Lumber in particular has been on a roller coaster up and down throughout the pandemic, although we're starting to see that settle a bit. Then you have housing affordability on the consumer side as well and being able to purchase a home. So really, our main focus right now for NAHB is housing affordability from really all aspects of the residential construction industry and trying to get our arms around that and get housing affordability under control.

Bosco Anthony:

Does that include potentially a correction in the market long-term? Do you foresee that or is it to be determined just yet?

Devin Perry:

To be determined. Like I was saying, affordability is the greatest challenge facing the housing market. Production bottlenecks, rising home building costs and high inflation are causing many builders to halt construction because of the cost of land. Construction and financing exceed the market value of many homes, and at the same time, buyers are baulking due to deteriorating affordability conditions and just growing sticker shock. Here's a stat we like to reference: only 14% of new home sales this June were priced below $300,000. A year ago that number was 27%. So, with significant segments of the home buying population priced out of the market, policy makers – and NAHB is part of this, influencing policy makers – need to address supply side issues to help builders produce more affordable housing.

Bosco Anthony:

So, how do you think the future of the construction industry is currently? What is it evolving to? I guess it’s a better question to ask moving forward and where this is more an opinion side of things. What do you feel builders should be paying attention to? What are some of those things that they should be paying attention to?

Devin Perry:

Given my background in the residential construction industry and at NAHB, for a number of years, I’ve had laser focus on the offsite construction industry. Anecdotally, I think you're seeing a movement towards prefabricated building components. When I say that, you're talking everything from trusses to full modular, wood, steel, concrete and everything in between. 

Devin Perry:

Right now in terms of housing starts, using what the US Census Bureau would classify as modular or pre-cut construction, on the single-family side, it's about 4% of all starts per year. For the housing downturn in 2007, 2008, that was upwards of 8%. I think you're seeing that side of the industry creep back up, gain some momentum because there are many issues that are plaguing that the residential construction industry in terms of the supply chain and availability of labour that can be solved with offsite construction techniques. So, that's something that I personally and keeping a close watch on.

Bosco Anthony:

What do you think builders should prepare for moving forward and outside of some of the innovation that's coming their way as well and the changes to that? What else do you feel like they should be paying attention to or things that they should be prepared for?

Devin Perry:

I'll go back to housing affordability. This year we're predicting that on the single-family side there are going to be less than a million single-family housing starts in 2022. Again, it’s just that affordability crunch. So again, at NAHB we are focused on developing that next generation of both home builders and that labour force, so we can work through some of these labour ability issues. We are working on Capitol Hill to address some of these affordability problems. 

Devin Perry:

We have a seat at the table with International Code Council and making sure that common sense codes that have the appropriate long-term impact on building materials and prices are kept front and centre. We're having those discussions and what would dictate building codes around the country. So, I'm a home builder, and this is just my humble opinion. Our members know so much more than I do about the industry, but it's at housing affordability that I'd be focused on.

Bosco Anthony:

I'm assuming some of these trends that you're predicting are also not just in the North American side of things or the US but probably around as well. We have global listeners, but I'm assuming we're hearing similar trends in different ponds of the water I guess as well.

Devin Perry:

Yeah, Bosco, I know you're in Australia. I know there is a housing recession crisis now, and we're in a housing recession here in North America. But this is not just an American issue, this is a global issue. If you look across the pond to Europe, they're talking about offsite construction; those countries are prepared for the industrialisation of construction. That's somewhere where we're trying to fill that gap in North America and play catch up. There are some factors that may affect our market here domestically a little bit differently to those in Europe. But in terms of manufacturing technology and things of that nature, we're a little bit behind.

Bosco Anthony:

What advice do you have for builders at a time of uncertainty and unpredictability? If anything, the last few years have told us that you really can't plan per se, but you also have to have a plan in some cases. So what advice do you have for the builders who come to you and say, “We don’t know what tomorrow’s going to look like”?

Devin Perry:

Professional development, professional development and professional development would be my answer to that question. Again, I think NAHB provides those opportunities. One, again, with just local HBAs being hyper-focused on those local markets and being able to talk to your peers in the industry and make those preparations, but also have an eye on trends and know what's happening and be able to take advantage of that local professional development. Then again, nationally, we offer a number of those resources as well. 

Devin Perry:

I can't advocate for the Builder 20 program enough. If you are a home builder who is struggling or looking for a leg up, or if you're doing fine and want to enhance your business, it's an excellent opportunity to talk with peers and non-competing markets. That's a rare opportunity. Again, you can talk locally, but in terms of those very open conversations, it certainly behoves to have them away from a competitor. That's something that the Builder 20 program can offer.

Bosco Anthony:

When we're talk about personal development, we're talking about everything from running a business to sales, marketing, leadership and assuming its operational innovation technology; it covers all different facets, right?

Devin Perry:

Oh, it sure does. At NAHB, I know I've talked a bit about the Building Systems Councils as being a special interest group. We have others, we have the National Sales and Marketing Council, we have Professional Women and Building, we have a group for our Remodelers’ Council, another one for 55 + Home Building. So, whatever your niche is or whatever information you're looking for about residential construction, we have it at NAHB. There's not a stone unturned in home building that we don't cover, with green building being a part of that as well. Those groups and those members get together and produce just tremendous content. You can focus on those special interest areas that you can tap into as a member.

Bosco Anthony:

Now, obviously in the last few years we've seen so many different challenges and blind spots, not just in this industry but in so many other industries as well. But if we had to highlight or put a spotlight on the builders and some of the challenges they face, how is the NAHB looking to address some of those challenges long-term? You have things like trying to get staffing or talent in an industry that potentially has got decreasing numbers in different parts of the world. You hear the same thing, “We're looking to bring on more people.” What are some of the areas that you're looking to address with these challenges long-term?

Devin Perry:

Yeah, a lot of people don't know that any NAHB has a partner organisation called a Home Building Institute (HBI), that’s very focused on workforce development. They have training centres around the country focused on people transitioning out of the military, people transitioning out of incarceration, and some technical schools as well. They’re putting that message forward that a four-year college institution isn't for everybody, and there's no shame in that. 

Devin Perry:

There are opportunities to go into a skilled trade, provide for your family for the long term at a good wage and not incur some of that debt that you would with a two-year or four-year qualification at an institution. In addition to that, in NAHB, we have our student chapters that are more focused on those four-year colleges and high schools that introduce people at universities and high schools to the home building industry.

Devin Perry:

They actually get together at the IBS for an annual competition. But we are working not only nationally at NAHB, but our state associations and local associations are working in their areas on workforce development as well. I could go into a number of specific programs, but for example, North Carolina has a mobile training big rig that goes around introducing people to the skilled construction trades. There are numerous examples of other initiatives around the country, but we are pushing that rock up hill to ensure that residential construction has that labour pool for the future.

Bosco Anthony:

I can talk to you about the industry for ages, but I'm conscious of the fact that I have you here for a very short time. My final question for you is around personal development. Most builders will give you the most common – I want to say ‘excuse’, which is, “I don't have time for learning,” or “How do I make time for personal development? I'm running a business, I'm in the business, on the business, I'm working more hours Monday to Saturday.” How do builders make time for personal development?

Devin Perry:

Bosco, what I've seen mainly through the Builder 20 program is you have two sets of home building professionals. You have people who are working in their business and people who are working on their business. I don't mean to shed negative light or be disparaging of the people who are working in their business, but to really maximise what you're doing, you need to tap into your professional development opportunity so you're working on your business so it can grow and advance. If you are in your business and focusing on every small detail and can't take that step back and look at the 10,000 square foot view, you're not going to be able to grow.

Devin Perry:

I've seen people make that transition in the Builder 20 program from having their hands in the dirt, swinging a hammer to being able to manage and grow their business that way and actually have a personal life as well and spend time with their family. So, when you see that light bulb click for somebody, it's amazing because, and I don't say this lightly, you're changing someone's life because it's not only business, but it is personal as well.

Bosco Anthony:

Well, thank you so much for your insights telling us a little bit about the NAHB and taking us the inside curtain to reveal a little bit about what you do and what the resources are there for the builders out there. Do you have any final words of wisdom for our builder listeners out there who are listening to this right now? What advice do you have to them before we part ways?

Devin Perry:

Yeah, Bosco, I'll make a shameless plug for the NAHB. If you're not a member, please go ahead. Contact your local HBA so you can get plugged in there first. Again, it's three for one membership. When you join locally, you get your membership there and at the state and national levels as well. If you're not familiar with your local HBA, go to nahb.org. There's a join button in the right-hand corner. You can enter in your zip code and we'll provide you a link to your local association so we take the guesswork out of it. But again, NAHB is here for you to help you improve your business. 

Bosco Anthony:

Thank you so much for your time today, Devin.

Devin Perry:

Hey Bosco, I appreciate it. Thank you.

Bosco Anthony:

Thank you for listening. Remember to subscribe to Professional Builders Secrets on your favourite podcast platform and leave a review. To learn more about how the systems at APB can help you grow your building company, visit associationofprofessionalbuilders.com. See you next time.