The US is number one in productivity, surpassing the number two county, France, by more than 300 hours per employee.  The interesting part is that France ranks fourth in the world for total average hours worked, but second in productivity.  Isn’t that powerful?  In France, employees take, on average, 25-30 vacation days per year and have a 35 hour work week. 

Knowing the statistics about France and how vacation has worked in relation to productivity, I think it is safe to say that higher productivity is not necessarily derived from more hours worked.  As Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  If I am sitting at my desk working or in meetings all day, how much creativity and business thought gets accomplished?  None! 

One of the reasons I think this is an important topic, especially now with all the “recession” drama we deal with at our office, in the media and with our banks, because now is the time to be thinking outside the box about how to make your business outstanding.  I recently went on a short cruise, which means no access to internet or phone (without paying a hefty fee).  I will admit, I had BlackBerry withdrawals but it turned out to be a blessing.

I was able to read books I had not been able to get to. I was also able to just hang out and do “nothing.”  What a fantastic feeling to not have a schedule or agenda for the day.  When I got back I realized that the time away, although short, did wonderful things for my creative thinking process.

I was recently reading a blog post from Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinko’s, and one of his comments was that he used to take three weeks off at a time.  He quickly realized that if you take one week off, you have one week of work on your desk when you return.  If you take two weeks of vacation, you have two weeks of work on your desk.  But, if you take three weeks of vacation, people find a way to get the work done without you. I think it is a great idea, simply for the fact that every Executive should have procedures and plans in place, so that if she was not around, the company would still be able to function.

So, forget about how bad everything seems to be right now, take a long weekend and recharge your mind.  I am sure your company and employees will benefit in the long run!

The YPC is a networking group of dedicated, talented young professionals under 40 who either live or work in St. Lucie County. The goal of the Council is to enrich the community by uniting and developing our young professionals with the tools needed to succeed in a competitive business environment.

“I am excited to have a Young Professionals group in St Lucie County,” said Kim Albritton.  “The meetings will provide Young Professionals with insight to the business world, as well as foster mentoring relationships for years to come.” 

GlobalMind provides land information to support real estate decisions.  Its clients include land developers, real estate investors and government.  GlobalMind operates from offices in Palm Beach Gardens, Tallahassee and Ft. Pierce, Florida.  More about the firm can be found on its web site: www.1globalmind.com

The turnout was 20%, which is just pathetic. So, if only 20% of the people turnout in small races like the primary, want to take a guess as to who will vote for comp plan amendments? I would have to guess that probably greater than 80% of our population has no idea what a comp plan amendment is. The other freighting statistic is that the entire county would get to vote on changes that have little or no impact on their area. Early numbers indicate that voters may be asked to go to the polls to make a decision on 200-300 changes per year. Does that seem realistic for the average person?

The other issue is the economics behind the decision. If the general public truly feels that there is too much construction (even if it is viable for the economy), the voters may not approve the necessary changes. What does this mean for the area? If the comp plan changes are not passed, local areas could see issues with economic uncertainty. This means fewer jobs, less money coming in for taxes and an overall decrease in dollars spent. During the economic times we are going though now, is that really a good idea? Frankly, I am not quite sure why our current system does not work. I know of counties that are anti-growth and I rarely see a comp plan change to rural areas. Most of the development has been clustered in designated areas. Can the landscape be the same as twenty years ago? No, as a nation we are growing, we need more room. Also, Florida is one of the most desirable states to reside in. Florida is also the 20th largest economy in the world, yes the WORLD! So, why can’t we allow the election system to work the way it is supposed to. If a community is anti-growth and they elect a leader that is pro-growth, vote the elected official out of office…SIMPLE.

I have heard people say government is too willing to take on big projects because of the tax base increase. Although this may be true some of the times, if the people have elected the right official, the official is representing the people’s voice. The issue goes back to the staggering 20% voter turnout.

How do we, as an industry deal, with Hometown Democracy? EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE. Make sure people truly understand what the ballot means. The original language of the amendment read, “Public participation in local government comprehensive land use planning benefits Florida’s natural resources, scenic beauty and citizens.” Reading the original language of the amendment, it is easy to see why so many people originally thought the amendment would be a good idea. Luckily, that wording will not appear on a ballot, should Hometown Democracy ever get enough signatures.

My final thought for this issue, just remember the pregnant pigs amendment!

CASTLE Memory Field

GlobalMind employees, friends and family participated in the 4th Annual STOMP out Child Abuse Festival to benefit the CASTLE exchange club.  We wanted to participate in the Festival because if we can help save one child from abuse, it is all worth it. The team was able to raise about $500 for CASTLE.

CASTLE’s (Child Abuse Services, Training and Life Enrichment) mission is to “improve the quality of family life and prevent child abuse and neglect by providing community education, support and resources for parents in need of assistance.”   To learn more about CASTLE, please visit http://www.exchangecastle.org.

Environmentally friendly is not a new concept.  I can remember when recycling was introduced and when I used recycled notebook paper for the first time.  How about the grandmother who wraps the presents with newspaper, isn’t that “green?”  Granted, many resources that have been widely taken for granted are becoming more expensive and in time may just disappear.  Thus we have a need to come up with new technologies and innovations for things like energy, but isn’t that what we have always done?  We have a problem and find a solution.

I attended a local development event recently and a heavy debate erupted as to whether or not the costs of green building could be recouped in an office building.  On one hand, you have the developer saying it is almost impossible to rent at a higher rate.  The tenants do not understand the costs savings, nor can they see a discount or savings on their bill each month that would equal the amount of increased rent.  On the other side are developers who say they can’t lease their space to large fortune 500 companies or the government without meeting the green building certifications. 

So, is green always more expensive?  Not necessarily says Peter Morris.  Morris states that reasonable levels of sustainable development can be incorporated into most building types at little or no additional cost.  In a report published by Buildings, the average return on the initial investment  for a LEED-certified building is 2.6 years.  The LEED-certified buildings also had annual net savings of more than $170,000.  LEED-certified is the lowest LEED level a building can earn. 

I have always heard the lower the level, the lower the investment cost.  Just in case you are wondering, according to Beth Anderson to obtain LEED-silver, the building would cost an additional 3.5%, gold would be an additional 4.5% and platinum would be an additional 11.5%.  What are the benefits of pursuing a higher level of LEED designation?

A study performed in California yielded results of the following energy savings based on current LEED buildings.

Is it worth pursuing the higher LEED levels?  I believe that is still up for debate but there are many facts that support building a certified or silver LEED building results in costs savings in energy.  With the increase of fuel costs, everyone is looking for ways to save on energy.  Another fact that has fueled the demand for LEED buildings is the occupancy rates.

Occupancy rates, as well as rental and sales rates, are typically higher in a LEED building (or energy efficient) versus a building that is not energy efficient.  In the last two years, there has been a 70% increase in the rent charged per square foot in LEED buildings.  The increase represents a premium of 36% over a non-LEED building (AIA.org). 

Consumer buy-in has become a major factor in the green movement.  LEED buildings also have a 4.1% higher occupancy rate than the non-LEED buildings.  The chart below highlights some of the difference between LEED and non-LEED as well as Energy Star and non-Energy Star.

 Does this mean you should go green?  I think that decision rests very much in how you want to serve the market.  The estimated green construction for this year will only amount to about 2% of the total construction for the year, but by 2010 it is estimated to be as much as 10%.  In dollars, that would be equivalent to $29 to $57 billion (CNN Money).

No matter what side of the fence you are on, I feel that LEED is here to stay.  Over time, the requirements or rules may change, but some form of our current Green Movement will remain.

1. It’s not easy to tell the difference between a good and bad surveyor.
2. Good surveys and bad surveys often look the same.

Why is it so hard to judge the good from the bad? Simple, good quality is not about appearances it’s about the experience, knowledge and behavior of the surveyor you choose.

Dan’s article lays out five key points to consider in hiring a surveyor.

1. Is the Surveyor Licensed by the State?

All 50 states and several US Territories require individuals and companies that provide surveying services to be licensed by the state. State licensure typically requires three components

1. Education
2. Experience
3. Examination

Florida is on the leading edge of the current industry trend of requiring surveyors to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in surveying. However, only about 10 percent of the licensed surveyors in Florida have a degree or any formal surveying education (the other 80 percent have been “grandfathered” or allowed to continue their existing practice). College educated surveyors have a distinct advantage in today’s technology driven survey industry.

Dan’s article focuses on the qualifications of the licensed surveyor. While these are very important, surveyors have largely become managers of the survey team—field and office technicians who actually perform the work. For that reason it is vital that you look at the qualifications of the entire team. The National Society of Professional Surveyors certifies the competence of survey technicians through the “Certified Survey Technician” program. Find a firm that requires their staff to be certified.

2. Is the Surveyor a Member of the State Surveyor’s Association?

As a past-president of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society, I’m a big believer in professional involvement. During the 12 years I served as a volunteer in the association it was clear that the men and women I served with were among the best in the industry. Look not just for membership, but active involvement as an indicator of professional expertise.

3. Does the Surveyor Appear Competent?

I know I said that it’s not about the appearances. It is impossible to differentiate based on appearance alone, but they can be an indicator of the professional’s own values and business expertise. Use appearance as one factor of many.

4. It’s Important that the Surveyor Operate a Strong Business

I couldn’t agree more. Many surveying firms are “one-man-shows.” While I have no objection to a professional who chooses to practice alone, I worry about the clients who are relying on him. I’ve seen real money lost by clients when sickness or even death prevent the surveyor from completing the work. I detail one such real-life story in my white paper.

5. Are the Services Expensive?

Dan’s final point is to look at the cost of the service. While you certainly want to get the best value for your dollar, Dan (and I) believe that the old rule “you get what you pay for” applies to surveying as it does to every thing else. You don’t need to hire the most expensive firm, but the cheapest one may not be right either. A secondary point here, is to ALWAYS use a written contract. Many surveyors do business on a handshake.

While I think a handshake is a great sign of trust, I also know that communication between people is hard. A contract is a simple way to lay out in plain language what the surveyor will do, what he won’t do, what you’ll do and how much it will cost. Getting written proposals from surveyors also gives you a chance to see exactly what each firm will do for you. It will help you compare real costs.

I’ve got a number of other recommendations in my white paper The Land Developer’s Guide to Working with Surveyors it’s available for free by clicking here.

I’d love to hear your successes and challenges in hiring and working with surveyors. Please leave a comment below.

I can tell you from firsthand experience, there are plenty of sites out there that want you to register and then send you spam 50 times a week. LinkedIn is not one of them. LinkedIn is a powerful networking site, creeping up on popular social networks like MySpace and Facebook. The benefit about LinkedIn is that it is entirely business focused. So, are you interested yet?

What Can LinkedIn Do for Me?

I have been asked the above question more times than I can probably count. My answer to everyone is always, “LinkedIn is a great way to find people. We all go through life never really knowing everything about our work colleagues (sometimes even our friends). LinkedIn has allowed me to read someone’s business history in a single screen. The site also helps me understand who they know and network with.”

Some interesting facts you probably did not know about LinkedIn:

• The average number of LinkedIn connections for people who work at Google is forty-seven.
• The average number for Harvard Business School grads is fifty-eight, so you could skip the MBA, work at Google, and probably get most of the connections you need. Later, you can hire Harvard MBAs to prepare your income taxes.
• People with more than twenty connections are thirty-four times more likely to be approached with a job opportunity than people with less than five.
• All 500 of the Fortune 500 are represented in LinkedIn. In fact, 499 of them are represented by director-level and above employees.(Kawasaki, Guy. http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/ten_ways_to_use.html)

Top Reasons to Use LinkedIn

1. Building your Reputation. LinkedIn is a great tool for people to outline their experience, accomplishment, organizations and network. Too often I have seen incomplete profiles. A crucial element to get LinkedIn to work for you is to make sure your profile is 100% complete. Include all your previous employers, groups you belong to, your “advertisement”, websites and other important information. LinkedIn is also becoming a place where employers find candidates, so if you are job hunting, this may be the place for you.

2. Find Qualified Candidates. Ever struggled looking for an employee? If you are like me, it is a love hate relationship. I want to find the best candidate because it will benefit the company, but weeding through all the applicants can be exhausting. Well, how about using your network to find employees? For my last two positions, I hired individuals that came recommended, yes I said recommended, from my network on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has a great job posting board, which is also very inexpensive. Even if you don’t want to field unknown candidates, you can send out an email to all your connections.

3. Find New Connections. Have you ever felt like sometimes you see the same people at the networking events? Would you like to meet new people? Use LinkedIn and do a search. For example, let’s say I want to meet Architects. I just go to LinkedIn and type in Architects in the search box. LinkedIn will search my contact’s contacts and return the results. The best part is it shows me how I am connected to the person, which can then be used for introductions. I ask Joe Smith to introduce me to his friend the Architect. LinkedIn also provides results of what they call 3rd degree friends. Essentially, your contact has a contact that knows the architect. It seems complicated, but it is a great way to expand your network and your friend’s network. Try a search, see what happens. LinkedIn also has introductions, a tool they offer to give you an introduction to a person you want to meet.

4. Increase your Google Ranking. Ever wondered how people’s names come up so high up on Google searches? I do not have the secret Google formula, but I can tell you a well written LinkedIn profile earns a high rank on the page. The not so lucky are the people with common names, like Joe Smith, but, the more you have information like LinkedIn (or Blog articles), the better your Google ranking.

5. Make your meeting go smoother. I was once introduced to a contact who knew all about me before I ever met him. He even went on to tell me who we knew in common….talk about ice breaker. All he did was search for me on LinkedIn and viola….all my history and information. I have to admit, from a bird’s eye perspective it sounds a bit creepy, but sitting in the meeting it was not. I was actually relieved to have something in common with the person. He, of course, told me he had viewed my LinkedIn profile, which took all the creepiness away. I thought after that meeting, what a great way to learn about someone, search for them on LinkedIn.

6. Ask for or Give Advice. In the question and answer section of LinkedIn, users can post questions and answer questions. For example, if you are a computer hardware expert, you would scroll through and try to answer questions relating to your specialty. What does this do? Well, it builds your credibility as an expert in your field. On the other hand, have a question you want some peer advice on? Ask the LinkedIn users. I have scrolled through the Answers section many times and I am always pleased with the responses I have read, always very professional.

7. Scope out Competition, Customers, Partners. I, like most people, use Google or another search engine to see what information I can find out about my market. The market includes your customers, competitors and partners. LinkedIn is a great tool for research. I especially like it because you can usually see where a person worked previous to their current position. Knowing that information provides a much more in-depth picture about the person or company. Another key advantage is to see what groups your customers or potential customers belong to.

8. Groups. LinkedIn just added a new tool to search groups. The groups range from networking groups to Alumni groups to Company groups. Groups can be a great tool for networking. For instance, I am a member of the Alumni group where I went to college. The group is quite large, but I can search within the group for prospective clients, partners or competitors. I use the group as a common thread when trying to talk to or meet with people. For example, “Joe I see that you are a member of XYZ Alumni group, so am I, what did you study?” There are many different ways to use the groups and their members as leads into conversations. As a plus, when you join a group you can show the group on your profile. The benefit could be others see the group and find they have a common thread with you.

9. Recommendations. LinkedIn has created a system where your contacts can recommend you. I think it is a wonderful tool. Now, when I am searching for a product or service or even a new connection, I can read what other people have to say. I know and you know, we can talk about how great we are till we are blue in the face, but when someone else confirms it……you may have struck gold. Leverage the power of LinkedIn to get recommendations and be sure to give them as well.

10. Help Others. The saying is Give and You Shall Receive. Use LinkedIn to introduce people you think would be a good match. You can easily do introductions to the people with LinkedIn’s inMail. The nice thing about giving a contact more connections on LinkedIn is that no one wants to be the person with the least contacts….so help out a friend and send them a contact or two that makes sense for them. Part of helping others can be helping them use LinkedIn. Most of the people I have met have done very little research on how to use LinkedIn to its full potential.

11. Use it on the go. LinkedIn is configured to be able to use it on your handheld device. While you waiting at the airport, doctor’s office or another waiting area, log into LinkedIn and network from anywhere. Just go to http://m.linkedin.com.

I hope you start getting more from LinkedIn! And while you’re at it, drop me a line at http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimalbritton.

Listen Online:

Download in MP3 format.

In this episode of the Florida Real Estate Development Podcast, we talk about a recent article about the poor performance of the real estate sales force. To talk about how you can improve the effectiveness of your sales efforts–even in today’s market–we brought in Greta Schulz of Proactive Training and Consulting.

Greta  is the president and CEO of ProActive Training and Consulting. She has been involved in sales, sales management, marketing, and training for over twenty years. She is a columnist in many business publications around the country and a contributing author of  “Masters of Sales” a Wall Street Journal and New York Times Best Seller. Greta is presently writing her own book titled “To Sell is Not to Sell”, a conglomeration of stories and tips in the world of sales.

I hope you enjoy the interview!

In this episode, I interview Tom Wheatley, Vice-President of Business Development at Flagler Bank. Tom talks about the current state of the credit market, what projects are getting funded and how to best approach lenders now.

The Florida Real Estate Journal is reporting a slight up-tick in existing home sales in the three Southeast Florida MSA’s–West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. The report is from Mike Pappas, CEO of the Keyes Company (one of the largest residential realtors in the region).

The gains aren’t huge, but they are gains. Pappas attributes the bump to buyers seeing a bottom in prices. I also think the realization that the cheap money days are ending is motivating buyers to get off the sidelines.

This report is consistent with anecdotal evidence we’re seeing in new home construction in the Southeast Florida market. Let’s hope this blip turns into a trend.