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Generation X: The new driving force behind the remodeling market
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| Submitted by: | Brian Javeline (bjaveline@actinc.com) 4/8/2008 9:20:59 AM PT |
| Location: | Florida |
| Occupation: | President & CEO |
Thanks for advice, we are live! We worked with hundreds of contractors for almost two years. The first year we defined their must-have requirements and the second year was the refinement to create the most easy-to-use, flexible and cost-justified solution for the contractor of tomorrow. We are extremely excited that we were able to achieve our stated goal of being completely live in Q1 2008. Please visit www.MyOnlineToolbox.com for the most cost effective product for Generation X contractors. Please visit www.TheContractorShow.com, our free video forum that helps educate in all facets of the industry. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
| Submitted by: | Brian Javeline (bjaveline@actinc.com) 11/7/2007 2:02:08 PM PT |
| Location: | Pompano Beach, FL |
| Occupation: | President |
Partnering with leading mobile PC company. I want to thank all the Generation X contractors who supported us on a tough road of testing to refine MyOnlineToolbox. I am proud to tell you all that we are now partnering with the newest mobile tablet PCs specifically designed for contractors. Check out the Mobile Office information at MyOnlineToolbox.com. Thanks everyone.
| Submitted by: | Jonathan, Best Remodeling (coming soon) 8/22/2007 12:46:34 PM PT |
| Location: | Atlanta, GA |
| Occupation: | Assisting my dad |
While I agree with the focus on marketing efforts, Generation X contractors have to also shape up their business practices and stop running their business like Fred Flinstone. I actually just started to look at software to help my dad start running his new business soon and couldn't believe how outdated so many people are. What made me laugh was the salesreps at supposedly the largest software company in the indyustry (not naming names to be polite). I almost fell off my chair when they said that contractors are not ready to use the Internet and that they only sell Windows based products. Has anyone heard of MySpace, FaceBook, Google, etc.? I found this article while doing research and bumped into the guys at MyOnlineToolBox who are trying to bring contractors into the future. Its good to see that someone is taking a leap of faith knowing it is just a matter of time before us younger dudes take over. For anyone listening and looking to be prepared for 2010, call them since they completely see where us contractors need to be using the Internet. You can forget about marketing efforts if you are not prepared to handle the workload.
| Submitted by: | x-er (theworstgenerationever@yahoo.com) 6/23/2007 6:18:43 PM PT |
| Location: | theworstgenerationever.blogspot.com |
| Occupation: | slacker |
You folks in the construction industry are going to be in for a very big shock.
Gen-x'ers are practical like the generation before the boomers. We like our money and we don't have a lot of it. We are the first generation to be worse off than the one before us but we are less likely to declare bankruptcy than the baby boomers.
I will give you an example. My house is 20 years old. The kitchen is 20 years old. In that kitchen I have a sink, a stove, some cabinets and a refrigerator.
Why would I spend money to "update" it? When I was done updating it I would still have a sink, a stove, some cabinets and a refrigerator.
That goes for my furniture, my car and everything else I own.
That is how we think. We leave the room when the advertising comes on. If we don't need it you are going to have a very hard time making us want it.
We are not boomers. We are not taken with every shiny new thing that comes along.
It will be fun watching everyone deal with it.
| Submitted by: | Tom Neri (info@usbi.net) 6/15/2007 12:08:12 PM PT |
| Location: | Wellington, Florida |
| Occupation: | Owner of US Building Inspectors |
I can relate to the Generation X'ers, as I have two college aged daughters who use technology for almost every need - from finding out what movies are playing at the theater, to getting financial aid for college, to investigating the best purchase of a camera, or car, or insurance. As the Owner of a Home Inspection & Mold Testing Company, I have not only had to become more automated and technologically-savvy than my competitors, but have also had the opportunity to show realtors, and others who order inspections from me how they can benefit from a portal like MyOnlineToolbox.com. The information shared amongst contractors is extraordinary and there is absolutely nothing comparable on the market like this that I have found. My daughters now look to me, as do my clients, and vendors, for advice on how they can find out more from what the Internet and portals like this one can afford them. I've become a "Go To" person for friends, family, and customers which amazes me. I'm the kid from Catholic school who avoided homework and any extra assignments. I used to pay kids in school to do my work for me and now I look to find out how I can continue to be on top of my game. When customers give me their fax number, or a contractor says, "call my office", I tell them about MyOnlineToolbox.com and they are amazed at how they can get this to work for them.
From inspecting the homes in our community so others can pick up the remodeling "ball" and run with it is a great service. We all talk the same talk about the same clients, and I look forward to the technology going into the next phase so the contractor knows pretty much all he needs to know about the house before he or his crew step foot onto the property. Measurements of rooms can be shared by all of us with this portal, serial numbers and age/date of appliances will be shared amongst each other, and basically we'll all have knowledge of rooms, measurements, type of build out that's already in place, so it'll make estimating, getting signed bids back, ordering supplies from the home improvement store, and getting jobs so much easier for everyone.
| Submitted by: | Doug Flintrup 6/13/2007 4:18:33 AM PT |
| Location: | Loxahatchee FL |
| Occupation: | Owner - First American Restoration Inc |
I’m a baby boomer. My daughter is an “X”er. When someone says lets order pizza, I reach for the directory, she turns on the computer. I can’t the find the coupon I saved from the mail. She searched in Google for a promotional code. I’ll call and get a busy signal. She gets a confirmation her order was received and they never ask for the address and she just clicks “same order as last time”. I don’t like it. I still find myself ordering pizza over the phone. The other day I asked myself why? I guess I just don’t understand it. I’m trying MyOnlineToolBox. Maybe it’ll make time for more pizza with my daughter.
| Submitted by: | Timothy A. Blood (eastcoastdesign@juno.com) 6/8/2007 10:59:26 AM PT |
| Location: | Wellington |
| Occupation: | Pressure Cleaning |
MOLTB helps me organize my materials cost by going online checking costs and submitting it to through my business to bill our customers. The resources also achieve different routes to organization and locating customers.
| Submitted by: | No name so ex cant use against me (nomane@yahoo.com) 6/7/2007 6:20:37 AM PT |
| Location: | Florida |
| Occupation: | trying to be a Gen X contractor |
Forget more sales, how about more time? My ex-wife argues with me to do my books but have no time. I am learning how easy this Myonlinetool internet thing is, and cant wait to control my own money. The other things like my purchasing to my bud at the Depot is cool, but getting my ex off my back will be the best!
| Submitted by: | Anthony B. 6/6/2007 7:08:05 AM PT |
| Location: | Royal Palm Beach Fl |
| Occupation: | Home Depot employee |
I’ve been working at Home Depot for two years. I work at the contractor services desk where I have received purchase orders from a contractor using MyOnlineToolBox. I like getting them. The SKU number and everything I need is there and it’s legible. The whole process is faster me. Errors? What errors? I’ve seen a similar attempt in the past but this system is much better for us back here. I hope more are coming.
| Submitted by: | Jeff Kipper (jdmbeachesinc@gmail.com) 6/5/2007 8:46:59 AM PT |
| Location: | FL |
| Occupation: | Owner JDM of the Palm Beaches |
I was a manager with UPS for 13 years before starting my property services company JDM of the Palm Beaches. UPS is a leader in automation so I am accustomed to the benefits of technology. I’ve outgrown competitors quickly by implementing technology tools including the BlackBerry to manage my business from the field and to increase my availability. Technology will take the repetitive processes of a business and make them easier and faster with less error. This equals customer satisfaction. More is needed to compete for generation X. I am now using MyOnlineToolBox with great anticipation.
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