‘For one week in June, the homebuilding industry professionals gathered to ask the critical questions, to learn and to network. From the educational programs to the extensive product displays, the conversations focused on the core issues driving creativity, productivity and profitability. That’s what drove the dialogue, speakers and exhibits at PCBC® 2008.’
Attending the Opening Breakfast, I joined my SMC San Diego board member, and friend Megan Bristol of PDI and her associate. Also at my table, I met Leslie Dunham and Eric Armstrong of Fuscoe Engineering from Orange County and San Diego. My brother-in-law, Michael Wolfe works with Fuscoe, small world. It was great to see Bob Cummings of Barratt American, Lora Heramb of Brookfield Homes (with a broken foot) and Gail Crocenzie from the Otay Ranch Company.
The program began with a local musical group, Glide Ensemble of San Francisco waking us up with infectious rhythm, jazz, blues and spiritual music. They were fabulous, energetic and joyful. What a great way to begin a day, a conference with such enthusiasm, joy and hope.
Ken Aden of The Otay Ranch Company and Chair of PCBC led with opening remarks; welcoming a full room of industry professionals. He shared a story of a recent opportunity where he met and introduced his son to Adrian Gonzales of the San Diego Padres. He asked Adrian what was the most difficult thing he faced in major league baseball. Adrian responded that the toughest thing was to work through injuries. You need to be tough and keep going when you are hurt. As our industry is facing extraordinary challenges, we need to be tough. Kent’s theme and direction is that together as an industry and as individuals we have the Power to make changes, move FORWARD with positive attitudes, and SUSTAIN.
Guest speaker Carly Fiorina – “Tough Choices” fabulous! Throughout an extraordinary career, Carly Fiorina has repeatedly defied the odds and blazed new trails. As chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard from 1999 to 2005, she inherited a mandate to transform the legendary but complacent company during the technology industry’s deepest downturn in 25 years. Under her leadership, H-P doubled in revenue, achieved the highest rate of innovation in company history, and integrated the controversial acquisition of Compaq — now acknowledged to be the most successful merger in high-tech history. Today, Fiorina serves as a strategic advisor to government, business and nonprofit organizations. Her memoir, Tough Choices, is an international bestseller translated into 12 languages.
Key points:
Leadership – see possibilities, essence in people and circumstances and make a positive difference and helping others do the same.
Changes – driving positive change. A Spanish work ‘carenzia’ it is the spot in the bull ring, where the bull is most comfortable. “It is the spot in the bull ring where the bull returns when he is threatened. As the bull is threatened more frequently, the more the bull returns to his carenzia again and again. And although the bull believes he retreats to safety, the more he puts himself in grave danger. He becomes easier and easier to attack. We cannot return to our comfort zones. We cannot retreat to the familiarity of how it used to be.” She also said “our history was not a guarantee of our future.” History, our past experiences is something we build on as we move forward. Carly said ‘life heaven, everyone wants to go there but no one wants to die.’ “Change is a season it may look the bleakest but it is the right time for change, to do things differently. Leaders see these opportunities, possibilities and provide a compelling vision. Act within the season of change.”
Carly made these statements regarding the 21st century. Ready or not; change is a fact. It is coming faster than we can imagine.
1) Globalization – it is a new world; any job can go anywhere. Anybody can play
2) Technology – everything is being transformed; digital bits, bites and mobile; photos, music, blogs, and virtural.
3) Personal Power – Power is an individual’s choice and it is convenient. Individuals can get any piece of information, anytime, anyplace. They are able to obtain information to make a decision./ There fact, fiction, experts, gossip puts a level playing field for everyone
4) Perspective – the ability to keep the rest of the world in mind. Competitors, and peers – what are they doing?
Highest calling, where is the line? Nothing is worth crossing the line. Globally there is conflict, disease, terrorism.
Move forward with equal measure of realistic optimism. We have the ability to know, and believe, have faith that things will be better. Nothing is possible without optimism.
Technology allows us to unlock potential for everyone, everywhere. Technology can unlock more human potential.
Wednesday afternoon at PCBC I attended the Women’s Council luncheon. I met my new acquaintance, Leslie Dunham, Terri Everhart of MSI. The speaker M.J. Ryan, best-selling author, speaker, and former CEO who spoke about Managing Energy for High Performance. In this talk, Ryan talked about the science of resilience, explaining why, to be a truly high performing business woman; you must take care of yourself. She discussed for instance, the relationship between stress, obesity and insomnia, as well as the effects of overexertion on decision-making, positive mood and ability to handle business ups and downs. She shared how to assess you in four domains of wellness and will leave armed with tools to increase performance and sustain lasting positive change.
1) Assess the current situation
2) Adjust what needs to be done
I am involved in a committed life coaching program called 5-5-5. At 5:15 A.M., 5 days a week I join a conference call led by the amazing Shawna Schuh. There is a theme for each week; i.e., Humor, focus, goals, forgiveness and a new word to learn. We are from assorted lifestyles, careers, family situations, from many locations in the country. Monday morning on my call I noted one of the members, Jeanne Pearl would be attending PCBC. Through our coach, the incredible Shawna Schuh, I asked for an introduction. Jeanne and I got in touch with one another and planned and met at the convention center. Ms. Jeanne Pearl of JW Williams Staffing and I chatted for a little over an hour getting to know one another a little more.
Jeanne is well known in her circle of influence in northern California. She is dynamic, genuine, a professional, dedicated, caring, fun. We found we had a mutual friend, Chip Pearson of the Dahlin Group. Jeanne also introduced me to her friend, and now also mine, Debi Garlic – Warmington Homes.
I met Chip and Jeanne at the first social event Wednesday evening. They were gracious and fun introducing me to many fabulous industry people. I met Jonel Jackson and Steve Linton of First Horizon Home Loan Corp., Connie Johnson – Robb & Stucky Interiors, Sean Griffin – Silverstone Communities, Joseph Perkins – HBA President & CEO of Northern California, and Cheryl O’Connor – SummerHill Homes to name a few. Throughout the evening, I ran into many, friends and colleagues.
Barbara Rossoll
V.P. Sales and Marketing
New Homes Directory.com
