Chris Hartley is the Vice President of Operations & Marketing for Dunhill Homes & Nathan Carlisle Homes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has 15 years of New Home Sales Experience as an On-site Sales Representative, Corporate Sales Trainer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Vice President of Operations. In addition, he is a Certified Trainer for the Texas Real Estate Commission and a public speaker. Chris has worked with both public and private homebuilders across the United States, and has earned many professional awards, including being recognized in Professional Builder Magazine‘s 40 Under 40 in 2018.
At the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in February, Chris will participate in two Tech Bytes, “Disrupting the Home Buying Journey: Artificial Intelligence, Mobile Messaging & More” and “Let Your Lead Data Lead the Way: Marketing Attribution 101” and one Master Session, “The Customer Experience Funnel: Best Practices for Profitability.”
We caught up with Chris to get a sneak peek into his sessions.
NAHB: Without giving too much away, what will people learn at your IBS Education session?
CHRIS: With all three sessions that I am involved in, the audience will walk away knowing that there are many new and exciting ways of doing things that will make us all better, provide a more enriching experience to our buyers and make our companies more profitable.
NAHB: What is the one thing you are looking forward to the most while attending IBS?
CHRIS: The networking! It’s second to none!
NAHB: What’s the best hangout spot at IBS and why?
CHRIS: Because I am a sales and marketing junkie, I am obsessed with attending all the education sessions and learning all of the new and exciting things that are going on within our industry.
NAHB: What is the most interesting industry trend for 2019?
CHRIS: The customer has more of a voice now than ever. With the rapid rise of social media, “brand assassins” have become an everyday part of our world. How we respond to negative posts, reviews and threats from customers has dramatically changed the way we look at all that we do.
NAHB: What do you predict will happen in the next 5 to 10 years in the industry?
CHRIS: The builders that can figure out a way to truly make the home buying experience exciting, memorable and positive will crush those who refuse to evolve.
NAHB: What is the biggest challenge in the industry at the moment?
CHRIS: Affordable housing that people get excited about living in.
NAHB: What is one piece of practical advice you would give to someone starting out?
CHRIS: God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen more than you speak!
NAHB: What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
CHRIS: Flipping houses.
NAHB: What’s the last book you read?
CHRIS: You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero.
NAHB: If you had unlimited funds to build a house that you’d live in for the rest of your life, what are the top three features it would have?
CHRIS: A bar, a gym and a movie theatre.
NAHB: What’s in your fridge right now?
CHRIS: Red Bull and Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee.
NAHB: If you could do another job just for one day, what would it be?
CHRIS: Be a musician.
NAHB: If you could dis-invent one thing, what would it be?
CHRIS: Smartphones.
NAHB: If you could be a member of any TV-sitcom family, which would it be?
CHRIS: Hands down, the Goldbergs.
NAHB: If you inherited a private jet from a stranger, what would you do with it?
CHRIS: I would first make sure I was not being set up for a drug bust and that the plane was legit! Then I would fly around the United States and pick up my friends to spend equal time in the mountains and on the beach.
NAHB: What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out that they weren’t going to make it anymore?
CHRIS: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
NAHB: Do you have a success quote to share?
CHRIS: Be the difference that is the difference.
NAHB: In three words or less, what is your prediction for the building industry in 2019?
CHRIS: Ripe for disruption.