Meet Our Speakers Series: Linda Herbert

Linda Herbert, president of Diversified Marketing and Communications, is an expert sales and
marketing consultant for the building industry. She’s a national speaker on many
topics, including the female buyer, social media, product design and the art of
networking, to name a few, and she will be speaking at the  NAHB International  Builders’ Show® (IBS) in January. We caught up
with her a few weeks ago to get her perspective on the industry and how to achieve
a balanced life, and we asked her a few other fun questions, too.

NAHB: What are
a few things you look forward to while attending IBS?
LINDA: For
starters, I really enjoy attending the education sessions and walking the show
floor because I always find something new and interesting that I can use in my
model homes. However, the best part of attending IBS is reconnecting with
friends in the industry and sharing experiences and ideas from across the
country. 

NAHB: What is
your favorite blog that you read regularly and why?
LINDA: I enjoy
reading the mRelevance blog by
Carol Morgan. She is always current and has great promotional ideas and online
strategies that are easy to follow. 

NAHB: Do you
have a favorite vacation spot?
LINDA: Anywhere
there is an ocean. I just got back from the Virgin Islands and could not
believe the color of the water. I find the ocean to be truly relaxing, and being
near it allows me to recharge. 

NAHB: If you
were stranded in the desert, what three items would you want with you?
LINDA: Water,
of course, shade and a friend to keep me company! 

NAHB: You’re
located in the San Francisco area. Is there one must-do item that you’d
recommend to out-of-town visitors?
LINDA: Some
ideas include: walking around downtown San Francisco-both during the day and at
night, taking a cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge or heading to Napa Valley
Wine Country.

NAHB: Fill in
the blank: Favorite ____.
LINDA: I have
a favorite pair of shoes-not because they are pretty or the most fashionable.
My favs are a pair of red Converse sneakers that I have worn to the Grand
Opening of every community I have been involved with for over 20 years. I call
them my lucky sneakers, and my clients now look for them and applaud when they
see them on my feet. Admittedly, the sneakers are getting a bit worn, but I
wouldn’t trade them for anything. Let’s keep the luck going! 

NAHB: What
industry trends are you noticing?
LINDA: More
online advertising opportunities. There are more companies vying for online ad
dollars, and the costs seem to be finally coming down. I’ve found that you need
to shop well, as many of the offerings are the same, just packaged differently. 

For the home, smart home technology is big right now, as are
painted cabinets, with white and gray continuing to be popular. Hardwood floors
or tile that looks like hardwood are becoming almost a must. I am also seeing a
growing interest in multi-generational living and the need for outdoor living
spaces.

NAHB: What’s
the best book you’ve read in the last year?
LINDA: Stephen
King’s, Dr. Sleep, which is the sequel
to The Shining. Why? Because I read
the whole thing sitting on a balcony overlooking the ocean in St. Thomas while on
vacation. Sometimes you just need to relax with a mindless read. 

NAHB: What is
the best advice you can give industry professionals looking to find balance in
their lives?
LINDA: A few
things, actually.

  • Prioritize your day. Make a list of what needs to be done, and
    tackle the tough ones first because we all tend to put those off. For me, physically
    crossing items off my list creates a feeling of accomplishment.
  • Don’t get caught up in office politics. I tend to be a nose-to-the-grindstone
    person that doesn’t do a lot of chatting when I’m in the office. If you have a
    door, close it when you need to concentrate. Others will understand.
  • Be realistic. Under-promise and over-deliver.
  • Be there for your teammates. Support them any way you can.
  • Network with others in your field. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
    You can learn shortcuts and save time by not having to research what someone
    already knows.
  • Make time for yourself and exercise. You will be more productive if
    you are happy and healthy. 

NAHB: Use three
words to describe your prediction for the building industry in 2017.
LINDA: Strong.
Solid. Interesting. 

Linda is scheduled to present two sessions at IBS: “Home
by 5:30: Your Daily Playbook” on Tuesday, January 10 and “Overcoming the
Perceptions of the North American Salesperson: Selling Successfully Across
Cultures” on Thursday, January 12. Get the complete details on her sessions here

Keep in mind that as part of your full registration, you’ll
have access to over 130
sessions
across 8 different building industry topic tracks. Register for IBS today.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *