IBS Education is always buzzing with activity at the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) each year. The 2023 IBS Education sessions happening Jan 31 – Feb 2 at our Vegas show are coming in hot. If you haven’t already, register for an Expo+Education Pass to experience everything IBS and IBS Education has to offer.
IBS Education sessions are your chance to learn from the top industry experts and experts in their field at IBS 2023: The Essential Industry Experience.
Meet One of the Expert Speakers at IBS in Vegas: Taylor Burtner
Taylor Burtner is the director of sales for Manuel Builders. He has spent more than 10 years in new home construction in Lafayette, Louisiana, gaining a broad knowledge of how the business works. He began as an electrician’s helper and quickly progressed through multiple positions including warranty, superintendent and building consultant.
An impassioned member of his church, Taylor brings his energy and authenticity to every role, inspiring others to learn, grow and serve — as individuals and teams. The success of the People Over Production approach at Manuel Builders is easily quantifiable with the average tenure of sales professionals being six years and production skyrocketing from 150 homes a year to over 400 homes in the last five years alone.
Taylor is slated to present “People Over Production: How to Make Your Business Growth POP,” a Building Knowledge session at the Builders’ Show.
Get to Know Taylor
We caught up with Taylor to get a sneak peek into his session at the Builders’ Show and get to know him a little better.
What information or actionable takeaways can attendees expect to walk away with from your session?
Whether you’ve been hit by the Great Resignation or want to learn more about building a healthy corporate culture, you’ll find value in this presentation from experienced industry leaders.
- Understand what prompts people to leave and how to use that information to build a solution.
- Learn the People Over Production principle: What it is and why it works.
- Identify the characteristics of an intrapreneur and explore the value of supporting this mindset in individuals who seek more ownership of their responsibilities, opportunities, and achievements.
- Discover how to improve communication with individuals and teams to read the workplace environment, intercede appropriately and effectively, and build confidence and loyalty.
What are you most looking forward to at IBS?
This year is my first year attending IBS. I am looking forward to hearing from other industry experts, learning new trends and building relationships that I am able to bring back to and implement at my company.
What advice would you give to someone attending the Builders’ Show for the first time?
Since I am a first timer myself, I would say to find the presentations that align with what you are most passionate about to attend.
Where is the best place to be at IBS? Why?
People Over Production is an obvious answer to this question! Our intention is to add as much value to sales and marketing leadership as possible.
What is the most interesting 2023 industry trend?
Here in south Louisiana, the most popular trends are the modern farmhouses with the stark whites, black trim windows, grey scale interiors. We also see a lot of carport/garages where clients add a garage face and automatic door to the front of a carport, giving the appearance of a garage, but still the usage of a carport.
The industry has changed so much in the last five years. What changes do you think we’ll see in the next five years?
Again, in south Louisiana, I feel as though we get through trends slower than other areas in the country. The newer trends that we have yet to see here are the earthly tones making a comeback, but also options such as a door between a pantry and a garage for easy access to unload groceries, or a freestanding tub being inside of larger shower instead of side by side.
Outside of trends, I believe we are a unique builder in the fact that we do both community (spec and presold) homes as well as custom (on your lot) homes. The community side of the business tends to trend with the national trends, however the custom side doesn’t always.
It is a focus of mine over the next five years to really develop the custom side of our business to be the most efficient we’ve ever been, continue to grow at a sustainable rate and expand outside of our state.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in the industry right now?
I believe there are multiple answers to this question. There are many challenges that will get thrown out very quickly, such as interest rates spiking and material costs skyrocketing, however those are external challenges that are outside of the control of your team and your leadership.
The great resignation and quiet quitting would be the two that I’d like to see talked about more. Burnout is real and it is drastically affecting our businesses because it is hurting the people that make our businesses possible. We as the leadership in this industry must focus on our people, invest in them emotionally as much as possible to create an environment where they feel secure, valued, and as if what they do makes a difference in the lives of the people around them. Production will quickly follow.
Taylor’s session is “People Over Production: How to Make Your Business Growth POP,” a Building Knowledge session at the Builders’ Show. It’s happening Feb 1, 8:30 – 9:30 AM. Register for the Builder’s Show Expo+Education Pass or a 1-Day Education Pass for Feb 1 to attend Taylor’s session.