Business Evolution

As years roll one into the next, successful businesses evolve to reflect changing market conditions. The December issues of the newsstand business magazines all include articles - most likely cover stories - on how to prepare for prosperity in the New Year.

The message: what worked in 2004 must evolve - change - into a new business strategy to ensure the same level of success in 2005.

As you can see from the cover, we took to heart a new business strategy for 2005. Success, in our definition, in 2005 means delivering a title that becomes your indispensable business resource - the new Custom Builder. Through interviews with dozens of readers we created departments and features to deliver the business building, business differentiating ideas that will contribute to a healthy and profitable 2005. Some highlights:

Details: This section of short news delivers stories of success from builders around the country. Also included is information on unique products and applications that could very well solve a problem of meet a need on one of your current projects. Look here for data on the industry. In this installment consumers tell their perceptions of green and energy- efficient building products and what they want to know about these materials from their builder.

Design Idea File: Need a new idea for a space? What about an exciting solution to a challenging site? This section is for you. Learn here about the breakthrough custom projects from all corners of the country. Read about the materials used, innovative solutions to construction problems and how to manage communication throughout the building process. This month a modern masterpiece in the Pacific Northwest demonstrates the power of a unifying design theme. Likewise, the outdoor living area in the featured Florida home shows how to create seamless transitions between the inside and outside.

Cover Feature: In that a builder's best teacher is another builder, here we'll tell your stories. This month we look at Charles Page, a architect and builder, who builds a new home every three to five years to reflect and - in a lot of cases - drive design changes in new home construction on Chicago's North Shore.

Builder's Own: High on the list of must-have, hard-to-find information is good information on building products. What works, why and for how long are the questions builders ask most often on building materials. To get you these answers, in each issue we interview Custom Builders to find out the products they wouldn't build a home without. Here Charlotte, N.C. luxury builder Alan Simonini of Simonini Homes gives you his top list. Each issue of Custom Builder will include this and much more. Together we can make this business strategy come to life. Share your stories with us. Tell us about your projects. We welcome your feedback and your input.