Schell Brothers honored for award-winning business strategy
Money really can’t buy happiness, but at Schell Brothers
, the opposite may be true. The company has turned happiness into a profitable and award-winning business strategy.
Leaders in the home-building industry gathered in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 12, for the National Association of Homebuilders’ 30th Annual National Sales and Marketing Awards. The event honored recipients for innovation, creativity and endurance in the home-building industry. All the big builders were there, but Schell Brothers - a small and young underdog - stole the show by winning five Gold National Awards.
Based in Rehoboth Beach, Schell Brothers’ mission revolves around the happiness of its employees and customers. As the awards mounted, it became evident the company had translated its positive culture into business success amid one of the toughest years the home-building industry has ever seen.
Emcee Tim Sullivan acknowledged the contagious spirit of the 25 Schell Brothers employees in attendance as they leapt to their feet and danced as each award was presented.
The Schell Brothers story is big news in an industry that has been plagued with negativity over the past several years. Most builders have removed morale-building activities such as team trips and holiday parties, in an effort to cut costs. Schell Brothers has done exactly the opposite, increasing its company activities and perks in 2010, along with hosting a homeowner appreciation dinner party for more than 500 guests.
Schell Brothers more than doubled sales and profits last year. The company has proven that when a team truly enjoys working together, it can achieve just about anything, regardless of market conditions. Dan Kauffman, national salesman of the year, summed up the company’s mission as he accepted his award: “When you work for a company that has our kind of culture, it is impossible not to be attracted to it. And when people find that kind of happiness, they will purchase a home no matter what the market is doing.”
Firm has unique style
The Schell Brothers culture of happiness plays out in a variety of ways, most notably the happy stories created for each customer based on the buyer’s unique tastes and needs. Owner Chris Schell holds company meetings on the beach and encourages excellence and creativity among his team. Throughout the home-buying experience, employees and homeowners develop friendships that often last long after the home is built.
For example, Schell Brothers hand crafted a beer-pong table for the residents at Independence, a 55-plus community. After receiving the table, the Independence community responded by hosting a spirited party for Schell Brothers employees.
Schell Brothers will add the five Gold National Awards to the two received by the company last year.
The scope of honors presented to Schell Brothers speaks volumes about the company, as the team accepted the following national honors: Salesperson of the Year Award, Best Product Design of a Single Family Home Award, Best Builder Website Award, Best TV Commercial Award and Best Staging of a New Home Award. The company also received Silver Awards for best integrated internet marketing campaign, best print campaign, best unique space, and best product design of a custom or spec home.
Marketing Director Debby Coughlan commented that the awards were especially gratifying because all the work is handled in house by the Schell Brothers team.
Employees treated well
Schell Brothers not only sent 25 people to the International Builder’s Show, but it also paid for them to go to Disney World afterward. “American business has become so focused on profit as the only objective that decisions are often made without consideration for the effect on morale and culture,” said Schell.
“Employee morale and company culture are far more critical to a company’s success than saving a few dollars by cost-cutting measures. Ironically, we’ve increased our profit during the downturn precisely because we didn’t focus on profit.
“We focus purely on the happiness of our team and our customers. Everything else just seems to take care of itself.”
Schell Brothers is at 55 Cascade Lane, Rehoboth Beach. 302-226-1994
