Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2008 - (Page 46)

THE LAST WORD Industry Diversity Provides Perspective If you want to know where your thoughts and opinions align with those of others in this country, it is pretty easy to figure out. There are public opinion polls on just about everything. In fact, with a Presidential election on the immediate horizon, there are a plethora of them. According to PollingReport.com, there are at least 15 national polls on who will be elected the next U.S. President. (Ironically, on September 19, six polls showed John McCain leading, five had Barack Obama in front, and four show them in a dead-heat.) Every year, we conduct a Sustainable Land Development Today online readership survey via email. What makes this survey unique (which is the same thing that makes our magazines unique and valuable to the industry) is that it provides an industry-wide perspective. SLDT readers are a diverse group of builders, developers, engineers, government regulators, landscape architects, etc. that work for one-man shops all the way to billion-dollar organizations from every big city and corner of the continent. They are men and women from all age groups. While the survey was conducted this summer, before the latest September financial gyrations involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the insurance or the stock market, we believe that the status of our industry, while certainly impacted by these, has not changed dramatically. The land development industry was already experiencing a long-term decline in the Which factors do you feel will affect your organization next year Gas Prices Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 6.6% 35.7% 57.7% 2007 responders 21.1% 50.8% 28.1% Housing market Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 10.4% 28.3% 61.2% 2007 responders 11.0% 32.0% 57.0% Finding Employees Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 48.8% 37.4% 13.8% 2007 responders 42.0% 35.0% 23.0% National economy Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 4.1% 40.4% 55.5% 2007 responders 10.3% 60.0% 29.7% Regional economy Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 6.9% 39.4% 53.7% 2007 responders 13.3% 47.2% 39.5% Local economy Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 9.7% 38.7% 51.6% 2007 responders 14.7% 41.7% 43.7% Government regulations Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 14.2% 43.1% 42.7% 2007 responders 14.6% 42.5% 42.9% Political climate (U.S.) Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 16.7% 36.9% 46.4% 2007 responders 18.5% 41.9% 39.6% Political climate (world) Not concerned Somewhat concerned Very concerned 2008 responders 18.1% 46.7% 35.2% 2007 responders 22.1% 45.5% 32.4% By Greg Yoko housing market – especially in the areas that have been booming. While the industry as a whole believes the market will begin to rebound next year, I would be remiss not to reference an article published on these pages a few months ago by a SLDI board member, Skip Preble (“Hang in ‘til 2010.”) It presents some sound perspective on what looks to be slow turn around the economic cycle to growth. Of course, we could not resist asking a question about the upcoming election either. We asked a specific question as to which candidate readers thought would be best for our industry. Not surprisingly, individuals in our industry had not made a definitive selection since the survey was taken before the conventions and vice-presidential selections. However, it does confirm that the race for the Oval office is unpredictable and will not likely be determined until all of the votes are counted. SLDT About the author: Greg Yoko is president of industry relations with Sustainable Land Development International % 40% Business this year compared to last year % 35% % 30% % 25% % 20% % 15% % 10% % 5% % 0% Much worse Much worse Slightly worse About the same Slightly better Slightly worse About thesame Slightly better Much better Much better 5 0% 4 0% 4 0% 3 0% 3 0% 2 0% 2 0% 1 0% 1 0% 5 0% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 0% I expect our business next year to be 2008 respondents 2007 respondents Much worse Much worse Slightly worse About the same Slightly better Slightly worse About thesame Slightly better Much better Much better 46 October 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.PollingReport.com http://www.PollingReport.com

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Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources Dynamic Duo Holding Your Ground Technology Low Impact Stormwater Management Seeking Your Feedback Preferred Providers Bookstore Back from the Brink Finance Transportation Building Smart Industry News Advertiser Index Products/Services Showcase Marketplace Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2008

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