Delaware Homebuilder, Schell Brothers, Earns Five More Nationals with a Business Strategy Based on Happiness

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Money really can't buy happiness but, at Schell Brothers, the opposite may be true as the company has turned happiness into a profitable and award-winning business strategy. On January 12th, leaders in the homebuilding industry gathered in Orlando for The National Association of Homebuilders' 30th Annual National Sales and Marketing Awards.   The event honored recipients for innovation, creativity and endurance in the homebuilding industry.  All the big builders were there, but Schell Brothers, a small and young "underdog", stole the show by winning five Gold Nationals.  Based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Schell Brothers is a local builder whose mission revolves around the happiness of its employees and customers.  As the awards mounted, it became evident that the company had translated its positive culture into business success amid one of the toughest years the homebuilding 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 with each award.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110121/PH33938 )

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 over 500 guests.  Perhaps it's no accident that Schell Brothers also more than doubled sales and profits last year.  The company has proven that when a team truly enjoys working together, they can achieve just about anything, regardless of market conditions.  Dan Kauffman, National Salesperson 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." 

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.  Talk to the residents at Independence, a 55+ community by Schell Brothers, and they'll tell you that one of their prized possessions is the hand-crafted beer pong table made for them by their friends at Schell Brothers.  After receiving the table, the Independence community responded by hosting a spirited party for Schell Brothers employees, complete with great food, cocktails, and yes... drinking games. 

Schell Brothers will add the five Gold Nationals 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 national awards for Salesperson of the Year, Best Product Design of a Single Family Home, Best Builder Website, Best TV Commercial, and Best Staging of a New Home.  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.

So, why would any builder – large or small – spend the money to send 25 people to the International Builder Show and then to Disney World after?  Chris Schell sums it up this way, "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.  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 located at 55 Cascade Lane, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. In addition to creating a great company culture, twin brothers Chris and Preston Schell have set the standard for home building excellence and responsible land use in Coastal  Delaware. To get a glimpse inside this company's unique culture, visit www.schellbrothers.com or give them a call 302-226-1994.

SOURCE Schell Brothers

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