Page 34 - Green Builder May-June 2020 Issue

“Digital Transformation”

Brett Joerger, CEO
Westhaven Solar, Yuba City, CA

GB: How is the coronavirus affecting your
company?
BJ: As a company, we’ve been very fortunate
that every one of our employees remains
healthy during this time. While it has made us
leaner as a team, we continue to operate and
accommodate customers on essential services
as appropriate. With permit jurisdictions
tightened up, we are able to service a select
number of cities and counties.
Overall, the pandemic has brought on
tremendous opportunities for us in terms of a
digital transformation. More than ever, it has
enabled us to meet our customers where they
are – and that is online.
GB: Did you expect this type of impact?
BJ: No one anticipates this kind of impact so GB: How impacted do you think your past mortgage meltdown. While we imagine
it will begin to slow down as builders and
soon nor can any protocol or strategic plan company will be if the coronavirus leads to companies trim their teams, we believe it
really address the needs of a business entirely, a recession? is an opportunity to explore clean energy
BJ: We are an essential part of sustaining
especially during a global health crisis. Where technology and automation for construction
we were six weeks ago compared to today is homes during this time, especially during and homebuilding.
inconceivable. However, as a next-gen visionary the upcoming wildfire season and power
shutdowns. We are on a cost-absorbing model
company on the front lines of driving a more GB: How do you think coronavirus will
sustainable future, this type of impact further and foresee the company strategically scaling impact consumer behavior in the short term
underscores the need for cleaner, reliable with the economy and customer demands. (30-60 days)?
BJ: Pre-lockdown, we saw everyone panic
energy in the world. GB: What are your customers doing
differently? purchase out of anxiety and from fear of
GB: What is your company doing to address BJ: Our customers are more engaged with shortage surrounding essential products.
the challenges caused by COVID-19? us online and over the phone. As we are an In the next few weeks, consumers will have
BJ: We’ve reevaluated our 2020 approach and adjusted to the new normal of a stay-at-home
execution across the organization. In this time essential part of their everyday lives and our lifestyle. The demand for new homes or home
products can improve the quality of life, there is
of uncertainty, we take it one day at a time building will continue to plunge in tandem with
because at the end of the day, we’re human too. a sense of urgency for our customers. They are the unemployment rate.
quicker to purchase than pre-COVID-19.
More driven than ever before by our purpose GB: How do you think coronavirus will
to bring reliable power and savings to our GB: How do you think the coronavirus will impact consumer behavior in the long term
customers, we begin each morning with a change the homebuilding sector in the (61+ days)?
huddle and disperse to conquer the day. short term (30-60 days)? BJ: We will see more house upgrades versus
As a team, we work diligently and remotely BJ: In the short term, we think it will slow down new project add-ons or property purchases
where we can, practice CDC guidelines, and and tread conservatively. However, given that because people want to improve the place in
continue to help sustain the energy optimization the sector continues to be an essential priority, which they live—especially as they spend 24/7
and efficiency of communities. we continue to see construction proceed in the home during this pandemic.
With limited resources and permit jurisdictions accordingly. Consumers will move into preservation mode
in some of our service areas, we do our best to GB: How do you think the coronavirus will for survival and only engage with essential
work smart. As such, our departments have change the homebuilding sector in the long and necessary products and services. For the
banded together as a collective to continue to term (61+ days)? general consumer, buying a home in a market
deliver on our company’s promise, regardless of BJ: We believe the homebuilding sector has where over 22 million are unemployed is a risky
the challenges. already experienced its recession from the business.

28 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2020 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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