Communication Ideas in Today's Tech Saavy World

It's funny how sometimes you get the feeling that certain messages are destined to be received or sent because everywhere you turn they are coming up.

In the last few weeks I have delivered several sessions on technology and how people can harness the power of some very cool tools that are available to today's Realtor and general public. Among these cool tools are:

• Blogger - An easy to use blog system from the fine folks at Google
• EyeJot - Video email in a blink. Log on, sign up, connect a web-cam and start communicating with your friends, family and clients in a much more personal way
• Jott - This really cool messaging system assures that you won't forget ideas and appointments anymore because you don't have a pen, paper, calendar or a good memory.
• Flip Video - These easy to carry and easy to use videos cameras allow you to get pictures, on the spot testimonials or video tours of your newest listings.
• Social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace and Meetup
  

We'll explore some of these in later posts but today the message I seem to be directed to post is about our overall usage of technology. Sure, there is a lot of it out there and sure, it would take a lot of time to learn how to effectively use it. But if you just blocked out 20 minutes a day to read a few blogs, 30 minutes a week to post to a blog, one hour to explore the public side of real estate web sites and stay updated on what the consumers are seeing and doing, you'd be a better Realtor.

Marketing guru and author Seth Godin has a fantastic blog and in a recent post he shares a simple quiz that you can take to determine your level of competence when it comes to succeeding in today's Web 2.0 world. Be sure to read his "Email checklist" that we should all begin to adhere to, myself included.

One other message on the same topic I received today in my blog feeds was a message directed specifically at Realtors and their email replies they commonly send to clients or potential clients. It is called "Five Phrases to Drop From Your Emails" and it comes from the very useful website CKGTV.com.

I hope you can visit some of these links as they may help you see some opportunities for you to enhance your levels of service, both internally and externally.

Until next time...Build Relationships...Solve Problems...and Have Fun!

The One That Might Cost You Business?

Have you ever heard the saying "easier said than done"? One might apply that comment to a physical task such as high jumping, swinging a golf club or running a marathon. They might use that statement when speaking of time management, financial savings or political claims. You might also see how that statement could be uttered when people read our 13th Business Principle.

As people of integrity, we conduct ourselves with the highest ethical standards.

I have found it certainly is one of those principles that everyone wants to piggy back on and say that is how they run their businesses as well as the way they live their lives. I have also been alive for almost 41 years now and a full-time Realtor for over ten years and I see too many people who live "below the line" or have selective amnesia of this concept.

In most situations in real estate there is black and there is white. Anytime you have a system with black and white, people love to find areas of gray. There might be some things that are light gray while others are very dark gray.

I just know this...if you truly run your business by holding firm to your ideas of integrity and ethical standards, it will cost you business. Are you okay with that? I hope you are because these definitions seem to be very subjective to each person.

Do you review your Code of Ethics each year when they are published in REALTOR Magazine?
Have you ever questioned another Realtor's behavior or business practices?
If you felt they were acting in a manner inconsistent with the Code, did you utilize the proper protocols provided by your Board of Realtors to report this potential violation?

I often wonder why people feel they have been treated in an unethical manner by Realtors of other companies yet aren't as quick to point the finger at fellow agents within their own company. I would like to think that is because our own agents act ethically 100% of the time as that would mean our leadership, training and culture is doing what it is supposed to do.

But I also know that we are all humans and our perceptions and realities differ from person to person and from day to day.

In my humble opinion, it comes down to two things; The Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have done to you) and Personal Accountability. Worry about yourself first, second and third and only then should you spend your time worrying about another.

I challenge all of you to continue to hold your expectations and services high above the line of ethical integrity. It will make you, your company and your industry better. And if an opportunity comes along that tempts you to go "below the line" have the courage, strength and trust in yourself to walk away and find the opportunities that are plentiful and await you "above the line."

Pay attention the next time you sit in one of the mandatory Ethics CE classes, read the Code of Ethics when it arrives in your mailbox next January, and most importantly, live the Code of Ethics in your daily activities.





What's your take on this Business Principle? Do you think there is a "line" when it comes to ethics? Are you comfortable walking away from those situations that might tempt you to go against your beliefs? Please leave me a comment.

Until next time...Build relationships...Solve Problems...and Have fun.


Sean

What Are you Waiting For, Mr. Buyer?

It's hard to be a Buyer in the current market because you're not sure if we're at the bottom yet. Most people would love to "time the market" but that's virtually impossible because you won;t know when we actually hit the "bottom" until home prices start going back up.

This could cost you a lot of money and cuase a bit more stress than is necessary.

Check out this article from Rasmussen Reports and see why now might be a great time to buy.

Thanks for a Job Well Done

Isn't it nice to hear "Thanks for a job well done" every once in a while? It really doesn't matter who says it, how they say it or when they say it or even why they say it. The sheer fact that someone has taken a moment in today's fast-paced "what's in it for me" world makes your day.

Obviously it means a lot more when you are recognized for your efforts by certain people in your lives - spouses, parents, children, managers, staff and customers. This is such an important key to success in today's world that it is one of our 14 Business Principles:

We seek opportunities to recognize excellence.

"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.“ This quote comes from Abraham Lincoln and certainly points out the important fact that we should never be doing good work just to earn recognition. We do good work because that is our job. Remember...people don't usually recognize average or poor performance so you must strive to be "excellent. A quote hanging on the wall in my office reminds us that "Doing what's required only prevents customer dissatisfaction. We must do more than is required to truly satisfy a customer."

What type of recognition excites you? Public praise?

"The rewards go to the risk-takers, those who are willing to put their egos on the line and reach out to other people and to a richer, fuller life for themselves.” --Susan Roane

In our company we have started the Gotcha! program where agents, managers and staff can recognize those employees who have gone "above and beyond" the call of duty. Have you been "caught doing something good" yet? Have you observed someone doing something that made you stop and say "wow!"? If so, be sure to recognize them.

If you seek more of the private type of recognition, be sure to be visible in what you do and look for people's praise and recognitions in their reactions and facial expressions. Maybe just someones laughter or smile will be the recognition you need.

Finally, if financial reward is what makes you strive for excellence, never under value yourself. You must believe in your product or service with all your heart and then put a price on it that makes you feel excited to deliver everything you have. It's been said that in the absence of value price will always be a factor so believe in yourself and the value you bring. Aim for a full fee on your next listing presentation. You will be glad you did.

"We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.” --Earl Nightingale

Please leave me your comments on this post or the idea of recognizing excellence in general. Who have you seen providing "truly remarkable service" this week? What did you do to recognize their efforts?

Until next time...build relationships...solve problems...and have fun

We're All In This Together

As the father of a "tweener" daughter I have been subjected to my share of Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Total Drama Island and High School Musical. These are all shows on The Disney Channel that are aimed at that "tweener" age group - not old enough to be teenagers but older than a toddler. I guess this would officially be 7-12 year olds.

My daughter Riley is a nine-year-old falls right into that group so I am quite familiar with the likes of Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana's alter ego) as well as High School Musical's stars, Zach and Gabriella. They are today's equivalent of Danny Zuko and Sandra Dee from our generation's summer "tweener" classic, Grease.

I know what you're probably saying, "Okay Sean, what the heck does The Disney Channel, pre-acne pop culture or High School Musical have to do with real estate and our continuing look at the company's 14 Business Principles?" Relax...I'm about to get there.

In our day we had songs like "Summer Lovin", "Greased Lightning" and "You're the One That I Want" to sing along to. The main song from the High School Musical soundtrack is a song titled "We're All In This Together" and it talks about how working as a team allows people who may offer different things to come together, do things right and help each other. It sounds quite similar to our Business Principle #11:

To provide the highest level of customer service, we support our

family of companies and strategic partners

The real estate experience has become very intricate and in order to provide the highest level of customer service to our customers and clients, we must continue to focus on the area of the transaction that we are best trained to handle, the real estate portion. In fact, our Code of Ethics demands it. See Code of Ethics, Article 11

Our company has made this easier by creating a "one stop shopping" experience for our customers and clients. Not only does this make sense from a business sense allowing for added revenue sources in a belt-tightening industry but the consumer is demanding it. Today's client doesn't have time to go to a real estate office, financial institution, lawyer, title company, insurance office and inspection location and still try to handle the other aspects of their move try to live their lives. They want to get it all in one spot so let's try to "give the people what they want."

Spend more time prospecting for new clients or developing deeper relationships with your current clients while your mortgage advisor from Coldwell Banker Home Loans assists your clients with their mortgage approval process. Attend to your personal obligations, hobbies or community interests with a peace of mind knowing that our title partners are handling the details that will assure a smooth closing. Take advantage of the relationships that have been built over the years by referring people to our Concierge, Insurance and Home Warranty departments.

When you support your "teammates" you can do so knowing that everyone has the same goal - to get your clients to the finish line in the shortest time, with the least amount of inconvenience while keeping the lines of communication open to all parties.

Give them an opportunity to earn your continued business each and every day just like you would appreciate their continued efforts to build, support and maintain your business. It's an old adage but in this case it certainly applies - T.E.A.M - Together Everyone Achieves More.

How have you leveraged your relationships with our strategic partners and family of companies to grow your business? Add a comment to this blog and share your success stories with me.

Until next time...Build Relationships...Solve Problems and Have Fun

Check out the video from the movie High School Musical of the cast singing "We're All In This Together"