Young Guns

Hello all,

"Young Guns"

Next month we will be starting a new program in the office for our slightly younger agents, affiliates and friends of the office. The "Young Guns" program will be for anyone 35 or younger. It will be a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, we will have more experienced agents and affiliates do presentations and hopefully provide a good social platform for everyone as well. I enjoy quoting Walt Disney for these type of events "No one in the room is smarter then everyone in the room" so please come prepared to absorb and share ideas. The first get together will be 8/26, Noon at Lakewood Country Club for lunch (Flyer Attached). At the first meeting we will be discussing agendas, locations... for future meetings. Dana will be sending out a sign up sheet in the Wednesday memo and we would love to have as many of you participate as possible!

Time to get our toes out of the sand and our working shoes on for the second half of the year. Inventory levels are still fairly high and let's make it happen over the next couple of months, because, well, winter will be coming... 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

 

 

 

WHO'S GRADING YOUR EXAM?

 

Ah, the concepts of failure and success. Our perspective on each has an effect on nearly every aspect of our lives - work, play, and relationships. How do we define our failures and our successes, or our potential for each? If you're taking a multiple-choice exam, then the answer is pretty easy - it's how many correct answers you mark versus how many incorrect answers. The more you mark correctly, the more successful you are on the exam.

 

Although life can be seen as a series of "multiple choice" problems, there is not necessarily an instructor giving us the answers from which to choose, or who can "grade" our performance once we've chosen. It is really up to us to evaluate our choices and our actions. Yet so many of us look to others to measure our success.

 

Who's the top producer in your office? Who has the most base hits on your league's softball team? We often define success by a single aspect of someone's performance. Every person is an individual, who needs to decide for himself or herself how to define his or her success. If you're simply measuring yourself against everyone else, or what you believe everyone else expects of you, you may be cheating yourself out of true happiness.

 

Don't try to please everyone, because it simply cannot be done. But pleasing yourself is easy when you do the best you can - at work, at the gym, at home - and know in your heart that you've succeeded according to the goals you've established for yourself. Don't let anyone tell you that you're a failure because you haven't "measured up" against someone else or their definition of success.

 

You're a winner every day that you believe you're a winner. Start telling yourself today that you are a success, that you will be a success, and follow your ambition as far as it will lead you - that's all there is to it!

Happy Fathers Day & Shut Down Time

Hello all,

"Happy Fathers Day & Shut Down Time"

Happy Fathers Day to all of the dad's in the office! Time of year where the offices slow down a bit, no training's,  meetings... for the next month or so and this will be my last coffee until we ramp back up. The offices will be fully open and functional for everyone during this time however with vacations we don't plan any office functions. I hope everyone enjoys the summer break and thanks again for a great first half of the year!

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

 

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

I always wanted to be somebody. Now I realize I should have been more specific.

 

 

~ Lily Tomlin (from her "One Woman Show")

 

 

AGE DOESN'T MATTER!

 

Whether you're 23, 43 or 73, ask yourself this wonderfully refreshing question: "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Regardless of our age, it's so easy to lose sight of the specific "somebody" we always wanted to be. What's more, the "somebody" we had in mind in our 20's may be someone different in our 50's.

 

Worse yet, maybe we grew up to be the "somebody" someone else had in mind - like our mother or father. The influence of those around us often prevents us from even asking the question "What do I want to be . . . ?" We try so hard to be their somebody that we don't allow ourselves to grow up at all.

 

So . . . going back to the matter of age, it doesn't matter WHEN we decide who we want to be so much as that we DO decide. It is at that moment that a catharsis takes place, and we rid ourselves of everyone else's determination of our identity. We are free . . . free to become the person of our dreams.

 

Is it easy to develop and maintain our new identity? No. Our day-to-day activities will still attempt to distract us from our new persona. Nevertheless, as artist D. Morgan points out in one of her paintings, "The impossible dream - isn't!" Take a quiet moment today, just for yourself, and ask, "Am I the somebody I wanted to be?"

 

 

How you fix the problem

Hello all,

"How you fix the problem"

During the busy season problems in this business increase and I would say multiply... Agent to Agent, Client to Agent, Client to Client it seems that we spend more time putting out fires then we do on productive money making activities. Problem solving is a key part of the customer service experience that you offer. Hard to do but sometimes we need to look at problems as an opportunity to separate ourselves from the rest in this business. I learned early on from one of my mentors that the thing your clients will remember the most is how you fixed the problem not the problem itself... So everyone should take a spring season deep breath, look at problems as an opportunity and always try to do the right thing. Feel free to run scenarios by Al, Mark and Myself for suggestions. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.

 

 

~ Epictetus

 

 

GIVE YOURSELF A LIFT!

 

Have you ever aspired to be deeply depressed? On your list of major life's achievements, have you included becoming an itinerant ne'er-do-well? Does your daily task list include hanging out at the local pub, gossiping over the back fence with nosy neighbors, or spending time with a loser who does nothing but grouse about how the world has dealt him a lousy hand?

 

Did that first paragraph seem to pull you down? Did you say, "Ridiculous! Who would want to do those things?" If so, congratulations, you've already received this week's message.

 

Now, let's give this message a lift. Have you ever met someone with a bright inspiring spirit about them, and thought to yourself, "Wow, I'd like to know them better!" Have you noticed that when you attend a community education course, you leave with many fresh new ideas and a powerful boost in your attitude?

 

A well-known quote says, "You are what you think about all day long." If you hang out with the losers, your thoughts are likely to be dark and depressing. Spend time with those who possess magic in their attitude and enthusiastic vitality in their work ethic, and your thoughts are likely to soar.

 

Take a close look at your list of goals for this year. Have you included the addition of positive new personal relationships in your work and play environment? Remember that "to have a friend, you must first be a friend." Consider expanding your sphere of contacts to include those who would inspire you to greatness!

Best Month Ever

Hello all,

"Our Best Month Ever"

Our little company had it's best month ever in May. We closed 165 transaction sides for $67,385,832 in volume, we have never broken 60M before in a month. So proud and thankful for all of you and the hard work you put in. We are clearly the #1 RE/MAX Brokerage in Montgomery County by total volume and volume per agent, you are all the best of the best. Have your head held high and let's continue to take down the competition!

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe   

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.

 

 

~ American book title (Robert Fulghum, author)

 

 

The children are watching us.

 

 

~ Italian film title (Vittorio De Sica, director)

 

 

BACK TO SCHOOL!

 

Turns out the children are listening, too. The question is, what are they learning and what are we teaching?

 

No matter whom we interact with, we should all take some time to reflect upon how our practices are matching up to our ethics and beliefs. We all have the potential to produce a profound effect on the people in our lives, both directly and indirectly. How we choose to act in our encounters helps define who we are: are we good stewards, good managers, good parents?

 

Consider the language we use when we deal with other people. Those who value power over action will use the language of judgment and superiority: “That idea is doomed..." or "You will never succeed..." or "That project is a waste of time.” Such language only serves to predict its own end and unfortunately, that end is often failure.

 

Now consider language that recognizes individuality while setting us up as collaborators: “I understand what you want..." or "I can only imagine how hard this is for you..." or "I'd like to help.” As we acknowledge the needs and feelings of others, we have better opportunities to show the same respect we’d expect in return. The encounter becomes a win-win situation.

 

As we interact with others, a good yardstick by which to measure our actions is to imagine how children would perceive them. Do we play by the rules? Are we being fair? Do we share? Are we doing unto others as we would have done to ourselves? During your next meeting, imagine a seven year old is watching the proceedings. Would you conduct yourself any differently?

 

Before children start to learn the later lessons of failure and success associated with competition, they first learn to “play well with others.” The politics of the playground still hold some powerful lessons for us, too!

Project Upstream

Hello all,

"Project Upstream"

There are going to be several changes coming to our industry, most notably the changes with the settlement process with loan applications taken after August 1st of this year. We will be covering this in great detail over the next several months.

However somewhat under the radar project "upstream" was announced about two weeks ago. In my opinion one of the biggest mistakes that was made in this industry was when the Brokers gave up control of the data for their listings. Once the data was given to the Multiple Listing Service's they gained control of that data then eventually started syndicating that data when technology allowed. I am sure no one at the time could have imagined the ramifications but now we have Zillow, Trulia and anyone else who can get the data selling the leads they produce back to us. 

There will be a lot more to come on this and it will take some time to unfold. I do believe Upstream is the beginning of the Brokers getting together to take back control of their data. In the long run whoever control's the data will control the revenue from the leads it produces. It will be fun to watch how this unfolds, below is a good article on it and a diagram of the flow of data.

    http://waves.wavgroup.com/2015/05/14/project-upstream-revealed/

​ 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done.

 

 

~ Henry Ford

 

 

EVER BEEN CRITICIZED?

 

If you've ever had a dream - you've also had critics. It seems they show up right on cue every time that special new dream begins to form. Critics come in the form of family members, employers, friends, and associates.

 

Interestingly, the only opinion worth listening to is your own. The opinions of others simply reflect their own limitations - and have nothing to do with the achievement of your dreams. Just imagine how shallow the world would be today if the following individuals had listened to their critics:

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger's family said, "How long will you go on training all day in a gymnasium and living in a dream world?"

 

Mary Kay Ash's attorney advised two weeks before her first store opening, "Liquidate the business right now and recoup whatever cash you can. If you don't, you'll end up penniless."

 

His teachers to Ray Charles: "You can't play the piano, and God knows you can't sing. You'd better learn how to weave chairs so you can support yourself."

 

What Diana Ross heard her teacher say when auditioning for a high school play: "You have a nice voice, but it's nothing special."

 

Have a dream? Live it, pursue it, and achieve it - with a passion!

Memorial Day

Hello all,

"Memorial Day"

Feeling fortunate, thankful and blessed for those who have served and sacrificed to provide us our freedoms. 

​  

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe   

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves.

 

 

~ Katherine Mansfield

 

 

PLAY THE FAMILY GAME!

 

Feel like you're losing touch with your children? Wish you understood your spouse better? Want to enjoy closer family ties without the background noise of X-Box games or loud music? Does everyone seem to scatter the moment their last bite of food is swallowed? Introduce them to "the family game!"

 

It's a fun way to bring your family together at the dinner table and keep them there - without complaints. Furthermore, you'll soon have them willingly sharing their dreams, disappointments, likes & dislikes, interests, successes, and innermost thoughts. Finally, you will have created a new family tradition your children will delight in passing on to their own families.

 

Introduce your version of the family game at the end of a dinnertime meal when everyone is present. Don't make a big production of it, just ask everyone to remain at the table. Tell them you've heard of a fun game and would like to play it with them. Explain that each person at the table gets one turn (and only one turn). You begin by asking a question that everyone, including yourself, has to answer. For instance, your question might be, "What's the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?" Go around the table and let each family member contribute.

 

Once everyone answers, let the person at your left ask the next question. It might be, "What's the worst birthday present you've ever received?" or maybe, "If you could go back in the past and live in a different time, when would it be and why?" You'll be amazed at the sharing your family will suddenly experience.

 

Once the "family game" becomes a regular part of meals, add this twist: Before being seated, tell family members that they may sit in any seat at the table except their normal seat. The catch is that they must also "act" like the person normally seated in the chair they choose. This can produce hilarious results.

 

If your family seems fragmented and scattered, play "the family game." It's a natural for bringing joy, depth, communication and understanding back to your loved ones.

Diversity

Hello all,

"Diversity"

Lisa and I spent a couple of days in California with the top producers in the Ferry organization. Always interesting when you get that many "personalities" in a room together. The hottest topic out there was online lead generation and the changes coming down the road both from a resource and financial standpoint. Where will the leads be coming from and how much will it cost? Different theory's of who will be best at producing them but across the board everyone agreed that the price will continue to go up substantially, double to triple today's rates. 

This business changes all of the time and will continue to do so. We need to focus on having diversity in our lead generation systems. If we have all of our eggs in one basket and the basket goes away or gets to expensive we are in deep doo doo. I know I have harped on this before but I believe it is the single most important thing we need to do in our business. Everyone should have a minimum of 3-4 different lead generation systems that they work. Marketing, Farming, Newsletters, SOI, Repeat Clients, Open Houses, Websites, Online Leads... 

As always, Mark and I are free to meet with you about this.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome trying to succeed." 

 

 

~ Booker T. Washington 

 

 

ON-THE-JOB STRAINING? 

 

Ever get that “burned out” feeling? You’re operating at maximum capacity and doing a darn good job of it, but the inspiration and the motivation start to wane. Don’t feel badly about it – after all, you can only really hit a slump when you’ve been experiencing a streak of success! Slumps do not happen to “losers,” because frankly, they’re always in a perpetual slump! 

 

So what can be done when you hit a bump in the road? Dr. Robert H. Schuller once observed that “when you can’t solve the problem, manage it.” Maybe you can’t control whatever outside forces are weighing down on your ability to move forward. You can, however, take a break and take a step back to look at things you actually can control. 

 

If you’re banging your head against a wall, please stop and walk away! If success lies beyond that wall, you’ll have a much better chance of getting there by going around your obstacles and not through them. Walls are not doorways – you need to refresh your perspective and find passage back to your previously winning ways. 

 

Perhaps you’ve just gotten so good at what you do that you’ve forgotten “the basics” of your activities. It’s like you’re operating on “auto-pilot,” and there are a thousand little details that you don’t even think about anymore as you carry on your routine. Take some time to “re-train” yourself. Start by pretending it’s your first day on the job and everything is new. 

 

New employees who have to learn the ropes often bring a fresh perspective that exposes ways to do things more efficiently. Look through your “apprentice” eyes for new ways of working, and it’s a good bet that your performance will improve, and you’ll find yourself operating with renewed enthusiasm. Now, give yourself a bonus!