Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

“Success Story”

Everyone knows  that 75%-80% of the top agents business comes from referrals. It is imperative that you are working your sphere in some form of referral system. Lisa hosts several client parties a year, one of them being a summer baseball game at the Frederick keys for the families in her data base. This year, taking a leap of faith Angela Lefevre decided to host the same party for her client base. The reason it was a leap of faith is that the total cost was going to be around $1,200 which can be a little difficult to stomach in this market. So about a month ago Angela hosted her party and 43 of her clients were able to attend, she and they had a great time. This past week Angela received a referral from one of her clients that can be directly accounted for from the party! it is a 500K listing… so on a $1,200 investment she will earn a $12,000 commission and there could/will be more referrals to come. Not everyone has $1,200 to spend but you can come up with less expensive alternatives. If you need some ideas there are plenty of people in the office that can help. The most important thing is that you do something. Remember Real Estate is a contact sport, if we are not reaching out to your people they will not be reaching out to you.

Please remember sales meeting tomorrow 9:30 at the Black Rock Center. We will be talking a bit about the market and where things might be heading, please feel free to share your thoughts.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"There is no reality except the one contained within us. That is why so many people live such an unreal life.
They take the images outside them for reality and never allow the world within to assert itself."

- Hermann Hesse

JUST ASK DOROTHY!

You've probably seen it a dozen times - "The Wizard of Oz." It's a delightful tale of fantasy, complete with munchkins, a scarecrow in need of a brain, a yellow brick road, a wicked witch and a mythical wizard with the imagined power to send Dorothy back to Kansas.

Regardless of the fantasy, the beautiful color, the unusual characters, and the whimsical plot, there is a powerful message that comes as one of Dorothy's last lines as she prepares to leave Oz. She says, "If ever again I go looking for my heart's desire, I won't look any further than my own backyard." It's such a simple statement, yet it carries a lesson for all of us.

How often do we look outside our own world of home and family for "our heart's desire?" There are so many distractions that lure us out of our own backyard: careers, shopping, powerful people, sports, clubs, TV, committees, the Internet, and the list goes on. There's so much to do and so little time. Then one day we look and our own backyard no longer seems to exist.

We should take time to smell the roses in our own garden, rather than looking over the fence and down the yellow brick road to see the roses of others. We need to let go of the imagined - the tin man, lion, and scarecrow of our own making - and appreciate the real Auntie Em's in our lives. If we don't, we may wake up one day to realize we're "not in Kansas anymore."

Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

Quick coffee this morning, we are on our way to MAR to make sure none of our agents get in trouble…. I have a call in to the tech company to come out as early as they can this morning to fix the copiers. Carol will send an email out when everything is up and running.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come."

- Victor Hugo

BE IMPULSIVE! 

There seems to be a lot of anger in the world today.  Forget the national and global squabbles, and just take a look closer to home - on your TV, in the schools, among fellow employees - right in your own backyard.  

There's another attitude issue that could stand some help - disrespect.  It seems like the days are gone when youngsters (even 20-somethings) value their elders, social customs, even the laws of the land.  Common courtesy and politeness, even among adults, seems non-existent at times.

Want to be a changing force in your personal world?  It's easy, costs nothing, and goes a long way towards making a meaningful contribution for the better.  It's accomplished with an electrical impulse.  Really.  Consider your brain.  Everything you think of, each idea you have, each action you take begins with an electrical impulse - a single thought.  The thought required to cause change is called an "expectation."

Teachers use this thought daily in their classrooms.  They EXPECT students to listen, to observe silence, to walk single-file, to not cut in line, and to learn.  They EXPECT not to be challenged, disrespected, or ignored when they speak.  The best among them EXPECT nothing less than excellence.  Know what?  Their students respond positively to those expectations.

The electrical impulse called "expectation" is simple to enact, yet more difficult to enforce.  You have to really mean it.  As a country, a people, even families, we've grown soft on expectations - and it shows.  Fear of offending someone seems the rule.   Why not be "impulsive" for the next 30 days with those you love by setting a new, higher standard of expectations.  The results will both amaze and delight!

Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

“Coaching”

Having Mark & Teri around is a luxury to us all in many ways. However I believe one of their best attributes is their ability to work with agents, or “Coach” them. Coaching is an interesting notion in our business, you go to a seminar, buy into the system then end up in coaching. Buffini, Proctor, Ferry… all good systems with proven success and coaching. What usually happens is you stay in the coaching for 6-8 months then drop it because you have the “system” figured out, so why pay the money. What you lose at this point is probably the most important part of coaching, “accountability”. Accountability can be a scary word, it forces us to commit to someone, open up to our plans, do the work then show that the work has been done. If you can get over the fear of having a coach/accountability partner your business will be certain to reach another level. In Mark & Teri we have two skilled technicians who having been coaching agents for many years and they cost, well, hmmm, Nothing for you! This is a benefit for us that other Brokerages simply do not have. I strongly encourage each of you to have a heart to heart with yourselves and make the commitment to work with them. Once a month, once a quarter, twice a year… make it part of your business plan to sit down with them so you can elevate your business.  

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe          

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"The greatest pleasure I have known is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident."

- Charles Lamb (1775-1834)

GIVE IT AWAY!

Here's a "feel good" idea that pays big dividends to both giver and receiver: "Give something away every day!"

We all get caught up in our day-to-day routines and responsibilities. Between family and home, work and leisure, our daily schedules are usually packed with the things we do for ourselves. Managing to squeeze in a little time for others is often out of the question.

In the big picture, however, it is not what we do for ourselves but for others that really matters in life. We're not just talking about those who are "less fortunate" in this context. The world of "others" includes family members, associates, the elderly, those experiencing illness, those in our geographical, social, or church community, or the less fortunate.

So . . . what do you give away? Are we talking big money to charities or an endowment to the local university? Nope! What you give away is up to you. It might just be your time - something as simple as taking your grandchild for a walk, offering to take an aging neighbor grocery shopping, or donating a Saturday to Habitat for Humanity. On days when you lack ideas, just give away a smile, a compliment, or some encouragement.

Maybe you give away some of your material possessions. That might include a piece of furniture, an antique, a piece of family heirloom jewelry, or the like-new clothing in your closet that never fit right. Why not donate some of the kids' toys to a day-care center?

Whatever you decide to give away, do it quietly - and anonymously when possible. Make it a habit. It will bring you the special joy of knowing you've made a difference.

Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

“Back to School”

This is an annual Monday Morning Coffee that I send out to congratulate all of the parents in the office. The balance between work, family and personal needs can be very difficult in our business. Having the children home all summer (even though we love them) can throw a big wrench into the balance. So to all of you parents who made it through the summer and are delivering your children back to the school system today, congratulations! I found out this summer that this goes to another level as they get older… I delivered our oldest to Towson University yesterday. There comes a time in their lives where you are ready for them to go and THEY are ready to go. Personal note- Starting with our oldest we will have a kid in college each of the next 10 years, 4 of the years 3 will be in at the same time, 2 of the years 2 will be in and the other 4 just one. Below is the famous Staples back to school commercial to get you in the mood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwcYbo7pjto

Enjoy the coffee,
Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness."

- The Buddha

PLEASE RELEASE ME!

Remember the song "Please release me, let me go"? If you've ever felt that someone or something had a hold on you and wouldn't let go, perhaps you needed an "attitude adjustment."

Why? Unless you are literally chained to a wall, people and things don't have a "hold" on you. It is you who have taken hold of them, and refuse to let go. It's so easy to latch on to the situations, relationships, and baggage of others - believing it possible to have some control over their outcome.

The result is never-ending worry, sleeplessness, feelings of helplessness, and other symptoms of being "out-of-control." Anger is another matter - there seems to be so much of it today. TV shows are full of it. Anger is directed at family, the boss, the spouse, or anyone else in sight. Yet anger results from feeling that things or people are not doing what you think should be done. Anger is felt when you can't control the outcome.

The truth is we are only in control of our own lives and actions - nothing more. Buddha had it right when he said, "Learn to let go." Martin Luther said, "Let go and let God." Regardless of who said it, or how it was said, letting go will open many doors of happiness in your future.

Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

“New Stuff”

First of all a big thank you goes out to Colleen & Danny for sponsoring our outing Saturday night. Also, to Carol of course for putting everything together. The weather Gods treated us well and everyone had a great time. For those of you who were unable to attend you were missed.

We have a couple of new things coming to the office in September so I wanted to give you a preview.

New website and back office intranet- We will be upgrading the website, the biggest thing here is agents will be able to get customized personal websites with a full IDX solution for $20 a month. Currently everyone gets a free micro site from RE/MAX but it really does not do much. The new site will give you more options and the IDX solution, it is similar to Homes Database capabilities through MRIS. The $20 per month is a pass through cost which can be added to your bill. The back office intranet (no cost to agents) will allow agents to log in to your statement to check on upcoming settlements, print commission reports, we will have a storage solution where we can put all of the important documents you need, schedule events, reserve conference rooms… It will take us a little time to learn how to stear the ship so we will be doing a full unveiling at the September sales meeting.

Small Buffini Group- Lisa and Sharleen will be starting a small Buffini group, the group will meet once a month for about an hour. This is a great energy builder and accountability session for all that attend. However to attend you must be in the Buffini system getting your blue box every month J

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle."

- Unknown

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE!

Ever notice how those around you sometimes keep their best ideas to themselves? Perhaps it's you who calls for information from a supplier about a hot new prospecting idea . . . and asks that the information be mailed to your home so others in the office won't see it. Even if the shoe fits, you're not alone and won't be condemned for not sharing.

On the other hand, have you noticed how those who are most successful rarely mind sharing and teaching others their best moves? It's like lighting a candle. Those who are comfortable with their own success rarely feel threatened if they light someone else's candle. They know they will lose none of their own shining light by igniting the candle of opportunity for someone else.

How is candle-lighting best accomplished? First, it takes an understanding of your own strengths. Perhaps you're blessed with a beautiful smile and a never-ending supply of good attitude. If so, the candle you light for others may be words of hope and encouragement. Maybe time management and efficiency in your work ethic are your forte. If so, be a teacher and mentor to those who are not so focused.

The list of possibilities is long, but you probably get the point. Give your strength to others with no thought of reward. Do it every day. The simple candle you carry, when shared, may turn another's life into a multi-colored roman candle of health, happiness . . . and success.

Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

“Store Your Nuts?”

I have been at this Manager/Broker thing now for 5 years which has included my Monday Morning Coffee email. Each of the first four years I have sent my annual “Store Your Nuts” email about this time of year. Being in it every day it is easy to pick up the correlation between activity and closings. When general activity is strong you know your closings will be strong 60-90 days out because of the time it takes to get to contract, then the table. When activity is slow obviously you can forecast the opposite. Sometimes we get lulled into confidence because we are having a strong closing period but if the activity is down we need to budget for the future. Coming out of the spring market each of the last four years the activity in the office came to a screeching halt. July & August continued to be strong closing months but the road ahead looked a little gloomy, so I sent my “Store Your Nuts “ email for the fall and winter. I am not quite ready to send up the warning flag just yet for this year. Activity in the office the last 30 days has been as strong as I have ever seen, so the fall is looking good for closings. This is a bigger picture of how I look at the office however I encourage you to take the same approach with your business. Is the phone still ringing, do you have buyers in your car, going on listing appointments… These are all signs that the pipeline will stay full and the cash will keep flowing. I am not saying we are out of the woods and it could be a cold winter but for now the fall is looking good. Let’s keep working hard and keep this rolling as long as we can.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe      

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"A single thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning."

- Unknown

THESE SHOES ARE MADE FOR WALKING!!

Remember one of the ancient sayings from your first-grade teacher? It went something like this: "We learn to do by doing." So . . . from "Chicken Soup" comes this story by John Holt:

"Not many years ago I began playing the cello. Most people would say that what I am doing is 'learning to play' the cello. But these words carry into our minds the strange idea that there exist two very different processes: 1) learning to play the cello; and 2) playing the cello. They imply that I will do the first until I have completed it, at which point I will stop the first process and begin the second. In short, I will go on 'learning to play' until I have 'learned to play' and then I will begin to play. Of course, this is nonsense. There are not two processes, but one. We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way."

How do we learn to swim? Do we get the basics in a classroom, taught to us on a chalkboard, and then hit the pool like Mark Spitz or Esther Williams? How about riding a bike? Do we study the laws of physics, the effects of gravitational pull, or other Einstein-like theories, and then launch ourselves into the top spot in the "Tour de France?" No - we just fall down and scrape our knees a lot.

Want to add new direction to your life? Begin walking in that direction. Put one foot in front of the other. In other words, "Just do it!" It all begins with your imagination harnessing the power of your mind and the energy of your body. Once you choose a new role for your life, don't learn the part - act the part. One other thing - don't let that "single thorn of experience" deter you!

Monday Morning Coffee

Hello all,

“Sales Meeting”

Quick coffee this morning. I wanted to remind everyone about the sales meeting tomorrow, 9:30 at the Black Rock center. We have had several exciting additions to our organization over the summer, this will be a great opportunity for everyone to meet each other. We will also have a brief presentation from ATC which is a short sale negotiating company which has really figured out the process, they will also be staying after for Q&A. We only have 10 meetings a year and we were off last month so I would like to see as many of your smiling faces as possible.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
- Stephen Covey

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS!

From the book "Wellsprings of Wisdom" comes this story:

A sturdy but diffident young man asked a farmer for a job as a farm hand. "What can you do?" inquired the farmer. "I can do whatever needs to be done, and I can sleep when the wind blows," replied the applicant. Although mystified by the phrase "sleep when the wind blows," the farmer did not press the question but hired the young man.

Some nights later a violent storm awoke the farmer. He got up and tried unsuccessfully to arouse the farm hand, then with considerable annoyance went out himself to see if all was well. He found the barn locked, the chicken coop properly closed up, a wagonload of hay covered with a tarpaulin that was securely battened down, and all else in a condition of safety from the elements. Then the farmer realized what his new farm hand meant when he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

Think how often the storms of life give us a wakeup call. How many times have those storms caught us with our guard down and our barn unlocked? The hired hand knew that simple precautions practiced on a daily basis could render impotent the howling winds of uncertainty in life.

Stephen Covey, in his "Seven Habits," talks about being proactive - heading off problems before they arise. While the hired hand never read the book, he understood the practice of closing up the chicken coop every evening. So, how are YOU sleeping when the wind blows?