Does your job or business demand that you be accessible 24/7? In an era of ubiquitous cell phones, pagers, Blackberrys and WiFi internet access, it is easy to keep in touch with the office from anywhere. No doubt, many of you find that this is a mixed blessing at best.

While technology gives increased mobility and connectivity, it can also erode the boundary between your professional and personal life. That’s why it is increasingly more important to set reasonable boundaries and stick to them. For most of us there is a constant pressure to work longer, implement more marketing, or get that report in early. It is not easy to draw a line and say things like “I am leaving on time, and the world will not end if I don’t finish “x” by 5:00pm.”

Though we all value hard work and realize putting in long hours sometimes comes with the territory, if you are unable to set reasonable limits on your job’s time demands, you’re risking a lot. When your health and/or family life begins to suffer, it is not only going to diminish your quality of life, it will also reduce your productivity on the job.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Setting Work and Life Boundaries” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will learn from my mistakes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Have you ever had a crisis in your career? Maybe we should ask how many have you had today? Let’s face it, a great real estate agent is first and foremost a problem solver, and because of this, a top producer’s desk will often become a crisis management center. This center is where all problems arrive and are expected to be solved within a short period of time.

How can we become better at crisis management? Before we can begin to answer this question, we need to start by admitting that most of us deep down are cowards at heart. Yes, we may come across as confident and strong, but at our core, we fear like every one else. We fear that we may fail, or worse yet, that someone won’t like us. We often don’t face each crisis as quickly or as effectively as we could; and occasionally, we don’t face the crisis at all. Soon it is too late.

By accepting our natural aversion to crisis, we can then begin to unravel the simple techniques all of us can use to be better crisis managers. There is an old saying, “It is not what happens to us that matters, it’s what we do about it.” This is one piece of sage wisdom that definitely applies to crisis management.

Let us leave you with one thought that we have learned over the years, “The hardest escrow to close is the one you get upset over!” To reduce the amount of stress you feel when dealing with any crisis or problem, there is a simple solution: create more escrows. When you have more escrows, you won’t be depending on that one closing to pay your car payment or your mortgage. This knowledge will free you to be more confident and more courageous when dealing with your next crisis.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Crisis Management 101” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will implement the five simple strategies for every person to deal more effectively with their next crisis.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Consumers (and I) will tell you that agents have room for improvement when it comes to following up with leads. It honestly boggles my mind. Research clearly shows that consumers work most often with agents who respond first to their inquiries.

Why do some Agents struggle to sell five homes in a year and others sell 100? Two words: Lead management.

Frankly, getting leads isn’t that difficult. You can generate leads all day and night through your website, advertising, word of mouth, yard signs - on and on. The tougher job is managing leads. In fact, converting leads is the number one issue affecting the sales profession across all industries - real estate is not alone.

That’s why I believe the first investment an agent should make is in a lead management system - it is the kitchen for the restaurant. It doesn’t have to be the latest, greatest high-tech gadget on the shelf. Ask yourself, “Is my system helping me achieve my sales objectives?” If not, it is time to invest in one that does.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Straight Talk on Managing Your Leads” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make a Commitment: I will take a look at how I am managing my leads and will make the necessary changes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.”
Robert Frost

The secret to success in real estate - and in life - is much closer than many of us realize: it is right inside our head.

During my years of helping Real Estate Teams thrive, I have found three distinctions that separate the successful from those who constantly yearn. It is based on attitude. And the good news is, by shifting your mindset, you can see dramatic results.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Change Your Mindset and Thrive in Your Business This Year” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will connect in abundance while having fun!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Learn how to keep talks constructive so that everyone in the transaction comes out a winner

In the frenzy of a transaction, the line between negotiation and manipulation can sometimes be gray. Negotiation is the ability to bring about compromise between two or more people while manipulation seeks to satisfy only one’s own wishes.

Real-life examples of manipulation include encouraging a seller to accept an offer exactly as written without negotiating a better deal for your client; advising your client to accept an offer before presenting other offers later the same day; or withholding your comparative market analysis to help get a lower list price.

The negotiation process during a real estate transaction should never involve any form of manipulation. Unfortunately, sometimes we can venture off into this area without realizing it. To avoid this trap, keep these tips in mind as you work to negotiate the best deal for your clients.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Do You Negotiate or Manipulate?” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will review how I give and receive feedback.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

As a real estate agent and small business owner, chances are you do not have a huge promotion budget. Here are a few ideas for staying in touch with existing clients who will not break your budget. The tools we are going to describe are newsletters, brochures, thank-you notes and satisfaction questionnaires.

In a document entitled “Keep Those Customers Coming Back!,” the Better Business Bureau stated businesses will spend roughly five times more to obtain a new customer than they would to keep an existing one. And yet when many small business owners think of customer communication, they are thinking of reaching new customers and potential clients. They are wondering how to increase traffic to their website, or how to make the phone ring with new business.

Here is a statistic to think about: according to Businesstown.com, if you currently retain 70% of your customers and begin a program to improve that to 80%, you will add an additional 10% to your growth rate. By taking care of the clients you already have, you increase the chances of repeat business, add-on sales and referrals.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Tips for Staying in Touch without Spending a Fortune” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will implement at least one of these ideas and track my results.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Have you ever had a crisis in your career? Maybe we should ask how many have you had today? Let’s face it, a great Client Care Coordinator is first and foremost a problem solver, and because of this, the front desk will often become a crisis management center. This center is where all problems arrive and are expected to be solved within a short period of time.

How can we become better at crisis management? Before we can begin to answer this question, we need to start by admitting that most of us deep down are cowards at heart. Yes, we may come across as confident and strong, but at our core, we fear like every one else. We fear that we may fail, or worse yet, that someone won’t like us. We often don’t face each crisis as quickly or as effectively as we could; and occasionally, we don’t face the crisis at all. Soon it is too late.

By accepting our natural aversion to crisis, we can then begin to unravel the simple techniques all of us can use to be better crisis managers. There is an old saying, “It is not what happens to us that matters, it’s what we do about it.” This is one piece of sage wisdom that definitely applies to crisis management.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Crisis Management 101” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will implement the five simple strategies for every person to deal more effectively with their next crisis.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

The reasons you call the agent who showed your house are:

1. To jog the agent’s memory about the house so that you may be able to get a second showing.
2. To answer any questions or concerns that the buyer expressed so that the house will be reconsidered.
3. To get the impressions of the buyers or agents that might help you to better market the house.

Note: Don’t expect agents to give a full critique of the house. If they showed 15 houses, they honestly may not remember it in detail. If an agent doesn’t call you back, it means the buyers are not interested.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “The Purpose of Feedback” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will call the agents that are showing my homes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

There is a lot of competition out there for agents. How can you set yourself apart from the crowd so you are noticed? There are some simple things you can do that will have great impact!

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Branding Yourself in Your Marketplace” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will be consistent in my advertising!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” -
Helen Keller

Chances are good that if you’re reading this, given the title, you are not feeling positive about today’s real estate market or have other associates that are not being positive. Well, let me relieve some stress. The market has been abnormally strong over the last four years, so the market is not a down market, it’s a traditional market. Anyone who’s been in real estate more than four years knows this. The market is doing what it does naturally; it’s adjusting itself. And with this adjustment has come an amazing opportunity for potential buyers to realize their dreams. There’s nothing more positive than helping others meet their goals and realize their dreams!

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Keeping Positive in a Slowing Market” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will stay positive and choose to be happy!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran