Barry's Blog

If it's not granite, is it a counter-top?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:42:35 -0600

When things were REALLY good and many people were feeling rich and glamorous, keeping up with the Jones's was all the rage.

The real estate markets were rising in value MUCH faster than the per capita income, but that was OK because the lending guidelines were loosening up equally fast, and money (Credit) was easy to find.

It seems that with all of this excitement, the definition of "Standard Features" in a home also rose.

How could we possibly justify these hyper-inflated prices if we didn't increase the baseline perception of value? The Buyers simply HAD to feel like they were getting more by paying more, but that was OK because the counter-tops were solid surface or granite . . . and there were hardwood floors everywhere.

The day finally came when it wasn't such a big perk to have Granite - Buyers simply EXPECTED Granite!

OMG!

FORMICA!

EEEEEEK!

RUN! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

Those granite counter-tops were indicative of the general spending habits of our population. WE all expected to have the finest of everything, and we were not all that concerned about the risk of the debt we were incurring.

Then the market shifted . . .

and the inventory of available homes soared ...

and they ALL have granite counter-tops . . .

So what?

That granite doesn't seem to make one iota of difference to today's buyers - or at least not the difference it used to make. Priorities have shifted.

Why?

It's not the granite's fault.

I believe this tumultuous economic event we have all experienced the past few years has brought things into a perspective we lost sight of in our exuberance over our 10+ year run of irresponsible exuberance.

Do you remember the golden rule of real estate?

3 words

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Sometimes, I step back and look at what's going on and I wonder if what's really happening is that we humans love glitz and glamor . . . but we're learning/remembering the importance of community and stability.

Community and stability happen when we live responsibly and we own our personal need for community.

I'd MUCH rather have a comfortable house with Formica counter-tops where family and friends like to gather - than a mcmansion full of granite in isolation.

If nothing else comes from all of this turmoil, my hope is that it brings people together . . . This is a HUGE opportunity for communities to build and support each other.

REALTORS - In some respect, YOU are sitting in the driver's seat.

This is the time to come from contribution writ LARGE.

Forget about the granite and bragging rights on volume of sales and consider a new role . . .

"Community Organizer"

Imagine the power and influence a Million or so Licensed REALTORS would have on the national and global scale if we all "got" the premise that our role is more about building community than selling houses?

Of course, a BIG part of community organizing has to do with real estate.

Quit putting the cart before the horse . . . Pay attention to the community and the quality of life in your burb.neighborhood FIRST . . . The sales will emerge.

I'm putting my effort where my mouth is ... There's a collage of websites at the bottom of each of my posts. These are in infancy and developing daily, but there's enough there to get a flavor.

I have also launched an on-line community "Real Estate Town Center" (NOT to compete with Active Rain) - This community is a "Closed and Safe Environment for folks to come and explore issues and opportunities relating to REALTORS building community" Beginning December 9, we will open the portal a bit as "invitation only" entry . . . If you're interested in being invited in, simply email me a nice blurb about yourself and let me know of your passion for contributing to this effort/movement.

Best,

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Nashville, TN - Green Hills
615-568-2123

The Owen Group - http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization
http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter

Blog
http://www.activerain.com/barryo
Blog
http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com
Video - Live Streaming
http://www.stickam.com/barryowen

Also on Facebook, Plaxo, Linkedin, Skype

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

A little something sweet . . .

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:19:51 -0600

My wife loves Chinese food, so we know every Chinese restaurant within a 10 mile radius of our house.

The Hands-down favorite is only a few blocks from our office. It's a quiet little place and the food is fabulous.

Even better, the owner knows most of the people who eat there.

It's not uncommon for him to pull up a chair and sit with us for a few minutes any time we're there.

Today, he stopped by the table and noticed that my plate was clean (empty). This is not unusual for me - I ALWAYS clean my plate when I have lunch there.

He asked us if we were in a hurry today and offered "a little something sweet" . . .

A few minutes later, the most delicious little dessert appeared in front of us.

Simply delectable . . .

Deb and I decided that is the best restaurant on the planet . . .

and so when you're in Nashville, stop in at ChinaTown next to Hillsboro High School and enjoy.

That's what happens when you pay special attention to people . . . They sing your praises everywhere they go. That little something sweet will result in MANY heartfelt endorsements of Chinatown all over Nashville.

Coincidence . . .

Yesterday, I was in a coaching appointment with a new associate. She is a very impatient person and is looking for IMMEDIATE results. We had talked about her doing "Drop-bys" at her friends' offices to meet her friends' office mates . . . and she wanted to bring them something significant to remember her by . . .

The problem was a shortage of funds . . .

I suggested a little something sweet (instead of something big) . . .

Buy 2 BIG bags of M&Ms . . . 1 with peanuts and one without . . . and a box of @ 1000 of those little cellophane decorative bags and a spool of yarn . . . Put about 30 M&Ms in each bag - hole-punch a business card and tie the bags shut with the yarn . . . Load all of these into a few large carry bags and head out.

Each morning, call those folks who you're coming to see and let them know when to expect you . . . Simply make a quick pass through each of the offices and trade every person you see one of your "something sweet bags" in exchange for their business card.

Then head back to the office and handwrite a note to every one of them and put them in your database,

Variations on the theme would be to personalize the kind of "something Sweet" and/or the message you attach to the bags.

I've never seen ANYONE unhappy about receiving a little something sweet.

Best,

Barry Owen

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

615-568-2123

Website www.theowengroup.net

www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter

Real Estate Blog www.activerain.com/barryo
Open BLOG www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

What I learned about Community Development Yesterday

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:34:03 -0600

Susan Ney and Debra Moore are business partners and are affiliated with Countrywide Home Loans.

They have recently "opted in" to serve as the "in-house" lending source for our office . . .

And these 2 ladies seem to be doing the right things to capture the business,

They both seem to be everywhere all the time. I don't know how they're doing it, but it seems that every time I look up - There one of them stands with a smile on her face and a willingness to engage and pitch in.

They will succeed where others have not - Even in this strange business environment.

By a stroke of luck/faith for all of us :-), Susan's husband is Paul Ney.

Mr. Ney holds the position of director of the Mayor's Office of Economic and Community Development.

Do you know the director of the Mayor's Office of Economic and Community Development in your city?

If you don't, I recommend you find that person and make a friend . . .

Here's why . . .

Susan had a great idea last week (I think this was my Thanksgiving gift from her this year).

Out of the blue, she suggested to me that her husband come one day to talk with our associates in a team meeting - He would talk about the state of affairs in Nashville and what the Mayor's is doing to keep things moving along in a healthy way in order to continue a stable and attractive place for people and businesses to come to live.

When I see a great opportunity, I JUMP . . . So I immediately contacted our Team Leader Alice Charron and suggested that Paul Ney be our guest speaker at this week's team meeting. She agreed it would be a great idea . . . and so we (5 days ago) confirmed the engagement.

Paul had another meeting that caused him to show up towards the end of our regular meeting - Susan and Debra had brought in LUNCH (What REALTOR will miss a free lunch?), so our group had a chance to get something to eat before he arrived.

He walked into the room, grabbed a chair and sat down in front of the group and started talking.

This is a man who has a very rich and successful back-ground and could be a strong candidate for many more glamorous jobs, yet he jumped at this opportunity when Mayor Karl Dean extended the offer.

Why?

Because he loves Nashville Tennessee . . .

This is where Passion meets Responsibility.

Paul is the perfect person for this job and for our city -

the right person at the right time.

!/3 of his talk was about how great this city is and how glad he is to be HOME after having spent some years in Washington (The Pentagon - Google him to see his impressive background).

What made me feel best about Paul's Presentation was his presence and his passion for what he does. Even better, it was clear to me that as he was speaking from his heart, he was also representing the passion and love for the city of the Mayor. I had not voted for this Mayor because I did not know him nor did I know what he stands for . . . I now feel good about Nashville's choice of Mayor.

What made me feel so good?

There was compassion throughout the talk. The Mayor's office has framed itself into what I would call "proper Perspective". They understand that the role of government is to FACILITATE economic development and healthy growth. NOT to get in the way of the people and businesses who are operating here . . . and therefore, they are obviously LISTENING and moving along intentionally.

This Mayor's office is smart enough to know that they DO need to think long range as they consider "planning for the future" but wise enough to know that they cannot "CONTROL" the implementation of ANY plan as written . . .

The reality is that nothing great ever happens according to the plan.

Paul then approached the specific components of our community that are relevant to the success of the city. I won't get into details here other than to say that we talked about perspective - How the city is in terms of over-all health

- Who our competition is and how we are strategizing to keep Nashville on the radar for companies and people to consider . . .

He talked about Opportunities we as a City have to be MORE attractive

- Things like creating more "Business Campuses" within the county

- Continuing to develop the down-town sector

- Keeping an eye on areas of town that appear to be faltering and approaching a dilapidated state (and working with leaders in those sectors to offer support from the city to help revitalize)

- EDUCATION continuing to work on improving the public school system by implement new and creative educational programs and attracting great teachers from all around the country

- Supporting our (now full-force) Police Department as it evolves with new strategies for keeping our city safe while adhering to as lean a budget as possible

- Developing our Mass Transportation system appropriately to meet the emergent needs of the people - Aware that more people moving here from other cities are accustomed to using public Transit

- Where the next most likely areas for growth and redevelopment are in the city

- What businesses not currently located in Nashville might consider a move here if they were invited in . . . and what incentives can the city offer to help them with their decisions?

- What Infrastructure development is needed to keep pace with the development - Keeping roads and utilities sufficient to avoid log-jams and system over-loads.

WOW!

There is more, but I think my point is made.

So . . . If you're a REALTOR with a REAL mission to be the REALTOR of choice in your city, do you think that a guy like this in your city would be a good guy to know?

Paul's visit and the experience he brought with him are perfectly in alignment with my current thinking regarding how we as an industry need to be thinking to use our influence in the community to provide a boost to pull this nation out of these economic doldrums.

I'm not a believer in coincidence - The right things are happening . . . and Paul showed up in front of me at EXACTLY the right time.

Check out http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter a lens I created where I am expanding my thoughts as to how real estate professionals can make a HUGE difference in the world . . . This site will continue to evolve as things unfold within an on-line community I have created at www.realestatetowncenter.ning.comwhere Real Estate Professionals can come electronically - a safe environment to share pertinent thought, accountability, and action. (This is invitation only access - Email me if you are interested in joining)

We MUST plug in to our communities and quit being so absorbed by the national fiasco media reporting . . . Our businesses are LOCAL . . . Get things RIGHT at home in cities all around America and "all boats will rise"... and I believe that knowing people like Paul Ney and plugging into what they are doing for you city can't hurt the effort a bit.

WHEW!

I think I talk too much . . .

Best,

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Nashville, TN - Green Hills
61...

The Owen Group - http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization
http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter

Blog
http://www.activerain.com/barryo
Blog
http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com
Video - Live Streaming
http://www.stickam.com/barryowen

Also on Facebook, Plaxo, Linkedin, Skype

How Email can damage your career.

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:37:45 -0600

Isn't email cool?

Even more cool are the myriad electronic capabilities for quick communication that seem to be gaining in popularity (and number) daily.

We can twit, text, "Status Up-date", write on walls, and gather friends while sitting in a cafe having lunch . . . or even while DRIVING to said cafe.

Yep - We're in an electronic world.

The messages we send in most of these places are somewhat cryptic because the number of characters allowed are limited . . . and because typing ability is hampered with smaller devices . . . so words are truncated to one letter . . . I'm convinced there's a whole subculture out there who speak "Abbreviated"

R U MY BFF?

BEWARE!

These avenues for communication DO have some very deep and potentially damaging potholes:

Open Social Networks -

Sure, it's fun to write on people's walls -

Poke each other -

Invite everyone to groups -

Let everyone know what you are doing every minute of every day -

Share your personal secrets with the world and talk freely about your exploits

Have you thought about who might be reading your Facebook or Myspace pages?

Deb and I recently stumbled across a comment on a teenager's myspace page (The daughter of a friend who had invited us to be her "friend" several months ago). She was rambling on about how she had gone to this great party with all kinds of booze . . . This party was at the house of a friend of ours who we knew as a true professional.

Yet this person was allowing a minor to join in this soire? . . . and it was made known to the world? . . . and we instantly lost respect for that person.

Now here's the kicker . . . That party never happened . . . The teenager was embellishing.

And that message is now off that wall . . . but it sure raised a ruckus while it was there.

As for texting and twittering . . . Be VERY careful about what you say and how you say it.

With only @ 140 characters of running room, the potential for misunderstanding is at a dangerously high level. Innocent comments can be construed as being brash, offensive, ugly, and mean . . . Relationships can be damaged in the matter of just a few clicks on your PDA.

ESPECIALLY when you're talking business . . .

Make yourself a rule . . . If it's communication that's important and has potential for being misunderstood, DON'T TWIT IT . . . Pick up the phone.

If it's a quick message - a transfer of information - Go ahead and twit . . .

If it requires more than 2 twit exchanges, pick up the phone.

Now for email . . .

I had an agent in my office hunt me down yesterday - Wanted to warn me that a very irate and irrational "Ex" client might be calling me - This was a "Warning Order" . . . As is customary, I asked the agent to bring me the file and print any communications they had relating to the problem, so I could prepare myself for the conversation . . . I would call the "Ex"Client and see what I could do to patch things up.

A few hours later, I got the printed email exchange. It turns out the agent and the client had had a literal "knock-down-drag-out" BRAWL via email over the period of @ 5 days . . . and this was the climax after a particularly contentious 90 day relationship.

When I read the emails, the issue was clear. The agent is a very high "I-S" with LOTS of words to say . . . Very emotional and personally engaged. His feelings were hurt, and he was letting his fingers do the talking and was letting it ALL hang out. The emails from the agent were very long and wordy.

The Client's emails were complete opposite - Short and to the point and non-emotional - Clearly coming from a high "D" with complete absence of emotion . . . He was saying what he thought needed to be said without any fluff whatsoever.

The agent was offended . . . The client simply didn't have it in him to read through the volumes of literature that were thrown at him . . .

During this whole exchange, neither of these folks bothered to pick up the phone and have a real, live conversation. They went from needing to extend a closing date after working together for 90 days to sell 2 houses . . . to deciding that they simply weren't "a good fit" for each other . . . ALL in the matter of 5 days and 8 email volleys.

THIS is what I call "Throwing the baby out with the bath water"

Just plain silly . . .

I'm gonna try to salvage this deal because I believe it is in both parties' best interest to get these 2 sales to the closing table . . .

But I'm not going to do it by email . . . We'll have a few telephone conversations . . . and I'll invite everyone to a gathering in our conference room to work through the issues.

In the meanwhile, I jogged down to the agent's office and ordered a moratorium on sending emails to clients :-)

BOTTOM LINE!

If the communication is important, do it in person or by telephone . . .

Twitting, texting, and emailing are far too one dimensional to be valid communication media when the stakes are high.

I'm just sayin' . . .

Best,

Barry Owen

Principal Real Estate Broker
Career Development Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Green Hills Market Center

Interested in a new slant on your profession?

Ideas are cooking @ http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter and http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

www.theowengroup.net - The owen group is communicating DIRECTLY with Home Buyers and Sellers in middle Tennessee

Visit my other BLOG @ http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/

Tis the Season . . .

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:22:33 -0600

I don't really know what got into us this week-end.

Perhaps the media "Black Friday" reporting combined with the surge of marketing did it . . .

But my family SHOPPED and pretty much knocked out the whole list.

For me, shopping for gifts for other people is fun.

Isn't that really a big part of what we do as REALTORS?

We perpetually shop for "gifts" (houses) for our clients, and this is the part of our business most of us think is most fun, right?

ESPECIALLY when we KNOW we have found the PERFECT one.

All the same principles apply.

We have a budget (Our goal was Less than $15 per person on our list)

and we consider the recipient's wants and needs.

Urgent Needs come first. For the College Student, money and gift cards for gas and food and school supplies is a need.

We really try to be intentional and thoughtful about every purchase- Practical - Don't want to buy a widget we know the person wants if there are Big, looming NEEDS hanging out in the background. This creates a bittersweet taste . . . It's difficult to enjoy that new I-Pod when there's no food on the table and the job just disappeared.

If I know the "safety needs" are there (Food, Shelter, Clothes) then I use my generosity to give something I know that person REALLY wants. Smiles and hugs all around . . . and a big, hearty: "You deserve this!"

OK! Thankfully, most of the people on our family's list are not in "urgent need mode" so our constraints are budget and creativity.

Do you do your shopping on-line?

I did one year . . . ALL of my shopping.

It was VERY convenient. I never had to leave my chair, found some great stuff at what I thought were great prices . . . but it was somehow less satisfying for me, I wasn't "investing myself" enough to REALLY know what I was giving . . . and I didn't get the opportunity to add my special touches when wrapping the gifts . . . and had no "control" over the delivery.

IN your real estate business, aren't you much more engaged when you physically preview and show properties rather than relying 100% on the internet (MLS)?

I also spent more than my budget - Imagine that . . . Shipping and handling and gift wrapping fees etc . . . and those internet sites are GOOD when it comes to "up-selling"

This year, we took the whole family to Books-A-Million and spent a whole Saturday morning there. We had a BLAST . . . REALLY thought about what each person we were gifting would like . . . It was like a family mastermind to find the best fit for each person .. . It would have been comical to anyone who witnessed it because we literally dispersed into the store and came together every few minutes to share our discoveries and critique each gift.

At the check out, we bought all of our gifts and spent $11 per gift ($4 below our budget) AND we are SO excited about these gifts.

Our Daughter Jessica had been asking to go to Michaels all week. Deb took here there Saturday afternoon. She spent $10 on materials and sequestered herself in her room for the remainder of Sat and half of Sunday coming out only to eat.

When she announced that she was DONE, we asked what she had been doing?

"I made a present for TEN people" on my list"

I don't know what she made, but I can't wait to get mine :-)

So . . . This is SO cliche . . .

but

Tis the Season for GIVING and not receiving!

If you're strapped for cash, get creative and have fun as Jessica did.

Be intentional about your purchases and even if you have the capability don't over-do this thing. Determine your budget BEFORE you begin shopping and STICK TO IT!

Tis the season Indeed!

Finally . . . and how is all of the above ANY different than what we do every day in our Real Estate Businesses?

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green hills

www.theowengroup.net

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com- Barry's other blog

http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter - Public lens for The Real Estate Town Center community

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Would you rather be . . .

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:43:51 -0600

IN?

OUT?

Isn't it exciting to be part of a group which is getting things done?

When people are engaged in something they care about . . . Does that engagement breed happiness?

Does Happiness foster engagement?

Why are internet social networks (Facebook, myspace, linkedin, activerain) so popular?

What's the magic ingredient that draws people IN to spend their oh-so-limited time in these places?

What's REALLY in it for them?

What's the benefit?

The same goes for your business.

What is that you do that differentiates YOU from everyone else?

Why should I work with YOU instead of that lady over there?

Thanksgiving morning, I went to Kroger to find a floral centerpiece for our table. There are @ 7 grocery stores within 5 miles of my house . . . I don't always go the same one - Just depends on what I need.

For the best Produce or Deli - Green Hills . . .

Best Prices - Charlotte . . .

and for Flowers? - Belle Meade Kroger

Why?

Mark is the florist in that store. Every time I go there and browse through the flowers (which ALWAYS look SO fresh), Mark goes out of his way to greet me and tell me about the best values and the freshest flowers. When I do make my selection, Mark doesn't let me leave his section until he has a chance to take a look at my flowers . . . He picks through them and looks for any "less than perfect" ones . . . and pulls them out and replaces them with nice, fresh ones . . . He then takes great care to bag them so they'll travel well.

Mark was looking a little tired when I saw him Thanksgiving morning. I immediately thanked him for working on Thanksgiving day and asked him why so frazzled? He said that the day before, he had done his biggest day EVER . . . $4,000 in flower sales during his shift . . . more sales than any other florist in the CITY that day . . . and he said he didn't know WHY?

I told him that I know why . . . because he's the best . . . and he ALWAYS makes me look good :-)

Mark always helps me with my choices and I become the "superstar" when I present the flowers . . .

Other people recognize this also . . . The parking is abysmal for that store . . . but I'll tolerate that as long as Mark is there to help me with my Flowers.

Back to Social Networks . . . Are the ones you are tuned into fulfilling your needs?

I ask because I have recently had the privilege of being invited to a "private" social network of thinkers and marketers . . . I was invited "IN" . . . How could I turn down such an offer? When I logged in, I found a veritable smorgasbord of ways I could "Plug-in" and connect with people there. I could:

Blog

Customize my own page

Chat directly with other people who I know were in alignment with my thinking

Start a discussion on virtually any relevant topic.

Participate in other on-going discussions.

Create a group around a particular passion of my own.

All of this in a very "safe" environment where I can freely share ideas without concern as to who is reading and what they are thinking. This is a very rich stew of dialog which has tremendous benefit for everyone there.

I feel less "safe" in some of the larger and more "open" environments . . . and in some way, being invited "IN" adds a nuance . . . Like: "Will you join our club?"

And so with all of that in mind, my current project is the construction of a few of these private spaces for my own "clients". I envision 3 of these - REALTORS - Real Estate Buyers and Sellers and past clients - and a "Living in Open Space" community. Each of these places will have a "storefront" in the form of a www.squidoo.com "lens" (Click on the Open Space link above to see an example).

Why am I sharing this here?

Because I know that Mark (the flower) guy is practicing something that I believe we can learn . . . Exceptional and unique service . . . and I know that helping people connect with each in a safe and non-invasive way is a great way to do this . . . and then lead the way - invisibly!

BTW - These private spaces do not HAVE to be on the internet . . . You can certainly do the same thing in real space and time :-)

The Real Estate Town Center is already up and running and invitations have gone out to the REALTORS in our office. They know that they have first dibs at getting "IN" as long as they opt in before a certain date after which we will open it up to "invitation only" to other REALTORS . . . At some point, we may (as a group) decide to "cap" the membership.

My question to you:

"If you were to create a safe environment for the people in your Sphere of Influence to connect with each other, what might be the possibilities?

Hmmmmmm . . . Sorry . . . I didn't mean to write so much this morning . . . I haven't blogged in a few days . . . must've had a bit of "back pressure"

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green hills

www.theowengroup.net

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Simplicity and love in Real Estate

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:32:15 -0600

My wife Deb and I were talking this morning. She's embarking on a journey in a few minutes to a town @ 2+ hours from Nashville to meet a client for an inspection of a cool little cabin the client is buying as a vacation hideaway.

The deal had gone very quickly and smoothly because the client found the property and called Deb to "do the deal" . . . There was none of that "needs analysis" or "showing property" and the client is savvy enough that the financing was very quickly arranged.

The listing agent agreed to show the client the property knowing that Deb would not be present. He just said that he would help any way he could if it would lead to a deal for his client.

That's the way it aught to be . . .

These kinds of deals don't come along that often, but when they do, they are wonderful . . . kinda take the edge of those deals that run you into the ground. Around the office, we say that these are the deals to lock into your memory as fuel for you when one of those contentious and complex deals all-consumes you for months :-)

Deb had done the right thing for her client by calling a REALTOR in that town to ask for assistance with Market Analysis. The Lady who did it for her was very gracious - did the research - and confirmed that "It's a good deal" . . . and when Deb offered to pay her for her help, she refused payment and simply said: "Honey, You just remember me the next time you have a client wanting to buy something here."

That's the way it aughter be . . .

Deb prepared the offer (8 page "standard State Purchase and Sale Agreement") with all of the "Required Addenda" (as we do things "in the big city of Nashville") . . . faxed it to the Listing Agent and awaited a response.

30 minutes after the fax went . . . The Listing agent called and said he was confused. He said: "There's too many pages in this contract. We don't do business like this out here in the country. Our contract is ONE page. What does all of this mean?"

That's the way it aughter be . . .

Deb took the time to explain the terms to him, and the deal was done in the matter of @ 30 minute telephone call. the buyer got a great deal and the Seller got what they needed to move on . . . and at the end of the negotiation, Deb and the Listing agent had great respect (and even some love) for each other. They had shared some stories - business and personal and had built a simple relationship.

This is the way Deb works . . . She makes friends with everyone she works with . . . Clients and REALTORS

That's the way it aughter be . . .

Who decided that we need an 8 page contract when the simple truth is that the Buyers and Sellers simply need to agree on a price and date for moving . . . and verification (for the Buyer) that the house isn't about to fall into its own foundation and (for the Seller) that the Buyer's financing is arranged?

I'm not delusional enough to think that things will shift to "happy go lucky simplicity and love" over night . . . but I absolutley LOVE seeing signs that it's still alive out there.

The good news is that there's a new "short form 3 page" purchase and sale agreement here in Tennessee . . . What I like most about that is that with less garbage (noise) on the paper, perhaps there will be more quality communication between the REALTORS and thereby less conflict.

We are practicing the 2nd oldest profession on the planet (The oldest is not legal in most if not all states), and for most of that time, REALTORS have transacted business with much less clutter than nowadays . . . We can't make all that paper go away instantly, but we CAN pay more attention to how we treat each other - with kindness and respect.

That's the way it aughter be . . .

I'm not sure I'll write another blog post today . . . and tomorrow is going to be a "computer silence" day for our family :-) as we celebrate Thanksgiving together . . . and so I sign off with my simple Thanksgiving Message for this year . . .

Gratitude . . .

One thing I know is true . . .

A life filled with gratitude is an abundant life.

This Thursday; therefore, ranks right up there towards the top of the list of "most important Holidays".

It's but once a year, that we have a full day to enjoy the company of friends and family . . . and consume more food than we should.

I wish you a fun and warm Thanksgiving!

b

Helping Professionals discover their unique, personal Career Path, and coaching them towards Success and Balance!

Website www.theowengroup.net - The Owen Group is thankful to have the opportunity to serve the BEST Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee and to work with the BEST REALTORS on the planet :-)

Visit my other BLOG @ http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/

"alternative" website http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Career Development Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Green Hills Market Center
30 Burton Hills Blvd Ste 175
Nashville, TN 37215
Direct - 615.568.2123

Keller Williams Realty is a learning-based Training & Consulting Company supporting our Real Estate Professionals by offering business models, systems, tools, & support to Build Careers Worth Having, Businesses Worth Owning, and Lives worth living . . . We are THE fastest growing, most innovative real estate company in America.

Are you engaging your database?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:32:50 -0600

A book appeared on my desk a few weeks ago . . . It fell from the sky out of Jan's hands who had bought a copy for each of our staff because it had been recommended to her . . . and she likes to share :-)

Clearly, we are all experiencing various degrees of "engagement" in our work. There are plenty of viable distractions - Holidays - Changes in the weather - Economic Shifts/uncertainly . . . You name it . . . It's all there humming along in the background threatening our balance.

The book title is Engaged Leadership - Building a Culture to Overcome Employee Disengagement by Clint Swindall.

I started reading it yesterday and was instantly fully engaged. It's an easy read and lots of great ideas for improving our Leadership to find better results.

What really got my attention was page 54 (This is when I began underlining and writing random words in the margins)

According to a Gallop research - 55% of employees are disengaged - 26% are engaged - 19% are ACTIVELY disengaged.

The argument is quite well founded that the true challenge of any organization is to keep that 26% engaged all the while engaging the 55% in the middle.

How could this relate to your database?

We know that if you are able to identify & cultivate a strong core of people in your sphere of influence who you can consistently count on to provide you the life-blood (referrals) for your business, your business will weather any storm it faces . . . I call this core group your Tribe or Inner Circle . . . and I believe that it may never need to exceed 200 people. These folks are your ENGAGED contacts . . . the 26%

Of course, there are other people in the world you have met . . . who know you and respect you, but are not engaged in the sense that they are not sources of new business for you . . . These 55% folks amount to @ 425 people . . . and your Lead Generation challenge is to ENGAGE these people . . . The more of these folks you can engage, the more lucrative your business will be.

Then there are those 145 people (the 19%) who are actively disengaged - Those are the folks who may be working against you.

CONSEQUENCE

Most people shudder when they see this word because of a negative connotation. In this book, consequence is seen more a "result of taking action" and very well may be a positive thing.

As in . . .

The consequence of consistently lead generating and keeping in touch with your inner circle people is that you are actually recruiting support from them to positively influence the 55% disengaged people to a higher level of engagement.

In this scenario . . . the number of people in the "met" database who are either "engaged" or "disengaged but engageable" amounts to @ 625 folks . . .

My point?

That's not a formidable number of people to amass as a solid Mets Database . . . The true challenge is your ability to DISCIPLINE yourself enough that you actually make contact with all of these folks in a systematic and sustainable way . . .

Thus . . . Lead Generation 3 hours EVERY working day.

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Dear Uncle Sam

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:44:40 -0600

You're a big man with a big heart, and we all love you.

We know it absolutely breaks that big heart of yours to see all of this economic turmoil . . .

and that you are doing everything you can do to fix the mess we're in.

First, it was the banks - Then Wall Street - and the Real Estate Industry "down-turn" . . .

and now the auto industry.

I guess hindsight is 20/20, eh?

Everyone got too big . . . too fast!

and we all reached an unsustainable threshold . . .

and the brutal truths that "what goes up must come down" and "the bigger they are , the harder they'll fall" showed up and killed the party.

Boy, you jumped into action - That "Caretaker" within you scrambled to find a way to take the pressure off the banks because you saw that the money was frozen. You knew that for ANYTHING (good) to happen the money had to start to flowing again.

So you came up with what the media called a "Bail-out" for the Mortgage Backed Securities - Called it a fancy name that didn't stick "The Economic Stabilization Act" . . . The numbers were astonishing to all the "Joe the Plumbers" amongst us . . . unfathomable . . . but we trust you (sorta) and have been glad to see things move a bit.

As always is the case, there were an unsrupulous few who "gamed the system" and got caught in the spotlight putting a bad taste in everyone's mouth. It's those few jerks out there who took advantage of your big heart who have damaged your credibility in the eyes of many Americans.

Now we see your eye on the Auto industry which really is in deep tapioca. The leaders in that industry have seen the writing on the wall for a LONG time - Have witnessed your generosity with the Banks - and are now asking for a bit of a bail-out themselves.

They've got a pretty strong case. LOTS of jobs are at stake when we consider the manufacturing plants PLUS the myriad (smaller) part manufacturing companies PLUS the failing dealerships PLUS the auto service folks . . .

WOW!

They've painted a pretty gloomy picture if you don't step in . . . and QUICKLY!

You've got a lot to think about, and we are all hoping that you'll make choices that will lead us out of this morass. There are those among us who believe that your best choice with these Auto giants is to "Facilitate" a speedy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Most us of us don't really know what that means, but we kinda like the idea that it will not be "Throwing money at the problem" and it looks more like "Disciplining" the leaders of those companies into restructuring their businesses to bail themselves out . . . even though it seems like a cop-out to many people who see it as abandonment of their obligations to their creditors . . . Who knows?

Will you take a look at Seth Godin's Blog post: "What about Detroit"

Anyhow - I'd like to get to the reason for this letter.

I'm a REALTOR . . .

Our industry has been affected in ways that only REALTORS really know or undersatnd.

We are all independent contractors. We are not part of a large, benevolent corporation. We make money when we close deals . . . PERIOD!

No salaries . . . No pension funds . . . No company sponsored IRAs . . . We are in an environment of "Catch it - Kill it - Drag it home!"

Yes, we chose to be in this business . . . We knew the hazards . . . and our industry got nice and fat just like the others. We were participants in the frenzy that led up to today's debacle (just as were the banks and mega-businesses).

A HUGE number of us are "dying on the vine" and having to seek other employment at a time when the job market is flooded with professionals who have lost their corporate jobs due to downsizing.

Many of our individual businesses are whithering - Our local firms are shrinking and nearing extinction - and all of our "suppliers" such as Lenders, Title Companies, Termite Companies, Fix-it companies, Insurance Companies, Appraisers etc are REALLY hurting . . .

So . . .

Uncle Sam! Can we have a confidential chat over a beer on the patio?

What can you do for US?

BAIL-OUT for REALTORS?

I know I know . . . This would be a hard sell to the American public, but we promise to use the money wisely. Yes, I know everyone thinks we're rich because lots of us drive big, fancy cars and have been hanging out with the rich and famous locals a lot . . . But we need your help . . . and how are WE any less worthy than the big banks and Auto-manufacturers?

What would this bail-out look like?

Where would the money come from?

How do we decide who gets the money - and how much?

Oh, I don't know . . . That's for you to figure out. We can't concern ourselves with the details, we just want the money.

Oh Uncle - We love you dearly and thank you for taking such good care of us in the past. You have let us play for YEARS and allowed us to do things our Parents would NEVER have allowed us to do.

You're the GREATEST!

Where can I get my check?

Love,

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK OK . . . The above is a bit "spoofy" . . . Here's my REAL point for EVERYONE out there.

We got ourselves into this mess, and we need to figure out how toget OURSELVES out of this mess. We're all smart folks, and I KNOW that we will all be OK.

Let's begin at home.

Roof over your head and food on the table and clothes on your body?

Great . . . Now, how 'bout your neighbor? Work associates? Community? Burb? Town? City?

Uncle Sam's a really busy guy . . . It's time for all of us to take a step back and re-evaluate our spending/living habits and trim the excesses . . . tighten the belts . . . whatever you want to call it. The problems we all face are very real . . . and they are also temporary . . .

Listen to me . . . Stop Struggling . . . Quit fighting . . . Play well together and share your toys . . . Treat each other with kindness and respect . . . and most importantly . . .

Be thankful for all you have - Spiritual, Social, Emotional, Mental, Physical - HEALTH, Family, Friends . . . and celebrate with gratitude.

And while you're at it . . . LEAD GENERATE YOUR BUTT OFF!

because THAT's the only "REALTOR BAIL-OUT Plan"that I believe will really happen. It's up to us individually to ressurrect our markets . . . and it will only happen with patient effort and consistent education of the "general public" as to the benefits of homeownership. In these times of uncertainty many very smart economists agree that owning REAL PROPERTY (Houses and land) makes good sense.

Hmmmm . . . Sorry . . . I had an idea to write Uncle Sam a letter and I think it turned into a book.

Happy Thanksgiving to YOU!

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net - We're stimulating the economy in Middle Tennessee by connecting LOTS of home Buyers and Sellers

www.creatingspace.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization - Barry's "alternative website"

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Sploosh

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:12:58 -0600

"A treat for your feet.

Made from all natural ingredients, it neutralizes odor-causing fungi and bacteria.

Plus, You'll like the tingle."

My Daughter Jessica is a voracious reader. She reads everything she can get her hands on. We think she got this genetically as we look at her heritage. Deb (Mom) is a fantastic writer as were many of her relatives . . . I'm an indefatigable story-teller as is my Father (who has published many books @ Open Space Technology) and many other of my relatives . . . so our children are born with this "curse."

Friday night @ 8:00 as I was "ordering" Jessica and Allison to bed, they both squealed:

"WE CAN'T GO TO BED!"

"HOLES IS COMING ON TV!"

I was ready for a fight thinking this was just another ploy to defeat the "Parental Agenda". After all, these are 2 VERY cute young ladies ages 7 & 9, and their "batting average" is darned good when it comes to getting what they want from Dad.

I glanced over at Deb for a sign from her as to whether it would be a battle worth fighting.

Jessica ran to her bedroom . . . and returned carrying a book:

"HOLES" by Louis Sachar

Deb shrugged and smiled.

My battle was lost before it ever began. We watched "HOLES" that night.

I'm not going to tell you the story here . . . I highly recommend that you watch the movie and/or buy the book and read it. I did both this week-end because we watched it Saturday night and Jessica handed me the book at breakfast on Sunday morning with direct orders to READ IT!

I did so while the Jets pummelled the Titans (but that's another story).

OK!

Zoom back to the top of this post and check out that advertising slogan for SPLOOSH.

It's fun and provocative!

It gives useful information . . .

Offers a solution to real (and focused) need (Foot odor) . . .

And promises to make you feel good - perhaps even frisky.

Your business is SPLOOSH . . .

Now . . . Use this template to develop your Unique Selling Proposition (USP).

What need/pain will you fulfill/salve?

How will working with you benefit the client?

How can you lighten the message so your "public" thinks "FUN" while at the same time knows that you're all about getting them to their goal?

And how will you deliver this message for maximum impact?

I suggest taking advantage of "Party Season" - Prepare a few hundred trial sized bottlesof your own version of SPLOOSH and hand it out to everyone you see with a great message attached about how YOU are the quintessential REALTOR of choice in your market.

If nothing else, you'll have some REALLY interesting conversations . . .

AND

LOTS of people will be walking around mumbling about you . . .

Isn't that what we want?

The more people out there talking about us, the better, right?

But you MUST make me a promise. If you do this, you MUST email your success story to me with permission to post the story on a blog post here.

Final thought . . . Read the book before you do this, because odds are decent that some of the parents you encounter will already know about SPLOOSH and will launch right into talking about "HOLES"

on a cold and rainy day in Nashville, TN

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net - SPLOOSHING along with Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee!

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog-site

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization - about my passion and vision

Simply & BOLDLY living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Leader or Follower? Which are you and What's the difference?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:21:35 -0600

It's all about your mindset.

Which is "Better"?

Are you "more important" if you are the leader?

I found myself in a conversation the past couple of days in an off-line blog-site, and it looked a bit like the "chicken or egg" discussion. We were exploring the above questions in depth and came to some conclusions I want to share here because I see some relevance to our business.

If you'd like to get some more depth on how this discussion started, I blogged it here www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

What started this whole ball rolling was my discomfort in the notion that followers are (in some way) "underlings" of Leaders.

Yep! I acknowledge that we look to our leaders and expect some things from them . . . Things like Vision, Mission, Bravery, Knowledge, Consistency . . . I'm sure you could add many other Leadership attributes to the list.

And followers?

We expect the followers to support the Leaders' mission to accomplish the vision.

What I did not like about this is the implication that the leaders are somehow better or more important than the followers. What I know is that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US is a Leader . . . But NOT all of the time.

Each of us "Takes the Lead" in different ways and environments . . . at different times.

And so the participants in this discussion came around to the simple truth that the only real difference between Leaders and Followers is the MINDSET of Taking the Lead in a particular adventure. To do this, the Leader is the first and most passionate person in the group to step into fear and the unknown . . . to stick his/her neck out there . . . to assume responsibility for whatever happens as a result of the decisions made . . . This is NOT an EGO ride . . . It's completely about being willing to take responsibility for the risk associated with any effort . . . and having the sure-footedness to step out of the comfort zone.

To a certain degree, this means the Leaders are the Initiators/Innovators amongst us.

Who in this crowd is willing to risk the embarrassment of failure by taking the lead in this effort?

The Followers are everyone else . . . and these folks have "SKILLSETS" that actually can make or break the execution of the Leader's plan . . . These followers are essential for mission accomplishment. they are no less important than the Leaders.

In this Economic Climate, we need BOTH Leaders and Followers. I no longer am a staunch believer in the notion that the politicians can "fix" what's broken. I think it's too big and conflicted and partisan for that to happen.

What I DO know can happen is that WE can "FIX" what's broken . . . Simply by INITIATING and INNOVATING.

To all you Leaders among us: "It is now time to stick your neck out there and Lead your little butts off!"

It's time to do some BIG thinking and visioning. There ain't no "Get rich quick" schemes that are going to do it. We can effect MAJOR change simply by taking the lead in talking some REAL common sense to the Players in our markets. This must be a "No BS"approach . . . Those people with financial liquidity need to be BUYING real property.

Those Sellers still out there trying to squeeze every dime of equity from their beloved (and vacant) house must now understand that "fractional return" is what it will likely take to be able to move on.

My challenge is this:

Will you commit to find the LEADER within you?

Will you accept the mission to do whatever it takes to CLOSE the most volume/Units of real estate that has EVER been sold in your real estate market in the month of December?

Will you rally the troops (EVERY other REALTOR within earshot) to join in on the effort?

Will you coordinate a concentrated educational/informational marketing BLITZ as inexpensively as possible (BLAST EMAIL) to every agent's database with very targeted messages (ask your lender to help you craft messages which include real viable financing alternatives) . . . The goal is to AWAKEN the public . . . and the message is to "MOVE IN BEFORE CHRISTMAS!"

The goal is to reduce the available inventory as much as possible before year end . . . and get LOTS of money flowing . . . and distract the public from the goings on @ Wall Street and Washington.

If you're thinking about leaving this business, will you wait til the week after Christmas to actually do it so you can participate in this effort to save our economy?

Just think . . . If this works you WON'T have to leave the business!

Am I delusional?

Are we at the bottom?

If not, how can we get there?

We know that things won't improve til we find the bottom . . . and that once things start improving, they will rebound (in most markets) very quickly.

So . . .C'MON LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS!

Let's find the bottom together and capture all the market share we can so we can REALLY enjoy the ride back up.

(WHEW! I feel a bit like the head coach in the locker room at half time - I am gradually working on building a head of steam behind this effort . . . http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

R U IN?

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green hills

www.theowengroup.net

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Strategic Team Shrinking

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:51:57 -0600

You're a part of a team or Lead a team of professional REALTORS.

When the team started, there was much synergistic excitement, and since the day the team gelled, business has been great,

Now the market has shifted . . . and everyone on the team continues to work along . . .

But there's a new tension in the mix. The Team Members begin to watch the Team Leader more closely . . . looking for signs of fear or instability.

Everyone knows the lead flow is down . . . as are the closings. The energy shifts to a more nervous flavor . . . perhaps even frantic as everyone on the team begins to realize that money is not going to flow like it did before.

The first reaction is denial: "Everything'll be OK!" . . . Then shock and anger . . . and the actions turn towards a commitment to "MAKE things happen!"

The Buyers and Sellers are not cooperating.

Perhaps, the team members slip into the blame game for a period of time: "If you had only . . . " or "why aren't you getting the leads anymore?"

That does not feel good.

The Team Leader sees the cash reserves dwindling and initially has regrets that he/she had not (when times were good) put more money aside for this rainy day . . . But the reality is that this leader is facing some tough music,

The team either needs INCOME or fewer EXPENSES . . . and the model in the SHIFT book is to "Remargin" the business. We know that in a down market, the key to survival is FIRST to cut expenses.

And so it is time to consider shrinking the team.

The first bit of this strategy has GOT to be performance based assessment of each person on the team. Is everyone doing their best? Are they all great fits? There's a chance that there are some "weeds" in the garden . . . Pull those weeds FIRST!

But what if everyone just LOVES everyone else . . . and things are not so black and white?

also

We know that those teams who survive the down times emerge from the ashes stronger and mightier with more market share than before . . . and so it makes good sense to actually BUILD a solid team during the down times . . . hmmmm

enigma . . .

Read the Book "The Energy Bus"

In that book is a wonderful little story with a great lesson. When it is time to "sort the wheat from the chafe" and you're not certain who on the team is "WITH you" and who is "AGIN you" . . . It's time to lay things on the line - Explain the situation - Affirm the truth that we can not continue to keep doing the same things and stay in business . . . and ask the question to the team members as a group;

"What can we do to reduce our expenses without folding the team?

What creative ideas do you each have?

My options include the possibility of having to release the staff and shifting those staff duties to others on the team . . . but I don't want to do that because I love ALL Y'ALL!"

This scenario will do two things:

1. You'll learn who is WITH you!

2. You'll learn who is NOT with you!

And odds are great that you will not have to fire anyone . . . They'll simply opt out.

Those who want to stay will get creative. Admin folks might agree to reduce their pay without reducing their work load or "Farm themselves out" to other agents in the office to reduce the overhead (with the promise of returning full tilt when times improve).

I think what I am trying to encourage Team Leaders and members is that the most important thing they can do is "PAUSE THE GAME" and profess their individual commitments to the team and get creative to preserve the team knowing that in the end, they will ALL prosper together.

What NOT to do?

Don't climb into your cave and shut down the enterprise . . .

Be a turtle . . . Stick your neck out and require anyone who chooses to play in your pond to stick THEIR necks out.

We're all in this thang together.

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville,TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net - We're shrinking and growing and sticking our necks out there every day for home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com- Barry's other blog

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Are you Inviting the right people to do business with you?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:57:25 -0600

About a month ago, Our team leader Alice Charron announced a new class for our training schedule. The original title of this class was to be something along the lines of "The "Shift" Book Club" . . . The concept of the class is for Alice to work through the Shift book from start to finish with whoever shows up and thereby (in a sense) create a "Group Coaching" environment.

Alice's promotion of this class was relentless, and the timing could not have been better. Her marketing emphasized the importance of plugging the fundamental wisdom presented in the book into the agent's respective businesses to Survive and perhaps even THRIVE during these uncertain times.

The message was simple and positive.

By happenstance, the quarterly "Citywide Mega-Agent Mastermind" was also to be held on that day. These masterminds are generally very well attended . . .

DRAT!

Alice made the smart move NOT to change the day/time of her Shift class and offered a "make-up class" for those who wanted to attend the Masterminds. She would hold her first class as scheduled.

In our office of @ 120 agents . . . more than 30 agents showed up for this first session. The energy was high . . . It was truly exciting to see this levelof engagement in the office.

This is a classic case of "Right theme - People show up" . . . Alice's "Tribe" consists of the agents in our office and any other agents she is inviting from other real estate firms to come take a look at joining Keller Williams. She knows what they need MOST, and she DELIVERED.

She actually did the whole tribe a favor with her relentless marketing and prospecting of this class . . . Personally calling people she knew who would benefit from the class.

How's your prospecting marketing going in your business?

Are you seeing results?

Are leads flowing in?

Appointments happening?

Buyers and Sellers signing agreements to work with you?

Contracts moving and closings consummating?

I think there's a lot to learn from Alice's campaign to fill the room for her new class . . .

The most significant lesson is that she discovered the RIGHT theme . . . A theme that her target audience has passion for . . . a theme that fills a gap . . . potentially salves a pain . . . and is TIMELY . . .

and then she relentlessly broadcast this theme to her "Tribe" . . .

and she delivered as promised even when circumstances presented her with a seemingly formidable obstacle (the Masterminds).

In your business . . . Your lead generation efforts bear fruit when the THEME (message) you are projecting accomplishes all of the above . . . and when your Tribe (Group of Mets and target market) are in alignment with your PURPOSE . . . and when you do all of this with a level of COMMITMENT that can ONLY be defined as being RELENTLESS.

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

Simply and BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Play well and share your toys

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:12:33 -0600

I think we're all feeling a bit of pain - especially as we head into the holidays.

Our kids came home from school yesterday very excited about the fact that there will be NO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK!

My first thought was: "What happened? Must be something BAD for schools to close for a full week. I don't remember seeing anything on the news."

AHHHHH - YES!

THANKSGIVING!

ALREADY?

YIKES!

Deb and I looked at each other and began to do the shuffle - We've both been very focused with our work this year . . . and had decided to celebrate Thanksgiving at home this year.

The real kicker is that the coming of Thanksgiving means that Christmas is just around the corner.

and then I think about all the people in the world who are going to have a difficult Christmas this year because of all of the financial mayhem . . .

and I think that there is no time like the present to play well with others and share your toys :-)

Lots of folks are going to need an extra dose of love this year.

So let's ALL see what we can do to unite as close communities and seek out those in need . . . and do what we can do to ease the pain a bit.

It all begins with communication. Make it your personal mission to make genuine contact with everyone you know before Christmas. This gives you 6 weeks. Ideally, think of something small and inexpensive yet significant that you can GIVE to LOTS of people - Even a simple book mark with a simple message that you create on your computer and print on card-stock.

Genuine contact is person-to-person . . . this means filling your days with "drop-bys" at folks' work or home . . . Keep a good supply of these small gifts with you at all times and make it your personal mission to brighten as many people's days as possible. Give one to EVERY person you meet and smile and wish them a Happy Holiday and a prosperous 2009.

Wanna make a difference in the world?

This'll do it . . . and it's also great therapy for YOU if you are needing a boost :-)

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Barry'sother blog-site

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Are you a FINISHER?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:50:08 -0600

Another lesson from the Tennessee Titans football team . . . I not a rabid Football fan, but am finding plenty of learnings from the way this coach and team are working.

The Titans are still undefeated 10-0 . . .

and they are still playing VERY strong opponents each week.

Yesterday, that opponent was the Jacksonville Jaguars who had a tremendous 1st half with 2 touchdowns and very few mistakes - They looked strong, and I was feeling uncertain the Titans would pull a win out of this contest.

The Titans got 3 points on the board that first half and had lots of penalties, an interception . . . and were generally "off their game". The broadcast I heard was that the Titans were not really off their game, they were being out-performed by the Jaguars.

Interesting distinction . . .

The Jaguars had knocked the Titans off balance - and I know that once a team is off balance . . . finding the flow before the final horn is a race against the clock that only a great leader with a finely tuned team of professionals can pull off.

"How can we turn energy of this game around such that we throw our opponent off-balance, stay on our game, and score enough points to WIN?"

Well . . . The Titans came out of the locker room and scored 2 touch-downs early in the 3rd quarter within a span of 2 minutes . . . thereby assuming a 17-14 lead . . . The energy had shifted . . . Titans BALANCED . . . Jaguars OFF-BALANCE! One more Titans score clinched the win.

The announcer made this simple comment as to how the Titans were able to do this:

"This Titans team under the leadership of Jeff Fisher is a FINISHER! they are champions because they have the resilience and the mental fortitude to turn things around in time to win."

Sometimes, we REALTORS feel out-performed as we plow forward through each day weathering an onslaught of bad news and negativity. Our only opponent in this "game" is our own minds. If your mindset is that of a finisher, you learn to "lead yourself" to victory knowing that you have within you what it will take to prevail . . . and all you've really got to do is stay in the game with patient effort and FINISH.

You see?

In our business of real estate sales, many of our competition (other REALTORS) have bursts of brilliance and occasional successes . . .

I believe that it's with the resolve of being a finisher, that you will taste victory regardless of the macro-economic picture.

Finishers know that the business climate is cyclic . . . and that the only insulation we against those ebbs and flows of the market are our mindset and right action.

Don't worry about the market - Just be a FINISHER!

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net - Finishing with Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle tennessee

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Blogging daily (afternoons)

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Tag-Team Lead Generation - The 13th Tactic?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:58:47 -0600

Perhaps this could Gary Keller's 13th Tactic for Thriving in a shifted market . . .

I had a couple of fun coaching sessions yesterday. It was refreshing to have some time with some of our newly licensed associates who are nothing short of "happy-go-lucky" . . . full of energy and drive and new ideas.

And I thought of the "innocence of children" . . .

As we "mature" do we lose that innocence?

Does it really go away?

or does it stay inside just waiting patiently for us to rediscover?

The world is your oyster when you remember your innocence.

Possibilities are abound . . .

Stresses become insignificant . . .

I've heard a LOT of "seasoned agents" in a FUNK recently . . .

"NOTHING is working!"

"The Buyers are NOT Buying!"

"The Sellers are not being reasonable!"

"Woe is me!"

And then I run across these two young bundles of energy and enthusiasm and realize that everything's really gonna be alright . . . for EVERYONE!

There's a lot we can learn from our abandoned innocence . . . and what better place to find the key to that "fountain of youth" than to invite a few "newbies" into your world?

These 2 young ladies are relatively fresh out of college. Each emerged from college with a degree and a "prescribed" occupation based on their decision to pursue that degree (major) . . . a decision they had made as Sophomores in College without actually giving it much thought.

After a year in their respective new lives in their new professions, they both had the chutzpa to acknowledge that this work was not their cup of tea - and that they did not want to spend their whole lives doing something for which they had limited passion.

Both told me that they were energized whenever they thought of Real Estate . . .

and so they took the classes, got licensed and Joined Keller Williams Realty.

I asked: "Why Keller Williams?"

They responded: "I don't know, it just naturally happened."

One of these young women joined us @ 4 months ago and has been coaching with me. She is doing the right things in terms of building her database of people she knows . . . and is an out-going, intelligent person . . . and was really having difficulty with the concept of having to talk to strangers - Yet she knew that she was going to HAVE to do it because her met database was not showing much depth.

So . . .

The other young lady just this week got her license and is ready to do whatever it takes. They connected and decided to meet for cocktails that night to talk about ideas to get things rolling for both of them.

Next thing they knew, they had made a plan for their evening ...

Tag Team Lead Generation

Together, they would strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger and play off each other to practice their lead generation scripts - and work on increasing their personal comfort levels.

Their only "rules" were that they would not spend more than an hour in any given Bar/restaurant . . . and they would be careful to drink in moderation.

Each hour, they would move to a different place . . .

At the end of the night, they had 4 leads and several new contacts.

And they both said to me yesterday: "NOW I know what Lead Generation is!"

Ain't it great?

And they didn't need me to figure this out . . . only their innocence.

If you're ever feeling "old and curmudgeonly" . . . Perhaps you could stand some coaching from some young, energetic FNG (Freakin' New guy)

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - Working with Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog-site

www.stickam.com/barryowen - Streaming live video daily from the Keller Williams Realty Nashville Training room

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Too good to be true (the overnight millionaire scam)

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:46:34 -0600

I don't usually re-blog stuff . . . but this one is worthy enough (and the author gives clear permission) . . . . This comes from My favorite Seth Godin and rings especially true for LOTS of people in today's business environment.

I have some comments of my own (of course) at the end, so I hope you will read the whole thang!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Too good to be true (the overnight millionaire scam)

You probably don't need to read this, but I bet you know people who do. Please feel free to repost or forward:

Times are tough, and many say they are going to be tougher. That makes some people more focused, it turns others desperate.

You may be tempted at some point to try to make a million dollars. To do it without a lot of effort or skill or risk. Using a system, some shortcut perhaps, or mortgaging something you already own.

There are countless infomercials and programs and systems that promise to help you do this. There are financial instruments and investments and documents you can sign that promise similar relief from financial stress.

Resist.

There are four ways to make a million dollars. Luck. Patient effort. Skill. Risk.

(Five if you count inheritance, and six if you count starting with two million dollars).

Conspicuously missing from this list are effortless 1-2-3 systems that involve buying an expensive book or series of tapes. Also missing are complicated tax shelters or other 'proven' systems. The harder someone tries to sell you this solution, the more certain you should be that it is a scam. If no skill or effort is required, then why doesn't the promoter just hire a bunch of people at minimum wage and keep the profits?

There are literally a million ways to make a good living online, ten million ways to start and thrive with your own business offline. But all of these require effort, and none of them are likely to make you a million dollars.

Short version of my opinion: If someone offers to sell you the secret system, don't buy it. If you need to invest in a system before you use it, walk away. If you are promised big returns with no risk and little effort, you know the person is lying to you. Every time.

end of post

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK!

"There are four ways to make a million dollars. Luck. Patient effort. Skill. Risk."

Let's think about this with relevance to our business and the environment we are all in.

"LUCK" is NOT a good strategy . . . so that one's out . . .

"RISK" - Isn't there already enough built-in risk with the uncertainties we face daily? You'd be crazy to do anything risky unless your pockets are DEEP and FULL.

That leaves:

Patient Effort - Continue to Lead Generate PATIENTLY and diligently, and you'll make it through this morass!

and

Skill - Work on your scripts . . . Track your efforts . . . determine your strengths and weaknesses . . . FOCUS on honing your skills EVERY day . . . It'll pay off in a large way eventually.

and don't lose faith . . . The next 4 months will be frightening for many REALTORS . . . Those who are able to remain standing will emerge stronger than ever before . . . so . . . unless you're uniquely qualified and motivated to do something else to bring home the bacon . . .

I think the wisdom here is to head on down the path of "Patient Effort" and "Skill" improvement.

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - Honing Skills and Patiently exerting effort daily with Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog-site

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

HEY! What ARE you?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:47:51 -0600

Sales person?

Consultant?

REALTOR for life?

Affiliate Broker?

If you're not certain, don't panic.

Just pull out one of your cards and read the words just below your name.

What do they say?

Now . . . How does it feel?

Do those words describe your "station" in your professional world?

Are they simply the words that were already on the business card template you used in your frantic rush to get your cards printed?

I believe there are many reasons to gain personal clarity @ what your business card is telling those people who receive it:

Often times, a prospect's first and ONLY chance to see your uniqueness is the nano-second it takes them to glance over your business card - Wouldn't it be great to have a phrase there that stops them in their tracks and causes them to ask what it means?

OOPS!

Then, instead of a casual card exchange you might gain the opportunity for a real conversation . . . for more of a "presentation" of YOU to them . . . WHAT you are to your clients over and above what other typical REALTORS are.

Dare to be different . . . in an authentic way.

I'm an "Educator/Leader Real Estate Broker"

Hmmmm - Decriptive and Pithy . . .

My card currently says "Productivity Coach and Principal Broker"

Those are titles . . . but they're not great at describing what I really believe I am . . .

These words also show up in my signature block on letters and emails . . . I see them as my golden opportunity to present my genuine self to anyone who reads to the bottom of the message

I've been thinking about this and started using "Career Development Coach"

That rings better in my heart but I'm not sold on it . . .

Now!

this "Leader/Educator - Principal Real Estate Broker" feels better . . . I'm not sure it's perfect, but it's closer to the real thing.

DECLARE who you ARE!

I've been thinking about this for a while and had a great class yesterday with a new and very sharp new associate who appeared to be struggling a bit with his role as "Real Estate Sales Person" . . . another person in the class was a young lady who was certain that few of her young friends would be able to buy a house . . .

Our discussion led to the simple truth that we REALTORS must establish ourselves amongst our "Tribe" (Sphere of Influence) as the EXPERT in real estate matters . . . and we accomplish this by EDUCATING those around us.

I believe most folk's trepidation @ buying or selling a house is fear or lack of understanding of the process . . . and that our "job" gets a LOT easier when we educate . . . People who say: "We might be ready in a year" might really be saying something more along the lines of: "I concerned my credit isn't good enough to buy a house" . . .

We can't know motive until we meet with them and consult and educate.

This approach proves to dramatically increase prospect to client conversion . . .

And it just feels good to have the "right" words on the business card.

What ARE you?

Best,

Barry Owen

Leader - Coach - Educator

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - We're leading, educating, and coaching Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee

www.creatingspace.blogspot.com - Barry's other blogsite

Simply & BOLDLY living the FourFold way in Open Space!

Doctor's orders . . .

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:05:51 -0600

"Make 2 appointments and call me in the morning"

Do you have anaccountability Partner?

Is there someone in your world who has permission to know what you are "supposed" to be doing with your time while at work?

Do you actually DO the right stuff while at work?

Do you track your efforts AND your results?

Then . . . Do you report those numbers at least weekly to this accountability partner who is not afraid to challenge you when you're not "on goal"?

If not . . . WHY?

Is what you're doing now working perfectly?

Enough leads, appointments, listings, and closings to fulfill your dreams?

You've got nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain by partnering with a friend to be held accountable.

Put your ego on the shelf and acknowledge that you simply cannot do this yourself without someone outside of your body holding your accountable.

I am consulting with a Buyer Specialist for a Mega agent. The lead agent has been selling LOTS of houses all year . . . But suddenly, the sales have dropped dramatically. the agent says it's the market. When I dug deeper I discovered that the lead agent had fired his coach because he wasn't seeing results . . . and the reality was that he was not seeing results because he was not truthfully tracking and reporting his lead generation efforts . . . Instead, he was shifting the blame on the market and deciding that he needed more leverage - to hire another admin.

Guess what?

This team's marketing efforts are bringing in @ 75 leads each month . . . No-one on the team could look me in the eye and tell me how many client appointments each week because they didn't KNOW ... they were not tracking. Yet, they agreed that lead flow should result in more business.

AHA . . . I see lack of tracking and thereby lack of accountability . . . There's a clear and present lead conversion problem . . . PERIOD!

So if I'm their Doctor, their prescription is to set a minimum of TWO appointments EVERY day - Not just til the sales are crossing the closing table, but FOREVER!

Oh ... and the number of phone calls, doors knocked, drop by visits etc it takes to get to 2 appointments is not relevant . . . Just DO IT!

And finally . . . WHY would you do all this?

Remember your BIG WHY?

You do this because you are THAT committed to your family having a particular quality of life . . . and/or you are funding your future dreams.

It's simple - 2 appointments EVERY day - One at 2 and one at 4 . . . and you call your accountability partner as you're stepping into each.

the rest will take care of itself :-)

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green hills - The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - the Owen group is setting appointments with home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee twice daily (at least).

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com Barry's other blog

www.stickam.com/barryowen - Streaming training video live daily

Simply & BOLDLY living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The Chicken? or the egg?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:26:52 -0600

Which came first?

Not sure?

Is ANYONE?

I think it was the chicken . . . Not based on superior intellect . . . It's just that I think without a chicken, where would the egg have come from?

But to the chickens of the world it doesn't really matter as long they are able to produce more eggs than their primary egg eaters (humans) can consume.

After all . . . Isn't the natural world ALL about propagation of the species?

OK OK!

There IS a point in here relevant to your business.

Which comes first in importance to your business?

Lead Generation?

Getting the appointment?

Your service?

Your smooth process?

Your passion and compassion and loyalty?

Your knowledge, innate talent, Charisma, and intelligence?

For sure, all of these things are nice to have, and I (truthfully) sat down to write a post about the sheer importance of getting the appointment . . . and I WILL go ahead and do that . . . But I've changed my mind as to my answer to "Which comes first in importance?"

Stay tuned . . .

We must all agree that it all begins with Lead generation. Without a good flow of leads, there is no business. When you leave the closing table, you smile as you tuck that big fat check in your file knowing that it would not exist if you had not stuck your neck out there and generated that (and many other) leads.

But does having lots of leads guarantee a pay check?

NOPE!

I believe that getting the appointment is equally important even though it won't happen without leads . . . so CLEARLY we've all GOT to be ON OUR GAME when it comes to setting the appointment. I know that 85% of my appointments lead to loyal Clients . . . and 75% of my clients turn into closings (money) . . . eventually :-)

So why make an appointment with someone who says they're not "actively in the market" for another year?

Because this might be your only chance . . . to begin building a REAL SOLID relationship that can lead to future business . . . Besides . . . You can take that moment to educate them on your need for referrals.

SO . . . ALWAYS GET THE APPOINTMENT . . .

So with my statistics, 15% of my appointments do business with other REALTORS (or not at all) and 25% of those who agree to do business with me don't make it to the closing table . . . So service, process, talent, knowledge, charisma, intelligence are all important . . . they all weigh in.

What of all of the above if it were missing from your business practice would do the most damage to your bottom line? I believe it is GETTING THE APPOINTMENT. Those folks who are great at getting the appointment don't have to generate as many leads.

How many dials do you have to make to get a lead?

15?

20?

I've heard that in this twisted shifted market it looks like @ 33 for most people.

With that necessary level of "Gruntwork" you had BETTER be a great appointment getter so you don't squander any of those precious leads.

You've made it this far with me?

Are you ready for my answer to my initial question?

Which comes first in importance to your business?

LEADERSHIP!

If you become a student of leadership, I believe your business results will SOAR.

Because great leaders accumulate great followers . . . They develop a veritable TRIBE of people whose loyalty and support contribute to the "end" . . . When you're a great leader, the right people start magically showing up in your life . . . and the right things start happening . . . and life is GOOD!

There are many places to learn about Leadership - and books to read - and motivation speakers to hear . . .

These days, I am tuning in to the work of Seth Godin - Specifically his new book "Tribes" . . . It is literally PACKED with tasty morsels about what it means to be a leader.

Do you have a Tribe?

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills -The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - The Owen group is leading home buying and selling clients to the closing table daily.

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com- Barry's Other Blogsite

A pruod member of Seth Godin's Triiibe

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Things I've learned watching the Tennessee Titans roll to 9-0 . . .

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:25:06 -0600

GO TITANS!

Only a real sicko (like me) . . .

a Leadership Lessons Junkie of epic proportions could suck the juice from a football season and turn it into a blog post relevant to success in business.

But I'm gonna give it a try.

The titan's coach is Jeff Fisher - One of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL. He's been around so long because he is GOOD! Others in the NFL respect his knowledge of the game. His players and fans respect him for that AND the fact that he oozes with passion and compassionate. This is a man who clearly loves his team . . . He is going through life performing with heart.

This team has had some good seasons . . . and bad seasons. Jeff Fisher has never wavered in his commitment to his players and his responsibility. The fan base isn't one to "BOO" often . . . because this team plays with class and pride.

Jeff Fisher is not afraid to make tough decisions and to learn from past errors of judgment. Pacman Jones stayed longer than he probably should have - Jeff's compassion and optimistic faith delayed the inevitable. For that, he was criticized. When Vince Young "got loose" and showed his immaturity, Jeff showed his team and fans that he had learned a lesson from Pacman . . . He sidelined Vince and plugged in Collins - The "old man veteran back-up" . . . and he one-plussed that decision by committing up-front that "Kerry's our man until there's a need to change"

CLEAR MESSAGE! A REAL LEADER MAKES TOUGH DECISIONS . . . AND backs those decision up with appropriate ACTION and support.

What about Vince? He's learning a LOT from the sidelines and will most likely mature off the field this year more than he would have on the field.

Yesterday, the Chicago Bears had home field advantage AND a burning desire to end the Titan's undefeated season . . . Those Bears are GOOD football players . . . but they didn't get it done.

Why?

The Bears came at the Titans with everything they had. They literally shut down the Titan's running game COMPLETELY ... and their fans were justifiably exuberant. The Bears tasted "first Blood" with an early touchdown . . .

This was not a nice, fuzzy environment for the Titans who have ALL season been VERY effective on the ground . . . The Bears COMPLETELY shut down the Titans running game.

The Titans adjusted and went to the air . . . and simply threw the ball over that indomitable Bears defense and proceeded to win.

I believe the Titans came with heart into this game . . . The bears came with talent and brute force and determination, but somehow came short on heart as the game unfolded. Their fans BOOO'd them in the 3rd quarter, and the commentators implied that those Chicago fans are just that way.

Those Bears almost did what they came to do - almost handed the Titans their first loss. I think Jeff Fisher's Leadership with heart and passion won that game (and every other game this seaon). He and his team seem to be in a state of FLOW . . . Riding a huge swelling wave, and this is fun to watch because it is obvious that they ARE having fun.

So if you aspire to be the magnificent leader you already are, perhaps you can serve yourself well by looking for leadership lessons in unexpected places. The books and tapes and videos @ leadership are all good stuff . . . But I think having the opportunity to observe a great leader in action can't be beat.

and what better environment to witness great leadership than to watch a great football game?

Best,

Barry Owen

Career Development Coach

Principal Real Estate Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - The Owen group is performing with heart with Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee.

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog

www.stickam.com/barryowen - Streaming live video daily from our training room

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in open Space!

R U a Masterminder?

Barry Owen (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:06:43 -0600

You have a lot of choices when it comes to how you spend your time, energy, & money . . .

My suspicion is that if you are a REALTOR, and you are still in the business, you probably are doing many things right.

Every day, I see room for improvement in my "way"

We are in an ever-transforming world!

Very liitle we do happens "as planned"

But we know that living intentionally and purposefully taking action significantly increases our odds harvesting good fruit from our labors.

With things changing at what seems to be a hyper pace, how can we "re-tool" ourselves to continue to be effective . . . and to work through the challenges with grace?

Gary Keller says that we are not seeking BALANCE . . . we must learn to COUNTER-BALANCE ourselves and what we do . . . acknowledging the truth that we are always in a state of imbalance and needing to correct our course with finely tuned adjustments.

The real key to doing this is the simple and consistent act of paying attention to our surroundings.

The folks and organizations who master this art of counter-balance are the ones who "get" the fact that they are not alone in this world . . .

There are others who can and will offer real wisdom and knowledge . . .

All we've got to do to reap benefit from this immense source (well) is to intentionally create safe spaces all around us - Spaces in which people feel safe to take and contribute learning and thought.

All the wisdom you need already surrounds you.

I think our business environment has reached a level of fluidity that it is literally transforming each and every minute. Heck, Loan rates are varying widely in a matter of hours . . . and most of us are accustomed to knowing the rate and having some level of comfort that the rate won't shift significantly for weeks or months.

Here's what to do:

SHOW up and create spaces for great conversations. Invite anyone and everyone who will come. Be sure the invitation includes a theme that people will have passion for.

Be indiscriminate in your invitations - Don't be exclusionary . . . Put the invitation out to anyone within earshot and know that the right people will show up . . . because the people who come will be the ones who have passion for the theme and will contribute.

I call this "Opening Space" . . . A more common mainstream name for it is Masterminding.

Every day is a great big mastermind for me . . . I spend most of every day inviting and conversing . . .

Today, we are starting a weekly mastermind in our office - Our theme is "How to Thrive in this shifting market" . . . and we have invited anyone who cares to show up whether they are with our firm or not . . . I'd be OK if the Building Maintenance crew showed up.

We'll do this EVERY friday from 1 til it's over and will be streaming video and sound on-line @ www.stickam.com/barryowen and we'll do this til it's over :-)

I hope you'll join us . . . Even better . . . I hope you'll start inviting and conversing with people in your world . . . The benefit of bringing people together weekly will astound you.

Best,

Barry Owen

Principal Real Estate Broker

Career Development Coach

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!

www.theowengroup.net - Masterminding with Home Buyers and Sellers daily in Middle Tennessee

www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com- Barry's other (less Real Estate Related) blogsite

www.stickam.com/barryowen - Streaming live video daily from the Keller Williams Realty Green Hills Training Room

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!