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Our market appears to be cooling and I have done the unthinkable.  I set a goal of doubling my business in 2007.  Many would call me crazy.  I am still evaluating that myself.

 

My marketing budget has been increased.  The plan in place, but something is missing.  I need another 50 hours a week.  Where will I find it?  My family does not see me enough now.  They will not tolerate my spending any more time away.  Panic begins to set it.  I wrack my brain to find the needed hours.  Should I lower the goal?  NO!    I not yet begun to fight.

As a chess player I know if you have an inferior position you only have a few choices.  I select the least used option... ATTACK!

I need help!

With the market cooling there will be many agents not able to survive.  Some will be great with customers and contracts but may not have the marketing skills to bring in the needed clients. 

I have identified a pool of talent.

The search is on! 

Bishop takes h7 check.   (for all you chess players)

                                                      

 

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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Century 21 Liberty Homes

 

Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers.  His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.

Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors.  To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents. 

 

www.HawaiiRandy.com *  Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search  *  Hawaii Military Relocations

 

13 Comments on To Hire an Assistant or Not Hiring an Assistant, That is the Question.

NOV
09
2006
1,215,723 Points 44 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Randy - Have you read The Millionaire Real Estate Agent? There are some great models in it for leveraging yourself with people and building a team. To increase your marketing budget and generate additional leads without having the staff to support that volume would be throwing your  money away. If you find the right person, your GCI and family time will both increase.

One more thing ... there's a group of us reading and discussing MREA right now on Ken Smith's blog.
1:53am • #1
7 Featured Posts

Randy, you are wise to put more money into building your presence rather than less money right now. Many agents are scaling back on their business-building activities, which will only hurt them in a sluggish period.

If you have a good pool of talent from which to choose, great!

Do be sure you perform your "due diligence" before hiring anyone. I'd also recommend that you do a small project with the individual (or individuals) before you sign a long-term contract.

I always recommend that you request references -- both current clients and at least one past client -- and that you CHECK each one.

If you want more information on hiring the best talent, you can read my article on this topic here: How to Hire an Offsite Assistant. You may also want to read about how to Keep a Good Assistant or Outsourcing Service Provider, Once You Find One.

Best wishes! 
2:02am • #2
153,771 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Aloha Randy,  But where will you find this assistant?  I know your work ethic, customer service skills, care and concern and personality.  Can you possibly find someone who cares as much about your clients as you do?  Let me know where you find this person. 
2:07am • #3
569,934 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

I am interviewing agents daily.  they just don't know they are being interviewed.  Every time I go to an open house, when I sit at a table of agents at our Realtor breakfasts, etc.

I did purchase Ed Hatches CD set on hiring an assistant through CRS.  I found it to be quite helpful.

I took Ed's class in Maui last year and he really inspired me.

Thank you for the leads on books.  I could use all the advice I can get.  It will be a big step and I need to do it right.
2:31am • #4

Hi Randy.  Congratulations on decideing that this is the year to double your income.  I have made that my goal as well, so we can pat each other on the back!  I have not yet hired an assistant either but the best advice I have been given has been to utilize the D.I.S.C. profile in the hiriing process.  It works with clients and it worked very well for the office manager in our office.  I believe the hardest part of the hiring process is keeping it professional enough to say "no" to the wrong person even if you really like them.  Finding someone enjoyable enough (with enough "S") to be warm and fuzzy with clients when they need to be but have enough "C" in them to handle all of the details with nothing left behind, and still have enough "D" to assist with any arising issues that need immediate action.

I, too, would like to know whre you end up finding this dynamo of an assistant.  Good luck!
Virginia Halter
6:45am • #5
9 Featured Posts
Randy the answer is yes. You need an assistant. You have to have good time management skills. You have to spend time with your family watch the movie Click that will help
8:11am • #6
121,551 Points 18 Featured Posts

Hi Randy~ As a virtual marketing assistant, I just want to throw in the option of a Virtual Assitant as well. If you have come up with a a few tasks that you are ready to delegate to an experienced real estate assistant, you may find that you don't have to jump into the full commitment of an employee just yet, until you see how the market works out.

Like Angela said, start with  a few projects you feel comfortable delegating, and balance out the leverage with your goals.  Here are some ideas I wrote about in my blog about Leads, Listings & Leverage

Good Luck!
10:56am • #7
17 Featured Posts
Randy, It would be great if you would keep us updated on this.  I haven't reached the point of hiring an assistant yet. 
11:29am • #8
569,934 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Thank you for the feed back.  One thing that really stands out from the responses.  Everyone in our group has or is going through the same thought and planning process.

We have all started with education, then a plan.

I have spent a lot of time and money in the education part of the process.

I have a goal, just fine tuning the plan.  Laura added an idea I never considered; a virtual assistant.  I was not looking that way, but I am definitely added it to my options.
2:36pm • #9
464,023 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hmmm how about a virtual assistant?  Look into it for sure.

Depends on how busy you are and if the price is right and I am not talking about Bob Parkers tv show.
11:00pm • #10
569,934 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

The virual assistant has some merit.  My weakness is I am techie.  I build my own websites etc.  I would have to do the right thing and loosen my grip on the laptop.
11:38pm • #11
NOV
10
2006
7 Featured Posts

Folks, the secret to hiring a good virtual assistant or outsourcing service provider is to outsource those items that:

  1. You hate doing
  2. You don't do well
  3. You never find the time to do

So if you are a "techie" -- you shouldn't outsource the geeky stuff, unless you get so "tied up" that you forget to sell homes!

I have had a long history of working in the outsourcing field and although I don't consider myself a VA at this point, I was on the Board of Directors for the leading VA organization for several years and I am co-founder of an outsourcing specialist networking group now (RemoteProfessionals.com).

To enjoy a healthy and productive relationship with offsite support services and specialists you must feel comfortable with the provider's merit, skills, education, background and track record.

Granted, it may take a bit longer to find a good fit with someone who doesn't work in the office next to yours, but you also should consider the advantages -- no office space, no taxes, no equipment expense, and no need to pay them when there is no current project underway.

Virtual assistants and remote outsourcing specialists tend to command a higher price (per hour) than what you would pay for traditional onsite help -- but they often work faster and bring a fresh perspective  (along with proven approaches and new ideas) to your business that are all quite valuable to your business success.

Best wishes in finding the perfect "flavor" of assistance for your needs! 
12:26am • #12
569,934 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Thank you Angela for your insight.  You have definitely given me more to consider when I make my final decisions.
2:58am • #13

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Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (808) 384-5645

Mililani, HI

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Century 21 Liberty Homes

Address: 95-221 Kipapa Dr., E3, Mililani, HI, 96789

Cell Phone: (808) 384-5645

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