In the end  the only "brand" that is important in the "you" brand. My company is a support for "my branding." Of course,promoting your company is part if business and blogging, really.

I am lucky enough to work for a company that also allows me to brand myself.  There ae some companies out there that will not allow you to put your name on signs, ads, etc.

Hi Maureen - you know, as I was reading the comments above that you used in your post, I found myself thinking that if you weren't excited and enthusiastic about where you work, why on earth work there??  Who the heck are those people to chastise others about their writings?  If they want to sing to the world about the great place where they work - good for them.  That shows they love where they work and what they do, and there are sure plenty of people who aren't that fortunate.  Maybe that's the problem with some of those who were so critical .....  hmmmmmm.....

Ann
I'm affiliated with RE/MAX and I am very happy and proud to say so!

Maureen, I think people have a right to blog about their companies, I like reading them, I learn a lot about companies I may not have heard about, ie... like RealLiving before I met you etc...

I'm kinda tired of people getting their panies in a wad over sooooooooooooo many things.

Thanks all for the comments.  Missy I was thinking about you and a couple of your posts while you were making career decisions when I wrote this. 

Maureen, Brand Warring is the next step up from an agent-to-agent dispute over a buyer. Does Windex or does Sparkle clean the windows better?  I think it is the person who is wiping the windows. Same for real estate, the brand helps get you recognized but you have to do the work. As to breaking AR rules seems to be popular for those who want to game points.

Wow, I can't believe this, Maureen - people are actually commenting that you shouldn't promote yourself or your company in your blog?  How absurd is that?

What is it WITH people?  Will they ever stop being nit picking ingrates??  Okay, so some of us don't like "off topic" posts like recipes and jokes - so the mature among us just skip them.  Okay, so we don't like "company kool aid" posts - again - JUST SKIP THEM!

I am sure that the customers reading the blogs will appreciate being told what is so great about the agent's company!

I'm proud to work for Weichert Realtors Paupack Group - it's a fantastic franchise office - my broker and his partner are TOP NOTCH - I haven't drunk any kool aid but I'll brag to anyone about how awesome our office is.  (I wouldn't necessarily work for another Weichert office though, just because it's a Weichert affiliate....)

I like hearing about other people's offices and franchises and brands.  And if I'm not in the mood to read the kool aid, I'll just pass it by.  No need to be a keyboard jerk.

Grrr.

Sorry to ramble - again.  I need to keep it shorter!  LOL

First, I don't know Chris, but he definately is licensed in the state of Ohio -- 2005006524 if anyone would like to check. That's easy to check for your commentor.

Anyhow, I agree 100 percent with Ann. If you don't drink your company's kool-ade, then you need to get a new broker.

Great post.  I've tried several brands of Kool Aid but I have preferred the original flavor and returned to it.  I am 150% completely satisfied.

Maureen, while I do agree that, especially if you are with one of the big boys, that you are the most important brand, you should be pround of where you work, their practices, and of the benefits they bring to you and the consumer. Let's remember though criticizing someone else's business publically, and this is public, is always bad practice. You are the defining factor in your success.

Mary love the window cleaner analogy. We did NOT drink Kool-Aid when I was a kid, we usually drank "Funny Face" same taste, different packaging.... branding.  It quenched my childhood thirst but when I ate at a friend's house Kool-Aid, did the same thing for me.... 

I just met Chris on Thursday, I knew him through AR before Thursday.  I knew who he was, or was aware of his name through Real Living, but my office (Real Living HER- Worthignton)  IS NOT a franchise. Toby I wonder if Chris was licensed in Ohio before 2005 and then came back here.  I may have him confused with someone else with Real Living but I think he's been with Real Living and was w/ HER Realtors before there was a Real Living. 

Thanks all for the comments.

My "What does the graphic say?"  is orangeberry... I wonder what would orangeberry Kool-Aid taste like?

Hey Maureen - do you remember these flavors?  Freckled-Face Strawberry, Lefty Lemon, Rootin-Tootin Raspberry, Goofy Grape.......  I thought of those when I saw the title of your post!

;-)  Ann

Ann do you remember the original flavors for Cherry and Orange? Politically incorrect even for the times.

I had forgot about "Rootin-Tootin Raspberry!"  I remembered Freckle-Face Strawberry, we were all freckle faced, one worse than the other so we would call one another "Freckle-Face Strawberry."  I also remember Goofy Grape and Lefty Lemon.  I forget what Cherry and Orange were changed to...

Toby-  Thanks for the research. lol.

Maureen - Enjoyed meeting you last week.  I've been with HER (prior to Real Living) since February of 1997.  While I don't actively sell real estate, I've been licensed for a while and do 2-5 referrals to Real Living agents/year via our referral brokerage Referrals, Inc.. 

I don't fancy myself a Kool-Aid salesperson, but in my blog the primary objective is to initiate commentary on industry topics that are relevant.  In my commentary I try to also interject real life examples of what RL has done on a topic to provide readers a bit of insight.   We are a growing brand and some of our tactics are changing the thoughts of our agents, broker partners and consumers.  If my blog ressonates with someone who is interested in learning more about Real Living, great.  If it sparks debate - that's fine too.  In the process I truly appreciate the ability to learn why agents/owners love thier brand.       

The ability to do this is what is so great about AR in my opinion.  If you are passionate about something, blog about it and tell the industry.

My favorite was Goofy Grape!  And, you have to check out the new clear Kool-Aid without dye so kids don't stain the carpet when they spill - a staple in my house. 

oh my word...  no dye in Kool-Aid... how do you kids tie dye these days? 

I don't consider you a "Kool-Aid" salesman Chris.  I don't consider Real Living a brand that would have to brain wash people either.  In fact the whole thing about referring to "drinking Kool-Aid" when it comes to real estate offends me, the story of the people who died in Jonestown is so sad.   I get the reference. I probably used a cheap title here, based on how my skin crawls when I hear people use "Kool-Aid" as a short hand to say people follow mindlessly.  Especially since Kool-Aid and the Kool-Aid man should be a cheerful,  wholesome, happy brand.

I know there was a longer history than 2005.  Were you in charge of Jump Home? I loved Jump Home.  I miss Jump Home. I want Jump Home to be reborn.

You gotta blog about what you know.  The guy camping on your blog just joined a brand.  He was I guess with an independent broker when I started writing this, he may have been offended by something you wrote about that brand

Thanks Maureen!  What you are doing on here is great!  Totally agree with your Kool-Aid reference and dislike it too.  I miss JumpHome too - more than anyone!  It was a great concept that was ahead of its time and timing was bad too... we grew too fast and after 9-11 were unable to attract more venture capital to keep it going!

Great Post, some equally great comments. People are correct not every brand is for everyone, just like clients, no one brand or agent is going to appeal to all of them.

I really like the comment from Karen, there are many many times that the  broker/manager is the key for the agent. I often run into a loyal agent that is making a "poor business decision" because of loyalty. In my mind that is a solid decision, being happy and secure is the best business decision to make.

Hey Scott Hoyt AKA Real Living Partners thanks for the comment. My office has always has had loyal agents because of the managers.  Paul Bean managed our office (Worthington) for 20+ years?  Now Tom Holcombe has been there for a good while too and has a cult like following in some ways... hmmmm no Kool-Aid but  makes you wonder about the coffee... the Folger's lady.... Mrs. Olson?  Olsen?  Now that is going back some years... I don't remember what she said...

Chris I don't think I even understood what Jump Home JumpHome... was or what venture capital, the whole post 2001 thing was about at the time.  I just knew it  took some getting used to, people were scared of it (agents) but once you started using it. WOW.

JumpHome was amazing - we connected utilities for buyers.  We would obtain the in-contract information from the broker and then our call center would connect with the buyer 15-30 days prior to closing on behalf of the agent.  Something like... "Hi Maureen, this is Chris from JumpHome calling on behalf of your agent Scott Hoyt.  Because you used Scott and Real Living we are going to connect and disconnect your utilities for you for free."  We entered the customers choices and personal info into the system and set up all or some of the following... cable, newspaper, gas, electric, phone, satellite, moving van, and more.   

Consumers, agents and brokers loved it.  Utilities did too - they are the ones who actually paid us a fee everytime we did it so it did not cost consumer, agent, broker anything. 

Someone will resurect the idea if they have not already.  We just grew too fast - 7 markets in 12 months and 50+ employees.  We were just below the break-even point when 9-11 happened and the capital markets dried up.  If we'd of started it in the mid 90's we'd be rich! 

Hi Maureen - I've been trying to remember what the name of the Orange and Cherry were but am only drawing a blank.  Maybe I'll go look on Google or something to see if I can find them... that's been bugging me a bit since I wrote that here.   ;-)

I was a freckle-faced blonde growing up, so was always teased about that!

Ann

Surfin' Berry Punch?

Check out all the flavors!

Gotta run, the Partridge Family is on!

BTW funny part is the word below to post this is Yellowberry! ok consipirators is AR based on Kool Aid?

JUST KIDDING< PLEASE DON'T GO THERE>

Food Pop-cult  says:

"Pillsbury introduced this line of flavored-powder drink mix in 1964, after having watched Kool-Aid dominate the market for decades. The main distinguishing feature of the new line gave it its name: Funny Face, after the amusing, wacky cartoon characters featured on each packet. But the mix was also pre-sweetened (unlike Kool-Aid), at first using calcium cyclamate, and featured the same fruity flavors always popular with kids (including such un-PC flavors as Injun Orange and Chinese Cherry, later renamed Jolly Olly Orange and Choo Choo Cherry after the usual complaints)."

I forgot it was pre-sweetened, used cyclamate, was from Pillsbury but I'd remembered the un-PC flavors. There's a list of all the Funny Face flavors on this website. Some odd ones.

Thanks for the comments.

I'm not sure which is more entertaining, the random comment about Svec on Brad's blog or the Kool Aid flavors people remember on here.

I view my competitors' contempt as the highest form of flattery I can receive in business.  Svec must be doing something right.

Reminds me of the Apple vs Windows PC wars.  My answer now is the same as my answer then: What enables you to spend the most time being productive and the least amount of time with administrivia?  It's not about who is best or which business format is best, it's about being as productive as you possibly can be.  For me (and most of my agents), that is with my current brand.  But, as I tell my pre-licensing students, real estate is not a one-size-fits-all business.  They have to discover for themselves exactly what they need from a broker and/or brand and go get it.  Each brand has its good points and its bad points (even mine!) - there's no need to go into them here, for what I perceive as a good point could be horrible to someone else.  In other words, "Your mileage may vary."

Thanks for the comment John Branch (Real Living Signature), there wouldn't be so many different brokerages and business models if there wasn't a market for it....

Hmmm at Momentum there was a company who sets up client utilities for free... have to look that up!

Really?  At Momentum? I missed that...

I was sitting here and I noticed the packing tape that one vendor gave out at Momentum 2008, sitting right on the desk... it says homes.org and then below it says "We Lower Your Cost of Living!" <---TM just after that...  nice phrase to have trademarked... so I went to find the homes.org flier based on Gina Kay's comment... yes they are a concierge service for Satelite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security and Phone according to the flier... the Service providers they mention are Dish Network, ADT, Vonage, Direct TV,Cox Communications, Time Warner...  and it has the "...and more!"

so although I took their brochure and their packing tape... (and anything else they were giving away probably ) the service they were offering barely phased me... Thanks to Gina Kay I see what it is they are offering now...


www.homes.org

it's not JumpHome.com the thing about JumpHome was that they did the electric, gas, water... the commodities, not just the ones that are fluff or where you have choices.... The ones everyone has to have.  

Their brochure offers a rebate, "RECEIVE UP TO  250* IN REBATES.

Marueen-

The other reason the company you are speaking about only connects the "choice" services they connect is because those pay the most and are the easiest to fulfill.  At JumpHome we connected gas, electric, water, etc. as our loss leaders.  Those connections are the most difficult for the consumer and connection service.  By connecting those it gave us the credibility to sell the higher ticket items.  Without connecting the staples, you are not providing a service the consumer needs. 

I'll always hold a special place for JumpHome.

Hey... I was just on MyRealLiving.com and saw: 

John Branch Named National Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Instructor of the Year 

"John Branch, of Real Living Signature Properties in Houston, Texas recently received the designation, National Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Instructor of the Year. This award is based on overall evaluations for all Accredited Luxury Home Specialists across the nation. John specializes in the Houston-area luxury home market. He is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), is Transnational Relocation Certified (TRC) and has a Master's Degree in adult education. His business background includes, training, project management and information technology. "  

I thought where do I know the name John Branch from?????? from a comment above...

The price fixing/antitrust allegations in the comments of Chris's post are misplaced.  Of course it is OK to talk about your company's model for compensating agents. 

Thanks Maureen and Dmitry.  Totally agree.  Some people read way too far into posts to stir the pot and, thus, read what they want to read. 

I came across this site while looking for complaints about Homes.org.  I realize this is a real estate or realtor web site, but my recent experience with Homes.org compells me to post a warning here for anyone thinking of using or recommending their "rebate" services.

I recently moved from NC to TX, with North American Van Lines as my mover.  Shortly after booking my move, I was contacted by "North American Concierge Service" (a.k.a. Homes.org).  I signed up for cable service through them because they promised a total of $250 in rebates for Comcast phone, internet, and cable services.  The fine-print terms of the rebate state that it typically takes 16 to 18 weeks to receive your rebate.  Well, it's been more than 22 weeks and I have yet to recieve my rebates, despite numerous frustrating calls and e-mails to the Homes.org "rebate center".  I have even gotten into a painful debate with service reps on more than one occasion regarding how many weeks have passed since I submitted my rebates on December 4, 2007. (that's right, I got into a debate on how to read the calendar!)

This is even more disappointing considering that I could have taken advantage of some rebates offered directly by Comcast.  Although the rebates would have been worth less, it would be more than what I've gotten so far from Homes.org.  Unfortunately it's too late for me to apply for the direct Comcast rebates.

At any rate, you might want to think twice about recommending Homes.org to any of your clients.  You may run the risk that any negative experiences with Homes.org will put your own organization in a negative light.  I am so disappointed with North American Van Lines for even associating with this company, and even more so for allowing Home.org to use the name "North American Concierge Service".  I hate to say it, but this might even make me think twice about using them for my next move. 

I'd also be intereted to hear of any other experiences (good or bad) that you've had with this organization...

Thanks!

p.s.  sorry for the long rant, but this whole situation just burns me up!

Brenda Thanks for the comment I guess. This post has nothing to do with Homes.org homes.org We mentioned Homes.org in the comments, that Homes.org was at a trade show, no one was plugging Homes.org and I don't appreciate being used for a platform by someone I don't know from Adam to badmouth any company.


Rebate late?  Contact the company
 

I Googled and came up with:

http://www.homes.org/


1-800-613-2756

Here's their contact link   http://www.homes.org/contact-homes.aspx


What a shame people use the internet that way!

MF and Chris thanks for the comments. 

It that is one of those rants that are posted all over the internet.. I will delete

Sorry about any confusion.  From the message (5/15/2008  10:37 AM  by Maureen McCabe), it appeared to me that you were discussing things you saw at a trade show and saying what you thought about the companies that advertised at the trade show.  I really thought you might be considering recommending them to clients and my post was more of a warning not to do so, or at least to think twice about it.  I'm sorry you didn't think the feedback belonged on your web site.  I'm not asking for advice about how to settle my dispute with them - that's for me to take care of myself (and thanks but I'm already quite familiar with all of their contact information as well as that of their parent companies).   

No, I haven't posted this all over the internet, but if you want to delete it feel free to do so.  I'm sorry you didn't think the feedback belonged here.  Don't worry, I won't post any more comments so you don't have to worry about someone who doesn't "know from Adam".

What a shame you can't cut me a break for an honest mistake...

Have a nice day,

Betsy

Maureen,

I misread your post and realize now that you actually said you don't know "me" from Adam.  Sorry again for more confusion -- I didn't realize this discussion board was only for people you knew.  Maybe it should have password-protected access if that's the case.

Bye

thanks for the comments....  but you can move along. I did not delete a rant denigrating a company on my blog . I consider that a break.

Get YOUR own blog.  They're free, they're everywhere. 

Have a nice day!