Let the Games Begin!

Today marks the official start of our 'Makeover2Takeover' Team Contest Event.

To follow all the weekly 'Happenings,' be sure to the join the 'Makeover2Takeover Group.

The field of 16 Teams, comprised of both seasoned Real Estate veterans (Mentors) and their eager Apprentices, will face weekly elimination challenges leading up to the 2008 Inman SF Connect, where only 3 Teams will remain, and the Last Team standing will be crowned the Winner!

It's only been a few days since the list of official Teams were made public, but the fun-spirited boasting and competitive 'taunting' has already begun in earnest. No doubt, the competition promises to be extremely intense and highly entertaining! Top Chef, pack your Knives, because here comes the "Makeover2Takeover" Teams!

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WEEK ONE CHALLENGE

One of the most basic and fundamental elements/tools of a highly successful real estate professional is a database. A well organized and consistently updated database serves to focus our energies, determine our daily tasks, and provide measurable results. Some refer to their database as the SOI (Sphere of Influence), but most see their database as incorporating much, much, more. A good database can make or break your business. It stops you from always being re-active, and instead, makes you pro-active.

It's up to each individual Team to determine how they will organize, categorize, and implement their database. A big part of this competition is for the Mentors/Apprentices to think outside the proverbial box, be resourceful, and creative. We will allow the Teams to determine the full depth and scope of their database.

One good piece of advice in creating your database is to "Begin with the End in Mind." Where will this database, and its implementation take you. Where will you ultimately arrive? What will your life/business look like? And remember, keep your own unique market in mind as you create/organize/implement your database. Who are you reaching now, who do you want to target for the future? How will you do this? You have past and current clients. How do you keep track of them? How do you build them into a referral network?

THE WEEK ONE CHALLENGE WILL REQUIRE OUR TEAMS TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:

1. Identify/select a database program/software/platform along with a brief explanation why it was selected.

2. Write a typed 2-page thesis (double-spaced) on the value (why) of an agent database and how you plan to utilize it. Be sure to include any research references.

3. Provide an outline of the various fields/channels/categories/events/goals/tasks/that your database will contain. What kind of contacts will you input? What specific information about each contact will you include?

4. Submit a single page copy of one of your database entries.

All assignments/documentation shall be scanned & converted to .pdf file format, and e-mailed to rich@activerain.com

Any problems, issues, or questions, please contact Rich by e-mail or phone at 360.440.4758.

(Food for Thought: Do you Farm? Do you market to a very narrow, specialize niche market? How do you 'touch' them regularly?)

(Word to the Wise: Teams are encouraged to continue working on their databases throughout the competition)

(Stay Out of Jail:  Just a reminder, all work and effort must be performed completely by the respective Team members only. Also remember, the fruit of your labor and your positive attitudes will serve as a shining inspiration to those who would follow in your footsteps!)

CLARIFICATION:  The Teams will only turn in the required assignments/documentation for the Apprentice ONLY. The Weekly Challenges, while performed by both Mentors & Apprentices collectively, only need to be submitted as they apply to the Apprentice.

The Week One Challenge is due by 3PM (PST) Sunday May 25th. The Teams that will move onto the next Round, as well as the Team who has been eliminated, will be announced at Noon, Monday May 26th (PST) by vLog on the AR Official Blog.

~ Best of Luck to all the Teams! ~