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Makeover2Takeover: MFOUR Mentor Musings...

Makeover2Takeover is giving me a swift kick in the pants. . .

. . . and I am just the supportive mentor.

As my delightful partner on the M4 Team, Karen Moorhead completes her weekly tasks, I get to question why I do the things the way I do. I can't wait to see what Rich has in line for us in coming weeks.

When my husband, Dmitry, and I first moved back to the US and started selling real estate in 2001, the first thing we did was begin to compile the contacts for our database. Not aware that there were other options for contact management, we spent days inputting our contacts into Microsoft Outlook. Now, 7 years later, we still use that same system, even though I have looked at other options intensively since we began. In the end, Outlook works for us and we've got it doing what we need it to do. There is likely something better out there, but we use this. Still, as Karen deliberately looked at options last week, I was forced to reconsider, once again, what we do.

My listing presentations have evolved considerably since we first began. They used to be a few MS Word docs and CMA. We messed around with a Power Point presentation until I canned the idea, deciding that if I was actually lucky enough to be sitting with a seller I did not want them staring into my computer monitor. Just a personal preference. Now we use ToolkitCMA and I can either email a slick looking PDF listing presentation or I can bind it into a hardcover book at the office.

Real estate is a journey. Karen is doing a super job at seriously evaluating her options as we compete in Makeover2Takeover. I have the feeling she is in this for the best reason, which is to establish a really sound foundation for her career. I am impressed with what I am seeing. Karen is doing things I have avoided. When we talked about doing a video for this weeks' task, she jumped right on it and put one together. Personally, I haven't even taken more than an hour of video of my beloved daughter who is nearly 5. So I wouldn't have done what she did. But maybe I should.

I am glad to have the opportunity to be part of Makeover2Takeover as it gives me the opportunity to reevaluate my own business! Thanks for asking me Karen.

Posted by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky, SKBK Sotheby's - Metro Detroit on 06/01/2008 08:26 PM

Comments (12)

karen moorhead, maureen francis

Post is included in group: Carnivals, Contests & Blogging Events
Post is included in group: Makeover2Takeover

12 Comments on Makeover2Takeover: MFOUR Mentor Musings...

I've enjoyed reading the posts about the challeneg but I don't know where everyone finds the time to do it! Good Luck to you both.

06/01/2008 08:33 PM

by Monika McGillicuddy~REALTOR®~ N.H. Real Estate Broker & Trainer (Prudential Verani Realty/Hampstead)

I don't know where they find the time either! Being a mentor is not that time consuming,but the timing, during the busy spring season, adds to the challenge.

06/01/2008 08:45 PM

by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky, SKBK Sotheby's - Metro Detroit (SKBK Sotheby's International Realty)

Maureen:

I am looking forward to seeing what you two do. Your post is a great testimony to the fact that how we do things in our business has to evolve, sometime fairly quickly, in order to be the best. Some of the old formulas just don't work any more. I never do a canned computer presentation...like you, my pre-rference.

Jeff

06/01/2008 08:56 PM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Oh Maureen, You have so much advice and ways to adapt. It is really great and as much as I'm trying there are 3X's as many things to learn. It almost makes me wonder how ... Oh I won't go there. I'm just happy to be here learning, exploring and adapting to make systems work.

*Thank you!!**

06/01/2008 09:04 PM

by Karen Moorhead Ann Arbor Area Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty)

Maureen, I just talked with one of the other contestants. Time is the most critical element. Where to find the time to work and then do a great job with each challenge. This is going to be one of the most interesting AR events that I have seen yet. AJ

06/01/2008 09:29 PM

by Alan 'AJ' Nisen California Contra Costa Mortgage Officer (A Large Bank in America)

Maureen.... I think this whole contest is a win-win for both the mentor and the apprentice. We can learn so much from each other.... and just for the fact that any of the tasks can sometimes keep us on our toes, even if we already knew some of what is being mentioned. Good luck with the contest.

jeff belonger

06/01/2008 09:35 PM

by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)

Helping other agents is a great way to tweak and improve our own business models. Where we're focused on daily activities and executing a plan, another agent can bring a fresh perspective and ask questions and offer solutions that we might not have thought of. Looking forward to reading more from the M4 team as M2T moves along.

06/01/2008 09:40 PM

by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

Maureen, this is the point to use our skills and help other people. I am so thankful to have Kim who does everything I suggest. Karen is a wonderful, hardworking person and I am sure your mentoring is going to take her career to the next level. What a blessing you are to her.

06/01/2008 10:02 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Realtor Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor)

Good luck to the both of you. The contest certainly sounds like a terrific learning experience all around.

06/01/2008 10:44 PM

by Kristal Kraft ~ Denver Real Estate (The Berkshire Group Realtors)

I have been reading all of the posts and entries on the M2M contest with zeal. Everyone is so energetic! Good luck to all of you and thank you so much for sharing so much of yourselves with us all.

06/02/2008 06:22 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Soon Maureen soon, they will announce the 2 teams that are dropped and it has been my pleasure and honor to be your mentee.

06/02/2008 01:27 PM

by Karen Moorhead Ann Arbor Area Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty)

I enjoyed reading your post. Wish you good luck. Thank you for sharing .

06/09/2008 05:47 AM

by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)

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