professionalism: Where is that Staging Waldo? - 01/16/08 02:03 AM
Many of you have emailed wondering just where the heck I have been for the last month. Well, I really have no better explanation than to say that I have been busy "working" on many things I needed to do to succeed in a market that has thrust upon us all new challenges. While there have been quite a few changes around here... I thought I would share some of the bigger things that have been keeping me busy.
Soon after my trip in December to Sacramento and the Stage It Forward Round Table discussion held there... the holidays were upon us. And typical, for that … (77 comments)

professionalism: Stagers... if NOT Here, Then Where? - 06/14/07 07:19 AM
I woke up this morning and that headline was in my head. I guess it was there because I went to bed thinking about all the controversy that has swirled around and in Stage It Forward... for the last couple days.
If you feel like an outsider that missed all the action... here is a link to all the post that had something to say or share. It was a HEARTY and HEART FELT discussion for sure.
WARNING TO THE KOOLAID DRINKERS-Now it is getting personal... does this seem like an injustice to you?
Dear "Anonymous" #2 on Kate Hart's "Kool-Aid" … (34 comments)

professionalism: POWER of the RAIN... AR's Group Feature GIVES VOICE to Our Industry - 03/26/07 11:43 PM
 I know there are MANY milestones that are now taking place, almost daily, here on Active Rain. So with so many wonderful stories of success being shared, the power of just what this site is capable of has definitely been proven. AND, considering Active Rain is REALLY only just in its infancy, it is mind boggling to think what is possible in the future. I can personally attest to just what impact Active Rain can do to legitimize and move forward an entire industry.  You see, the very day Active Rain added the "Group" functionality... the Stage It Forward group was born. This past Saturday, that small group hit its own milestone...  the 300th … (42 comments)

professionalism: STAGE IT FORWARD... by giving IT back - 03/10/07 10:59 PM
The importance and willingness to give back is basic to what the group of stagers in Stage it Forward are all about. Its so basic, that in the group's short description here on Active Rain, the words "share" or "sharing" is used in 3 separate places.
For me however, Stage It Forward is more than just helping other stagers grow their businesses... for me, Stage It Forward meant using my time, talent and treasure to benefit my community.  So at Real Estaging, our current Stage It Forward effort centers around the creation of a spectacular community wide fund raising event for Brickton Art Center... a WONDERFUL not-for profit organization (grounded in outreach) in Park Ridge Illinois.
This year we helped … (10 comments)

professionalism: Staging Training Pride - 02/10/07 03:40 AM
From the moment I found Active Rain I knew it was a very special site. It was amazing to see how Realtors from "rival" companies reached out to colleagues to freely share information to help and better their "competition". I believe because of this generosity, Active Rain is the success it is for ALL who participate.
In the beginning of Active Rain, there were only a handful of Home Stagers. Over time more and more Stagers found this site and began contributing. Amazingly, Stagers from across North America (YEAH CANADA!) started sharing, ideas, frustrations, challenges, successes, tips and approaches to staging homes and running home … (29 comments)

professionalism: Standing Out in the Rain... a Lesson to take to Localism. - 01/04/07 05:10 AM
Yesterday it was announced that of the 27,229 blog entries* posted on Active Rain since its début on June 25, 2006 my "very personal" post entitled "The Gift of Tears" was voted the Most Memorable post for the year. First, I have to say WOW and huge thank you to all who voted!
And while I am flattered and grateful, it got me to thinking... Why? Why THAT post? Did that post REALLY have anything to do with Real Estate?
As a professional in the Real Estate industry I know that working with people is at the core of what I … (40 comments)

professionalism: REWARD IF FOUND! - 11/14/06 10:04 PM
LOST: One slightly used Red Nose
Last scene in: Tutas Town
If FOUND please contact: Reala the Staging Clown
Reward: Please make your suggestions in "Comments" section below.
I really miss my honker, beak, schnozola, sniffer, booger barn, snout, smeller, muzzle, snorer, trunk, and/or proboscis. Won't you please help? Reala is here just a cryin' in the rain!  
… (37 comments)

professionalism: Finding Friends... Playing in the Rain - 11/14/06 09:18 PM
In life I have been "trained" to think that the world is big and cold and impersonal. And I have been lead to believe that technology removes the personal touch. I have come to believe that "Computers are cold and impersonal replacing people" often infering that people are being "removed" from our lives.
Well something happened the other night... an AMAZING opportunity came my way. BUT I needed some help to get the ball rolling. So I went to Active Rain.
I called on a "Rain Buddy" and shared with them what could be a fun, interesting and exciting opportunity.
Calling someone would seem like no biggie... but … (19 comments)

professionalism: Visting the Edge of 2 Worlds - 11/05/06 12:22 AM

So I have been back for a week from my trip to China...and what a trip it was. While I went there because the  professional merchandising/design advice of "me" was needed, the personal "me" was impacted.
Since returning I have been asked questions like: "How was it?" "Did you have a nice time?"  "What did you think of China?' And each time I am asked, I am stumped for an answer.
Why stumped?  Well the above pictures are 2 views of China I had out my hotel room windows.  As I was taking them... I never realized they visually would capture the essence of my travel experience. They … (21 comments)

professionalism: Blog Comments: Thorns amongst the flowers. - 10/30/06 02:47 PM
When I posted my “Little Orphan Rodney” blog this morning I never thought it would create such a firestorm of comments.
I been so inspired by the spirit of kindness and generosity on Active Rain that I try hard to make my voice here be a voice of inclusion, a voice a sharing… with a dash of humor.  
Two simple little AR blogs in particular have touched me, inspired me and have COMPLETYLY changed the way I now approach my blog and my industry. They represent generosity in the purist of sense. Neither blogger needed to share their “secrets”. But they did. Those two blogs (from a while … (12 comments)

professionalism: SCANDLE: a MAN joins Woman's Council of Realtors! - 08/10/06 12:15 PM
Not really a scandal... but today I joined the Woman's Council of Realtors (North Shore).  WOW does this chapter have it's stuff together.
Today's speaker was Lynn Madison. http://www.lynnmadison.com/  A LEGEND in this "neck of the woods"... when it comes to training and development of PROFESSIONALS in real estate. 
Today, Lynn's totally informative topic was "Cultural Diversity." And Lynn proved herself to be knowledgeable, articulate, informative, and a little bit crazy. FOR ME... she instantly became a role model when it comes to being passionate expert and speaker.
It was amazing to watch the crowd...  they were captivated with what Lynn way saying.  
If you are looking for a speaker... … (6 comments)

 
These are the creative writings of Craig Schiller, a home staging professional, passionate real estate marketing professional and founder of the Real Estaging, one of the nation's leading home staging companies.


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