Live from Family Reunion

Click here to see more pictures from the brunch!

The greatest innovators in Keller Williams Realty are the agents, which is why the agent breakout sessions are, in my opinion, the most critical component to Family Reunion.  No matter how clever you think you are, no matter how fresh your approach, someone is doing it better, faster, smarter.

Case in point, I just came out of a great panel discussion on effectively branding the “green” value proposition.  If you’re like me, you may be wondering if the current state of the market has killed the “green” marketing trend.  The answer is “no,” and if anything I came away with ideas for how marketing “green” may be an advantage in distressed markets.

With Jonas Koffler leading the panel, top “green” agents from Boulder, Arizona, and Philadelphia talked about their methods for marketing in this specialty. 

My biggest takeaway?  Some of the best targets for “green” lead generation are the last place you would look.  Bank-owned (REO) properties are a ripe target for agents with expertise in “green” retrofits.  In a market where many agents are competing to list on behalf of lenders, nothing sets you apart like bringing something extra to the table.

There are numerous eco-conscious paints that lenders can fit into their re-paint budgets, for example.  Lenders are increasingly conscious they are competing with other bank-owned properties, and they need to differentiate.

Buyers who over bought (sound familiar) are discovering that maintenance costs are something they should have budgeted for.  Even if they can continue to afford their mortgage payments, they are looking for tips on inexpensive energy-saving tips.  The panel had numerous low-cost suggestions they work into their marketing campaigns.

Since the name of the game is always lead generation, anything you can bring to the consumer is a competitive advantage.

We all know about the cost, and potential wastefulness, of printed pieces in your drip campaign.  So what can you do to go “green” without abandoning your 8X8?

Make each touch a personal touch.  It works better anyway.  Make phone calls to your database.  Save money, save the environment, brand yourself as the “high-touch, ‘green’ realtor.”

The ideas came fast and furious, and none of them were throw-aways.

I spoke with Michelle Ayala, of Wappingers Falls, NY after the session, who mentioned she came out of this panel with 10 ideas she’s going to go home and implement tomorrow.  

I think that’s the key to the Agent Breakout Sessions – fresh perspectives, and immediately implementable ideas.

The greatest innovators in Keller Williams Realty are the agents, which is why the agent breakout sessions are, in my opinion, the most critical component to Family Reunion.  No matter how clever you think you are, no matter how fresh your approach, someone is doing it better, faster, smarter.

Case in point, I just came out of a great panel discussion on effectively branding the “green” value proposition.  If you’re like me, you may be wondering if the current state of the market has killed the “green” marketing trend.  The answer is “no,” and if anything I came away with ideas for how marketing “green” may be an advantage in distressed markets.

With Jonas Koffler leading the panel, top “green” agents from Boulder, Arizona, and Philadelphia talked about their methods for marketing in this specialty. 

My biggest takeaway?  Some of the best targets for “green” lead generation are the last place you would look.  Bank-owned (REO) properties are a ripe target for agents with expertise in “green” retrofits.  In a market where many agents are competing to list on behalf of lenders, nothing sets you apart like bringing something extra to the table.

There are numerous eco-conscious paints that lenders can fit into their re-paint budgets, for example.  Lenders are increasingly conscious they are competing with other bank-owned properties, and they need to differentiate.

Buyers who over bought (sound familiar) are discovering that maintenance costs are something they should have budgeted for.  Even if they can continue to afford their mortgage payments, they are looking for tips on inexpensive energy-saving tips.  The panel had numerous low-cost suggestions they work into their marketing campaigns.

Since the name of the game is always lead generation, anything you can bring to the consumer is a competitive advantage.

We all know about the cost, and potential wastefulness, of printed pieces in your drip campaign.  So what can you do to go “green” without abandoning your 8X8?

Make each touch a personal touch.  It works better anyway.  Make phone calls to your database.  Save money, save the environment, brand yourself as the “high-touch, ‘green’ realtor.”

The ideas came fast and furious, and none of them were throw-aways.

I spoke with Michelle Ayala, of Wappingers Falls, NY after the session, who mentioned she came out of this panel with 10 ideas she’s going to go home and implement tomorrow.  

I think that’s the key to the Agent Breakout Sessions – fresh perspectives, and immediately implementable ideas.

If you woke up this morning, turned on the news and immediately wanted to go back to bed, this morning’s State of the Company Address with Mark Willis and Mo Anderson was the perfect antidote for the morning blues.

Mark started by repeating Clint Swindall’s message from yesterday’s Keynote Address: “Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react.”

As Mo pointed out … there are three things to understand about any problem:

1. Every problem has a purpose
2. Every problem has a promise
3. The quickest way through a problem is straight through

After Mo’s introduction, Mark Willis got down to the numbers for 2008, and the results might surprise you.  In one of the worst year’s for real estate in modern history, KW has continued it’s unprecendented growth relative to it’s closest competitors, and the market in general. 

So what is the focus for 2009?  Growth through the basics of the KW model.  KWRI is committed to assisting all market centers in growing their market share, and being a disruptive force in the market.

The 2009 goals:  80,000 agents, a net gain of 20 market centers and $40 million in profit share for Keller Williams associates!

The State of the Company Address finished with the most important message - Mo’s Culture update.

This never fails to be a moving experience.  It is always amazing how many agents from all over the country, stand up and help their fellow agents in times of need.  Mo highlighted just a few examples, and they were impressive.

Keller Williams associates giving to family members in need.  Top agents spending time helping other agents land big commercial listings.  And finally, an entire Market Center coming together to donate money (over $15k in a single day) for the liver transplant of the granddaughter of a fellow agent.

And in the end, that is the binding force that makes Keller Williams different.  It’s why we grow, it’s why we succeed … because we do it together.

The Asheville (N.C.) market center and the Rockford (Ill.) market center were treated to a breakfast this morning hosted by Mark Willis and Mary Tennant - winding down a week of special attention and reserved, front-row seating at major Family Reunion events!

Attendees at the “Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging and Social Networking” session in the Technology Training Room were given the keys to taking their blogs to the top of the search engines.  Jonathan Osman, Keller Williams associate from Charlotte, North Carolina led the session, sharing the techniques that drive roughly 2,000 visits to his Website and generate over 50 leads per month!