Nobu Hata
By Nobu Hata
I loathe business planning. Recognizing one’s failings from the previous year, and moving forward, learning from mistakes is a hard thing to do. And since the economy hit the skids, it’s become increasingly difficult to “plan” for anything as of late.
But the one thing I’ve made a commitment to do this year, is to ask advice from those agents who are still thriving after 20-plus years in the industry, every chance I get. I’m going to put my money where my “industry hasn’t changed, but the tools have” mantra is. These folks have seen previous recessions, have experienced double-digit interest rates, and walked uphill to listing presentations – both ways! – to boot.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received so far this year is to door-knock – “Go out and find the inventory that’s lacking, for your clients…”. The very thought of getting a door slammed in my face, in real life, scares the bejeezus out of me; but I’ve got clients interested in a particular neighborhood where no blogging/social media/twitter campaign will work, so what the heck. As luck would have it, I happened upon the neighborhood while the homeowners were digging out of some monster snows we had, so I took the dog for a walk and chatted up the neighbors as I walked by. Six prospective sellers, and a hit for my client later, I was sold. And it only took an hour to do it!
Us REALTOR2.0’s like to strut our stuff with the Facebooks, blogs and Tweets, but every now and then it pays to get some fresh perspective from the professionals who are still alive and kicking in these tough times. After all, some of those “tools” haven’t changed a bit!
So go old-school! Which old tool will you use in a new way this year?
Nobu Hata is a sales associate for Edina Realty in Minneapolis, and a founding member of the Minneapolis YPN group, the YoPros. Visit his Web site at www.nobuhata.com.
Toby Boyce
By Toby Boyce
I am the technology director for my office and have been doing a lot of teaching and developing new continuing education classes to assist those agents that are still struggling with technology and harnessing it to improve their business.
To develop a sense of what was needed, I spent a lot of time talking to top-notch agents … you know, those who make up the “cherry on top” of the Central Ohio real estate industry. It became very apparent that I was neglecting a key piece in the business.
Evaluating myself.
Of course, just like the majority of agents, I have the business plan in the corner gathering dust written in an hour of inspiration to be looked at every May to see what goal I missed on or never achieved. But when was the last time you really had an evaluation?
You evaluate your leads as they come through the pipeline … usually on a “can they or can’t they” buy basis. So why aren’t you doing the same thing with yourself?
These top-notch agents all had teams. They had multiple buyer’s agents and make no bones that they ranked their buyer’s agents based on ability to achieve the ultimate goal – close the deal in a way that is consistent with the team’s values and objectives. Ouch. That seems harsh doesn’t it in this world of “competing is good enough,” but isn’t it a refreshing thought? Continue reading »
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