For the past 32 years I have been working in the mortgage and real estate businesses. During that time I have helped finance thousands of mortgage transactions. I have been a licensed mortgage professional during that time in Massachusetts, Florida, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. I have purchased many real estate properties personally, leased and rented many more. I have had my Real Estate Broker's License since 1978. I have helped hundreds purchase single family homes, investment properties and helped many others negotiate such. If my expertise is lacking, my longevity in the fields is not. I believe that counts for something and hopefully I have learned a thing or two along the way.
With that said, what I am hoping to do, is to create both a FUN and INFORMATIVE Blog that everybody can share.
FOLLOW what's going on in the MORTGAGE and REAL ESTATE industries, and HOW it affects you!
I have a friend who used to call me up all the time and ask me for my opinion. Never shy about sharing one, I was then always told that I was "opinionated"? Who knew?
Anyways, we all have our own opinions, thoughts, comments, and ideas of how things should be. All of us, whether we be friends, acquaintances, business associates or other, like to weigh in on matters that we think are important, or topics which we feel we have some knowledge in, or at least some passion about. What I want to do is to offer a forum to do just that. But let's have FUN doing it. We should be able to express our thoughts and our points of view without feeling intimidated, critically judged or anything else.
Let's see where this takes us. Maybe we'll learn something from one another, maybe we'll have fun, maybe both, maybe none of the above.
Have a fabulous day!
PS Other topics of interest are also available to be discussed here. Let's just keep it all FUN and INFORMATIVE for all.
Look for the first Blog of the year in a couple of days!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, May 17, 2010
Become a Master Networker
I have declared "2010", The Year of the Entrepreneur. Whether you are a business owner, sales professional, or company officer, we all have issues common to us all.
There is NO government bailout coming our way. We need to pay more attention than ever to each others needs. Listen, listen, listen. Remember, what goes around, comes around. Don't be afraid to help your fellow business associates.
Becoming a Master Networker
by Lynne R. Christen
Networking...1980s style was a fad. Over-dressed and over-ambitious people attended over-crowded cocktail parties and frantically swapped business cards while planning to "do lunch" soon. Networking in the 90s is a survival success skill. In our competitive business world, the more contacts we have...the more people who know about us and what we do...our talents and abilities...the more opportunities we will have. Try these tips to give yourself a jump-start and enjoy the rewards of becoming a Master Networker.
1. Develop the right ATTITUDE. You have to want to make the effort! We are all attracted to people who are approachable and friendly. SMILE and ENJOY the opportunity to make new contacts.
2. Network EVERYWHERE and with EVERYONE. The opportunities to make new contacts are endless. Some of the most productive contacts come from chance encounters...in the grocery check-out line, at the ball park, in the doctor's or dentist's waiting room, in an elevator, at a party, and the list goes on. Whenever and wherever there is another human being there is an opportunity to network.
3. Set a networking goal each week. Set a goal each week for the number of new contacts you want to make. Start with even one or two until your confidence grows. Then, increase the goal.
4. Make the first move. Greet everyone with a smile and a friendly hello followed by a positive comment or open-ended question to get a conversation going. At a party or other gathering approach people standing alone and draw them into conversation. Most people hesitate to approach a group of friends already in conversation. The individual standing alone will welcome your approach and you will find it easy to initiate an interchange.
5. Work up a memorable introduction. In twenty-five words or less be prepared to say who you are and what you do...in a way that will make the other person want to know more about you. Then, immediately ask questions to learn more about your new contact. Use their name several times during the first five minutes of conversation.
6. Arm yourself with professional cards and wear an attractive name tag. Both business cards and a name tag, especially a name tag that lists your profession or business name in an intriguing way helps attract the interest and reinforces name recognition. When you do swap cards with someone, jot down a reminder on the back such as where you met, what you discussed, sales opportunities, etc. Printing a quote, helpful hint, or other original and interesting information on your own card will encourage others to keep the card and remember you. Finally, always carry your cards in an attractive case. Dog-earred and stained cards dug from the depths of a handbag or pocket detract from your professional image.
7. Be prepared with a mental GIVE & GIVE list. Networking is a reciprocal process. It is about getting and giving information, resources, advice and referrals. Maintain a mental "Give List" ...a tip, idea, resource, or recent discovery you can share. Your "Get List" will be information you are seeking, people you want to meet, and referrals you would like to have.
8. Organize your network resource bank. Record new acquaintances and contacts in a rolodex, use computer software or even index cards. Set up whatever system works best for you to keep in touch and nurture your new contacts.
9. FOLLOW UP!!! Use your resource file to keep in touch with those in your network. Never give out your card and say, "give me a call." Follow-up is your responsibility. Research shows that amazingly only 20% of sales leads are ever followed up...80% of potential opportunities are lost by failure to follow-up. Use every opportunity to send a follow-up personal note, a thank you, a congratulations, or a relevant article of information.
10. WORK! The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Remember WORK makes up the better part of Networking.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read and enjoy. I welcome any and all feedback and value your opinions. If there is any way that I can help you and/or your business grow, or if I can help you make a connection, please ask.
Sincerely,
Bob
There is NO government bailout coming our way. We need to pay more attention than ever to each others needs. Listen, listen, listen. Remember, what goes around, comes around. Don't be afraid to help your fellow business associates.
Becoming a Master Networker
by Lynne R. Christen
Networking...1980s style was a fad. Over-dressed and over-ambitious people attended over-crowded cocktail parties and frantically swapped business cards while planning to "do lunch" soon. Networking in the 90s is a survival success skill. In our competitive business world, the more contacts we have...the more people who know about us and what we do...our talents and abilities...the more opportunities we will have. Try these tips to give yourself a jump-start and enjoy the rewards of becoming a Master Networker.
1. Develop the right ATTITUDE. You have to want to make the effort! We are all attracted to people who are approachable and friendly. SMILE and ENJOY the opportunity to make new contacts.
2. Network EVERYWHERE and with EVERYONE. The opportunities to make new contacts are endless. Some of the most productive contacts come from chance encounters...in the grocery check-out line, at the ball park, in the doctor's or dentist's waiting room, in an elevator, at a party, and the list goes on. Whenever and wherever there is another human being there is an opportunity to network.
3. Set a networking goal each week. Set a goal each week for the number of new contacts you want to make. Start with even one or two until your confidence grows. Then, increase the goal.
4. Make the first move. Greet everyone with a smile and a friendly hello followed by a positive comment or open-ended question to get a conversation going. At a party or other gathering approach people standing alone and draw them into conversation. Most people hesitate to approach a group of friends already in conversation. The individual standing alone will welcome your approach and you will find it easy to initiate an interchange.
5. Work up a memorable introduction. In twenty-five words or less be prepared to say who you are and what you do...in a way that will make the other person want to know more about you. Then, immediately ask questions to learn more about your new contact. Use their name several times during the first five minutes of conversation.
6. Arm yourself with professional cards and wear an attractive name tag. Both business cards and a name tag, especially a name tag that lists your profession or business name in an intriguing way helps attract the interest and reinforces name recognition. When you do swap cards with someone, jot down a reminder on the back such as where you met, what you discussed, sales opportunities, etc. Printing a quote, helpful hint, or other original and interesting information on your own card will encourage others to keep the card and remember you. Finally, always carry your cards in an attractive case. Dog-earred and stained cards dug from the depths of a handbag or pocket detract from your professional image.
7. Be prepared with a mental GIVE & GIVE list. Networking is a reciprocal process. It is about getting and giving information, resources, advice and referrals. Maintain a mental "Give List" ...a tip, idea, resource, or recent discovery you can share. Your "Get List" will be information you are seeking, people you want to meet, and referrals you would like to have.
8. Organize your network resource bank. Record new acquaintances and contacts in a rolodex, use computer software or even index cards. Set up whatever system works best for you to keep in touch and nurture your new contacts.
9. FOLLOW UP!!! Use your resource file to keep in touch with those in your network. Never give out your card and say, "give me a call." Follow-up is your responsibility. Research shows that amazingly only 20% of sales leads are ever followed up...80% of potential opportunities are lost by failure to follow-up. Use every opportunity to send a follow-up personal note, a thank you, a congratulations, or a relevant article of information.
10. WORK! The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Remember WORK makes up the better part of Networking.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read and enjoy. I welcome any and all feedback and value your opinions. If there is any way that I can help you and/or your business grow, or if I can help you make a connection, please ask.
Sincerely,
Bob
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Please excuse the "trial and error"
For those of us who are "technologically challenged", I hope the rest of you can bear with me while I work on my "social marketing" and "blogging" skills.
If there is anybody out there who could help walk me through the process of blogging in one spot (www.ping.fm seems like it might work well), and then having my blogs show up on my Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook and Blogspot accounts, I would be most appreciative.
thanks
This has been a test.
If there is anybody out there who could help walk me through the process of blogging in one spot (www.ping.fm seems like it might work well), and then having my blogs show up on my Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook and Blogspot accounts, I would be most appreciative.
thanks
This has been a test.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Nobody Said It Was Going To Be Easy ?
It is not easy to put others first when we are hurting ourselves, but we must subordinate our own needs to something beyond our own self-interests. Though we often perceive our own needs as most important, and we worry, who is going to look out for me, it is definitely the time to set aside our own self-interests in order to be of service to others. The irony in how we sometimes act, to do what we perceive as a necessity, is that self-absoption ultimately drains our energy and impedes our performance, actually keeping us from attaining that what it is we wish or need to. The more pre-occupied we are with our own fears and concerns, the less energy we have available to take the positive action necessary to overcome them. And obviously we then have even less energy or inclination to help the people we are paid to help, and who now need our help, more than ever........our clients.
I truly believe that in order for everybody to get through these times in the mortgage and real estate industries, we must...............and I mean we MUST..........go the extra mile...........and not just as the cliche, but in practice.
As Nietzsche wrote, "He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how". Use this as your motivation in the morning, to do the best possible job you can for your clients, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish for them.
I truly believe that in order for everybody to get through these times in the mortgage and real estate industries, we must...............and I mean we MUST..........go the extra mile...........and not just as the cliche, but in practice.
As Nietzsche wrote, "He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how". Use this as your motivation in the morning, to do the best possible job you can for your clients, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish for them.
It's Time to Step Up and Become the Professional You Are !
Are you stressed? Are you financially challenged? Does work seem harder than ever before? Get over it !
Today, more than ever, the average consumer needs us; the Mortgage, Real Estate and like Professionals, to step up and guide them through the current marketplace without any concern over "what's in it for me" or any concern over "how much extra work do I have to do for how much less return". Your clients need more help now than ever before. I have been in the mortgage business and had my real estate broker's license, for over 30 years, and I can honestly say, that I find the day-to-day challenges to be more difficult today than any other time I can remember. Longer hours, more work, for less pay seems to be the norm. Just when you think you have it somewhat figured out, they change the rules. If this is the case for an experienced professional, what chance does the average consumer have in navigating the system and coming out in a better position than when they went in? Add to that: the state of the economy, financial pressures from every direction and what appears to be complete skepticism about anything and everthing, and I think you will agree, that a true knowledgeable, unselfish, resilient professional is what is needed. Oh yea......don't take what happens or what your client says or does personally.
Just because your client is very proficient in their area of expertise, it doesn't mean they understand the "hows" and "whys" of what we do. Heck, I'm always telling somebody "there's no common sense in the mortgage business". It is time to step up and give more of ourselves, to our work and to our clients than ever before. And given the fact that a lot of us are indeed going through our own turmoil, it is not an easy task. But it is necessary if we expect our friends, co-workers, neighbors and clients to prosper (or survive) this marketplace. We can make the difference. It is up to us.
Today, more than ever, the average consumer needs us; the Mortgage, Real Estate and like Professionals, to step up and guide them through the current marketplace without any concern over "what's in it for me" or any concern over "how much extra work do I have to do for how much less return". Your clients need more help now than ever before. I have been in the mortgage business and had my real estate broker's license, for over 30 years, and I can honestly say, that I find the day-to-day challenges to be more difficult today than any other time I can remember. Longer hours, more work, for less pay seems to be the norm. Just when you think you have it somewhat figured out, they change the rules. If this is the case for an experienced professional, what chance does the average consumer have in navigating the system and coming out in a better position than when they went in? Add to that: the state of the economy, financial pressures from every direction and what appears to be complete skepticism about anything and everthing, and I think you will agree, that a true knowledgeable, unselfish, resilient professional is what is needed. Oh yea......don't take what happens or what your client says or does personally.
Just because your client is very proficient in their area of expertise, it doesn't mean they understand the "hows" and "whys" of what we do. Heck, I'm always telling somebody "there's no common sense in the mortgage business". It is time to step up and give more of ourselves, to our work and to our clients than ever before. And given the fact that a lot of us are indeed going through our own turmoil, it is not an easy task. But it is necessary if we expect our friends, co-workers, neighbors and clients to prosper (or survive) this marketplace. We can make the difference. It is up to us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)