Elizabeth Byrne, Author at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Be Better Blog

Ready, Aim…. Aim…. Aim…. Fire!

Direct marketing, both digital , and physical, may be going through every shortening lifecycles of reinvention, but it is still an integral part of the marketing mix, particularly when building relationships with consumers over time. While the popular trend is increasingly in the direction of the digital arena – social networks, email, blogs, purls etc, there is still a certain level of trust that people give what is written on paper that is often higher than what they read online.

We Are All Going to Miss You, Brenda…

I met Brenda Casserly for the first time at a Gathering of Eagles conference in Asheville North Carolina. That would have been over 10 years ago, and it was the first time I had attended. I sought her out, wanting to meet a woman who had risen up the ranks in an industry dominated by males at the top. Well, she couldn’t have been more gracious, spending time with me and answering my questions. I followed her career advancements by reading announcements and press releases. When she was appointed President and CEO of ERA Real Estate, I was pleased for her, and proud that I knew her personally.

Several years later, when I arrived at Realogy, it was Brenda who was one of the first to congratulate me on my new position. We shared a genuine like and respect for one another, she would often ask If I was doing ok, when it was she who was quietly and courageously battling the cancer that would eventually win.

When we launched Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Brenda was right there offering congratulations and help. She encouraged me to attend her conference to gain knowledge and ideas, her graciousness had no boundaries.

Friday Blog Scan: Things we liked from the week that was

RIS Media cracked the week open with a post that takes a positively hopeful, yet pragmatic view of our economic status and how certain indicators suggest the worst may be behind us. But is it really? As this article suggests, it may still be too early to tell.

Inman also offered a sign of increased market activity. It published a reader survey that found most readers have seen signs of improvement in the past 60 days. We’ll see.

Michael Wurzer, prolific blogger and CEO of FBS Data Systems, a MLS software provider in Fargo, North Dakota, reports on the flooding in the area last week in his entry titled Still Fighting. Our prayers, well wishes and thoughts go out to everyone affected.

Why is Change So Difficult & What to Do About It

Through all of the turbulence of the past three years, it is interesting to look back on it all and ask, why is change so difficult for most of us to negotiate? More changes are likely to occur as we move toward the real estate industry of the future, so it would be helpful to deal with the concept of change-resistance and to better understand the reasons behind our change-averse culture.

RETech South

On March 20th, I was one of a few hundred people who attended RETech South (#rets) in Atlanta Georgia. It was a special event for several reasons. First and foremost because of the organizers. Two local Atlanta Realtors who for the second year in a row invested their own time and energy to bring together their peers both inside and outside of their trading area. This is a rare and wonderful thing. I have huge respect for Matt Fagioli and Brad Nix. Thanks for everything you do.

Another reason this event was special was the attendees. People from all major brands and unaffiliated companies, big companies and small companies were all represented. Some new to the industry, some long time veterans. Some tech power users, and many self-professed non tech people. Their one common driving force: how do I use various technology based tools to better serve my clients and operate my business?

Friday Blog Scan: Things we liked from the week that was

Our interest in Twitter continues. The more we learn, the more we understand, the more it makes sense. PR-Squared published this post titled Remember That You’re Being Watched that serves to remind us of the importance of maintaining a certain decorum on line along with the things we can do to manage our online reputation.

A disharmonious culture can paralyze an organization. As Seth Godin points out, all it takes is one person – the know it all – “who also happens to be a big jerk”. If you have an employee who nails his job but is a thorn in the side of everyone else, read this blog titled Yeah, but he really knows his stuff.

Your cell phone may be the most important tool in your business arsenal. Peyman Aleagha makes it crystal clear why in his post on Geek Estate Blog

The Future is Bright For Some, But Not All Will Get It….

As I sat on the main stage Friday at REtechSouth in Atlanta, one of the shows organizers, Brad Nix, asked me what I thought about some of the statistics in NAR’s 2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Survey. What he was referring to specifically was the fact that 85% of the consumers surveyed said they would definitely or probably use the same real estate agent they transacted with again. On the surface one might think that is a good number, but when you pair it with the fact that only 26% of sellers and only 18% of buyers actually do, it is frightening. Could there be a bigger disconnect? And why?

NAR’s March Release: Is the Media Too Positive this Time??

Sorry to play the contrarian again, but why all the hoopla over NAR’s release this week? Was the news really good enough to elicit a “wow”?

Believe me, after absorbing one ugly headline after another (both fair and unfair) for years now, the industry could certainly use a positive spin on the numbers. Like many others I know, I felt that the media practically reveled in reporting bad news while too often failing to expand on the whole story. This time around, though, I must be missing something because I just don’t get why this is the month when the figures are being trumpeted as the possible first signs of a turnaround.

So pardon me if I’m flying against the positive media winds when I think February was barely different than prior months; as before, I see in the numbers reasons to be both cautious and cautiously optimistic. But I sure ain’t ready to call this yet.

Be Better Blog

Elizabeth Byrne

We Are All Going to Miss You, Brenda…

Why is Change So Difficult & What to Do About It

RETech South

Friday Blog Scan: Things we liked from the week that was

The Future is Bright For Some, But Not All Will Get It….

NAR’s March Release: Is the Media Too Positive this Time??

Friday Blog Scan: Things we liked from the week that was

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