Brought to you by the Builder Realtor Relations Committee of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association and LENNAR
Q. Has networking in different organizations increased your productivity?
A. Absolutely! As a Builder Agent on Site it is imperative to build strong and lasting relationships with Realtors, so I regularly network at organizations that have Realtor members. Realtors have helped me produce over half of my new construction sales for the last nine years. They want to show their buyers communities that offer great quality and value. Beyond that they want to work with a Builder Agent that they know and can trust to take good care of their buyer. It is a team effort to help the customer feel confident with their purchasing decision and staying comfortable through the construction process.
Q. What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of?
A. We are very fortunate to have one of the best Sales and Marketing Councils (NEFBA SMC) in the nation for a Regional Builder’s Association. SMC keeps a finger on the pulse of training needs in our industry. I have enjoyed many Sales Strategy classes, ethics training, continuing education credit classes, organization training, social media training, “Sales in a Challenging Market,” and so much more. All of these classes I gained access to through SMC.
Q. How has your participation in different organizations grown your leadership skills?
A. It has given me opportunities and exposure that I would not have had otherwise. With these opportunities I have developed stronger communication skills. I have also had the good fortune to gain valuable experience through a diverse exposure to a broad variety of product lines, customers and sub-markets. I have earned more credibility with the experience and knowledge that I have gained.
Q. What organizations are you a member of?
A. I am a proud member of NEFBA, SMC, and NEFAR. I also support and donate to both the Jacksonville and St. Augustine Chambers of Women’s Council of Realtors, the International Council and the Ponte Vedra Council of NEFAR, Womenade, Builders Care, and the Junior League of St. Augustine.
Q. What benefits have you received through these organizations?
A. My personal business is supported mostly by building relationships in these organizations. That said, I genuinely enjoy participating in all of these groups. People want to do business with people they know and like. The meetings are fun and informative, but they are only as productive as you make them. You have to be willing to give as much as you receive. When this is done, everyone wins!
Q. Has networking in different organizations increased your productivity?
A. Networking is very crucial to any business. For me, getting involved with groups Like “BNI” early in my real estate career (for example), has allowed me to meet folks and build relationships that have produced several sales, referrals, etc. for me. It even allowed me to list a foreclosure property for a local bank and I hope to begin listing more foreclosures in the near future. That’s all due to networking. My experience is that it may take a year or two to see the results from networking, but it’s well worth the time and effort and is a critical part of growing a long-term business.
Q. What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of?
A. As a Realtor and member of NEFAR, I have access to many wonderful educational classes. I have taken and finished my GRI (Graduate Reatlor Institute). I have obtained my ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative) designation. I have the CDPE Desgination (Certified Distressed Property Expert) and I have my SFR (Short Sale & Foreclosure) designation. You can never go wrong with education. The more you know, the better.
Q. How has your participation in different organizations grown your leadership skills?
A. My participation in organizations has really helped my leadership skills and in many other ways. For example, I joined the Junior Service League of St. Augustine in January of 2008. In May of 2009, I was elected to be Treasurer on the Board, which was a HUGE honor and a very critical postition to have. We brought in over $140K in donations that I was accountable for! It was a great learning experience and a privelage to be elected and trusted to that position. I just turned the postition over to a new Treasurer and have been asked to be President Elect.
Q. What organizations are you a member of?
A. I am a member of:
1. The Ponte Vedra Chamber of Commerce
2. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors
3. The National Association of Realtors
4. The Northeast Florida Builders Association
5. SMC, the Sales and Marketing Council of NEFBA
6. The Junior Service League of St. Augustine
7. The University of Tennessee Alumni Assocication
Q. What benefits have you received through these organizations?
A. Each organization brings a different benefit and a different group of people. Whether it be networking with fellow agents, local builders, site agents, business owners, or friends, you are always building relationships and gaining the trust of others, and best of all, these organizations and relationships can turn into leads/referrals. You never know where your next sale or customer will come from, so it’s always good to do as much as you can to stay in front of people and build as many relationships as possible.
I can confidently say that 95% of my business is from referrals, either from a past customer, client, friend, or a relationship that I built through networking. So, if it weren’t for referrals, I wouldn’t be in business for myself.