Marketing nSights: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Marketing nSights: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

How Nonprofits Take Action: Getting Board or Member Approval - Free Legal Information - Nolo

How Nonprofits Take Action: Getting Board or Member Approval - Free Legal Information - Nolo

The Debt Ceiling and Our Market- Still a Great Time to Buy

Listen to what CDPE has to say about the debt ceiling and the housing market:

http://www.cdpe.com/crash

Why ARCS, Why Now?

ARCS is the answer to today's commercial real estate challenges- read more by clicking the link

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/KEY-CAPABILITIES.html?soid=1102609498631&aid=J08cBqkLmpk

Another Take on Leadership

The following post is the personal opinion of the author and not to be implied as an organizational statement:

For those of you who are unaware, your Assn Exec is pursuing her PHD in what else? Organization Management & Leadership. I have always been so proud of OKCMAR that it is a member-driven organization, not because it is the best form, all three forms are valid models, but because this form allows the individual participant to feel that he/she can make a difference. Yet, I am often asked, "What does member-driven mean?"

A Member- Driven Organization

This type of organization is participative. The  body is the creator of programs, products and services and the body determines how the organization will perform both internally and externally. The leadership seeks to give guidance through a set of directives; typically a strategic plan.  Power is vested in the body. The Assn Exec best suited for this type of organization is one that possesses the skills of negotiation and body mobilization. In the literature I have read for my PHD this type of leader is typically creative, imaginative, relational (fancy word for likes to work with people) and/or charismatic.

A Leadership-Driven Organization

This type of organization is non-participative. The body is viewed as the end-user of products and services. The leadership determines how the organization wil perform both internally and externally. Power is vested in a small group and a strategic plan is developed to produce profit. This is the most common organizational structure and is typical of most US corporations. The Assn Exec best suited for this type of organization is that of the Executive Secretary.  The Assn Exec should possess excellent administration and organizational skills. The type of leader is very rules and procedures driven and typically seeks to maximize profit and in the non-profit world; efficiency.

A Staff-Driven Organization

This type of organization is non-participative. The body is viewed as the end-user of products and services. The staff determines how the organization wil perform both internally and externally. Power is vested in the staff, typically the strategic plan is developed by an entity outside of the organization and the emphasis is on process (or so I am learning in my studies). The Assn Exec best suited for this type of organization is entreprenuerial and strategic. This type of leader is very goal centered and seeks to bring service and value to the body.

All three models have their merits and disadvantages. Maybe I am biased because my grandpa was the very first town chairman of the town I grew up in. He valued democracy highly and with the deference to the body, in my opinion, a member-driven organization most closely mirrors democracy. It has been my greatest honor to serve all of you. The members of OKCMAR are very special in my mind; perhaps because of the spirit of creation of this state. Oklahomans created their state through the land run. Oklahomans found a means to work with the first nation rather than oppress it and we see that today in the excellent relationship the state has with our tribal nations. Oklahomans are rugged- they stand in the face of adversity, not worn down by the constant wind but finely honed by it. Oklahomans, are frankly, pretty amazing and it shows in our organization.

Two Takes on Leadership

OKCMAR's LT7 (Leadership Tomorrow 7) have committed to learning how to lead a REALTOR® organization and specifically OKCMAR. The focus of the LT7 is really to learn inside and out how OKCMAR functions and to also bring fresh ideas to both existing leadership and staff through a series of monthly activities, meetings and service projects. The LT7 graduates have a further expectation in leadership in that they agree to serve as mentors for the next group of 7. OAR, the state association, has a similar program designed for participation at the state level. The core concept behind LT7, a member idea brought to life by the hard work of many, is to prepare the member for leadership in OKCMAR committees and those interested in Board of Director positions but also to prepare members to lead their cities, school boards, & community groups. LT7 apps for next year will be going out in the upcoming months. If you are interested in this program contact bteubner@okcmar.org for an application to give to your broker. To learn more about OAR's program visit their site.

The two groups had a wonderful opportunity to meet and network before the important hill visists. LT7 hosted a breakfast for the OAR Leadership Academy where they met our new and wonderful state CEO, Lisa Noon, who hails from the Virginia Association of REALTORS®. We also had frank discussion with our future leaders about the benefits and hardships of being in a leadership position. When I looked around the room at all those REALTORS® giving of their time and their talents I was awe-inspired. These members are just as negatively impacted by the housing crash and current economy as everyone else. But there they were, for all of you, for me, for the homeowners of our state promoting the basic rights of a quality of life- good jobs and a roof over one's head. They were there for that new REALTOR® coming into the business and for the veteran- they were there because in order to make a difference one needs to get involved. It's like the song "The Man in the Mirror" that fundamental societal change starts not with someone else it starts with changing you.

NAR Asks Members to Support Keeping the Mortgage Interest Deduction

We are just at the edge of a technological revolution!

Check out this SlideShare Presentation to see where technology is taking us:

Future Of Consumer Electronics

View more presentations from Bob Snyder.

Time to register for the Spring Conference!

This is one conference that should not be missed. Brian Copeland and Larry Romito are changing the real estate industry.
 Do not be left behind! Register today!

Brian Copeland's Buyer Process

Why should you? Dawn's Top Ten List

Does anyone else watch Letterman? I remember when I first saw it in the 80's it had almost a cult-like following. Does anyone else remember the traveling gnome? Where Letterman would kidnap a garden gnome and send him on trips. Pretty genius idea if you ask me, Expedia is still using the concept in its advertising and there is now a movie about garden gnomes called "Gnomeo & Juliet". Just like the gnome, one of Letterman's concepts is now iconic, "The Top Ten List." So here are the top 10 reasons for attending the Spring Conference.

10) We  have 37 exhibitors booths - what new information might you miss? I hear they are giving away great prizes again!

9) There will be a massage booth!

8) The luncheon is not sit down but a networking buffet to get some one on one time with our affiliates

7) Melynn Sight's new class, Creating Career Kharma, looks excellent. Watch the video.

6) Dawn Kennedy is NOT giving any speeches!

5) Larry Romito is at the forefront of the newest trend sweeping the country - agent ratings. Watch the video.

4) Janelle Odishoo, Facebook Queen, has all sorts of new things to show you! Connect with her on Facebook.

3) If we have not sold you on Larry yet? Watch the second video.

2) Brian Copeland is the hottest speaker on the real estate circuit and he is here, in OKC! He is just a can't miss. Watch the video.

AND the Number 1 reason to attend the conference.......

1)$1000.00 CASH! Donated by Ideal Homes, the conference premier sponsor. You could walk away $1000 richer but you have to be there to win.

Register Today!

Comments on the New Format?

After hearing complaints from staff that my blog template was boring and the posts did not stand out as much as they should, I changed the format. What do the readers think? I am still working on getting more video on the blog but some things just take time. I am looking forward to the Association Executives Institute (AEI) in Dallas this March. It will be so nice not to have to spend the entire day in an airport. We are driving! It will also be nice to pay reasonable prices for food and hotel. I sure hope NAR looks at using more cities like Dallas (maybe OKC one day for this conference) for the AEI instead of destination cities. I am so spoiled here in OKC where you can still get a decent cup of coffee for under a dollar! Plus I am in classes all day when I go to AEI so the whole tourist thing holds no real value for me.

Best Inaugural Ever

If you missed the OAR inaugural of their President (and OKCMAR member) Hope White, you missed a really wonderful evening! The surprise presenter? NAR Past-President Charles McMillan, one of my personal favorites. President Charles once again eloquently motivated all of us to excel.Hope White was amazing as she described her mission for the Oklahoma State Association. Normally I would write all about it but I challenge you to contact Hope and learn about OAR and her vision for its growth.

I asked OAR to send me some photos which I haven't received yet but will post as soon as I get them. If you weren't there to support our state president I can tell you that you missed some the best line dancing I have ever participated in and the stage debut of my tambourine playing! It was truly a celebration of Hope, in all senses of the word.

Wisconsin Public Workers Storm the Madison Capital Building

Whether you agree or disagree with legislation proposed in Wisconsin it is rather inspiring to see democracy in action. Click on the title of this post to view the Associated Press Video.

A Better Way to Practice Real Estate

A Better Way to Practice Real Estate? Larry Romito is one of the key note presenters at the OKCMAR Spring Conference. Get a sneak peek now!

Oklahoma City Metropolitan AOR 2011 Spring Conference

GO PACK GO!!!!

OKAY, I can't help it- you all know I am from Wisconsin! What you may not know is that I lived about 40 minutes west of Green Bay (and many of my family live in Green Bay) so the Packers have a special place in my heart. Please excuse a few moments of sentimentality; my beloved "Grandma Pratz" loved the Packers. Every televised game was an event at Grandma's house, where the whole clan spent most Sundays. My grandma was my biggest fan too; I miss her tremendously. Grandma passed in 1994 (this was a woman who as long as I knew her went to 6am mass every single day except Sundays when she went to the 10:30 service with the family) and I take comfort in that I knew she wanted to go. I remember when the Pack went to and won the Superbowl shortly after her passing and all I remember thinking was, I wish Grandma was alive to see this.

Our Pack went the following year too but lost. All of us Wisconsinites waited and wished and waited and wished for their return and this year, 2011, was a magical year. I look to my Packers' win as a very good omen for the year ahead. If the Pack can go from the very pinnacle and bring it back, that bodes for all of us as well. The Pack won at the end of the century, just as the real estate market started its climb to unbelievable highs. We now understand that our market is returning to an economic "normal" but the Pack gives us hope that "normal" does not have to be ordinary. Here in OKC, we are experiencing a real estate correction and stabilization, but our numbers and the outlook of economic development prove, our normal does not have to be ordinary, our normal at OKC is that of continued growth and a vibrant economy.

Recently, I have been selected to serve on 4 NAR committees. Bart Binning, Mike Cassidy, and Hope White have been selected to serve. The US is taking notice, OKC has something very, very special to offer. As proud as I am of our Packers, I am equally proud of all of you. This is our time, OKC. This is our time to shine and excel, as REALTORS® you have a special mission in ensuring the growth and excellence of our community. I urge all of you to embrace what it is to be a REALTOR®, it isn't just being a professional, it isn't just success, its about espousing the values and aspirations of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, its about homeownership for as many as possible, its about building neighborhoods and through that a great economy and great country.

So... GO PACK GO... & GO OKCMAR GO!!!

Listhub Report Reveals Opportunity

As the CEO I get the confidential Listhub report which tells me how many listings each agent has, how many times the public clicked on the listings, and how many people clicked all the way through.It also tells me things like which IP addresses the clicks come from so naturally most of the clicks come from Oklahoma City and Edmond. For the states this month, other than Oklahoma IP addresses the people who are looking to relocate to OKC are predominately from Texas, California, Missouri and Illinois. I suspect unemployment rates are playing a role in all the California and Illinois inquiries. It also tells me how many homeseekers clicked on the request a showing and emailed the agent.

So here is an agent with listings in the 200 range and he/she gets 30 views 10 click throughs and one referral. Then I saw another agent with 67 listings who had close to 300 click throughs and 23 showing requests. How can that be??? It did not take much investigation to see that the agent with all the clicks and showing requests did something very right. More than 12 photos and photos that really played up the home. The agents with 100+ listings and no clickthroughs- guess what no pictures or only one picture in the MLS. If I can impart any wisdom to my members it is this- PICTURES SELL HOMES! Check your listings today- are they full of photos? What about a virtual tour or private website or video? Use the Internet to its full capability and sell, sell, sell while showing your clients that you are working to the best of your ability on their behalf.