At Rulnick Realty, my Destin Florida real estate office, we have a "meeting" once a month. It is not a"clap clap clap" meeting congratulating agents' performance or quoting sales volume. It is a thinking and learning exchange of our nine Rulnick team members. Sometimes we have a brief speaker on timely or real estate-related matters.
Our monthly discussions have covered topics such as: Florida contracts, Fannie Mae regulations, the Destin condo market, septic tank inspections, Holiday Isle leaseholds, appraisals, and more. A few weeks ago, we had Roland Guidry, an expert in Florida Coastal Construction Control Line, explain technical, statute and contract requirements for disclosing CCCL to buyers in our Emerald Coast market. We also learned how to research whether or not a property is seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line.
At our next meeting, "Bagels and Brainstorm", I have asked each team member to bring one positive item to discuss: economic, regional, personal success story or business tip. Our gatherings bring good ideas, concrete knowledge, enhanced professionalism, and a springboard for growth. Each of our real estate Brokers, agents and appraisers has many years experience in real estate or the corporate world. We have a supportive environment that encourages and "shares" in the individual success of each of us. There is no competition, just genuine caring and a deep interest in increasing our skill level, competence and knowledge.
I use this meeting format and attitude because I hate "meetings"! I personally cannot sit still for one hour or more and be "talked at" or waste thirty minutes "clapping". As busy Realtors, we have things to do, properties to sell and calls to make. Our office meetings have become high-level brainstorm and learning sessions. Our team questions deeply, discusses thoroughly and shines light on areas where we may have "assumed" knowledge. I enjoy and look forward to them, as does the Rulnick Realty team. They not only help us, they help us better serve the public.
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Destin Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.
Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy to sell your home or buy a home: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com
Call Wendy Rulnick, Destin real estate agent, to list and sell your home or condo or help you buy a home or rental property on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County- Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and can help you sell or buy a short sale property in and around Destin
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I hope your meetings are not only full of substance, but also engaging and motivational. It helps for agents to get a little bit of each.
Hi Wendy ~ Love the concept! When I started my own real estate company, I used; "no boring weekly meetings" as one of my recruiting tools. We have "once-a-month" potlucks where good ideas are exchanged. Any other pertinent information can be disseminated by email.
Marzena - Engaging, absolutely! Motivational? We hope!
Melinda - Pot luck sounds like a lot of fun! We are also trying a once-a-month lunch out, "non-meeting" just for the heck of it!
I'm with you Wendy! I have a small boutique-like office and NO MEETINGS. We have gatherings as needed, to address topics of interest. But there is no formal agenda and it's a DISCUSSION not a speaking event.
No awards presentations, either. I consider my agents "team members" and parnters in my business, not employees who must be lectured.
PS--Hit return too soon.
We also have occasional lunches at a local pub and I always include staff, too, so everyone is involved in the spirited discussions/idea sessions.
Erica - That sounds GREAT! Maybe we should start at the pubs too :)
Darn, got to type all over again....forgot to type in "magic word". I have been at this brokerage since Jan 09 and we meet twice a month. First meeting is held at the office and covers a different topic (staging, tax credits, blogging, loans).
Second meeting of the month we meet at the office and held out to tour listings. We have five small towns in my county (did I mention R-U-R-A-L?) so we may tour one to two at a time. That way we view several homes but don't get in so many that we overload. We tell the listing agent our thoughts on the home, price and give "constructive" critique. We tour for about two hours and then go to lunch.
So far, I have not faced/felt the "oh no...not the office meeting again!"
Sounds like a really great way to keep agents informed, motivated and involved!
Alicia - That is interesting. I am not sure if I could deal with "two" meetings a month, especially the longer "tour". Every market is different, and I bet it really helps if you are that "rural".
Marilyn- It also feels like a professional "association" of growth-minded business people.
Great Idea .. Sometimes I miss the Clap Calp good agent meetings but more and more I need imformation .. to move my bussiness forward
Good for you Wendy...if we ever become Snow Birds...and you will have us...we'll be right over...to have a meeting because it is Tuesday ever made any sense to me...and listening to the fists beat on the chests of agents with over priced listings talk about how THEIR sellers never listen to what THEY say about pricing..just bring an offer...just get some ethics and walk away...good job...!
Eric - Sometimes we clap at a good mini-presentation by one of our members :)
Sally & David - Thank you!
Wendy, I used to hate those meetings! The broker telling us how well we were doing, and then saying we had to do more, without sharing any ideas! Your method does sound Captain Kirk-like! LOL ;-}
Laura - Thanks for the huge compliment!!
Wendy - brainstorming is a great meeting concept! We've found whether we brainstorm about a topic, a concern, a listing or a buyer, that the sum is greater than the parts. There's a lot of synergy in a good team.
Sharon - You are so right! It makes for synergistic "glue" and lifts us up and makes us better!