Top 100 Women Teach Lessons

Fortune Magazine has released their list of the top 100 women in the US.  These are women who lead “for profit” companies.  Oprah is #6.  Anne Mulcahey, who brought Xerox back from the brink and moved them to the top of the heap in digital printing and business document services recently handed off her CEO position to another female.  The first such handoff in the history of the top 100.  A milestone.

You are an original.  An entrepreneur.  So you don’t want to make a XEROX of you.  Instead you’d like to make a better you and manage your energy and business for better results, with less fear.  To do so, heed the words of Anne Mulcahey as she talked today on CNBC about being conservatively optimistic about 2010.  I took notes that I think convey important ideas for me and my business in 2010.  See what fits for you in the items below.  ”If the shoe fits, wear it!”

2010: Your Vision

There is uncertainty about 2010.  So be conservative.  There is not enough world-wide positives to get bullish on the International expansion.  (However you, personally, can have a good year by standing out, and rising above the crowd.)

Keys to sustaining: (My comments in parentheses.)

Balance sheet strong.  (Your assets less your liabilities should be a positive number.  Beware debts! Increasing debts while asset values are not increasing is creating a negative net worth.)

Costs under control.  (Part of all you earn is yours to keep. Earning more than you spend and investing the difference in a safe place or a growing place should be a lifetime habit.)

Do not mortgage the future.  (Reduce debt, enjoy small luxuries like great coffee or thick towels and do so on your “staycation.”)

It’s important not to be scared.  Embrace the future.  Do not cut back on R and D.  (Research and Development to companies is like learning, coaching, reading, and  being willing to try new things in your business.  Work an hour a day ON THE BUSINESS, and improve the value of your time WORKING IN THE BUSINESS.)

Focus on your do-ability. (The market is tougher.  However you have tremendous power to DO!)

In summary, Anne was conservative, but focused.  Intense, yet real.

My hope for you, and for your family and team is that you can weather this storm or uncertainty and recovery by hunkering down, focusing your effort, being clear on what’s important, and calling your learning and your failures a part of your RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT!

You are a work in progress.  Get to work!

What’s NEXT?

Dave

www.davebeson.com

If it is to be, it is up to me.

As a possibility thinker and self-made man I am generally enthusiastic.  And I see opportunity.  However we both know that in a tough market you experience and “feel” setbacks.  Adversity makes you stronger.  Like a broken bone, once healed, you will be reinforced by your learning and your stiving in face of resistance.

If you’ve been in the business for a few years, or 34 years like me, then we have a lot to be proud of.  You and I have had success in great measure by delivering services to our customers.  We understand their expectations, we look for our competitive edge and “sharpen our saw” with training and practice, in order to deliver above average results.  That’s the definition of a professional. Accenture claims that success is 20% talent and 80% effort.  They use Tiger’s picture with that quote, hitting out of a three foot rough patch.  So, it’s okay to try harder!

One more thing that is essential to being and becoming more professional is a strong sense of “self-responsibility.”  If you want to be in the masses, blame someone else for your shortcomings or failures.  Blame the economy.  Blame Obama.  Blame Congress.  Or blame the media.  If you want to rise above the norm, you accept the challenge to stand out because of your personal determination, your “true grit.”

In the early years of 2000, up to 2005, real estate values climbed. Interest rates stayed low.  When the stock market suffered the Internet implosion and stocks fell back to earth, real estate values and sales continued to rise.  Real estate agents were able to deliver inventory instead of service, because the market was hungry.  Buyers had supreme confidence in their decision to buy. As agents, as trainers, we looked very bright and were paid well.  We bought houses, cars, and invested in our 401k’s and other accounts.

This is a tough market.  After 2005  real estate took a hit.  Consumer confidence and the buyers willingness to buy was damaged by an economic meltdown, a crisis of banking and the financial system, and by increasing unemployment and global economic chaos.  The “wealth effect” and the good feelings faded, and folks clamped down their wallets and quit spending.  Most homebuyers acted like they were born in Missouri, the “show me” state.  Sellers asked too much, buyers were reluctant to offer, and we had a standoff in the market for a year or two. Now short sales, foreclosures and motivated sellers are helping buyers to buy.

The past two years have taken a toll on the agent population. Agents left the business by the hundreds, or thousands.  Many stayed, but sold no real estate in 2008.  They paid their dues and decided to stick it out in 2009.  Some are still waiting.  Perhaps this testy market will “career adjust” a substantial per centage of the agents, and leave more transactions for those who are leaders, or top performers.

Who will be a survivor? Ask yourself these questions:

Who is re-training in preparation for a better market?  Few.

Who is rising early each day to learn their technology, add innovations to their website, and to explore partnering or other solutions to help deal with the heavy load of this market?  Even fewer.

Who is connecting with past customers, clients, sphere of influence, and all inquiries in order to fill their pipeline with ready, willing, able, and (soon) motivated customers? I hope you are!

Where do you want to be in three years?  In real estate?  At a higher level of production and satisfaction?  Hmmm.

In my LIFE SUCCESS COACHING program we ask each student to spend time with this key question: “If we were to work together for the next three years and our work was very successful…what would have to happen for you and your career in that time?”  Write out your achievements and your improvements, and you’ll have a prescription for change and innovation, over time.

Start by looking at the destination, three years out. See major changes that need to take place.  Be more organized, use my digital tools, have a database of 1000, sell 50 homes.  Now back up to one year out.  What would have to happen this year to get you on that path?  Back up to 6 months out.  What has to happen in six months?  What course, designation, or mentoring do you need?  Now look at the first month.  What must happen now to prepare you for the three year journey?  And tomorrow.  ”This could be the start of something good!”

People do things for their own reasons.  Not someone else’s.  So look for your motivation to achieve.  It may be for the love of your family.  It may be for long-term economic wealth, or it may be for social or esteem needs — you want to be seen as a “winner.”  Whatever floats your boat is okay with me.

The Howard Brinton organization has always said that you must have a “have to.”  That is for your own reasons, you must have targets and hold yourself accountable. I believe that has never been more true than today.

So, in your quest for success, remember that it is a journey.  And if anyone should be so kind as to mentor you, train you, or help you to help yourself up, say thank you.  And then work hard, focus, and prepare to take credit. Because however things turn out, your success or your failure is yours.

What are you working on?  Jot me a note…

Truly, now is the time to reinforce your notion of personal responsibility.  If it is to be, it is up to YOU!

What’s Next?

Dave

HELP! Get Professional Help, While You Can!

Today’s entrepreneur is called upon to be the master of many missions.  Who can vision their business, prospect, present, and perservere through the toughest real estate market in years and still smile?  Those who have assistance.  A personal assistant.  A partner.  A technology-wise helper who can follow-through on details, organize a mailing or emailing, and even pick up the phone to call potential buyers and sellers.

Where do you get a dream assistant for $20 an hour or less?  Who’s going to train them?  How can you get them for a few hours now, and more later, if and when you need them?

The answer: Use a Virual Assistant from Steve Kantor and his team.

I just hung up from a phone call which brought me up to date on the real estate market as seen through the best writers, best agents, and Stars of the Howard Brinton StarPower Network.  Knowing Howard and the Stars, and knowing Steve and his writing is a good jump-start for your business.  In fact, you may know Steve Kantor as the author of BILLION DOLLAR REAL ESTATE AGENTS.  This tome tells all about how others do it.  It’s worth a read.

But what Steve learned in Denver at the 20th StarPower Conference is that agents are “right-sizing” their business  overhead.  They are letting some of their staff go and re-focusing their efforts.  So if you don’t have a staff, but you need help, imagine hiring a VIRTUAL ASSISTANT to help organize your data base, get your social networking kick-started, or to help you connect with past customers for more repeat business and referrals.  You don’t need to rent space, buy a desk, or even give direct supervision.  That’s handled.

Sure, this is a tough market.  But there is lots of opportunity for a focused agent with a vision. In fact, I believe there are THIRTEEN TOOLS FOR A TOUGH MARKET.  One is a clear vision.  Another is the ability to use the phone to connect with past customers, clients, and potential business.  And yet another is having a part-time assistant to help you multiply your efforts and profit faster.

I’m suggesting you ask yourself if you need a little help to get organized or to turnaround your business before the business turns around.  Well?

I checked them out, and invite you to do the same.

What’s NEXT?

All the best.

Dave

To see how Best Agent Business can help you, check it out!

Best Agent Business Describes their services: We provide part-time virtual real estate assistants for top agents nationwide, at a reasonable price.  Here you will be able to explore our services, sign up to receive free ideas and materials, look over the benefits that Best Agent Business provides, and email us at sales@bestagentbusiness.com.  You may also schedule a call with Steve Kantor, President of Best Agent Business to discuss your needs and get a proposal within 24 hours.  We could be helping you within a few days.  Schedule a call today.

How To Buy in This Market

We can learn and earn and influence our present. That’s a huge benefit of real estate as a career. Our greatest asset is our ability to earn. So instead of watching our bank assets bounce with volatility, let’s make our earnings bounce.

One way to do that is to buy timber, or natural gas, or pork bellies.  If you don’t know those, then why not buy what you know.  Find one good home you can buy and fix up and work to make another $25,000 or more in one year or less.  This is an increase in equity, and may not be a cash profit.  Buy and hold for long-term profits.

You see it’s risky to try new things. Focusing on what we do best will help us add to our present value and our future worth.

Thirty years ago my wife Diane and I scraped wallpaper, painted houses, and did whatever it takes to get homes fixed up and for rent.  Today we have a few paid for homes that may just help us in our retirement.  Get rich slow.

Forget flipping for an immediate profit.  Hold and profit monthly with the best rental market we’ve seen in years!

Can you find one home this year to buy and fix up and rent?

Are you doing it?

Why not have another cash flow…that’s the ticket.

I’ll be writing about human, social,financial and emotional capital in a future blog. We’ll get there!

This won’t work for everyone, but if you’re thinking of working harder and winning, this could be a booster for you.

Dave  Beson

Are these tough times?

I’m starting the promotion for an all new seminar entitled “Top 13 Tools for Tough Times.”  Most of my seminar titles and the majority of my focus is on a positive approach to the business of real estate.  I see opportunity!

I’m listening to small town radio and hearing that health care is in jeopardy, cash for clunkers will run out tonight unless extended, and that middle class tax hikes can’t be ruled out.   Okay, this just in…clunker cash is available.  But what happens when it runs out?

Meanwhile, the stock market is at its high for the year dipped and is climbing back.  Why?  Because there is hope.  Things will get better.

Am I too late in dealing with a TOUGH MARKET?  Has it recovered so much that optimistic people will thinked I’ve “lost it?”  Of course I believe that tough times don’t last…but that tough people do.  That’s the ticket!

My feeling is that it has to hurt a little more for us to give full attention.  We need a TURNAROUND in our business focus and execution to earn as much as we did a few years ago, that’s for sure.

What are these top thirteen tools?  Well, surprisingly, one is THE TELEPHONE.  Pick up the phone and tell past customers that you have a blog, or that you twitter, or invite them to your website, or say something nice.  Stuck at a level, declining profitablity?  PICK UP THE PHONE.

More tools coming, so watch this space.

Meantime…if you were making a list of the Top 13 Tools for Tough Times..what would be on your list?  Share with me.

Keep in touch!

Dave

Change Channels

At a recent seminar in IRELAND, one sharp student surmised why there were not more people in attendance.

“People don’t want to come to an event and rub shoulders with the SUCCESSFUL if they feel that they are FAILING.”  Hmm.  So how do you get off your butt, off the couch, and into the world in order to help others?

Bill Gate’s dad was quoted as saying that the most important thing was SHOWING UP.  I can agree that in these challenging times, we must show up and BE PRESENT IN ORDER TO WIN.

I’ll always remember Dick Cavett, the intellectual interviewer and talk show host and his quote about depression.  He said that depression was like watching TV and wanting to change the channel.  You can see the remote control in front of you.  But you just can’t get it together to reach for it, and make the change.

So, what can you do to help your neighbors, your friends, your family, and yourself to CHANGE CHANNELS to opportunity?  What problems can you help solve today?

Write me about a problem you solved or one you’re working on and we’ll change channels!

All the best.
Dave

www.davebeson.com

Volatility Creates Indigestion and Opportunity

The stock market’s been on a bit of a roll for six weeks. Until this morning. And now that queasy feeling is BAAACK!

Even if you were right and got out of the market 18 months ago at the top, you could feel a bit shaky today.

So you took your money out of the stock market at the peak and have been waiting to get in? You are one smart cookie.

And when the S and P hit 666 or so, you did get in, right? Sell at the top, get back in at the bottom? Perfect timing.

Today is the first day of what could be a perfect storm. Health care, credit card problems, credit quality, earnings reports, and a few key statistics later in the week on jobs and houses could set the table for MORE VOLATILITY. But will it be up or down?

Should you get in, if you aren’t? Should you take a little off the table if you are all in?

Of course I believe all of the above are correct. What will you do?

Or will you do what I’m doing, which is creating two or three alternatives, and probably CHOOSING TO DO NOTHING, and STAY IN for the LONG HAUL?

Real estate continues to overcome many hurdles, aided by low interest rates and a recovering economy. Or an economy that is deteriorating at a slower rate. Which is nice.

HMMM.

What do you think?

What’s next?

Dave
www.davebeson.com

Dear Real Estate Manager, Sales Leader or Education VIP: Optimism and a Call to ACTION!

It was a bumpy or perilous first quarter for most, but signs of recovery abound. Today G-20 found a trillion dollars to boost the world economy. President Obama and Co. are looking at using $2-$3 B to stimulate and re-inflate the economy. We’re going to make it around the economic corner in 2009, and live to see 2010 as a better year.

More good news…spring is coming to parts of the world, with green shoots poking through the last bit of snow and ice in places like MINNESOTA – MY HOME.

Jim Cramer proclaimed the depression to be over TODAY. After Jon Stewart of the Daily Show boxed his ears for not warning us about the perils of investing, he went back to what he does best. He’s studied, he’s redeemed, and we’re back! How could Cramer take such a bold stand? Why do I agree that “WE”RE BACK?”

The facts.
*Housing prices hit -20% for 12 months according to Case Shiller. Is it a bottom? It’s probably close enough to have greed replace fear and uncertainty among buyers.
*Buyers are out and making offers, even if they are lower, due to foreclosures and short sales dominating the marketplace. Sellers are ready to get real, in order to SELL.
*Recruiting is up, because agents are on the move. Some are seeking a cheaper solution to their low productivity, and others are seeking a brand, a system, or an “energy source” to build upon. Your company attracts people and keeps them for good reasons. Now is a good time to connect with business plans and communication with your team.
*Interest rates are at record lows, against all measures. Up to 70% of the 92% that are working can get a loan, if they want to! However, they’ll need help along the way, which is our job!
*The stock market is closer to 8,500 than 5,500…which is a great relief to all. We will have a retirement, but not anytime soon.

So we had better sharpen the saw and get ready to work harder than we’ve ever worked before in order to SURVIVE 2009, and have a chance to THRIVE in 2010.

Here are more facts about education and motivation of the troops in real estate.
*Giant networks and companies have had a tough time drawing crowds to their national and international business conferences. Even with low room rates and cheap air travel, many agents stayed away from their annual convention.
*It’s almost 200 days until the NAR convention in San Diego, and I’ll be there for my 32nd consecutive year. But what can we do between now and November to ramp-up our pricing technique, our prospecting efforts, and the power in our presentations? We need tools and immediate improvement in our skills, that’s for sure!
*As the market picks up, we have to speed our growth and personal business FOCUS. Now is the time to act!

That’s why I’m writing this important message today… I’m on the case and want to report that you have new options for seminars and tools for your agents.

PRODUCTIVITY AND POSITIVITY ABOUND IN THIS NEW SEMINAR:

“HOW TO WIN in 2009: THE FIVE P’S.
Exactly how to POWER UP YOUR PROSPECTING, PRICING, PRESENTATIONS, PERSISTENCE, and PROFITS!”
Featuring Dave Beson
www.davebeson.com
You choose!
*1.5 hour keynote. A boost, a re-focus, and a call to action.
*3.0 hour sessions. The keynote plus drilling down to specifics for increased results.
*Combinations available. Half-day, three shorter sessions in one day, breakfast or luncheon sessions as a free bonus.
*Multi-day discounts available. Save on multiple day events.
*Airfare and expenses on sale! We will lock in the expenses and hold the line.

I’m rolling out these seminars in MN, FL, NE, and other hot spots through April, and then….I’m out of the country and helping our European friends to do exactly the same thing in their markets. In May I’ll be in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Athens. Plus a few more to be added. In early June I’ll be in Albuquerque, West Virginia, and Montana. Then I return to Europe for more.

When can I help you? Pass the word to your important planners and we’ll do something great together!
Your options include: A live half-day or series of seminars, a special day-long retreat/recharge, or a panel featuring your top agents, a webinar or series of webinars, or a series of coaching sessions to be conducted by phone and/or Internet.

I know your budgets are challenged, and your needs are great, so we’ll need to roll-up our sleeves and work together with AN OPEN MIND. I encourage you to let me know what you’ve been thinking of doing, and to invite me to discuss your plans. Let’s dream together and see what works.

I’ll be talking with clients about these new programs for most of April so just jot me back your thoughts and I’ll email or call you to discuss our special plans. If you have a date in mind, please let me know ASAP.

What’s next?

Dave
www.davebeson.com
“WE BRING SUCCESS TO LIFE”

Did President Obama Call for ME?

Now is the time to do SOMETHING GREAT FOR YOUR BUSINESS and PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL NOT BE CALLING TO TELL YOU WHAT IT IS!

President Obama’s has called upon Detroit to re-organize.  Leadership will change, that’s for sure.  It already has.

You can’t change your leadership as you are likely the ONE in charge.  And you are likely able to go for months or years before anyone can tell you to change, right?  You are an independent contractor.

However YOU can change your plans for operation, and the time for change is now.

The real estate game has changed.  It’s pretty tough out there!  In most markets you are working twice as hard and getting half the results. Prices are lower, failure is higher, and the effort to succeed and sustain are higher.

If you are not “on plan” for the year, then you may be tired of hearing yourself explaining your position in the market.  It’s time for a change. Don’t feel lethargic, instead, use the snoozy feeling to rest up, and then, make a change for the better.

Here are five ways you can blast out of a “dead zone” and into the “red zone” and score in your real estate business:

1. Foreclosure, short sales, and economic challenges are creating opportunity for the informed. If you are specializing in distressed property and working as a CDPE designee (Certified Distressed Property Expert) you are learning a lot.  You are a part of the solution to the excess inventory crisis.  You are helping to bring down prices, sell off 1,000,000 too many homes in inventory, and give first time buyers a chance to buy wholesale!  That’s inspiring.  Press on.

2. 90% of people are working, and 50% of homes are paid for or have small mortgages.  So help those people, now.  If you are focusing on past customers, clients, and their friends and family and leveraging your vast experience and your knowledge about how to shop from all the inventory to buy a “move-up” home in this market, you will be helping people to fatten their financial statement 2-3-4 years out.  Our LetterWriter Platinum program offers the “Changing Market Guidance” action plan.  It really works. Who doesn’t believe that homes will be worth more in a few years?

3. More down time means you have more time to build yourself UP. If you are getting up earlier, reading positive literature, and journaling your thoughts, you are connecting with your internal powers.  Good for you.

4. Activity brings productivity.  If you are walking, running, jogging, or spending more time with friends, family or watching hilarious videos and laughing “too loud” then you are doing good things.

5. “Put yourself in a position where you have to do something big, and you will!”  For example: If you are stuck in a disorganized or cluttered situation, and you wish you had time to make a change, schedule it!  Go ahead and “stop the world” for 24 hours.  Perhaps you consider it SPRING CLEANING. 

I’m going to do it today! Today in Minnesota we’re at a grey and blustery 39 degrees.  Six inches of snow is coming tonight and tomorrow, they say.

I’m going to take my home office apart, move everything into the hallway, and move back into my office in an organized and efficient way over the next two SNOW DAYS.  Hey, even if it doesn’t snow, I still have to move back in, don’t I?

So, take a minute and see what you can do to boost your business before the President calls and gives you the MANDATE!

Write me and tell me one thing you did to make your business better. 

What’s Next?

Dave

www.davebeson.com

dave@davebeson.com

How much can your pay drop in one year?

Ask Rick Wagoner.  His pay dropped from $1 per year to zip.

As head of troubled GM, which reported $82 billion in losses over the past three years, Wagoner had a raise in 2007 and a raise in 2008, before taking a cut to $1. Now his stock options which were worth $11.9 million for the year 2008 have dropped to $682,000 in value.

So two years of explaining and apologizing for a giant compensation package of up to $14.7 million dollars per year was wasted.  How much time do we waste explanation our problems and our failure to act? 

President Obama didn’t fire Wagoner, but he and his Auto team have laid down some requirements for CHANGE.

There have been positive signs in the economy that we are stabilizing banks, interest rates, and even the stock market.   We are on the mend.  There will be more volatility, with current events and distractions.  President Obama has four summits this week.  What do you have going on?

Thinking about your compensation and your ability to control your position in the marketplace, you must be empowered.  “If it is to be, it’s up to me!”  That’s a favorite affirmation of positive minded entrepreneurs.

Where is the positive side of the Wagoner news? 

The White House is demanding GM and Chrysler to get MORE SERIOUS about their REAL RECOVERY PLANS, and to consider Chapter 11 bankruptcy. President Obama want’s GM to split into two halves.  The good GM and the bad GM.  The USA keeps both. 

Washington wants Chrysler and FIAT to marry, in Italy, so they can make beautiful smaller cars. President Obama couldn’t wait for Detroit to make it happen.  Why? Because it will be years before FIAT and Chrysler create cars that are more popular and profitable than the best.

Well, now that you stop and think about it, there is good news.  You know that you won’t be split, or sent to Italy.  You know that you don’t have so far to fall. In fact, you may already be looking UP!

With Oil off 8%, and Spain reorganizing a bank, and the stock market losing it’s shine from the earlier gains in March, we’re back to the new normal.  It’s goint to take a long time to right this ship.  But we will.

Meantime, back to your business.  What’s your strategy to FOCUS and MOVE AHEAD?

Write me and tell me “What’s next?”

dave@davebeson.com
www.davebeson.com