The PQ Pipeline

Message From a Mongoose!

Every once in a while I come across a new concept or idea that is worth sharing. Several months ago I purchased a copy of a new book called “Surviving Your Serengeti” by Stefan Swanepoel. Stefan is a real estate industry leader and one of the most influence people in our space. I thought perhaps this book would be another “how-to” regarding real estate trends, or “how to” survive the downturn, full of information, because those are things Stefan is knowledgeable about. I could not have been more wrong!

The book is a fable of a young couple who visits the Serengeti of Africa to explore and experience firsthand that beautiful land. More importantly, by observing the behavior and unique skills of several the animals of the Serengeti, they learn more about themselves and how those attributes relate to their own interaction with others. Further, they learn from the animals unique skills and strategies that, when understood, can change their own lives.

The book itself is a fascinating and informative read, but one of the best parts is that once you understand each of the seven animals, you are directed to go to www.WhatAnimalAmI.com where you can take a quick and easy 21-question quiz. After you complete the quiz you will be instantly notified which of the seven animals you most closely resemble, along with a detailed description of the character traits. I did it – and I am a mongoose!

Do You Suffer From Negotiaphobia?

My good friend Don Hutson has done it again!  You may have read Don’s best-selling book “The One Minute Entrepreneur”  a couple of years ago—it’s one of my favorite books.  Well, this time, Don has teamed up with Dr. George Lucas and they’ve written a new book that is sure to become an overnight sensation called “The One Minute Negotiator”.

I had the opportunity to review parts of this book prior to it being published—and I have to tell you, this is an amazing book and everyone can benefit from reading about it. The bottom line is we all have to negotiate each and every day – with our clients, our children, our spouse, buying a new car or other service...the list goes on and on.  Want a sneak peak? Take a moment and click here to watch Don & George’s short interview on CBS! 

Here is a short message from the authors about their book – and a special offer for you!

Ever have a feeling in the pit of your stomach before a negotiation because you don’t want to leave a pile of money on the table? You are likely suffering from Negotiaphobia, and we have the cure.

In today’s competitive market, EVERYBODY can profit from learning better negotiation skills.

The One Minute Negotiator teaches you to do just that – Simple Steps to Reach Better Agreements, by Don Hutson and George Lucas.

Being skilled negotiators, we’ll make you a deal you can’t refuse! Buy the book through this special offer and get $30 for every $1 you spend… a GREAT return on your investment!

Here’s what you’ll get:

• (52) VideoZine Tips: weekly 90-second video tips on how to be a better negotiator. (Value: $149)
• (4) Twenty Minute Teleseminars on negotiation strategies, tactics, and tips. (Value: $495)

You’ll get Total Value of $644 just for buying one book!

Click here to order your copy at a special price now!

Then, simply forward a copy of your email receipt to Offer@theOneMinuteNegotiator.com and we will enter you into the BONUS PACKAGE program immediately!

Thanks and congratulations on your decision to profit from better negotiations!

      ~ Don Hutson & Dr. George Lucas

Let me know what you think of the book after you've read it. I promise you--this book will give you the skills to overcome your negotiaphobia and learn to become a GREAT negotiator!

Confidence and Enthusiasm

I could end this article right now without even writing it –if you understand what these two words mean, confidence and enthusiasm, you have 90 % of what it takes to be successful!

In speaking with agents who lack one or both of these attributes or personality traits, I find that they look for reasons outside of themselves to place blame on their lack of business or production.  In their minds, the reason they aren’t having the success they feel they deserve is because the economy is bad, or their broker isn’t giving them enough support, or their website isn’t generating enough leads…the list of excuses goes on and on.  However, none of that is actually true! Those are just excuses to mask what the real issue is. At the heart of this issue is these agents are lacking confidence and enthusiasm.

The Great Unwind

I just ran across this amazing lecture by John Gerzema, co-author of "The Brand Bubble".  John discusses the upside of the financial crisis -- and while that may sound like an oxymoron, it's not!

During this video he identifies four major cultural shifts driving new consumer behavior and shows how businesses are evolving to connect with thoughtful spending.

This may be the best 16 minutes you spend! I encourage you to watch this and take his thoughts to heart.

Tell Us What You Think

We love to hear from you -- and now we've made it even easier.  You can quickly and easily record your thoughts by using your computer mic right now.  Just click the red "Record" button below and tell us what's on your mind.

• Coaching client?  Tell us what's working for you.
• Event attendee?  Tell us what you thought.
• Want more?  Tell us how we can better serve you.
• Have something cool to share?  Of course we want to hear it!

Now's your chance.  Speak up!!

What's the Importance of 1 Degree?

I just watched this short, inspirational video and wanted to share it with you!

In Verl Workman's coaching program, we talk about the results we can achieve professionally and personally by making small, daily improvements.  I feel this video exemplifies this concept--and I hope it will serve as a point of inspiration for you as well.

Let's turn up the heat! http://www.212amovie.com

--Miriam

By Serving, We Lead

We stumbled on this article today and had to share it.  It summarizes the mission, the passion, and the devotion of Martin Luther King, Jr. and exactly what made him such a great leader.  It is a testament to live to serve others, and by doing so we all achieve greatness. 

As it applies to real estate we should always remember that, as sales people, we are here to serve too.  We are problem solvers who help our customers through a tough transition in life.  We accomplish that by being ready to listen and by offering our guidance and advice when they need it most.  And, by serving, we are actually leading.

I hope you enjoy this article:

Feedback from a recent graduate

A Note to our readers:

After each coaching group "graduates" we ask for feedback.  We felt this agent had some good things to say about the value she received from coaching--and we wanted to share it with you.

------------------------

Hi everyone!  When we started in June, and I logged all our sessions into my Outlook calendar, I thought that December seemed so far away and that I’ll have plenty of time to get things done. Well, here we are! Every year it just gets harder to believe how quickly time passes – especially when being motivated to move those “Big Rocks” and set benchmarks. That motivation has been the greatest help to me.

I have been in Real Estate for 2 years now with no sales or listings. A lot of critical personal circumstances have greatly interfered with getting my business off the ground. The initial assignment from Session #1 was very eye-opening to me. I did a tremendous amount of self-discovery while creating my Business Plan. Even though I thought I knew where my problems were, those problems were deep seeded in events that happened years ago. It helped me to discover that you can’t move forward by always looking back or you will eventually be run over and not even see it coming!! I had previously been the “doer” of the offices I worked in – leaving no project unfinished by day’s end, but Real Estate and having my own business had become so cumbersome trying to get everything done in the fashion to which I was accustomed.  Making that transition from an administrative to an entrepreneurial mindset has been my greatest challenge. But, by breaking down the components into such elementary and incremental steps in each session, it has allowed me to not feel so overwhelmed and that the light at the end of the tunnel is not that of an oncoming train!

Above all, the most informative need-to-have information for anyone in business today is the internet presence and how to build your business by driving people to your website. Sessions #5, 6, & 7 are invaluable to anyone in Real Estate today! It’s a funny thing, but when someone verbally asks you for that information, in situations such as an Open House, people are very – no, extremely reluctant to give it out. But when asked to do the exact same thing on a LCD Screen by a computer program, they do so willingly. I have stopped doing open houses almost completely because, as careful as you are when trying to weed out tire-kickers, in this era of instant gratification via the internet, serious buyers just do not spend weekends driving from house to house to house anymore.

Lastly, I would like to express how much I looked forward to each session and, even though I would listen intently during them, without fail I would pick up more and more from the CDs.  This is such a great tool and I’m so glad to have been a part of it.

Thank you everyone – I am looking forward to the New Year with so much more enthusiasm!!

You have no idea how much I appreciate each and every one of you on Verl’s team. You are so awesome!! I wish a very Merry Christmas and a most Prosperous New Year for you and your families!!

Leslie

How to Post to Ah Ha's

As you go through coaching and beyond you'll inevitably have moments where something you learned just clicks.  We would love for you to Share your ah ha moment with coaching clients outside of your group by posting it on this public blog.  You can do that by clicking on the Red "comments" button at the bottom of every post.  We welcome your insight and participation.

If you would like to share this with your active coaching group as well, please copy your message, log into your group and post it in the student center. 

Thank you for your particiation.