Real Estate Information Archive

Good Monday Morning,

This morning I heard on the news that Apple is the most valuable brand this year.  I just searched and took a look at the other valuable brands – some were Chinese brands, IBM was still in the top five, Walmart made the top 100 as did Coca-Cola, Marlboro, and Verizon.  It made me start to think about what a brand really means.  Is it the sign of a quality company?  One that provides only top notch service?  Apple is certainly an innovator in their field.  Their story is that of an upstart and a creative forward thinking company with cutting edge products that can be easily mass marketed.  IBM, though, is an old giant that has a totally different story.  Stable, sturdy, business like.   McDonalds is on the list.  So is Walmart.  Neither of these companies provides high end services.  Marlboro?  Well…

What I was trying to decide is what makes these brands so valuable.  Here are some thoughts.  They are recognizable.  With each of these brands there is something visual that you can immediately recognize, whether it is the Apple, the golden arches or the cowboy on the horse.  Each of these brands guards their brand zealously, allowing nothing that will change the basic message of the brand.  Each of these brands continually reinforces what their brand means.  Apple – that’s what the smart kids use.  McDonalds – that’s food at a reasonable price that delivers a consistent experience.  Marlboro – well you, too can be a cowboy, rugged, independent and the coolest guy in the west.

So what does your brand say about you?  Not your Prudential brand – although Prudential also zealously protects its brand – the Rock -- safety, security, stability in an unsteady world.  But what does your personal brand add to the Prudential brand?  Why would I select you as the sales professional to sell my home?  Are you technologically advanced?  Do you provide Nordstrom level service?  Do you provide value for the money?  What is your value proposition?  And how do you communicate that to the public in general?

This week, spend some time considering how you need to brand your business and how to get your message out.  Decide how to make your mark, how you need to stand out from the crowd. 

Good Monday Morning!

When is the last time you were inspired?  Watching the new mayor of New Orleans on 60 Minutes inspired me.  Mitch Landrieu has taken on a monumental task – destruction, poverty, crime and corruption in the city that he loves.  Most would throw up their hands and say, “It’s always been this way” or “It’s always going to be this way.”  Not Mayor Landrieu.  He has a vision for the city that he loves, that he grew up in.  His vision is that his beautiful city is going to work.  He is walking neighborhoods, showing up everywhere, and even has commissioned a federal report on the corruption in the police department (and what he found wasn’t good).   Yet, he believes that his damaged, injured city will once again be great.  It will take everyone’s efforts and some time, but greatness is waiting to emerge.  It was a pleasure to watch a man with a vision and a mission.  So I ask, what is your vision for your business?

60 Minutes was interrupted to broadcast the news about Osama Bin Laden.  Lessons to be learned from this operation?  Persistence (ten years worth) counts.  Keep your eye on the prize. Get the best people to do the job for the right reasons (the Navy Seals).  Plan carefully but execute quickly.  Train, train and practice (Navy Seals).  Minimize damage.   Recognize that you can’t please everyone all of the time.  Don’t be fooled by emotional responses. There are always consequences to your actions.  Some good, some maybe not so good lessons to be learned. 

An interesting news day all in all.

Here at PJWV:

• For the next two weeks we are doing post licensing, continuing education and sales training in the first floor training room.  Check the schedule to make sure that you attend everything  that will make you a stronger more focused sales professional.
• Sales Meeting Tuesday will have some Rapid Learning Sales Training – don’t miss it!
• Wednesday – Go Coaching at 10.  Coaching for performance.  All are welcome.
• Wednesday – Book Club The New Handshake  by Joan C. Curtis and Barbara Giamanco.  You can download this book from the NAR website for free.  We’ll be looking at the first three chapters.  Even if you can’t read it all – stop by to see what you can learn.  Bring your lunch at 12.
• Thursday Marketing Meeting at 12.

From the Desk of Deborah Deboer