Archive for January, 2009

2009: New Year – New Opportunities

Thursday, January 15th, 2009
  • It’s time to review what’s working and start implementing your plans. Everyone approaches this differently – all that matters is that the path you choose works for you. I’ve been digging through some of my notes and had a one I would like to share with you.

  • Jim Ellis has a friend/business associate, John Spence, who is an executive trainer, consultant, speaker – and he writes a blog on Achieving Business Excellence. His November post: Some Ideas on Creativity and Failure struck a chord with me. While this is not specific to the real estate business, it applies to anyone’s business plan. All the critical elements are there – fear of failure, recognizing opportunity, repeating opportunity, know your data . . . take a look and remember to subscribe. Good stuff.

    Final thoughts…
    Here’s a checklist I run down periodically. . . . Good accurate data is what gives us the knowledge to produce better results. Let us know if you need assistance with any of these.

    Do you know …

  • Your current Buyer / target buyer profile?
  • How many leads are truly active and viable (complete data)?
  • - if they’re “done” mark them and move on.
  • What media is producing sales – and at what cost?
  • Have you set your teams 2009 individual goals in MyFocus?
  • Review ALL your active templates, letters, messages, signatures – watch for dated info.
  • Update your qualifier questions.
  • Refresh your signature for your email messages (make sure all the links are correct).
  • Action Cycle / Step review (frequency and type of contacts).
  • Postal Codes – Effective this past November the post office requires quarterly NCOA updates to qualify for database mailing postal discounts.
  • Developer Market Trend Reporting Now Available

    Thursday, January 15th, 2009

    By now most of you have been contacted (or will when you get back in the office this week!) regarding our new market data reporting service.

    Focus3 is compiling and reporting to program participants pertinent market data based on traffic, geography, product sales and prospect surveys. Any Focus3 subscriber may participate, at no cost. Reporting is aggregate, anonymous, confidential – and only shared with program participants. Please simply contact us with your authorization.

    Program participant, Marc Wilson, EVP The Settings Development Company said, “I believe in the Biblical principle that says the more you help and share the more you will get back”.

    Thanks, Marc – that’s exactly how we feel too.

    Outlook Integration

    Thursday, January 15th, 2009

    On December 9th we completed our most recent product update which included –

    – Outlook Integration. Details at http://www.focus-3.com/infocus/?p=50. Make sure your team has signed up for installation (support@focus-3.com)
    Multiple email and phone fields
    Other 2008 feature highlights included:

    – Expanded contact import functionality (review/update duplicates). This feature not only provides greater flexibility for list management, but provides our new users’ access to import their existing leads (no conversion cost).

    – Ticketed 24/7 help desk system with knowledgebase (support@focus-3.com). Not only does this provide greater coverage for our subscribers, this system gives users the ability to view their ticket and provide additional input while following resolution.

    – Improved email flexibility for database email broadcasts.

    – HTML email spell-check.

    – Expanded user defined export features

    – Group and contact update / scheduling.

    As always, we value and need your input – please let us know what you would like to see for 2009. Logon and comment at www.focus-3.com/infocus.

    Help with Upcoming Events

    Thursday, January 15th, 2009

    Many of you will be attending offsite events (Real Estate Shows). If you need help pulling a targeted list or scheduling calls/email/mail to promote pre- or post-show let us know. We’re here to help you get the most out of your system.