Have you started your business plan for next year?  Have you included networking in your plan?  Have you reviewed this years plan to see where your current networking activities paid off?  Are you networking with people that will actually give you business?  Is it time to grow your network?

 Most of us network with in our groups.   We network in our churches, the Chamber of Commerce, and among other real estate professionals.   Get out of the box!

 Networking.  Think about your everyday life contacts.  The banker, the paperboy (he will grow up), your favorite waitress and your not so favorite waitress, the pizza delivery person, do they know you are a real estate professional?  Why not?  A card is very easy to give with cash, check or debit card.  Leave a card with everyone you touch.

 The very mention of real estate usually causes a conversation.

 In your plan do you consider the contacts that are draining you?  We all have draining contacts.  The negative, down talking, know it all people.  Get rid of them.  Why associate with people that affect you in a negative way?  Okay, maybe you have to associate with them during the holidays; don’t talk about your profession.  Politely change the subject; it’s not worth your energy.  I love the person that over hears a question directed at me, and then decides they know more about the subject than I do, and interrupts to give bad advice.  Politely give a card to the person that asked the question and walk away.  Make this part of your plan.

 Nothing new has been said here, I just hope a reminder goes off next time you are out in a restaurant or you have something delivered, to give a card.  Yes, even the UPS person. 

 I would like to recommend site for business planning, http://www.joeann.com/2008AwesomeYearPlan.pdf , she includes networking.  I learned about this plan in the Webinar Event hosted by the Women’s Council of Realtors®.  Watch for these events, they are free and very educational.

 Lastly, I would like to say “Good Luck and Congratulations” to Doris Nurenberg.  Doris is leaving FAAR to join HAAR (-:  Huntsville (AL) Area Association of Realtors®. 

Summer’s almost over.  I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the heat and smell the flowers.  Summer’s about over, now let’s talk business

What are you going to do to help your business adjust in the everyday changing market?   Are you going to listen to everyone else complaining?  Are you going to agree with them?  Are you going to get proactive? 

If you decide to get proactive, what are you going to do?  Have you really thought about it?  Education is the key!  Please allow me to give you a few suggestions or reminders.

Take the “Effective Negotiation” class offered by WCR Sept 12.  This class is an ABR elective, a PMN designation class and approved con-ed.  Hmmm, that tells me it’s a good course.  I know it is I took it.

1. Stand around successful people.  Listen.  Just listen.
2. Ask successful people questions.  They aren’t afraid to give neither advice nor information.  They are the confident people that freely share information.
3. Come to the Flint Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors® monthly meetings.
4. Take Kinnexus classes at FAAR.  You will be surprised at what you don’t know.
5. Create or join a goal group.  Find someone to hold you accountable for your actions.
6. Learn to use the programs you have already on your computer.  Outlook, Explorer, Top Producer ect…. (I bet you have computer programs you pay for and don’t use!)
7. Ask your children or grandchildren what’s new on the internet.  They’ll teach you a thing or two.
8. Attend functions at the Cultural Center; you will be able to educate your clients first hand about the Cultural experience.  Experience your community.
9.  Join a real estate committee or a business group.  It doesn’t matter which one.  Just meet new people, I think they call that “Networking” (-:

 Remember, sitting behind a desk or standing around in an office is not proactive in the real estate business.