*KEYNOTE* The Art of the Story: Once Upon a Time Marketing
Storytelling is an ancient art; it captivates us, captures our imaginations, and when used effectively, can make you stand out from the crowd. Storytelling creates understanding and insight into your business as a story for consumers; it creates affinity with consumers, even those whom you haven’t met yet; and it provides your business the vehicle for unique, compelling marketing content. From how you present yourself and your services to the marketing of your listings, a memorable story has the power to set you apart from your competition, attract an audience, and elevate your brand to new heights. So what’s YOUR story? 1-3 hours; Session & Workshop; Broker Session and AE/Staff Session also available.
“Maura Neill’s presentation on Storytelling at CRS Sellabration was a real wake-up call for me. She repeatedly illustrated the power of story by showing how an effective presentation can be not only a winning sales tool and also a huge point of difference between my team and our competition.” – Sandra Nickel, CRS; Montgomery, AL
“Not a single head–NO ONE was looking at their phones. All eyes were directed forward paying close attention as Maura took the crowd on a journey. The session was on storytelling, and from the first word, the adventure began. Embodying her topic, Maura painted a picture with her presentation. I will be looking for opportunities to attend her next engagement so I can hear the rest of her story and learn to tell my own. Highly recommend is an understatement!” – Michele Bailey, CRS; Watersound, FL
*KEYNOTE* Customer Before Company: Revolutionize Your Business The Nordstrom Way
The Nordstrom department store is legendary for exemplary customer service: from the earliest beginnings of Nordstrom, a sign hung from the ceiling that read, “If We Sell You Well, Tell Others. If Not, Tell Us.” Well known for putting customers over the company, Nordstrom salespeople are empowered from above to always make it right for the customer. With lessons that can be useful for solo agents, team leaders, and brokers alike, Nordstrom’s business philosophies easily translate into the real estate industry. By taking a page out of the Nordstrom book, from a practical translation of the Nordstrom way into customer relationships to incorporating Nordstrom beliefs into our personal values systems, we can revolutionize our businesses and our industry. Also Available in Session Format
*KEYNOTE* Put Your Best Foot Forward: Lessons in Online Customer Service from Zappos and Beyond
Steve Jobs famously said, “Get closer than ever to your customers.” Social media and the Internet have allowed us to do just that: we’re with them as they sit in their living rooms browsing for homes, in coffee shops reading our blog posts and perusing our websites, and at any second of the day checking their smartphones and tablets. With that increased power comes the responsibility to provide even greater levels of customer service, to set ourselves apart from our competition, to meet immediate response expectations, to navigate social media channels with their ever-evolving rules of etiquette, and to present our listings and marketing messages through acceptable channels. Online customer service now has the power to define us as real estate professionals. Also Available in Session Format
Running Your Business in a Low-Inventory Market
A low inventory market means a skill set shift. You need to know how to generate inventory, market yourself to get more listings, handle multiple offers to the sellers, AND position buyers’ offers in a multiple-offer setting. In this session, taken right from the trenches of today’s market, Maura will even address the psychology of the unrealistic seller and the disappointed/angry buyer. 2-3 hours; 1-hour workshop on Multiple Offer Strategies also available.
Create the WIN! New Negotiation Strategies
The most successful negotiators get the best outcomes for clients by thinking outside the box. This session pushes you out of your comfort zone to think differently. We’ll explore the impacts of perception versus reality on the transaction and how emotional intelligence affects the negotiation process. You’ll walk away with fresh, new approaches and innovative options for even the most difficult negotiation. Maura is a graduate of the Harvard Negotiation Institute at Harvard Law. Session Only, 1 hour; Session + Workshop, 2-3 hours
Systematic Lead Generation
Leads are only as valuable as the time you put into them. Without a system, leads are just names on a spreadsheet. However, with a strong lead generation system that includes incubation, follow-up, and conversion, leads are not just names and email addresses: leads become relationships, closings, and great referral sources. In this session, we’ll discuss how to create a system that not only generates more leads but helps you to convert those leads into loyal clients with a greater success rate. 1-2 hours
A New Leadership Perspective: Composing a Memorable Year
Get a unique approach to leadership training with Maura and Paula. Combining their backgrounds in leadership, teaching, music, theater, and real estate has resulted in a fast-paced, fun-filled, and interactive experience with real impact. Your group will come away with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader in a REALTOR® Association; heightened problem-solving skills; and measurable, trackable goals PLUS accountability to Paula and Maura over the following year with their personalized and detailed follow-up program. Topics covered include basic aspects of leadership, the relationship between staff and leadership/volunteers, fiduciary duty, problem-solving, goal setting, strategic thinking for leaders, and more. Full Day Session; Co-Taught with Paula Monthofer
Asking the Right Questions: Problem-Solving and Goal-Setting
Our leaders have two important roles: setting/achieving goals and solving problems. Leaders are in a unique position to help future leaders and their team to develop and hone those skills. We’ll explore the art of the question – how asking not only more questions but the right questions can improve your relationship with your leadership team and help to create a successful term. Through exercises and case studies, we’ll discuss an array of problem-solving strategies and creative approaches to goal setting to give you more tools for success. 1-2 hours; AE/Staff version available
Perception and Reality: Unraveling the Threads
A Leader can play a huge role in the success of an Association or organization, year after year. Helping your team and the Association staff be effective and enjoy a successful year means assisting them with developing their leadership skills, using and improving their emotional intelligence, and recognizing many realities and perceptions in your organization. In this session, you’ll test your perception, compare it to others, and examine how you apply emotional intelligence to interact with others you work closely with–from leadership to volunteer members, staff, and the Association’s membership. 1-2 hours; AE/Staff version available
Co-op(eration) Improve Customer Service With Your Competition
As REALTORS®, we work for our clients, but we work with other agents, and our interactions with our colleagues can impact our clients’ experience for better or worse. In this session, we will explore building better relationships with other agents with the intent to leverage associations to our client’s advantage . . . and to our own professional benefit and for the betterment of our industry as a whole. 2-3 hours