Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Online Newsletter For The Week Ending February 25, 2011

Online Newsletter for the Week Ening February 25, 2011

Your Newsletter link:  www.ReadforAChange.com

Remember, READ for a change.

Enjoy,

Gymbeaux

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Online Newsletter for the Week Ending February 11, 2011

Quote:“Always remember the amount of fruit we produce is just an outcome and measurement of how well we are nurturing our root.” Jon Gordon

MAYBE MAKING IT BIGGER WILL WORK! THE LISTING ADDENDUM: Not sure how much easier I can make this. The Listing Addendum is REQUIRED by the Market Center on ALL listings, residential, commercial, RENTALS, and land, no exceptions. It keeps YOU in compliance, affords ME the use of the Paperless system to accept the listings and gives me a document to compare what the MLS indicates as a COOP commission and what you intended it to indicate. I get at least three listing folders a week where there is no Listing Agreement Addendum.


TALK ABOUT CONFUSING, 10-YEAR LITHIUM BATTERY SMOKE DETECTOR, notes from LREC that are a little different that some recent article/announcements:

Reminder on Ten Year Lithium Battery Requirement

Act 163 of the 2009 Regular Legislative session which requires one and two family dwellings at the time of sale or lease to have a ten year battery smoke detector, went into effect on January 1, 2011. There are no penalties or fines if the seller fails to comply with the provisions and it will not stop a real estate closing from occurring. The law also states that a real estate agent shall not be liable for the seller's failure to comply with the provisions of this section. (Gymbeaux Note: It requires but it doesn’t require, what kind of language is that? Is it required or not? Apparently not even though it appears on the Seller’s Property Disclosure, go figure.)

The 2011 Property Condition Disclosure document reflects this law on Page 3 Question 28 which will alert your sellers to the requirement. We are also asking you to educate your home inspectors as well of Act 163. Here is a link to the law (PDF file). If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Norman Morris at 800-266-8538.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS ON AUSTRALIA? Received this from an Internet friend often featured on this Newsletter, Lew Smallwood. I asked him where the international outcry for help was in regards to all that has recently happened in Australia. “This last twelve months has been absolutely unbelievable. We had Cyclone Larry and now Cyclone Yasi. And following an unprecedented seven year draught, two seperate and severe floods in the three eastern states which are still working their way down various river systems, a lucust plague in two states, drought in the western part of Austalia, plus significant bushfires in outlying areas surrounding Melbourne in Victoria where I live.” I had asked him where was all the requests for public help to support the thousands affected by these events like they have here in New Orleans after Katrina and Hatti after the earthquake and other places?  Lew said that the Red Cross would be a great place to make donations if you are so inclined.

PRESIDENT BUSH LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE, THIS MAY THE FUNNIEST VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1tZ0zevR2c

SO YOU THINK YOU ARE A MARKETING EXPERT? REALLY? This is such a great article written by Scott Friedman. If you think as I do, tell him so. Better yet, buy his book. The article is posted on http://www.slidellcalendar.com/ in the Document Section in the Marketing Folder. As for the Gymbeaux Notes included, the Devil made me do it.

FOR THE LOVE OF SALES; NOT FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY. Great article by Jeffrey Gitomer. The book, Acres of Diamonds he references is available free on http://www.slidellcalendar.com/ in the Ebook folder of the document section: http://www.gitomer.com/articles/ViewPublicArticle.html?key=ajcdMibak3O6PbCMumFLUQ%3D%3D

ELECTRONIC BOOK READER. If you have ever wanted an electronic book reader but did not want to pay the over $150 to get one and I hope you have, check out Bed, Bath & Beyond where they are selling Sharper Image’s Literati. It is on sale for only $39.95 and there are plenty of coupons around and even on line to get 20% off that price. Best yet, it is in COLOR. I bought one and it is unbelievable for the price, includes WI FI. At that price I would imagine that supplies are very limited. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17494791

NOMAR HAS A NEW AND REALLY GOOD LOOKING WEB SITE; Check it out at http://www.nomar.org./

ONE AMAZING VIDEO, YOU SIMPLY WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING. Keep the Excedrin bottle handy you will need it after watching these two girls and what they do with a box. http://www.jokeroo.com/bin/player.swf?5f9f_f369

TAX BENEFITS OF HOME OWNERSHIP: This should be must reading for every real estate agent, from Lowe’s: http://lowes.inman.com/inmaninf/lowes/news/136175

THE ROOT OF SUCCESS, this week’s quote comes from this article written by Jon Gordon, who else would have written it? Short but really to the point. Remember this as well, “An education is what you get when you read the fine print, an experience is what you get when you don’t.” Only wish I knew who said that. Nurturing the “root” in education, profession, spiritual, and physical. Are you forgetting your root(s) of success? Read the rest of the article: http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-020711-root-of-success.html

22 Ways to Become Spectacularly Inspirational

By Robin Sharma, author of the #1 bestseller "The Leader Who Had No Title", a really great book so says Gymbeaux!

1. Do important work vs. merely offering opinions.
2. Lift people up vs. tear others down.
3. Use the words of leadership vs. the language of victimhood.
4. Don't worry about getting the credit for getting things done.
5. Become part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
6. Take your health to a level called superfit.
7. Commit to mastery of your craft instead of accepting mediocrity in your work.
8. Associate with people whose lives you want to be living.
9. Study for an hour a day. Double your learning and you'll triple your success. (I had to embolden this one, Gymbeaux)
10. Run your own race. "No one can possibly achieve real and lasting success by being a conformist," wrote billionaire J. Paul Getty
11. Do something small yet scary every single day.
12. Lead Without a Title.
13. Focus on people's strengths vs. obsessing around their weaknesses.
14. Remember that potential unused turns into pain. So dedicate yourself to expressing your best.
15. Smile more.
16. Listen more.
17. Read the autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
18. Reflect on the words of Eleanor Roosevelt who said: "Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." (Gymbeaux, she also said this, my personal favorite, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams!” The problem really is that most of our dreams are simply too small.)
19. Persist longer than the critics suggest you should.
20. Say "please" and "thank you".
21. Love your loved ones.
22. Do work that matters.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM AN ATTORNEY

ATTORNEY'S FREE ADVICE

This is NOT A Joke!! Even if you dislike attorneys you will love them for these tips. Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put - PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never print your Social Security Number on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us by stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.

Unfortunately I am attorney and have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)

7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 1-800-525-6285

2. Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 1-888-397-3742

3. Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289 1-800-680 7289

4. Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271 1-800-269-0271

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Online Newsletter for the Week Ending February 4, 2011

QUOTE: “I’d rather die while I’m living then live while I’m dead!” Jimmy Buffett   Life was meant to live. Can you imagine your tombstone if it read:


Here Lies (Insert Your Name)
Born: January 1, 1955
Died: December 1, 1989
Buried: February 4, 2011

DON’T DIE WITH YOUR MUSIC STILL INSIDE YOU, Steve Pavlina. This is one you will want to keep. I would strongly recommend you send it to your children and grandchildren; you won’t regret it. http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/01/dont-die-with-your-music-still-in-you/

LATEST NUGGET: Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat? Check it out on http://www.nuggetsforthenoggin.com/. Also PLEASE CONSIDER CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WEB SITE. Thanks Gymbeaux

YOU ARE THE ESSENCE OF YOUR REACTIONS AND YOUR RESPONSES. Would love to suggest, if the fits…wear it but I would never say anything like that. This is another Jeffrey Gitomer Gem worthy of just few minutes of your time, he might just be talking about you or to you: http://www.gitomer.com/articles/View.html?id=16008


CHICAGO FANS! For us “old” folks, you might be interested in the group Chicago who is performing at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi on April 15th. Tickets start at $59.95. Go to: http://www.beaurivage.com/entertainment/

DO NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS – LIFE LESSON LEARNED. “He did not call me back; what a jerk!” Before you reach such a conclusion, can you REALLY be certain that the person who failed to call you back got your call in the first place? Really? Have we come to rely on technology so much to actually believe that technology is beyond failing? This past week my cell phone has been acting strange to say the least. On one occasion it went for 4 days without a call and without any messages being left. Then on a Friday 4 messages suddenly show up that covered over a week. Sunday the “boss” called me 3 times and left two voice messages. I had the phone with me the entire time and I can assure you it never rang nor were any messages left. This morning the phone and I went to the store. I left it and was told it was fixed. Really? How can I be sure. Once a mistrust is planted how do you un-plant it. Lesson? Do not assume just because you left a message the person actually received it. Another lesson, when you get the person on the phone, do not say, “Didn’t you get my message?” Why start out as if the other person did anything wrong. Why not just act like this is the first time you called and be thankful you reached the person (ala Jeffrey Gitomer; it is amazing what you learn when you read).

DEFINITELY OUTSIDE THE BOX THINKING. Does anyone remember the Fosberry Flop? For years high jumpers would cross over the high jump bar by throwing their right or left leg over the bar and their body would follow. Then along came Dick Fosberry. He developed the theory of turning his body as he approached the high jump bar, then first put the back of his head over the bar, then his shoulders, his legs and feet would follow. He literally raised the bar on how to high jump. If you understand this, then you may want to check out how this guy bowls, it is unconventional and like Fosberry at first they made fun of him. Definitely outside-the-box thinking that produces results: http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=db5ed59e2e&view=att&th=12dbf40e6a7a1e62&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw

TELEPHONE TECHNIQUES CLASS. How good are you on the telephone? If you have never taken the telephone techniques class, the contents may come as a surprise to you. If you are new to the business, you will NEED this course in order to put your name on the property call list at the front desk. If you are an experienced agent, why not look at using the telephone a little differently than you might have thought of. What have you got to lose by learning something new? The next class is scheduled over the nexts 10-12 days.  Watch the front desk for a sign-up sheet.  Sign-up, show-up.  Don't sign-up, but show-up, plan on delays as more student booklets will have to be made.  Sign up at the front desk if you plan to attend.

GOOGLE DROPS REAL ESTATE LISTINGS, read the full story at: http://www.inman.com/news/2011/01/26/google-drops-real-estate-listings

TIPS TO MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA WORK, from Lowe’s: http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/12374

TIPS FOR CONDUCTING VIDEO INTERVIEWS, from Lowe’s: http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/11811

4 TIPS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION, by Chip Poli. This came through the Lowe’s Newsletter. I would suggest you also very tactfully suggest to buyers to get a baby sitter, dog sitter, and/or cat sitter when you are showing homes. I have seen them all accompany buyers looking at homes. Dogs and cats for obvious reasons. Small children because they are very distracting to your important conversations and they can damage an owner’s belongings:
http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/12414

10 THOUGHTS ABOUT LEADERSHIP by Jon Gordon. STOP! Before you read this do not for a moment think you are not “leadership”, everyone is a leader especially within the Keller Williams model. You are a leader at home, in your club, with your extended family, etc. EVERYONE IS A LEADER but do you realize it. Someone is watching every move you make and then hopefully if it is a good move, emulate you. Imagine what would happen if they emulated the “bad” moves like the film after film being produced by Hollywood. Whatever happened to good guy and bad guys, you knew the difference. Read this gem by Jon Gordon it applies to you regardless of your position in life: http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-013111-10-thoughts-leadership.html

THE NEW NORMAL: THE THREE HABITS OF THE AGENT WILL THRIEVE IN 2011, by Carla Cross. This article was filed on www.SlidellCalendar.com in the Document Section in the Motivation folder. Enjoy! Gymbeaux


QBQ! MiniNote®
Tend to the Little Things
by John G. Miller

The QBQ! (from his book, The Question Behind the Question; excellent read) Guy
A harsh reality: There is no second chance to make a first impression—for people and organizations.

What kind of first impression does my organization make to our customers, whether they call, click, or come by?

Miller Child Number Six, Jazzy Joy, has an uncanny habit that, at times, has driven us nuts: She states the obvious. It all started when she was a toddler. “Dad, it’s Saturday.” “Mom, it’s seven o’ clock.” “Dad, the sun is shining.” “Mom, Bear is a girl dog.” It’s as if she took on the role of roaming our home proclaiming what she believes is news. So we nicknamed her the “Town Crier.” The only thing missing was, “Hear ye! Hear ye!” Now that she’s a teen and doesn’t do it as much, we all think of it as cute. But, honestly, sometimes the obvious needs to be said. So at the risk of making you crazy, too, I want to state what should be incredibly clear to all organizations:

It’s really important to take care of the little things.

I regularly stop at the Conoco Gas N’ Go on Bridge Street in my town of Brighton, Colorado. Their gas is no cheaper than the others and it is four blocks out of my way. But I still go there—regularly. Of course, now you want to know why, right? Well, it’s simple: clean restrooms.

The owner, Don, provides his customers with the cleanest, shiniest, and possibly most germ-free bathrooms west of the Mississippi. He doesn’t sell other things I tend to buy such as coffee, mints, and my favorite daily newspaper. But the station that’s closer—and does sell those things—has restrooms so dirty I wouldn’t take my dog in there. Maybe they think a clean bathroom is an unimportant detail. I don’t know, but Don understands otherwise. And the lesson he offers for outstanding organizations of all sizes is that when it comes to taking care of the customer, there are no little things. Everything matters. Everything makes an impression. Every single thing we do will make our customers more—or less—loyal.

I’m sure I’ll keep going back to Don for as long as he’s there. I appreciate the attention he pays to what’s obvious to him but not to others.

To be an outstanding organization, tend to the little things—today.

Now, for a creative and pithy perspective on this whole "first impression" thing, enjoy this blog by my friend, Steve Curtin. Really good stuff. Pass it on!

http://www.stevecurtin.com/blog/2011/01/16/blind/

John G. Miller
The QBQ! Guy
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