Does your job or business demand that you be accessible 24/7? In an era of ubiquitous cell phones, pagers, Blackberrys and WiFi internet access, it is easy to keep in touch with the office from anywhere. No doubt, many of you find that this is a mixed blessing at best.

While technology gives increased mobility and connectivity, it can also erode the boundary between your professional and personal life. That’s why it is increasingly more important to set reasonable boundaries and stick to them. For most of us there is a constant pressure to work longer, implement more marketing, or get that report in early. It is not easy to draw a line and say things like “I am leaving on time, and the world will not end if I don’t finish “x” by 5:00pm.”

Though we all value hard work and realize putting in long hours sometimes comes with the territory, if you are unable to set reasonable limits on your job’s time demands, you’re risking a lot. When your health and/or family life begins to suffer, it is not only going to diminish your quality of life, it will also reduce your productivity on the job.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Setting Work and Life Boundaries” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will learn from my mistakes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Addressing the problem will only work and help you in the short term if you do not look at the source of it! It is not about time management, but personal management.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Benefits of Your Time Well Managed!” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will Manage My Time!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

There are numerous prospecting tools or lead generating avenues available to agents and the numbers are growing every day. The question asked the most is, “Which one gets the best results?” The answer is always the same, “All of them and none of them,” because it depends on what effort you put into contacting and following up with the leads. The saying, “you reap what you sow” holds true no matter who, what, where or when you prospect. So you must have a plan of action to contact and follow up with your leads.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Using a Virtual Assistant for Prospecting” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will decide which tasks I want my “prospector” to perform and which tasks I want to handle myself. I will keep in touch with him/her weekly for status reports.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.”
Robert Frost

The secret to success in real estate - and in life - is much closer than many of us realize: it is right inside our head.

During my years of helping Real Estate Teams thrive, I have found three distinctions that separate the successful from those who constantly yearn. It is based on attitude. And the good news is, by shifting your mindset, you can see dramatic results.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Change Your Mindset and Thrive in Your Business This Year” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will connect in abundance while having fun!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistants (REVAs) electronically support Real Estate Professionals (REPs) from a distance. REVAS use the latest technology available to support their clients without geographical boundaries.

I like VAs because they go to the very heart of my business: developing and implementing systems that put real estate practices on autopilot so agents can enjoy more of their life.

What do you need to do before you hire a virtual assistant?

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “The Top 10 Ways to Use a Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA)” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will review my business and determine whether a VA fits into my business model.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Asbestos Tips and Healthy Options for Homeowners

The path to purchasing a new home is a huge accomplishment that requires additional responsibilities. For many, it is the investment of a lifetime, insuring you and your family will have a safe and healthy home for a long foreseeable future.

Many homes that are newly purchased may require remodeling or additional repairs. This is often the case with older homes, which still run with old, corrosive methods that were once used to build structures. Having the assistance of a reliable and experienced real estate agent can make this process smooth and easy.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used in construction applications for the greater part of the 20th century.  Through the U.S. and Canada, potential home buyers or those remodeling homes should be aware that homes built before 1980 may still harbor asbestos materials. This is not to make you alarmed because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions. Many green, healthy options insulation options exist that make the use of asbestos obsolete.

If you locate any suspected asbestos, most experts advise to leave it alone. If you are having home renovations, performed, do not panic. A professional home inspector can determine the best course of action. In most cases, the best action is no action in regards to asbestos.

Home owners should find a certified inspector to determine if any harmful materials are present. The Environmental Protection Agency provides assistance and information on asbestos abatement and the regulations involved. If the inspector determines that a removal is needed, they must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous substances. This process requires professional care and protective equipment. Once the process is complete, replacement options should be considered.

When asbestos deteriorates and its fibers become airborne, it has the potential of causing severe lung ailments such as malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis. Physician diagnosis has been a difficult task because of a long latency period and mesothelioma symptoms being so similar to other, less serious conditions.

Environmental stability is on the minds of many citizens throughout North America. Many are unaware to the fact that utilizing eco-sustainable forms of insulation not only provide healthy alternatives to asbestos, but can have positive economic benefits as well. There are now a multitude of healthy replacements to asbestos such as cotton fiber and lcynene. These options should be considered upon removal.  Studies show that the use of recycled building materials can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent!

Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be flame resistant. With the implementation of these recycled materials, waste is also decreasing in landfills. These options will provide a safe and healthy home, free of any damaging materials.

Information provided by: Mesothelioma Cancer Center 

Have you ever had a crisis in your career? Maybe we should ask how many have you had today? Let’s face it, a great Client Care Coordinator is first and foremost a problem solver, and because of this, the front desk will often become a crisis management center. This center is where all problems arrive and are expected to be solved within a short period of time.

How can we become better at crisis management? Before we can begin to answer this question, we need to start by admitting that most of us deep down are cowards at heart. Yes, we may come across as confident and strong, but at our core, we fear like every one else. We fear that we may fail, or worse yet, that someone won’t like us. We often don’t face each crisis as quickly or as effectively as we could; and occasionally, we don’t face the crisis at all. Soon it is too late.

By accepting our natural aversion to crisis, we can then begin to unravel the simple techniques all of us can use to be better crisis managers. There is an old saying, “It is not what happens to us that matters, it’s what we do about it.” This is one piece of sage wisdom that definitely applies to crisis management.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Crisis Management 101” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will implement the five simple strategies for every person to deal more effectively with their next crisis.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.”
Robert Frost

The secret to success in real estate - and in life - is much closer than many of us realize: it is right inside our head.

During my years of helping Real Estate Teams thrive, I have found three distinctions that separate the successful from those who constantly yearn. It is based on attitude. And the good news is, by shifting your mindset, you can see dramatic results.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Change Your Mindset and Thrive in Your Business This Year ” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will connect in abundance while having fun!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

A great way to make sure that your customers have an excellent experience working with your team is to develop an attitude within the office of “It is My Pleasure” to serve you. You need to establish a habit whereby everyone says “It is My Pleasure” at every opportunity; this will let your customers know that servicing their needs is of the utmost importance to you.

The “My Pleasure” attitude starts with the 1st impression. Most of the time the Client Care Coordinator is the 1st one who greets the clients. The only item needed to accomplish the goal of having an attitude of “It is My Pleasure” is a great attitude!

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Developing an “It’s My Pleasure Attitude”” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will have a “My Pleasure” attitude!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran