Today was the opening day of our local Farmers Market. I got there fairly early and was delighted to see the early morning hustle and bustle of local entrepreneurs eager to profile their fresh veggies, breads, flowers, honey and other goodies.

Familiar faces were there walking through the booths with coffee in hand. There was energy around the movement as this real “community” lives.

During the winter months, the only way we were connected was by email or a simple blog. What was most interesting was the way we connected after communicating electronically since October of last year.

One of my favorite booths is owned and operated by an adorable Laotian family.  The little ladies there simply sparkle with joy as they arrange their fresh vegetables on display.  The most powerful connection is in using few words.  They know how to say “hello” and okay” with ease.  But if you really want to get a strong connection, try saying “thank you” in THEIR language.  It is the most joyful reaction I’ve ever seen!

As I walked toward their booth after months of not seeing them, I waived and they nodded… and then I said “thank you” back to them in their Laotian language…causing them to  begin waiving wildly and smile widely!  They were visibly delighted…all because of one little word…with a special “twist”…having it THEIR way.

How many ways can you say thank you today to your clients, customers, friends and family? 

Tom Peters said “Never underestimate the power of the tiniest personal touch”, and as usual, he is so right.  The power of human connection continues to be the magic that bridges relationships and often is the key to successful entrepreneurships…no matter what you are selling!

Bio: Terri Murphy is an author, speaker, e-communication consultant, and author of 5 books, including her latest with Donald Trump. She is the founder and Pres. of WomensWisdomNetwork.com and serves as CIO of U. S. Learning in Memphis and one of NAR’s GAME CHANGER 2010 Coaches. visit www.TerriMurphy.com or email: Terri@TerriMurphy.com

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First impressions are almost always irreversible and can make or break your connection in a matter of seconds, and how you connect on and offline will make determine if you will win or lose!

What can you do differently than you have been doing?  Are you relying on the same old things, systems, and habits…. or even more concerning, doing the same things your competitors are doing?

Today’s savvy consumer knows what they want, and are not willing to pay for services that do not meet their need. The largest buying segment of housing is GenX, and they are especially good at finding another professional who is willing to do it “their way” and fast!

So, how about tune up for your presentation program?  Whether you are presenting to a buyer or seller, creativity, expertise and delivery will boost or beat your chances.

Here are 3 key tips on how to fine tune your connection:

1) Speed of Response:   How fast are you responding to your lead requests?  If you don’t have systems in place to respond in a nano-second, your prospects are moving on to the next agent who does have a method to  respond  in real time with targeted information …and that is what it takes to make a first WOW impression!

2) When you are meeting face to face, have you revamped how you personally “go to market”?  Are you “market” presentable? Are you fully focused on your client? Have you anticipated their every need?

Before your meeting, are you equipped with a with deep needs analysis pre-written questionnaire that demonstrates you are prepared, interested and focused to authentically discover and fulfill their real objectives? 

Unfortunately, this is an area where many of us have slacked off. Having left a fast and furious marketplace, we didn’t have the luxury of time or the need to build trust bridges with our prospects. 

A slower market is loaded with multiple opportunities to engage, connect and earn the right to provide our services to those in need and a great time to demonstrate strong differentiation from our competitors.  As an example, if you are still running a paper CMA from your local MLS and showing up with a worn out one size fits all presentation, you might need to start looking for another job! 

NAR reports that in 2009 that 34% of the properties sold were purchased by GenX. Translated that means they are driven by their own core values and preferences.  Those preferences include real time response, deep expertise and real accountability.   Think about investing some time in a marketing makeover and don’t wait another minute to re-design how you go to market while you still can! NAR’s Learning Library offers some free and almost free online webinars to help you do just that.  Check them out at: (http://budurl.com/MurphyMktgMakeover)

 3) Get rid of the old tools and get good with the NEW ones!   You are right to be confused, frustrated and downright stubborn about trying to figure out what’s in what’s out/what’s hot and what is not, but that is no excuse. 

You might be able to connect with prospects, but keeping all the updates consistent and valuable takes help from techno tools.  Set aside some time or ask the experts what tools are recommended to help you service 24/7 without working all those hours.  

Learn how virtual tours like OBEO.com will do the reporting on activity to the seller automagically for you and engage an interested prospect with interactivity on the tour. 

Your time is your money, so employing automated, customized drip systems that offer opt-in/opt-out options integrated with your IDX information is the only way to provide real time information as it is listed to prospective buyers or sellers considering to market their home. 

NAR reports that approximately 98.9% of prospects search for properties on the Internet BEFORE engaging an agent. Surprisingly only 60% of agents even have a website!  Do the basics, but do them right. Get a full web marketing website that does the work for you. Check out  http://www.realprosystems.com/  and get the whole enchilada:  Podcasts, blogs, drip systems, automated campaigns, back end training and the list goes on.  You can’t afford to be the jack of all trades, so figure out what systems can best support your goals and go for the gold. 

We’ve heard if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always gotten…and that’s just not true anymore!  We know we can no longer do what we’ve always done to even stay even with what we’ve generated in the past!   If you are truly serious about making money by leveraging your time and expertise, get with the program.   Very few customers or clients say I don’t want to work with that professional because they are too good at what they do, too eager to help me get exactly what I want and too much of an expert at their craft….just ask them!

Bio: Terri Murphy, Communication specialist is an author, speaker, communication consultant, and author of 5 books, including her latest with Donald Trump. She is the founder and Pres. of WomensWisdomNetwork.com and serves as CIO of U. S. Learning in Memphis and one of NAR’s GAME CHANGER 2010 Coaches. Email: Terri@TerriMurphy.com – And for more webinar resources visit: http://budurl.com/NARFREEWebinars

Social Media:

www.Facebook.com/TerriMurphy

www.Linkedin.com/in/TerriMurphyCommunications

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Have you ever enjoyed an experience like this:  You meet with someone and two hours fly by and you can’t believe the meeting is over!  You still have so much to learn from them that you just don’t want it to end!

What if every meeting or presentation you were a part of ended like that? Would your second connection with these people be easier or harder to schedule?  Easier is the answer of course!

So the question is: After working with you, do prospects leave so energized, so pumped up, so laden with valuable information, tips, strategies, resources and inspiration that they can hardly wait to meet with you again? 

If your goal is not to surprise, delight, engage, energize and really connect with people you are doing business with, you might want to fine tune your strategy.

 Today I met with a most amazing professional. Tony Jeary may not be a household name to you, but he is the executive coach of choice to the world’s top CEO’s and high achievers for over 20 years.  His clients include presidents of companies like Wal-Mart, Firestone, Shell, and even the United States Senate!  You can’t leave his presence without being so excited about possibilities that you need and want more…

And that is exactly what most sales people and leaders should aspire to….guiding those we serve to a place that shows our prospects and customers  how to achieve their own best scenarios to  attain their personal and professional success.

Whether you are selling houses, tires, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals, your product or service must include specific components that ignite and inspire those we serve by providing solutions to their problems. Here are a few key activities to include in order to fine- tune your personal and professional interactions:

1) Be and sound ENERGETIC!  If you aren’t truly excited about what you do and how you do it, you will rarely communicate the value to another person.  Without contradicting your personal style, allow your enthusiasm and passion for what you offer be transparent so your prospects can engage with you and participate in working with them to provide solutions to their needs.

2) Invest in PREPARATION!  Want to really impress someone? How about having prepared a full spectrum of information about them and possible solutions to help their business available so they can see that you made an investment in them?  Too many sales people spend the bulk of their time perfecting their presentation, trying to “sell” their product or service instead of investing the time to get information about the prospect’s needs when preparing for the meeting.

3) Be a true EXPERT!  How deeply do you study your own product or service and that of the competition? Can you draw from accurate information and statistics to help determine the best solution for your prospect or customer?  People will ALWAYS pay for expertise.  Become an expert by investing even 30 minutes a day every day on a competency and you will develop solid expertise in your given niche.

4) Learn PRESENTATION skills.  All the information on the planet won’t help you if you haven’t learned the most engaging and powerful ways to communicate.  People connect logically and emotionally.  Logic will help them see the value, but emotions provide the actions to buy or not buy.  Study up on Behavioral styles and generational communication dynamics to connect with all four communication styles and age groups.  Invest in presentation skill coaching if this is an area for serious improvement.  It is guaranteed to pay off! (For a free report on the 12 biggest mistakes most sales people make, visit www.Fripp.com)

5) Be AUTHENTIC with your word. Nothing is more devastating than someone who shows up, makes all kinds of promises and doesn’t deliver. If you are not a systems person, set up checks and balances to keep you focused and on target with action steps and deliveries on what you promised.  There is no second chance when you compromise your integrity. It is a highly underestimated and powerful action that doesn’t cost in dollars, but in attention to executing what you have promised. 

 Focus on these simple steps and you are sure to be the provider of choice and create raving fans and repeat business.

Terri Murphy, Author of 5 books, her latest with Donald Trump. She is a Speaker & Consultant can be reached by email: Terri@TerriMurphy.com or for more information visit www.TerriMurphy.com

Terri Murphy, Pres, Terri Murphy.com
CIO, USLearning.com-Featured author with Donald Trump-”The BEST Real Estate Advice I Ever Received”
901-767-0000
www.TerriMurphy.com  -  www.WomensWisdomNetwork.com

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Okay… The holidays are over and we are at the half way point of the first quarter of a new year…..So the question is…What has changed in how you are doing (or not doing) your business to make real money?

We are all prisoners of our habits, and especially after a certain age, it is tough to “change”.  It’s been said, that if we keep on doing what we’ve always done, we’ll keep on getting what we have always gotten….but that is not true anymore!  In today’s competitive marketplace we may not even be able to survive doing the “normal”.  Today’s market requires innovation, creativity, and execution, using new tools, systems, strategies and the biggee: A willingness to CHANGE! 

If we don’t change who is going to notice?  From losing that extra five pounds to adding another day of exercise, or making more money…unless you have a plan and a coach to help you stay focused, there are no real outside consequences.

We are in a world that requires dollars for sustenance, survival and comfort, not to mention that money has been the measure of success.  So with that said, there are several experts out there that offer us a new path to create more guaranteed profits at this time next year if we are willing to embrace a few small changes.

Don’t have time??? Not an excuse anymore! With NAR’s FREE Realtor University Webinars, you can learn from top experts anytime, anywhere. Al l you need is the willingness to learn, a computer and a little willingness to CHANGE!  Here are some great resources:

Follow a Plan – Expert coach, author and speaker Carla Cross offers the best first step, and that is to have an effective business plan.  She did a brilliant job presenting what you need to know in the Realtor University free webinar last month available on line.  http://budurl.com/BizPlan2010withCarla

List for More $$ – More expertise to increase your bottom line with listings comes from super coach, author and speaker, Bernice Ross.  Bernice’s webinar offers solid direction on how to list more properties at higher commissions in 2010 by developing a premium marketing plan and use Web 2.0 strategies to get the listings signed up, priced right and sold!  Her million dollar information is offered FREE. Click here to get one on one direction:  http://budurl.com/ListMore4MoreMoney

Be the First Agent they call – Did you know that an NAR survey shows that 60-80% of consumers work with the first agent who responds to them?  If you are not up to speed on the latest applications that the top agents are using to out respond and out communicate their competitors, you need to get with it!  Expert and social media instructor Amy Chorew offers an information-packed power hour on the PDA applications top salespeople all over the world are using to respond, engage and connect with hot prospects. Get the scoop by clicking on: http://budurl.com/AmysKillerAps4U

There is a WEALTH of information available to agents that are sick and tired of not making the money they want.  The choice is yours to take advantage of these valuable online webinars that are guaranteed to take your profits from dull to dynamic! WARNING: It does require CHANGE on your part!

Are you ready???  Then check out these and others at: http://budurl.com/FreeNARWebinars4U

Do it! And we’ll see you in the winner’s circle…same time next year!

Bio: Terri Murphy is an author, speaker, communication consultant, and author of 5 books, including her latest with Donald Trump. She is the founder and Pres. of WomensWisdomNetwork.com and serves as CIO of U. S. Learning in Memphis and one of NAR’s GAME CHANGER 2010 Coaches. Email: Terri@TerriMurphy.com – And for more webinar resources visit: http://budurl.com/NARFREEWebinars

iLearningGlobal is pleased to announce Don Hutson as the featured faculty speaker
on this week’s Millionaire Mentor Session.

Please join us on
Saturday, February 6th
9am  PST

Hear Don Hutson speak on:
“Turning Your Stress Into Strength In Challenging Times” 

Dial In Details: 
Dial In:
646/519/5830

Access code:
7244

Don Hutson’s career in speaking, management and sales have brought him many honors.
He successfully worked his way through the University of Memphis, graduating with a degree in Sales.

After becoming the #1 salesperson in a national training organization, he established his own
training firm and shortly thereafter was in demand as a professional speaker. 

 Today Don’s client list includes over two-thirds of the Fortune 500 Companies, and he is
featured in over 100 training films. He is Chairman & CEO of U.S. Learning and makes some
75 speaking appearances per year.  Perhaps you have seen him on national television where
he is regularly featured on both PBS and TSTN.

Don is the author of nine books including the New York Times bestseller,
The One Minute Entrepreneur which he co-authored with Ken Blanchard.
Don is a member of the prestigious Speakers Roundtable. He was elected by his
peers to the presidency of the National Speakers Association, and has received
its coveted “Cavett Award,” as member of the year. He has also been
inducted into NSA’s Speakers Hall of Fame. 

Visit Don Hutson’s website at http://www.DonHutson.com

We look forward to having you on the call!

Details:
When: Saturday, February 6th, 9am PST
Dial in: 646/519/5830
Access code: 7244

Identify & Obliterate Six Barriers to Your Success!

It’s the beginning of yet another year, and as many of us sit with pencil in hand we might be thinking…”Should I even bother to set new goals again this year…and if so… will it even make a difference?
 
At the beginning of every year we all start out at zero….and it seems daunting to look at next December and wonder how we are going to “get there”!  Will we beat this year’s numbers? Will this be the first year that you will really focus on success and
profitability?

 It’s all about what you do and how you do it…. but this time…differently! 
We would all like for those goals to become a true reality!
Like every physical act, we start with a thought process; which leads to a
vision or a picture of what we want. The professionals that plan and implement
their plan enjoy a different level of satisfaction and enjoy higher levels of
success than those of us who fail to plan and hope for the best.

 But visions are tough to come by if you don’t have a passion or purpose for your
work.  No matter what your goal, if you have a vision, focus and a plan to get there,
you still need the “fire in the belly” to deliver the end results.
So what you really need is a compelling purpose that won’t let you go astray.

  The question is, “What is your “magnetic compelling purpose?”
Do you have a dream that is so all-consuming that you wouldn’t give up until you made
it happen?  Perfect! That’s the kind of resolve that gets results. 
 
 So back to those New Year’s Resolutions…

 It is easy to get excited about resolutions in the early days of January, but to
make it all work, you’ll need to decide if you are excited enough to get serious
about the process and ultimately follow through to completion.

  It’s a fact that goals and resolutions barely have a chance to grow until we get them
in writing, and when we convert those thoughts to document, we are on the right path
to make them real and viable!

 You’ll need to SEE them, SHOW them to others, or DISPLAY them on your refrigerator as a reminder.  When our resolutions are not written down they are much like the wind; here for the moment…then gone forever!

 Here are six challenges that keep our resolutions from becoming a reality. 
You might want to be aware of them to you can make 2010 your best year ever.

1. Lack of Clarity: The more detail you attach to a goal or resolution, the more
likely you are to follow through on it. Describe it with whys (for the purpose of ..),
whens (completion dates and interim progress dates), whats (including mention of
your current reality, and what the end game will look like upon completion),
and any other details that will help you vividly see the vision. 
Don’t worry! You can’t overdo the detail! Lack of detail equals lack of clarity.

2. Lack of Commitment: When you are serious enough to write resolutions down and
share them with others, it is your way of making a commitment to the process. 
We simultaneously put the universe on notice that this is our intent. 
Goethe said “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.” 
Your discipline to follow through demonstrates your continued commitment.

3. Lack of Belief: Human behavior is the result of the human belief system. 
If you believe your resolution is doable, believe you have a strategy to make it
happen, and believe in yourself, you can’t miss.  If you are filled with doubt
you will fail to go to the next step.  This is no time to be timid.  BE BOLD! 
Share your resolutions with others! This helps reinforce your belief that you can do it.

4. Lack of Passion: Vision without action is hallucination!  Fire in the belly
propels you toward action and results.  Step number one is having the courage to get
started on your clarified resolutions. Get fired up! Get started! And Go for it! 
Seeing even a small amount of progress is all it takes to inspire you to take the
next step.

5.  Lack of Congruence: Your resolutions need to be in sync not only with your
belief system, but also with your other goals, and your capabilities.   If it is
too outlandish or unrealistic, the incongruence of it will short-circuit your
belief in your ability to get it done.  It will be a non-starter.  Make it as
significant as you can and still believe you can do it.

6. Lack of focus … Writing down clarified resolutions is the first step of an
exciting process, if we can keep our focus.  Can you vow to stay focused on the
vision?  Schedule specific follow through actions for specific times to help keep
you connected.  The difference between high performers and mediocre producers is
a focused intensity accompanied by the determination that you will not be denied!
Few people realize the power and potential which are derived from crafting one’s
“Magnetic Compelling Purpose”.  During times of challenge like these, people tend
to gravitate either toward scarcity or abundance.  The majority who go toward
scarcity are focused on problems and the negative aspects of their existence. 
Those who go toward abundance are more focused on possibilities and progress, and
that prosperity consciousness is what inspires many people to take the actions
that propel them into the next realm of their life.  It doesn’t matter where you
went to school, or how old you are.  Freedom to excel in America is your individual
birthright.

If you can articulate what your “Magnetic Compelling Purpose” is, put it in writing,
and fine-tune it, you are on your way.  Serious resolutions and statements of purpose
tend to cause one to behave the way the person they hope to become behaves.
Be courageous and take action today on your written plan for success in 2010 and beyond!  

Then heed the words of my literary mentor, Orison Swett Marden, who said…
“Make every day a great day of achievement, because you never know when God might
be watching, sizing you up for bigger things.”
 
Terri Murphy is an author, speaker, e-communication consultant, and author
of 5 books, including her latest with Donald Trump.  She is the founder and Pres. of
WomensWisdomNetwork.com and serves as CIO of U. S. Learning in Memphis, and
serves as one of the 12 GAME CHANGERS coaches for NAR.
email: Terri@TerriMurphy.com or visit: www.TerriMurphy.com

Social Media:

www.Linkedin.com/in/TerriMurpyCommunications
www.Facebook.com/TerriMurphy
www.Twitter.com/TerriMurphy