The Six Phases of Business Growth

As the New Year rolls in, many entrepreneurial minded people have focused their resolution around building or improving their business plan. In order to master a business plan, it is necessary to become accustomed to the phases of business, This will help you better predict and diagnose what phase your business is in and act accordingly from an owner standpoint. Growing a business is much like raising a child…

1. Creation Phase: The Creation Phase is setting parenting standards, a plan, dreams, and goals for your child even before he or she is born. In business, you do this by creating a vision, business plan,and set of standards for the business.

2. Infancy Phase: In the infancy of a child, as well as a business, is when the needs are the most demanding.  An infant requires constant, focused, attention and the parent must constantly check in to ensure the child’s safety. Consequently, in relation to business, the Infancy Phase is when most quit.

3. Toddler Phase: During the toddler phase of a business, like a child, the business is learning to do the basic functions consistently. The parent’s (owner’s) attention is still on high alert due to the many dangers that lurk at this phase.  The business is beginning to provide results but they are inconsistent at best.

4. Adolescence Phase: In the adolescence phase,  the business begins to take a life of its own. It is growing, yet it still can easily get out of control if the parent doesn’t continue to give it constant direction and manage expectations.  Like a child, the owner of the business must consistently measure the results to ensure the business is growing in a healthy manner while keeping an eye out for areas where the it is underperforming.

5. Teenager Phase: Just like a teenager, the business begins growing faster than the parent’s systems can keep up.  This is where most owners feel things are getting too crazy and decide to pull back.   Instead of pulling back, the owner can anticipate the and build the business plan, processes, and systems to prepare.  This is where the owner must plan accordingly by preparing to let go of controlling all aspects of the business and GET OUT OF THE WAY of restricting the natural business growth.

6. Adult Phase: Like a child,  you wish for your business to become independent someday. The Adult Phase is when the business continues to grow and to consistently meet the standards without having to rely on the owner for day-to-day operations. Once the business reached adulthood, to avoid becoming aged and irrelevant to the marketplace, the business must plan to reinvent itself thus,moving back to infancy, and the cycle continues.

Now that you are aware of the phases of business, take a moment to reflect:

• What phase of business is your real estate business in?
• How will you, as the owner, manage and optimize your business throughout each phase?
• What preparation will be required for each phase?

Learn more on how to build your real estate business and become a Lifestyle Agent by downloading more educational resources or booking a free consultation call at www.seanmoudrycoaching.com!

Path to Success: Ben Caballero

Ben Caballero, acclaimed realtor and  CEO of  HomesUSA is a great example of using vision, passion, and innovation to create a path to real estate success. He was voted the #1 real estate professional in sales volume and transaction sides by the Wall Street Journal, and Most Innovative Real Estate Agent by Inman News, and received the 2014 Pinnacle Award for Real Estate Entrepreneurship.

Caballero began real estate in Dallas, Texas at the age of 21, after his mother's car broke down in the city and, he says, the people were so helpful he decided to stay. His initial marketing technique was cold calling apartment builders from pay phones to share his business plan, and scheduling face to face meetings with as many as possible, allowing him to immediately create personal relationships with his prospects. From here, he built and maintained many exclusive relationships with exclusively high volume builders by offering unique time saving services for his clientele. Caballero claims he never has goals, just a vision: to improve his specialty more and more each year,

The recurring themes in Caballero's success seem to be creativity, consistency, and market exclusivity. Until recently, Caballero had never launched a marketing campaign. His clientele was gained strictly through direct contact with high volume builders. Currently, he works with about 30.
Efficiency seems to be another key to the appeal of Cabbalero, as now that he has hired two assistants and a technical support team along with an exclusive platform for personalized reports he is able to achieve a 13 minute turnaround on listings. Builders appreciate the amount of time he saves them in turn.

Interested in learning more ? Here is an Inman interview with Caballero, covering the HomesUSA business plan and what it made it stand out:

While it can be helpful to follow in the footsteps of someone who achieves the success you seek,the true way to achieve it is to receive guidance toward your own success. Learn more about how I can give you personalized guidance to achieving the real estate business you envision at seanmoudrycoaching.com.

Listing Presentation Must-Have's

Any great sales person has a presentation they know will consistently get them results.  Don’t you wish you could shadow what these top agents are saying at their appointments to get those listing signed? We bring you the next best thing... an insider perspective on what top agents are prepared with for any successful listing presentation.

• Solid Marketing Strategy: You probably have already noticed a marketing strategy is valuable to almost any facet of your real estate business. Having a solidified marketing strategy prepared for presentation provides immediate comfort to the sellers in knowing their selling process will be well planned and personalized.

• Experience and Testimonials: Getting to know your personal purpose for selling home makes your presentation stand out. This is a great way to list your accomplishments and benefits only you can provide them.

• A Play-by-Play: Provide a simple, yet detailed play-by-play of the home selling process, what you will provide for them along the way, and what methods you plan to implement at what times. Be sure they feel educated on the entire experience.

• Your Guarantee of Service: Emphasize that in an agent/seller relationship, you are on a team and their success is your success. Provide a personal guarantee of service to ensure follow through.

• Pricing Strategy: According to zillow.com, this is best to present last. Potential clients are much more likely to accept your numbers once they are educated on the amount of time you are willing to spend helping them, and the details that go in to the selling process.

Now that you have the proper outline for a listing presentation, give it a shot and pay close attention to what methods work best for you. Once you have begun to master listing presentations, take it to the next level by recruiting a coach to help you continue success in every facet of your real estate business. Learn more at seanmoudrycoaching.com.

The Top 3 Focus Points for Effective Monthly Marketing

What do I send? How often do I send it? When it comes to monthly marketing, a common method of self-sabotage is “paralysis by analysis.” Focusing too much on small details can lead to a marketing campaign not being sent at all. Sound familiar? End the habit today!  Here are the most important focus points for your monthly marketing in order of importance:

1)      Clearly communicate Real Estate as your industry at first glance. Most marketing items have the potential of being hand-to-trash items. Assuring your purpose is clearly visible at a glance will attract the eye of those seeking your services, and can prevent your advertising pieces from facing this fate.
                     

                                       
                                           

2)     Showcase your success and what sets you apart from other realtors. This can be uncomfortable for some, as it can be assumed this is a type of bragging. Put yourself in the potential client’s shoes, however, and I’m sure you will understand the benefits of knowing the potential of a realtor you may choose.

                                   

3) Create a unique call to action. Be sure your call to action is tailored to properly pipeline leads according to your marketing plan. For example, if social media is a vital part to your brand’s promotion, be sure to include links to your pages in addition to your basic contact information.  Make the call to action simple, yet visually accessible. Offer an additional service to your call to action to increase the urge to contact you versus other local real estate agents. Avoid redundant sales verbiage whenever possible.                                                                            
                                

Once you have these three focus points covered, you are finished! Send it out and watch the leads roll in. Pay special attention to your most effective methods of advertising in order to perfect future campaigns.