CB Hearthside Goes Virtual

On Monday, Coldwell Banker Hearthside, REALTORS launched its first virtual office in Malvern, PA. The term "virtual" is a bit of a misnomer as the office is still there. They have a manager of course, an admin, plus all of the other great tools and services that CB Hearthside offers agents.

The main difference is that everything the agents do can be done online and anywhere - from forms to office meetings, listing presentations to one-on-one's with their manager. The word freedom always comes to mind when I am explaining this new office model. Agents can take floor time on their cell phone - from home, Starbucks or the beach. We are utilizing all sorts of cool Google tools -Calendar, Voice and Docs specifically - to make a lot of the everyday office functioning seamless. Don't feel like working remotely? No problem, the office is still there.

The agents have access to their manager, admin, corporate staff and more via the traditional methods - phone, email and text; but we also set them up with Skype accounts and webcams so they can instant message or video chat with us whenever the need arises. Not sure how to enhance your listing on Realtor.com? No problem - Skype me and I can share my screen and show you the steps. Want to see me in person? Check the Google calendar - I have lots of dates posted for office visits, along with Chris Beadling, Jamie Mancuso and of course your manager. We'll see you at the office (which is still there).

Office meetings will be a mix of in person and web-based to reach every one of our agents how they wish to be reached. We are using DimDim for our web meetings. Just like everyone learns differently, we realize that some agents will still want to come into the office. Not a problem! Come in anytime, use the equipment, say hello. The office is still there.

Execute a deal? Great! Pop over to the office (yep, still there) to scan your file as you always have and drop the deposit check into our pre-paid UPS envelopes then toss it into the UPS box as you are driving away ... ahhh freedom. Your admin will email you with anything that is missing and take it from there.

So what's so different? Not much really. We started using a lot of these super cool tools over the last few years and we know that agents are spending less and less time in the office. Going virtual in this market just made sense.

Did I mention that the office is still here?

Still curious? Check out Chris Beadling's video on "A Day in the Life of a Virtual Agent".

Yey Google - Multiple Signatures in GMail!

Ask and you shall receive. It never made sense to me why I couldn't have multiple signatures in GMail, and alas ... my dream has been answered. In true Google fashion, they did it better than I imagined.

Let me set the scene for you - my 3rd quarter Tech Daze class is, "Making GMail Your Online Outlook". So I'm teaching in our Rockledge Office last week and going through my little rant about how important your email signature is these days and wha .... ???!!! The new signature box in my GMail has a drop-down arrow that allows me to save a signature for each account I set up to send email from. YEY!!!

To set up your signatures in GMail:
Click on Settings
Scroll down on the General tab
For any account that you set-up in GMail to "send mail as" you can add a signature

Side note: If you have not done so already, I encourage you to set up your company email as an account you can send mail out on through GMail. Make GMail your online Outlook! If you are using GMail already to read your email, it just makes sense.

Now for the fun part, add your signature for each account! You can do a bit of formatting, add a photo, links, etc. Don't forget to save your changes at the bottom of the page.

Summer School with Coldwell Banker University

As a larger company, we are lucky to have tons of incredible resources to provide our agents ... but as a Coldwell Banker company, we are privileged to be able to offer our agents some of the best tools and services in the industry.

Now I know that Summer School might not conjure up the best images for some of you ... but I promise that these classes will be fun, full of great information and hopefully jump start your career.

I encourage you to take a closer look at what Coldwell Banker University can offer you! I am highlighting a few of my favorites below:

1. BrainChain Videos (get 25 videos for free)





2. Free Pre-Recorded Webinars with top trainers from all over! To get there ...

Go to CB Works
Mouse over the LEARN tab
Click on Coldwell Banker University
A new window will open with CBU, click on Course Catalog
Click on Free Webinars (at the very bottom)

Titles include: 5 Steps to Finishing Strong, Adventures on Coldwell Banker Works, Closing Skills for Buyers, Consultative Selling, Converting eLeads, Getting it Priced Right, Difficult Negotiations, New Homes Sales Strategies and Opportunities, Overcoming Call Aversion, Quit Happens, Recruiting in Progress, Secrets of Social Networking, Securing Price Reductions, Selling on the First Click ... and MORE!!!

Hear from the very best - Matthew Ferrara, Martha Webb, Amy Cherow, Steve Woodruff, Dirk Zeller, Denise Walsh ... and some of my - let's be honest here - trainer crushes!



3. BreakThrough with Dirk Zeller

A little video from Mr.Zeller to explain the program ...



The official course description from CBU - BreakThrough is a nine week coaching program that is designed to dramatically improve your skills, strategies, techniques and disciplines so you increase your lead volume and the conversion rate of your leads.

Over these nine weeks you will have nine small group coaching sessions that will move you toward the mastery level in time management, prospecting, lead categorization and follow-up, as well as referral generation and building your value to your prospects and clients.

The sessions are powerful, explosive, motivating and packed with tools designed for your skill development. The coaching sessions are sixty minutes in length and are built to help you to ramp up your production quickly.

So there you have it! Tons of great learning opportunities right at your fingertips! Please consider taking advantage of all that Coldwell Banker Hearthside and our brand Coldwell Banker have to offer.

Happy Thursday!