Late Saturday night, folks, and Sue and I are back in our room after an incredible day at Floyd Wickman's Annual Forum in Ann Arbor MI.
What a POWERFUL EVENT, as a small group of just under 80 top, motivated agents from across North America - a bit stressed from the rigors of today's Real Estate Market, but still alive and kicking - shared their thoughts and ideas with each other today. Success, not merely survival, was on everyone's mind!
I will post on a few GREAT IDEAS we shared and fishboned with others on this very productive Saturday in a subsequent post. Here, however, I propose to discuss what, for me, has been an incredible way of establishing accountability for success -
THE "R" GROUP CONCEPT!
I have been in this "RESPONSIBILITY GROUP" with fellow Realtors Bob Daniel, of Prudential Residenz Realty in Cincinnati OH, and Norman O'Grady, of Prime Realty Group in Boston MA, for over three years now - and it works.
The concept is simple, takes little time, and is real close to FREE. Here's the basic drill, as discussed and taught in Floyd Wickman's highly-successful Program, formerly called The SMART Program -
Bi-weekly, on a Tuesday morning, at 7:30 Central Time (8:30 in the East), the three of us call a bridge line, FREE (plus Long Distance Charges, if applicable) from InstantConference.com.
During our 45 minute to one hour conference call, with only the three of us on the line, we discuss the positive things that have happened to us since our last call, review our production stats and compare them to the bi-weekly goals we set, and share the "Secrets of Our Success," or some great ideas on how we did what we did.
We then take a few minutes, rounding the table, and soliciting help to solve a problem that we encountered since our last call, and graciously and gratefully sharing our suggestions.
Finally, we commit to objectives for the next call, say our goodbyes, and be on our way,
It's a powerful tool! Although preparation is required, travel is not. After a while, your R Group Partners really get to know you, and often help solve your problems before you completely describe them!
Here is a simple five-step outline that Bob, Norm, and I use for our R Group Calls -
1. "Good News" - What Good Things happened to each R Group member since the last time we spoke?
2. "SMART Numbers" - Starting with your ANNUAL PRODUCTION GOAL, the percentage of the goal achieved to this point, and specifically what you have done since the last call to achieve your goal. Haven't achieved a goal you've committed to? This is the time to discuss that too - and have the other R Members help you get back on track!
3. "Parade of Techniques" - We each share some of the specific things we did since the last call to achieve our successes, and solicit critique on these techniques.
4. "Ask the Experts" - This involves each member stating their Number One Goal. Then, their Number One Problem that stands in the way of achieving that goal. Finally, the sharing of ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, from each R Group Member, on which steps they feel will help you solve your goal.
Getting stuck here? Try an AHA - "Adversity Handling Analysis!" Each member takes a look at their recent challenges to success, and then analyzes -
a. What HAPPENED Here?
b. Was the outcome MAJOR, or MINOR?
c. What PERCENTAGE of the adversity was YOUR responsibility?
d. What LESSONS have been learned from this adversity?
e. What will you do to PREVENT this stumbling block from occurring again?
5. "Commitment" - on what will be accomplished by each R Group member prior to the next telecall.
How to best succeed using the R Group Mini-Mastermind format? First, group members should have similar production levels. The meeting should be set at a FIXED TIME and DAY, exactly every two weeks. And each member keeps the other members ACCOUNTABLE for their actions.
One person should "chair" and keep order of and records for the R Group - otherwise, strong personalities, common with us Real Estate Folk, could lead to chaos, and lack of real direction, very quickly. We'll be testing a ROTATING CHAIRMAN'S ROLE within our group.
Confused? Write me back, and perhaps we can help you begin. We've had quite a bit of success with ours!
Just let us know, or visit Floyd Wickman's Website!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Hi Dean,
Nice to know you have the followup and accountability. We just started our Basic SMART with Gary Carpenter last week. 12 people taking the course plus the TL, OP and Productivity Coach are auditing.
Lots of excitement, fun and already putting up some good conversion number.
List and Sell (and learn the right way) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder
I'm bookmarking this for all the great ideas you've presented. With these ideas anyone can start a Smart program it seems
Dean - A few years ago, I tried to set up what you describe - however, one key point you make was missing: we did not have similar production levels. Needless to say, what we tried didn't last very long. I would like to try it again using your outline and the foundation of similarity.
Dean - Were you typing this while the rest of your group was down in the taxi cab waiting for you???? Anyway - great points and way to get it out there right away. Everyone missed a great "Kick in the butt"!