Monday, November 09, 2009
Franchise adds Third Wrapped Vehicle
Scott Jelinek, with JIG Holdings in Virginia Beach, sent the picture below of his third wrapped vehicle.
When I asked why he added this truck, he said, "Simple. The other two get a good response. We have gotten lots of calls, and even a lot of investors from calls off the trucks." He gave an example of someone he was selling a house to that said, "I saw 3 of your trucks today." But, Scott says, "They were all the truck I was driving. People think we have a whole fleet, but it is really only two trucks."
What are the plans for the new truck? "We just moved to a new office. It is a prime location with a lot of traffic. We are simply going to park it out front. Our plan is to drive it once a week to keep it running, but then simply keep it parked along the street."
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Do You Run Your Business "By The Numbers?"
Regional Business Developer Larry Louwagie has seen more franchisees than anyone in the company. So, when he said he was impressed, I listened.
I was not surprised that he was impressed by Bobby Roan, one of our most tenured franchisee. What was so impressive? Bobby was reviewing a couple pages filled with numbers. When Larry asked what it was, he shared with Larry his key metrics for every year he has been in the business. And, not just for every year, but for every month! From Calls to Buys!
It is no wonder that Bobby has been successful all these years. He keeps and reviews his numbers. He had them all, by month, on 2 pages!
Reminds me of a saying one of my mentors always used: Any Number Watched Improves.
Do you track the key metrics in your business? Are your running your business "By the Numbers" or by your feelings? Reminds me of another saying: The Numbers Never Lie!
So, do you want to improve your numbers? Begin by tracking them!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Life or Death Struggle
My son and I were sitting in our car observing a life or death struggle. On the windshield of the car was a small fruit fly doing its best to fly through the glass to "escape" the trap it was in.
The ironic thing - less than 12 inches away was an open window. But, the fly could only see the freedom on the other side of the glass. Sometimes the answer is not "working harder." No matter how hard that fly tries, it will not be able to fly through the windshield. But, with a simple change in focus, its success would be easy to achieve.
This reminded me of so many people who become so focused on what they perceive to be their path to success, that they miss the real opportunities.
After observing for a few minutes, my son decided he had enough. So, he took a piece of paper, and tried to "help" the fly find the window. What did the fly do? Went around the paper and continued on the path it was sure would lead to freedom, but in fact lead only to destruction.
Sometimes people have a different perspective than we do, and can see paths that will lead to success we may not even be aware are there. If we do not trust their experience, or perspective, we may miss the real opportunities. It is important to remember that the successful franchisees and DAs in your market may have another path that will help you succeed. Your Regional Business Developer may see, from their perspective, a path that will help you succeed.
Make sure you are not so focused on your activities that you miss the real opportunities.
Monday, October 05, 2009
September another great month
With a day left to report transactions, September is already the best month this year!
- Purchase Closings are already up over 4% over August, and 13% up over the average for 2009
- Purchase Contracts are also the biggest month for the year, showing a good sign for next month
- Sales Closings were virtually the same as August
- Sales Contracts were up over 24% over August!
All this before any impact from new franchisees that are on the way!
Thanks for the hard work, and the confidence in the new HVA!
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Convention Hotel has changed!
No, we are not changing hotels. The hotel has changed:
Effective immediately, Hilton San Francisco has added Union Square to its name and will now be officially known as Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
The 1,908-room hotel located at 333 O’Farrell, just two blocks off Union Square in the heart of the city’s restaurant, theater, and shopping districts, has also launched a new Web site, www.hiltonsanfranciscohotel.com, to give guests direct access to one of San Francisco’s premier hotels.
The Hilton San Francisco Union Square affords easy access to cable cars, Chinatown and North Beach community and is only blocks away from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Moscone Center, the city’s largest convention and exhibition complex.
“As the largest hotel in proximity to the world-famous Union Square, our new name is a more accurate reflection of our location,” said Michael Dunne, General Manager, Hilton San Francisco Union Square. “Union Square is a unique and vibrant community that is a highly desirable destination for leisure and business clientele alike. We are delighted to be an integral part of all that this one-of-a-kind location has to offer,” added Dunne.
San Francisco is a great location for a convention. And the hotel location makes it better! Don't miss it!
You can participate in this blog by sharing with your Team HVA teammates your favorite resturants and or sites to see while in San Francisco. I am expecting great comments from Team HVA. We are going to have a real celebration for the first annual Gathering of the New Team HVA! A new team that is thirteen years old and has Purchased and sold over 4 Billion dollars of real estate. We are America's #1 Homebuyer.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Convention Is Approaching Soon
Plans for the convention are well under way. The convention is always one of the best opportunities for Team HVA to share and learn what is working. We get the opportunity to confirm that we are on the right track, be challenged that we are on the wrong track or to hear about a new track that we did not know existed. This is what makes our Annual Team Events so valuable.
Yes, you will see some changes in this years convention. In today's environment, it is important to closely control costs. So, you will not see a lot of the extravaganza of the past. There will not be a lot of expensive meals - no $40 breakfasts. Instead of an awards dinner, we are having an awards luncheon. This will not only help cut costs, but give everyone an evening to go to dinner on the wharf or some of the other best restaurants in the world that are in San Francisco.
We will have a lot of events to learn about our business. Buyers will hear from top buyers what is working. Sellers can learn the newest sales strategy. Franchisees will learn about finding money, and managing a successful business. HVA franchisees have the expertise to solve all your issues and answer all your questions. The convention is designed to help you learn from the most successful and profitable members of Team HVA.
For your planning purposes, here is a first draft of the Agenda. The first meeting is a DA training at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 30. The breakouts begin on Tuesday, December 1 at 9:00 AM, so everyone will want to come in on Monday evening. The final event will be Friday, December 4. If you schedule a flight after 4:00 PM, you will make the most of the convention. Or, plan to stay over the weekend, and enjoy the city of San Francisco.
Friday, September 25, 2009
First new full franchise
Congratulations to Michael and Vanessa Foreman, with Starr Valley Investments, LLC as the first full franchise under the new agreement.
Michael and Vanessa bought the franchise of Pete Ashabranner in Houston. Pete is currently undergoing cancer treatment, and we wish him the best. This is the first transfer under the new FDD.
Congratulations to Michael and Vanessa, and to Rickey Williams for helping this become a reality.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Congratulations - the first new Associate Franchise
Congratulations to Gerry!
This morning, Geraldine Cox became our first new Associate Franchise under the new FDD. Gerry lives in Dallas, and is excited to be part of the Team HVA.
This is a significant day for all of Team HVA and marks the official beginning of the New Team HVA.
Congratulations to DA Mike Hambright on his first new Associate Franchise.
Congratulations are also in order for RBD's Larry Louwagie, Paul D'Angelo and Holly Puig all of whom have contributed to this event being a possibility.
This is the beginning of some exciting times for Team HVA.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Market picking up - HVA in the news
Even in Arizona, the market is picking up. And, when the press want a positive story and an expert to tell about it, who better than Tucson franchisee Fred Hubbard?
You will have to click on Real Estate Rebound on the bottom to see the video.
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