Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought - "Determination"

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought: Determination. Like this pink blossom on a red tree, we need to have determination to succeed and prosper when place in circumstances that might not be totally favorable for our development.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

The New Media

Newspapers have a role in our society, but they do not enjoy the prominence or influence that they once had. Part of the reason is the electronic news that we have become accustomed to reading and hearing.is

As the electronic dissemination of news has expanded and matured, another element has become important. That is the blog.

Amateur and professional writers and commentators are writing about anything and everything. Some is newsy, some is opinion, some has limited appeal. It is a very viable vehicle for promoting your real estate and new homes. Press releases, articles, and branding pieces are great stories.

In my podcast message today, "THE NEW MEDIA," I discuss this phenomenon.

This also is the message in my part of the "Sales Summit" program at the SEBC in Orlando tomorrow.

Serendipities of Seminars

We attend professional seminars, classes, and courses for many different reasons. Sometimes it is to learn about a particular topic. Sometimes it to work toward a professional designation. Sometimes its for continuing education.

Today, I taught the CAPS I designation course (also called "Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging in Place") at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) in Orlando.

For me, one of the great values of a class like this one is the class interaction and the interchange of ideas and experiences among the attendees. We all represent different backgrounds and professions. Today's class was especially good because we had people from all over Florida as well as from New Mexico, New York, New Hampshire, and Alberta.

Tomorrow, I'm teaching CAPS II to many of the same people. It promises to be a rewarding experience also.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Depends On Who You Ask

I had seen this billboard before. I had forgotten just how funny it was.

It seems Wachovia proclaims that for the past 8 years it has been voted number one in customer satisfaction.

This begs all sorts of questions. Did they ask more than one person? Was this at more than one branch? Who did the surveys? Were they independent? Was anyone else in the competition?

It really doesn't matter. No one asked me - make that no one dared to ask me. We'll leave it at that.

Funny how the only place the news has been published is on a billboard. Very funny actually.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

TGIM

The normal workplace environment loves Fridays - the end of the typical workweek. There is even a cute saying, "TGIF."

However, as entrepreneurs and salespeople, "TGIF" just doesn't work for us. In fact, the other wnd of the week - the beginning - has a better advantage for us. Therefore, our slogan is “TGIM” (Monday).

In my podcast message today, "TGIM," I encourage us to abandon common workplace thinking that promotes Fridays as the most important workday and begin thinking in terms of “TGIM.” On Mondays, we have the whole week in front of us.

We have a blank slate for the week and a special vantage point for accomplishing tasks during the week by looking at it strategically as it begins.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Why Admit You Aren't Doing Your Job?

Members of Congress and the President are getting paid big salaries, yet they are not earning every penny of them. In fact, they act as if we haven't caught on.

Not reading a bill under consideration is not only poor judgment and bad policy, it is a clear evasion of responsibility.

Members of Congress routinely and rather gleefully proclaim that they didn't read a bill or couldn't possibly know everything that's in a bill because it's so large. They often try to get a pass by claiming that they did not know something was in a particular bill - even thought they voted for it and helped win its passage.

Find someone in Congress that has read the Health-Care bill or the Cap-and-Trade bill or the Stimulus Package - yet the majority voted in favor of them or seem prepared to do so now.

The President goes on national TV to sell his health care package to us and concedes that he hasn't even read it.

How many of us would attempt to sell a product without knowing all of its features? How many would sign a contract or ask our customers to sign a contract (akin to voting for a bill) without reading it and knowing what's in it?

Seems Congress and the President could do their jobs a whole better than they are - unless they really interested in keeping them anyway.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

It's Not In The Budget

Budgets are great. They can help us project our income, plan for known expenses, and anticipate our revenues and profit.

Budgets can be a great management tool, but they are not managers themselves. They are inanimate.

Still, many companies operate as if the final say on any major or desired activity is the budget.

Money in the budget or specific line item activities should be a guide, not the deciding factor.

In my podcast message, "IT'S NOT IN THE BUDGET," I discuss how management decisions are often made based not on the impact of that decision on the company but by whether or not it's in the budget.

Similarly, unnecessary expenses are often made because the money is in the budget.

Bottom line, you control the budget - not the other way.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought - Vigilance

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought: Vigilance. I see vigilance here. Visually scouring the landscape - on guard for intruders. A keen eye, patience, ears in their full upright position, ever ready for the attack.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

Don't You Just Love A Good Scam?

Hardly a day goes by that I don't get an email from someone claiming to be from someplace in Africa, the Bahamas, or Southeast Asia who has this enormous sum of money that they just can't wait to give to me - a total stranger.

Then there's the invoices I get for a directory listing that I didn't order - and didn't get. All I got was the bill. Some people might just put in the stack of bills to be paid and send them a check (they're counting on this). Not me. Not this time anyway.

Then there are the constant (at least one a month) notifications that I have been selected for inclusion in some type of "Who's Who" directory - as soon as I provide a full profile and buy several copies of the book (to distribute to my friends and family) that may not ever be printed.

Then there's the companies that call attempting to collect money for a service that was never rendered or for which you never were invoiced. How are we supposed to know that they are who they claim to be? Nice work if you can get it.

I like the line from old TV show, "Hill Street Blues" - "be careful out there."

Email, regular mail, or telephone, a scam is a scam!

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Vote For None Of The Above

If you remember the movie "Brewster's Millions" - the baseball movie starring Richard Pryor and John Candy - Brewster ran for the Mayor of New York City on the platform of "none of the above." He didn't really want to be Mayor, and he didn't want any of the other candidates elected either.

You may also remember taking a test in high school or college - or the University of Housing - where one of the choices in a multiple choice question was "none of the above."

That's the way I feel about President Obama's claims to jumpstart the economy.

Tonight he boldly advanced that his health-care reform plan is the key to rebuilding the economy. Seems he said the same thing about TARP, Stimulus, Omnibus, Cap and Trade ....

Which is it? It can't be all of them? Maybe it's none of them. That's it. It's none of the above.

Maybe good old free enterprise will do it - again - if you leave us alone.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Rapport Building

Rapport, or relationship, building is a very important part of the real estate sales process. However, it is not a singular part that is accomplished and then something else is done. It is a continuous effort.

Because sales are based on relationships, the focus is well-placed on creating, developing, nurturing, and sustaining those relationships.

This is where sales come from, where positive WOM has its beginning, and where referrals materialize.

In my podcast message today, "RAPPORT BUILDING," I talk about the importance of relationships and stress that this is an on-going process - not something easily done and set aside.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Congratulations To New Designees

As a result of today's University of Housing course, "Business Management for Building Professionals," that I taught in Boynton Beach, some people are now underway in pursuit of a professional designation, and others have completed the requirements for theirs - except for submitting their graduation paperwork.

Therefore, join me in welcoming two new Certified Green Professionals (CGP) - Ric Coggins, Southwest Sales Manager, BSH Home Appliances Corporation, Scottsdale, Arizona and Randy Kertesz, LEED AP, President, Kertes Enterprises, Inc., Woodmere, Ohio.

We also graduated a new Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) - Paula Hesch, IIDA, LEED AP, Licensed Interior Designer, Paula Hesch Designs, Miami, Florida.

I will be offering these designation courses again this year. Contact me or GCBA (561-732-5959 x102) for a schedule.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Some People Will Try Anything

This past week has been an active one for me as far as fielding offers - mainly from Africa - on helping someone with a probate issue, pretending to be an heir for someone else, helping someone divest themselves of a large embezzlement, and so many other really intriguing ventures.

I was really really hard deciding which one to take advantage of - they all seemed so lucrative.

In the end (which didn't take more than reading the first sentence or two), I passed on all of them. I wonder what this week has in store for me?

Please be careful of these phishing expeditions. They are 100% scams. No one is going to contact you or me out of the blue and offer us money without wanting a whole lot in return. Run - actually delete the email first - and stay safe.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Try

"Try" is a funny word. It can mean an attempt to do something where the effort is genuine but the outcome is uncertain - running a certain distance in a certain time.

Try also means an insincere commitment - as in I'll try to make it or I'll try to get it done.

It's this second meaning that really bothers me. This is a very weak word choice, and whenever someone tells me that they'll try to attend something, try to get something done, try to make a phone call, or anything else where I sense a lack of real commitment, I take the word "try" as really meaning "won't."

In my podcast message today, "TRY," I discuss how people try to be polite and often tell us that they will "try" to do something that we ask of them when they really have no intention of doing it.

In polite society "try" sounds better than "no."

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Join Me Monday For Business Management Course

This coming Monday, at the GCBA in Boynton Beach, I will be conducting the day-long course for the NAHB University of Housing on "Business Management for Building Professionals."

Depending on the designation program you are seeking, this is the 3rd course of 3 required for the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), the 2nd of 2 for the Certified Green Professional (CGP), or one of 6 required for the Certified Graduate Associate (GCA) programs.

The CAPS program is open to anyone whether they are members of NAHB or not.

The class is filling up, but there is room for more.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's Thought: Inner Beauty

Thursday's Thought: These corn plant flowers are pretty enough as they are, but at night for a few days they open with the sweetest, strongest jasmine-type fragrance you can imagine. Outside beauty is one thing, inner beauty quite another.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

Awareness

Being aware or mindful of what is going on around us is key to being in control of our situation and ready to take advantage of any opportunity that may present itself.

This is not casual or accidental. We must take an active, intentional role to be mindful and aware of what is going on around. We have to ready to act.

Whether it's making a presentation, generating leads, meeting customers for the first time, attending a seminar, or anything else where there is an opportunity to learn, participate, or grow, we must approach it with a good attitude and take an active role in learning about that environment.

In my podcast message today, "AWARENESS," I discuss how being aware - and not just seeing what is going on around us - can make a huge difference in how successful we are.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

Being Attentive To What Our Customers Tell Us

Listening is the key to making sales. Asking effective questions is next. Product knowledge is a distant third. Processing the sale comes after the order is received.

Any good salesperson knows the value of conversation and of listening - especially listening.

We know that in listening effectively, purposefully, and intently that we will learn what our customers want and how we can meet their needs.

We know that when we ask a question that there is going to be important information coming from our customers to help us serve them better.

So often, our customers tell us what they want, how they want us to relate to them, and give us the information to make the sale.

Let's be still, and listen to our customers.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

Professional Skills Development

I really enjoy working with professionals who are committed to improving their skills and are interested in helping people who want to remain living independently and comfortably in their current homes as they age or as their debilitating conditions persist.

It's especially gratifying that the participants drove up to three hours to attend today's session.

Today I led the "Marketing & Communications Strategies for Aging & Accessibility" class (also known as CAPS I) as part of the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation program through the National Association of Home Builders. The class dealt with understanding the three main market segments and in connecting with those segment to provide useful solutions.

Tomorrow, the program continues with the second of three courses. This time, the topic is "Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility" (CAPS II) and will focus more on problem solving.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

Drive

In my podcast message today, "DRIVE," I talk about how our internal drive and passion can mean the difference in whether we accomplish our goals and do great things.

Without that all-out commitment, it's easy to fall short of our total effort. We need the power that comes from that drive to keep going and persevere.

Drive is our motivation - it's what propels us into action and keeps us moving toward our goals without distractions.

Drive can be a very important and powerful force in our lives.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

This Doesn't Pass The Smell Test

Congress is misrepresenting us, and we're letting them get away with it.

Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer and other Democrats in the House - sorry, but this really is a partisan issue because they have made it one - are turning their backs on good government, government in the sunshine, honest debate, and the voices of the electorate.

Following the suggestion of the President, the Speaker and House leadership ran the Stimulus Bill up and down the flagpole so fast that no one could read its more than 1,000 pages and then took a hasty vote to pass it. Many Members admit to not even reading the bill. The Senate didn't do much better in its speedy consideration and passage of it.

Then, the Cap and Trade Bill hit the House on June 15th and was passed on June 26th at breakneck speed. Most Members didn't have a copy of this bill so there was no way they could read it either. They narrowly passed it anyway.

Now, the Health Care bill hits the floor on Monday with passage promised before the summer recess.

Folks, Congress has two main job responsibilities: (1) read and be knowledgeable of the legislation being brought before them and (2) vote intelligently on those bills. Running for reelection, campaigning, and fund-raising are not official duties.

How much longer are we going to take this nonsense?

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought - "Enliven"

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought: These copperpod trees are quite pretty and leafy - and they provide a lot of shade. However, they are not complete or as pretty as they can be without their gorgeous flowers that give it new energy and life.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

Turn Up The Heat

This is July. It's naturally hot. Why would we talk about turning up the heat?

I'm talking about internal heat - that firm, but gentle pressure we put on ourselves to get us motivated to act. We don't want to melt or overheat - just increase it enough to make a difference.

In my podcast message today, "TURN UP THE HEAT," I referenced the "Summer Selling Season" that I've been talking about and suggested we turn up the heat on our desire and motivational level to make sales and perform at our peak the rest of the summer.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Fun With Numbers

I'm taking a break from hammering the "cap and trade" legislation and the proposed Consumer Finance Protection Agency that will have the power to control all of the mortgage loans in this country as well as lending practices and the availability of money. As you can tell, I'm not totally getting away from it.

By the way, the NAR has supported both of theses fiascos - and the TARPs and stimulus bills - and I would think that anyone who is a Realtor should question their membership in this organization.

Now, for a lighter note.

Today is July 8th, 2009. Put another way, today is 07-08-09 - and there's your fun with numbers.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Now It's Up To The Senate

The so-called "Cap and Trade" bill or "ACES" (American Clean Energy and Security) made it to the US Senate today. I'm told it will be some 6 weeks before it comes up for a vote.

That gives us 6 weeks to lobby every Senator that we can to vote "NO."

This bill is bad for housing, construction, homeowners, business owners, energy suppliers, manufacturers, families, and the list goes on. I stop just short of saying there is not one good provision in the bill, but that is debatable.

Some like the energy efficiency standards, and others like some of the other provisions - but they all come a very heavy cost in terms of both financial impact and loss of the freedom of choice.

Do you realize that section 788 in the bill which is found on page 602 is captioned "Section Reserved." That's right the bill was passed with a placeholder, blank check provision. How many times have we been told not to sign anything that was left blank?

Well our great House Members who wouldn't assert themselves against the leadership and either vote it down or allow time for it to be read before the vote - so that it could have been defeated then - did precisely this. The approved a document that can have language added after the fact.

THIS BILL IS BAD FOR AMERICA.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

No Excuses

In my post yesterday, I talked about how we have just enterested the "Summer Selling Season" - an uninterrupted 60-days from now until Labor Day with no holidays to get in the way of just getting right down to business and focusing on just that.

With just an occasional vacation, cruise, or back-to-school concern, there is no major event during the next 2 months that forms a kind of mental hurdle for the general population.

Thus, we can really concentrate on making sales.

In my podcast message today, "NO EXCUSES," I discussed this and elaborated on yesterday's post.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

The Summer Selling Season Begins

Beginning today (tomorrow if you had the day off), we are embarking on a long, uninterrupted stretch of potential business days. This only happens a couple of times a year.

From now until Labor Day - exactly 2 months away - there are no other holidays or major observances. The start of the NFL training camp, the beginning of the regular NFL season, and back to school don't count.

My point is that we and our customers have no excuses for not acting. There might be a vacation planned sometime within these 8 weeks, but there is no major event scheduled to interrupt this selling season.

We need to completely focus on these next two months and take advantage of them.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

The Numbers Are About The Same

In 1776, 56 brave, farsighted men crafted and signed the Declaration of Independence.

Today, we need a little over 50 courageous men and women in the U.S. Senate to defeat the Cap and Trade bill.

While years apart, both documents are similar in that the direction of America is at stake.

Since this is the 4th of July, let's pay tribute to the original 56 and say thank you: George Read, Thomas McKean, Caesar Rodney, George Clymer, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, James Smith, George Taylor, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, James Wilson, George Ross, John Adams, John Hancock, Elbridge Gerry, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Josiah Bartlett, Matthew Thornton, William Whipple, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery, Lewis Morris, Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston, William Floyd, Button Gwinnett, George Walton, Lyman Hall, Richard Henry Lee, Cater Braxton, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Benjamin Harrison, George Wythe, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Abraham Clark, Francis Hopkinson, John Witherspoon, John Hart, Richard Stockton, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Roger Sherman, Oliver Wolcott, Charles Carroll, Thomas Stone, Samuel Chase, and William Paca.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Keep After Your Brand

Earlier today, I went to my local branch of Bank of America. As I walked up to the entrance, I noticed the very substantial flagpole that is mounted to the building - I don't always go to this branch but I do remember the flagpole.

I glanced to the top of the pole to observe how large the American flag was and the condition of it. Funny thing - no flag.

Here it is - middle of the afternoon, relatively clear skies, not much wind, and their effective observance of the 4th of July since they are closed tomorrow. No flag.

Mind you, this is the Bank of America.

I inquired about the missing flag and got some lame response about someone had to leave early or they were concerned about it getting damaged in the wind.

If you're going to be the Bank of America, if you're going to go to the trouble and expense of creating a beautiful and substantial flagpole, and it's your last chance before the 4th of July to show your patriotism, wouldn't you think the flag would be flying?

They probably never thought about this as part of their brand - even though a stylist version is part of their logo.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's Thought: Stand Tall

Thursday's Thought: Just as these palm trees are standing straight and tall and overseeing the surrounding trees and landscape, we should endeaver to maintain our integrity and stand out in the marketplace.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC.

© 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

CAPS Certification Courses Being Offered Soon

Monday, July13 and Tuesday, July 14, at the GCBA in Boynton Beach, I will be offering the first two certification courses for the CAPS designation.

The courses discuss marketing, sales, home modifications, planning, and design for issues facing older Americans as they want to age-in-place and remain in their homes for as long as practical as well as those who are chronically ill or injured that require home adaptation.

These are very informative, interactive classes with a lot of useful information.

Anyone in physical or occupational therapy, remodelers, home builders, space planners, gerontologists, interior designers, social workers, case workers, or health care providers can benefit from the classes and the designation.

Send me an email if you are interested in attending or want more information.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.