Halftime Chat

In my podcast message today, "Halftime Chat" I review the first half of 2010 with you to help you assess your first half performance and prepare to attack the second half of the year.

Steve reviews with us our first half performance of 2010 and helps us focus on and review various aspects of our game that may need improvement to perform even better in the second half of 2010.

Tomorrow we begin the second half, and we need to come out of the locker room prepared to play, with a renewed energy and enthusiasm. It's a brand new game, starting tomorrow.

2010 can be a very good year for us. We need to finish strong, and it begins tomorrow as the second half kicks off.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

"Realtor Day" At SEBC Is Coming

Calling all Realtors in Florida! Be with us for "Realtor Day" at SEBC, Wednesday, July 21, 2010. Join me, Lou Ludwig, Steve David, Tammy Lynch, and Bill Webb for a day packed with information and strategies.

© 2010, Steve Hoffacker, Sales and Marketing Strategies, Coach, Instructor, Motivator, Blogger, Author, and Photographer.

Do We Want Success?

Sometimes, even though we say that we want to succeed, we may be blocking our efforts and actually sabotaging our progress. Some of us are afraid of success because we don't want the responsibility or feel somehow that we don't deserve it. We look for little ways to keep from achieving it. Often, bad things just seem to happen to detour or derail us.

If we really want success, then let's go all out if that's our choice.

Our belief level needs to be solid to accept and then go after success.

In my podcast message today, "Do We Want Success?" I talk about attaining success and how we may be getting in our own 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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday Spotlight - "Multitasking"

The milkweed plant is an example of multitasking. It it a beautiful, but very tiny flower. Butterflies love it for the nectar and to lay their eggs, caterpillars feed on its leaves and build cocoons on it, and it sends out a beautiful wispy seed pod that is visually appealing.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Two Minutes To Go

The first half of 2010 is nearly gone. Can you believe it? Only 4 more days to go.

In my podcast message today, "Two Minutes To Go," I use the football analogy to explain how and why we can get a lot accomplished in a short amount of time if we really put our minds to it.

A a limited amount of time to get things done can actually be beneficial because it forces us to focus on the business at hand and the minor things become insignificant. Such is the case with the close of the first half of 2010.easier that way.

If we have waited to get things done, if we still have items that need to be completed in the first half of 2010, or if we need to get ready for the second half, now is the time to act.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Friday's Thought - "Radiance"

Friday's Thought: Radiance. These sunflowers are so brilliant. They are large, bold, and colorful. They radiate power, beauty, and significance.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

We Are Not Machines

Sometimes it seems like we are expected to be machines. Sometimes, we probably wish we were. It might be easier that way.

Still, we have the capacity to think and feel. We do some things better than expected. Sometimes we don't measure up. We're human. It keeps us humble and striving.

In my podcast message today, "We Are Not Machines," I remind us that we are not expected to be perfect and that we are not subject to a part breaking or regular maintenance.

We might be more dependable if we were machines, but we have the capacity to exceed expectations as well as not measuring up.
As long as we have our integrity and our principles, the rest is an adventure.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

"Realtor Day" At SEBC

Attention all Realtors in Florida, and anyone who wants to be in Orlando on Wednesday, July 21. It's "Realtor Day" at SEBC with a special program planned just for you. It's for all salespeople, but especially Realtors.

Join us starting at 8:00 am for "Seven Secrets Of Sales Success." That includes a special luncheon panel with updates on distressed properties and their impact on our industry. The program concludes with a networking reception and will be done at 7:00 pm.

The entire day is just $99 and includes access to the trade show exhibits on Thursday.

Join Tammy Lynch, Bill Webb, Lou Ludwig, Steven David, and myself for this day of motivation and sales tips.

Here's your personal invitation:

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Good News

We all like hearing and experiencing good news. It sustains us. It excites us. It lifts us. It keeps us going.

It could be a sale, an appointment, some unexpected good news, a visit from someone we hadn't seen in a while, something we won, an accolade, or something experienced by a loved one, customer, or friend.

In my podcast message today, "Good News," I discuss the importance of experiencing and participating in good news - no matter how minor - as a way of keeping us charged and motivated.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Monday Spotlight - "Summer"

Enjoy your summer, but don't forget to take care of business.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Watching What We Eat

After recovering from a downed server that prevented posting of this message on Thursday, it is now available.

In this podcast message, "Watching What We Eat," I discuss how what we feed our bodies and our minds directly impacts our performance. While we need to remain healthy, our mental outlook is even more important that our physical condition. We need to guard what we allow to enter our minds and only let in the good stuff.
 

Good nutrition (regardless of what that is for you, and each of us can follow different patterns) is necessary to maintain our physical structure - and serve our customers and grow our businesses. Our  thoughts, what we read and listen to, who we associate with, and what we dwell on all impact our attitudes. To remain positive and optimistic, we need to fill our mind with the good stuff.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Battling Back

Whether it's a World Cup match, a baseball game, golf game, tennis match, 5K run, or any other type of competition - including sales - we can't always be the leader. Sometimes we might find ourselves trailing by a substantial margin. We may not have enough time or ability to eventually win the contest, but we can certainly narrow the advantage and margin of victory by our opponents.

In not giving up or giving in, we may actually get momentum to work in our favor and mount a very serious comeback - one that might even be successful in winning the contest.

It's this attitude of battling back and overcoming that makes us stronger and that prepares us for the next contest. We might even surprise ourselves.


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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Steve Hoffacker's Happenings Didn't

Today's post should have been about my podcast message entitled "Watching What We Eat" about physical and mental nutrition - especially mental.

It is recorded; however, multiple attempts over several hours have not been able to upload the podcast to the hosting server.

As soon as I'm able to get it loaded, I'll post it. Not sure if it will be ready in time for Sunday's message, but that one will be recorded on schedule.

I'm doing what I can. Please excuse the technical glitch.

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. © 2010, 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 any way.

Thursday's Thought - "Raw Beauty"

Thursday's Thought: Raw Beauty. These wild blanket flowers are so beautiful, and each is slightly different in shape and color from the others. They are little more than weeds yet they contribute so much to the landscape when they bloom.

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. © 2010, 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 any way.

Lights, Camera, Action

Compare what happens in making a movie with our real life business actions. We don't have a script, we don't operate on a closed set, we can't have a do-over. We have to be ready for action all the time.

It doesn't mean that we should be unprepared or unrehearsed for various scenarios. We need to be very prepared for what can happen. It just means that we are "on" constantly and need to be ready.

We have to be ready to perform constantly. We don't have the luxury of rehearsing our lines and following a script. We have to be ready to engage customers and sales leads throughout the day and capitalize on it.

In my podcast message today, "Lights, Camera, Action," I make this distinction - that we aren't actors who get to rehearse our lines and perform our scene until we get it right. We have to go with whatever is presented to us and make our own 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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Adding Video To Your Promotions

Are you using YouTube videos (or some other form of publishing them) to promote your event, community, or company? They complement your website , advertising, and social media.

They don't have to be a really creative post - just something that you want to share with people that follow you and your business.

Sometimes, it can complement another post in a different format.

Here is Flag Day video that goes along with yesterday's Flag Day 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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Flag Day

Today, Americans celebrated Flag Day as a way of paying tribute to our Founding Fathers and the great work they did in creating a country that guaranteed freedoms and liberties and crafted an outstanding document in the Constitution.

I think this day is second only to the 4th of July in importance for what we hold dear as Americans. On this day, we remember our many freedoms and liberties and the hard fought struggles and sacrifices that it has taken to keep our country going.

The Founding Fathers were quite visionary in drafting a document that did not need to be amended except for a few cases - although it has been changed excessively. Nevertheless, let's celebrate our freedom, free enterprise, and our many liberties today!

In my podcast message today, "Flag Day," I celebrate the day with other freedom minded American patriots.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday Spotlight - "Special Qualities"

 

Leaves, flowers, insects, butterflies, branches - each has its own

coloring and special marks that make it unique and attractive.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

You Can't Lose

Would you like to know that no matter what you do that you couldn't lose?" I'm not talking about the lottery or the casino. I mean something that you decide is a worthwhile project or goal and something for which you will be totally comitted to achieving.

Rather than looking at something short-term - although that might be what you decide on - think bigger to answer this question.

If we approached any issue or goal with total focus and energy, there's a good chance we would be successful. That's the point. How often do we really do this?
 

In my podcast message today, "You Can't Lose," I discuss this sales attitude and strategy that we can develop and utilize.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Friday's Thought - "Opportunities"

Friday's Thought: Opportunities. Sometimes opportunities come along in waves - just like theses clouds. Other times, they are less obvious. We need to be ready for them when they come.

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. © 2010, 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 any way.

WCR Live

Today, I was a guest for the hour-long talk show "WCR Live" on St. Louis, Missouri radio. The show is produced once a month on the second Thursday and airs live from 12-1:00 pm central time.

Produced by the Women's Council of Realtors (WCR), the show explores many issues of importance to real estate sales professionals, including new home sales and realty sales.

In my podcast message today, "WCR Live," I discuss my positive experiences on the show and review some of what was discussed.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Firefox Has Stopped Delivering

Firefox by Mozilla continues to frustrate. When I began using it over a year ago, it provided great functionality as a browser. Even when it occasionally crashed, it reopened immediately, and no data or sites were lost. Now it is clashing or freezing multiple times per hour.

I know people are doing well with it. I also know people are experiencing what I am.

Google Chrome is not the answer. I guess it's back to IE8 for now.

If any Firefox people are reading this, your site needs serious work.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Where's My Data?

Have you ever pressed the wrong key on your computer and deleted data? Forgotten to backup and lost data? Well. this happened to me. I messed up real bad, but I did have a rescue.

In my podcast message today, "Where's My Data?" I discuss my experiences with carbonite.com - an online subscription service that automatically backs up my data without any thought or action on my part. It's a good thing I don't have to remember it.

I have external hard drives, but they aren't the same because I have to remember to use them.

I recommend this service to anyone looking for a backup program.

They have a promotion now. You can try the program for free and if you sign up for a one-year subscription, you get a 13th month free - by going through me. I get a couple of free months also.

Email me if you want to try it.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Monday Spotlight - "Circular Motion"

Going around in a circle may keep us busy, but it may not accomplish much.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

It's Summertime

In my podcast message today, "It's Summertime," I welcome summer with all of its great outdoor recreational activities but I also warns about the heat and how that can slow us down.

Summer can be a time of slower sales and appointments, but it doesn't have to be. We can manage the summertime to achieve great things while enjoying the season and the outdoors .

Summertime is a special season, and it can be a fun time. It also can be one in which our emphasis may shift from selling to enjoying the hot weather and the outdoor activities. We have to maintain our focus. 

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Coach John Wooden Passes

At the age of 99, Coach John Wooden has died.

Coach is known for so many things - his 620 wins, his 10 national championships, and many other feats associated with basketball.

He's also known for his character. He was was quite beloved for what he could instill in others.

John was a great man, and his passing leaves a void, even though he had retired from coaching. He was a mentor, teacher, and friend to so many.


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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Show Your Courage

Steve discusses courage and how we see different forms of it , especially from selfless acts of bravery and for our men and women in the military.

However, we also show our courage by being salespeople, working with no guarantees or safety net.

We work for a commission with no promise of anything - leads, appointments, sales, or income. We face rejection and the word "no."

Be of good courage and enjoy my podcast message today, "Show Your Courage."

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.javascript:void(0)

Thursday's Thought - "Framework"

Thursday's Thought: Framework. Just as this lumber creates the skeleton or framework for the home, we need to concentrate on having a good basis or foundation from which to build our business and success.

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. © 2010, 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 any way.

We Can Take It

I have had it with manufacturers who don’t label their products correctly and listing agents who won’t disclose the price. This is deceptive and poor public relations. Let’s put an end to this practice through voluntary compliance. A little empathy would go a long way.

I note in my podcast message today, "We Can Take It" how Kraft labels their salad dressing in such a way that it is impossible to known when it expires or for how how from today it is good. I won't buy their product again until they change. You shouldn't either.

Also, commercial listings for property or buildings with "price undisclosed" on them. This frustrate the consumer and the professional.

Why do we condone this? Let’s stop this practice.

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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Abolish The Lead Paint Rule

We have been so busy getting ready to comply with the EPA mandate for Lead Paint that went into effect a few weeks ago on April 22 that we have missed the real issue - more, unnecessary, cumbersome federal regulation. This time it impacts housing directly - as well as consumers.

In the latest example of government insensitivity and regulations gone amok. the EPA has refused any type of relief to homeowners and contractors in western Tennessee - recently ravaged by floods.

The new Lead Paint rule which went into effect on April 22nd will not be violated, extended, or relaxed.

EPA has ruled that even though relief efforts, repairs, and rebuilding will be hampered, slowed, and more costly by enforcing the lead paint rule, they really don't care. A rule is a rule.

We've had lead paint for years - up until 1978. Now, April 22 became the magic date. Now, any repairs to pre-1978 homes are illegal unless done by a EPA certified lead renovator.

In Tennessee, these are not elective repairs where a person has time to choose a certified contractor and comply with the requirements. These are emergency repairs and rebuilding to put homes back together.

The rule rule should be abolished - immediately for Tennessee and as soon as they can get it done for the rest of us.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) and Sen. Susan Collins (ME) are working to restrict EPA's enforcement of this rule for Tennessee. They should just repeal it, and trim the EPA's staff and budget accordingly.


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. © 2010, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.