Embracing Change

Posted on 18. Dec, 2009 by Paulette Costa.

Who Moved My Cheese? We’ve all read it. Dr. Spencer Johnson’s book featuring the ever-famous Hem and Haw and Sniff and Scurry characters- a national bestseller that is still used in many corporations today to educate and prepare their organizations for change.
In Leading Change, by John P. Kotter, the author says “By any objective measure, the amount [...]

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Week In Review

Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by Sherry Chris.

When it comes to the current real estate climate, we at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate have been preaching cautious optimism for months, as some data indicates the market is recovering and yet other data indicates it is still turbulent times. A recent survey from Move.com indicates the number of consumers interested in investing [...]

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How the Use of Social Media Helps Create an Unique Consumer Experience

Posted on 16. Nov, 2009 by Sherry Chris.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s newest member, Rick Gregory and Sherry Chris discuss how the brand’s personality and its use of Social Media will help create a unique experience for consumers.

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The Executive Suites Model: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive – Seattle, Washington

Posted on 01. Sep, 2009 by Robert Albanese.

(From a phone interview with Keith Nelson, CEO)
As early on as 1991 with only 25 agents, Keith Nelson, CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive in Seattle Washington was already experimenting with alternate business models. Over time, his concept of “executive suite” type locations has emerged as a strong operational alternative. The basic [...]

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Client Relationships – Before and After the Transaction

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by Camilla Sullivan.

One of the fundamentals emerging as part of our next generation brokerage discussion, is the need for the agent and broker to think of the relationship they have with a buyer or seller, not only during the transaction, not just in a passive follow up campaign after a house is sold, but as part [...]

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One-Year Anniversary

Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by Sherry Chris.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC  celebrates one year since the launch of its franchise system, with a growing network of 2,100 agents across 75 offices in 10 states. In its first year of operations, the newest national real estate franchise has surpassed expectations and gained momentum in a challenging housing market by distinguishing [...]

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A New Home Page, Video and Luxury Program for BHGRealEstate.com

Posted on 07. Jul, 2009 by Jason Steele.

Today we have rolled out our most significant changes to the BHGRealEstate.com consumer web site since we launched almost a year ago.
The prep work actually began on July 24th 2008, the day after we launched publicly at Real Estate Connect in San Francisco.  Anyone who has ever built a web site with a fixed deadline and [...]

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Putting Ideas Into Action After FLOW

Posted on 09. Jun, 2009 by Wendy Forsythe.

I take a deep breath, swing open the car door, pop the umbrella, grab my stuff and make a run for the office through the pouring rain. Just another day in Jersey! As I’m jumping over the puddles I hear my iPhone ringing and think here we go.

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What If My Agents Leave?

Posted on 09. Apr, 2009 by Wendy Forsythe.

This question comes up often when a company owner is considering making a change in their business like franchising. And understandably so. Our agents have feet and they can easily walk to a competitor who’ll be waiting with open arms.

Being a start up, the transition process is critical to us at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. We work very closely with each new company that joins us to ensure maximum retention and a flawless execution of the announcement to their local team.

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Sleepless in Seattle

Posted on 31. Mar, 2009 by Sherry Chris.

It always unfolds in the same fashion. Once a broker owner makes that gut wrenching and courageous decision that it is time to take their company to the next level, things happen very quickly. There is often only about 30 days to complete the hundreds of transition related tasks to ensure a flawless execution and successful announcement. During that time our transition team works exclusively with the broker owner and a few trusted and loyal employees to ensure details such as business cards, marketing materials, building signage, and the website will all be ready for announcement day. The adrenaline flows constantly.

It’s all in the details. We make sure that no stone is left unturned. No sign is left unordered. The presentation is rehearsed, role-played, and every question from the audience anticipated in advance. The ultimate goal is to leave such a positive impression that each and every agent receives the news with excitement and enthusiasm.

A very lofty goal, some would say!

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