Articles
IBS 2024 is in The Books – What Were Your Biggest Takeaways?
Wow – IBS 2024 whooshed pat in a whirlwind, and if you were one of over 76,000 building industry professionals who attended IBS…Congratulations! Not only are you looking at trends, materials, walking the convention floor for tips, ideas, and innovation – you may have also attended some of the education, networking events, and engaged with professionals across all walks of life in the new home building industry. From trade partners, to consultants, to clients, to…
Read MoreMy List of “Not to Miss Educational Sessions” at International Builders Show in Las Vegas
It’s almost February and as I prepare for THREE speaking engagements at the International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas from February 27th-29th – two in the learning labs, and one at Professional Women in Building Headquarters, (PWB HQ) – I’m also scouring the list of learning opportunities that I want to attend. So much to see, so little time. My hack is when I’m not in a session or checking out tech on the…
Read MoreOld Style New Home Sales Techniques vs. Selling to the Digital Savvy Homebuyer
Little known fact, I started out in the new home sales world onsite in 2006. One of the first things my company did was put me through a sales training program and in 18 years I’ve seen a variety of sales models used for new home sales, most of which follow the critical path. I’ve seen this path anywhere from 5, 7, or even 10 steps as below. Meet & Greet Discovery Presentation & Overview…
Read MoreEnhancing Home Building with AI: 5 Ways OSCs Can Leverage Technology Without Losing the Human Touch
Just because you can’t leave it to AI (artificial intelligence) as we talked about last month, it doesn’t mean you can’t use it at all! The home building industry is experiencing a transformative wave with the integration of AI into various facets of operations. One crucial area where AI can make a significant impact is in Online Sales Counselor (OSC) programs. These programs play a vital role in engaging potential buyers and guiding them through…
Read MoreOnline Sales and Onsite Sales Teams Transform Homebuyer Engagement with Video Emails
In the fast-paced and competitive world of new home construction, establishing a meaningful connection with potential homebuyers is key to success. One of the most innovative and impactful tools in the arsenal of Online Sales Counselors (OSCs) and onsite Sales Agents is the use of video emails. In this blog post, we’ll explore the transformative power of video emails throughout the entire homebuyer journey, from initial engagement to contract signing. Engagement: Breaking Through the Digital…
Read MoreThe Power of Human Connection: Why You Can’t Just “Leave it to AI”
Let’s face it, complex queries demand human expertise. When it comes to the intricate world of home building, questions are often multifaceted. AI excels at routine tasks but may struggle when faced with nuanced or unique queries. A human touch ensures that your customers receive the comprehensive and tailored responses they need. As we implement all these “cool tools” we need to remember not to lose our empathy and understanding. Home building is a personal…
Read MoreMentoring, Coaching, and Goals for The New Year
You may or may not have noticed that I didn’t create any new blog posts in October or November… for those of you who follow me on LinkedIn or social media, you know I lost one of my greatest mentors at the beginning of October. My father. From an early age, my dad taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and kindness. He led by example, demonstrating the importance of integrity in everything we…
Read MoreUnderstanding What OSCS Do Daily, Weekly, Monthly
In our blog post, “We Are All on The Same Team,” one of the keys to leading your organization is to understand what an online sales counselor does, not just in general but day-by-day, week-by-week and month-by-month. This means understanding the purpose of their position and what needs to happen as a whole. We have a million posts on here about what an OSC’s purpose is. But as a reminder, they are not an order…
Read MoreWe Are All on The Same Team
Marketing, sales, and online sales are all on the same team. We need to put that into practice, especially when it’s easy to slip into a scarcity mindset. Recently I heard two different stories that inspired this blog post. One was of someone at leadership level disparaging OSCs and what they do…because numbers are down. The other was of salespeople disparaging OSCs and what they are doing…because numbers are down! In the first case, I…
Read MoreOSCs Are Driven When You Give Them the Right Car
An OSC is going to be just as driven as a sales agent to create sales for the company as long as you give them the right vehicle to do so. That vehicle means having the right: Company Support Pay Structure Tools Training Company Support – The gas that fuels the car Energy is everything. The tone set by the leadership of the company can make or break a program. This role needs to have…
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