Let’s get this out of the way right now: I am not a CRM implementation expert. My job is to train and strategize with Online Sales Counselors (OSCs) and companies to help them thrive in their roles and their adoption of the CRM across all departments. It’s important for the marketing, sales, and online salespeople to all be rowing in the same direction when it comes to big tools like the CRM. I’ll give you the ideas and the parameters, but I leave the nitty-gritty of CRM setup to the techies and specialists. What I do know is what a CRM should be able to do for you as an OSC in the homebuilding industry. It’s up to you to become the expert on the platform your company uses. And let’s be honest—often OSCs end up being the CRM experts in their companies. So, roll up your sleeves, dive in, and figure it out. Here’s the good news: there are resources everywhere. Your CRM likely has a support team, a knowledge base, and (bless the internet gods) YouTube. You can Google just about anything these days. Or—and here’s a crazy idea—you can play with it. Tinker, explore, and press all…
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Digging Deep into Empathy and Asking the Right Questions
Developing relationships. When I first started as an OSC, I saw this as my focus. Develop authentic relationships with the people who call me or email me and ask me about a house. This was my strategy, and it helped me become a high producing OSC. “What?” you might ask, “Does that have to do with setting an appointment for sales?” Well, the people who called me and who were interested in more information in…
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You Can’t Train Online Sales in a Bubble
This is how the conversation often starts. Someone says to me, “I need training for my OSC.” If the online sales program already exists there are several things that probably need to happen. One, for sure, is training. Especially if you have an OSC that’s only been doing this job for the last couple of years or less. But is training the first thing you need? Maybe not. And it may not just be about…
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Thanks & Giving: Reflections Over the Past Year
November always seems to be the month of reflections. For a couple of reasons. There’s the obvious reason that it’s the month of Thanksgiving, and often we find ourselves thinking about what we are thankful for, the good things in our lives, but if you are at all like me you also reflect forward, to the coming year. It’s the perfect time in November to think about the closing of this year and what the…
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Foundational Reflections for Successful OSC Programs
There are certain things that successful OSC programs need, and as we prepare for the coming year it’s time to make sure that we are doing the best we can with this important program. The Right Person or People in the Right Seats – I’d love to say that every online sales counselor is gold… but that’s just not true. Many of them can be with the right training and coaching. But sadly, there are…
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Better Together: Reflections From the Tropical Sales Training Retreat
Every day this week in Florida, I’ve woken up at 2am. And then I start reflecting on the day, the week, and really this entire year. It’s amazing how much planning goes into an event like the Tropical Sales Retreat. And I also reflect on how grateful I am on so many levels. Grateful to Roland Nairnsey for taking me up on my offer to do an OSC track at the conference. Grateful for my…
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Guest Post: Ready, Set, Market!
Guest Post by Carol Morgan Founder & President Denim Marketing Want to reach the finish line and score? Then it is time to shape up your marketing strategy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many home builders sacked their marketing budget, and it is time to kick it back into high gear before calling for a Hail Mary! With interest rates rising and the Federal Reserve pumping the brakes on the economy, the housing market is cooling…
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