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…
Read MoreTweetsGiving a Social Media Charity Event: What Top Ten Things Are You Grateful For?
Who would have thought that when I started my exploration of social media, it would become an addiction. But I’ve begun to realize the powerful way you can help promote change through the use of these social outlets. Most recently I’ve encountered a great way to pay it forward. Now I find myself, through social media avenues, helping to co-ordinate TweetsGiving Virginia Beach, a charity event with some great folks I’ve met through social networking.…
Read MoreSocial Media Suicide May Only Be A Mouse Click Away:Think Before You Tweet
I just read a great blog post by Sara Meany of Comet Branding, 7 Surefire Ways to Sabotage Your Professional Brand in Social Media. For the most part I think these are 7 very solid points about professional branding. When you have a social presence out in the online stream of information, both your own personal presence as well as your company’s brand, you have a certain responsibility to think before you talk (Write, blog,…
Read MoreI’ve Known Beaches….But Social Media By The Beach?
I’ve known beaches…But I never knew social media and the beach went together until recently. And never did I think I’d be involved in planning a social media event at the beach! As a dive instructor and sailboat captain for 7 years I’ve known my share of beaches. I’ve done Tai Chi by the sea, and soaked in the ancient aura of the exotic tropical spice island of Zanzibar. I lived on the beach in…
Read MoreTruth about Facebook and World Travel: Change is Difficult
Sometimes getting used to a new facebook layout is like changing countries while traveling. Right now, since facebook just did another switch-a-roo there’s been lots of moaning and groaning, and tips on how to “make it like it was.” I too am guilty of that, when it first changed I knew something wasn’t quite write, and I posted a status update grumbling. Face it, nobody likes change. Even traveling around the world, by its very…
Read MoreCross Marketing and Social Media: Two Peas in a Pod
Cross marketing and Social Media just go together like peanut butter and chocolate… I work for a local builder who buys local, hires local, lives local and stays local. I also do all the social media for the builder. Lately I’ve been on a quest to promote local businesses. It just makes sense. If you employ the 80-20 rule when using social media, you really only want to be talking about yourself 20% of the…
Read More