LeadingLane Podcast

How important is a buyer consultation? What value do they bring to both the buyers and the agents? We dive into the need for clear communication, education, and setting expectations from the beginning of a transaction. 

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

Dive into this exciting episode where Ashley and Steven share their secret to top-notch organization and efficiency: Asana - an exceptional task management tool perfect for any team. We share how we use this software in our companies to take routine tasks like event planning, weekly meetings, and office operations, into a streamlined experience.  This helps encourage communication, less emails, and overall accountability.  This should be at the top of your list if you're looking to scale effectively.

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

We are giving some great tips on how to keep your team happy and wanting to stick around. Ashley & Steven talk about making the workspace nice and welcoming, just like we would want to make our customers feel. It's important to understand everyone is different - people have different ways they learn best and communicate. Don't forget about your lives and your employee's lives outside of work. Remaining flexible of your team's needs helps promote a work-life balance that keeps employees happier and less stressed.

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

We peel back the layers this week as we discuss diversity in Real Estate.  Our very first guest, Andrina Williams, spotlights her raw experiences as a Realtor® and gives us a taste of some of the discrimination she has faced in the industry. 

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

We dive into why agents leave companies. Hear our experiences with agents leaving their own companies and the importance of finding the right fit. Parting ways with negative business partners is almost always the way to go for both parties. Start thinking of recruiting as a partnership; it will make a huge mindset shift in how you approach this topic.

Takeaways

• Reality TV can change people's perspective of the real estate industry.
• Finding the right fit is crucial for agents and companies.
• Toxic agents can bring down the morale of the entire company.
• Creating partnerships with agents is more effective than traditional recruiting methods.

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

Summary
Today we dive into the importance of a marketing coordinator and investing in professional photography. Learn how our hosts use this to expand their market with consistency and branding to increase their overall client satisfaction.  Remember, what you do for your current client is a perfect marketing opportunity for future clients.

Takeaways

• Investing in professional photography can greatly enhance the presentation of listings and attract more potential buyers.
• Hiring a marketing coordinator can help streamline marketing efforts and provide consistent branding across all listings.
• Consistency and persistence in marketing strategies are key to standing out in a competitive market.
• Being open and transparent with agents about changes in marketing strategies can help gain their buy-in and support.
• Creative solutions, such as using the BoxBrownie app for photo editing, can help improve the quality of listing photos even with limited resources.

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

Summary

Steven and Ashley discuss the process of hiring and managing employees. How do you know when it's time to hire your first admin? Hear their story and some of the challenges they faced along the way. It's important to invest in employees and empower them to contribute to the company's growth. They also discuss the significance of creating a positive culture and setting clear expectations for employees.  Remember to keep open communication and don't let the fear of hiring keep you from scaling your business.

Takeaways

• Investing in employees is crucial for the growth and success of a company.
• Empowering employees and delegating tasks allows them to contribute to the company's goals and fosters a positive work environment.
• Creating a positive culture and setting clear expectations for employees helps to maintain a productive and harmonious workplace.
• Open communication is essential for addressing challenges and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
• Overcoming the fear of hiring is necessary to expand the team and achieve business goals.

Chapters

00:00 - The Decision to Hire the First Admin

07:40 - Investing in Employees

15:12 - Empowering Employees and Delegating Tasks

23:27 - Creating a Positive Culture

26:58 - Handling Challenges and Enabling Behavior

32:01 - The Importance of Open Communication

33:35 - Overcoming the Fear of Hiring

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

Summary

Today we explore the importance of morning routines and the impact they have on personal well-being and productivity. Steven and Ashley discuss their own experiences and share tips for implementing a healthy morning routine. They emphasize the need for physical activity, proper nutrition, and avoiding phone use in the morning. Setting boundaries and protecting the morning routine are also key to sticking with it. The correlation and connection between self-care and business success is often overlooked. 

Takeaways

• Morning routines are essential for personal well-being and productivity.
• Physical activity and proper nutrition should be incorporated into the morning routine.
• Avoiding phone use in the morning helps maintain focus and reduce distractions.
• Setting boundaries and protecting the morning routine are crucial for success.
• Working on oneself is essential for business success.
• Reducing phone use and setting priorities can improve overall well-being.
• Improving nighttime routines can contribute to better sleep and overall health.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Lack of Morning Routine

01:06 - The Importance of Morning Routines

02:00 - Implementing a Morning Routine

08:24 - Working on Yourself to Improve Your Business

11:27 - Being Present and Avoiding Phone Use

15:21 - Identifying Habits to Stop Doing

16:11 - Improving Nighttime Routine

20:33 - Being Aware of Time Spent on Social Media

21:58 - Reducing Phone Notifications

23:34 - Using Screen Time as a Tool

25:27 - Conclusion

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

Summary
Today we discuss the common comment of 'it must be nice' and the impact it has on individuals. It delves into feeling invalidated and judged, as well as the hard work and success that often elicit such comments. The conversation highlights the importance of not making assumptions and misconceptions about others' lives. It also addresses the fear of success and fear of judgment that can arise from these comments. The conversation emphasizes the need to overcome judgment and care less about others' opinions. The story of the Cadillac serves as an example of personal growth and empowerment. The conversation concludes by discussing the significance of material possessions and the perspective gained from a car accident.

Chapters
00:00 - The common comment of 'it must be nice'
04:03 - Working hard and celebrating success
07:08 - Assumptions and misconceptions
08:12 - Fear of success and fear of judgment
11:30 - Empowering others and sharing experiences
13:00 - Recognizing the impact of past experiences
18:11 - The story of the Cadillac
22:37 - Material possessions and their significance
24:50 - Closing remarks 

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com

Summary

Steven and Ashley discuss their journeys in the real estate industry, giving you a peek behind the curtain. Steven shares his experience of starting in real estate, opening a restaurant, and eventually returning to real estate. Ashley talks about her background in healthcare administration and insurance before transitioning to real estate. They both highlight the challenges they faced and the opportunities that arose along the way. Despite the obstacles, they have achieved success and continue to grow their businesses.

Takeaways

• Starting a career in real estate requires hard work and dedication.
• Failure can be a valuable learning experience and lead to future success.
• Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and mentors is crucial for growth.
• Success in real estate can open doors to other opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Background

02:17 - Steven's Real Estate Journey

07:05 - Steven's Restaurant Failure and Return to Real Estate

12:08 - Ashley's Real Estate Journey

15:51 - Ashley's Partnership with Charles

22:06 - Ashley's Struggles and Opening a New Company

30:06 - Ashley's Production and Opportunities

34:28 - Conclusion and Next Topic

Fort Riley / Junction City / Manhattan / Abilene Kansas home buying & selling — VA loans, BAH & PCS: pcstofortriley.com