WCR Metro St. Louis E-Zine (September, 2010)

Congratulations to the newly elected executive team of the St. Louis Metropolitan Women's Council of REALTORS®. Taking office as of January 1, 2011 are the following: President - Carolyn Mantia; President Elect - Michelle Silies; VP of Membership - J. Morris; Secretary - Rebecca Meier; and Treasurer - Mary Carter.

These very capable women have already shown a deep commitment to the organization and will guide Women's Council during 2011. The new President, Carolyn Mantia, will be putting together her team for 2011 in the coming months. Now is the time to volunteer for a position on the Governing Board or for a Committee in 2011. Contact Carolyn Mantia at carolynmantia@gmail.com. The 2011 team takes office officially on January 1, 2011. The St. Louis Association of REALTORS® and St. Louis Metropolitan Women's Council of REALTORS® will install their new executive teams at The Chase on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

St. Louis Metropolitan Women's Council of REALTORS® also congratulates its own local chapter members who were recently elected as WCR Missouri State officers for 2011. Jan Thomas was elected President Elect for 2011, and Michelle Silies was elected Secretary for the state organization for 2011. They will be installed at the Fall Meeting of the Missouri Women's Council of REALTORS®, September 28 and 29 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Congratulations as well to our Chapter's 2010 Award Winners announced at last month's Business Resource Meeting:

Member of the Year - Jean Ewell, Keller Williams Southwest

Entrepreneur of the Year - Carolyn Mantia, RE/MAX Results

EXCEL Award - Michelle Silies, PREA Signature Realty

and

WCR Missouri State Entrepreneur of the Year - Carolyn Mantia, RE/MAX Results

WCR Missouri State EXCEL Award - Michelle Silies, PREA Signature Realty

Interested in becoming a member? The month of September showcases the many benefits of WCR membership including leadership development, educational programs to grow your business and networking opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a new member, please contact me at ERobb@RobbPartners.com.

Elizabeth Robb, 2010 WCR-STL President

IN THIS MONTH'S E-ZINE

• President's Message, p. 1

• Editor's Notes - In This Issue, p. 2

• September Business Resource Meeting - Chris Krehmeyer/Beyond Housing, p. *

• A Word from Our Sponsor - Ductz of West St. Louis, p. *

• PMN Course - Harnessing the Power - Skills Based Performance Management with Terry Watson, p. *

• WCR Live - September Guest - Jay Papasan, Co-Author of "The Shift," p. *

• 2010 Fall Membership Drive - WCR Night at The Ballpark - September 27, p. *

• 2010 Expo & Fashion Show Update - A Passion for Fashion, p. *

• WCR Expo & Fashion Show - Silent Auction Items Needed, p. *

• Support Our Newsletter Sponsors, p. *

CALLING ALL AUTHORS

We are still seeking article submissions from members. For affiliate members, this is a great opportunity to expose your business, product and services. Here are some of the benefits:

• Promote your business to over 2000 St. Louis real estate agents.

• Receive a free advertisement in the next issue of the E-Zine.

• Keep your name and company out in front of your customers.

PHOTOGRAPHS

We would like to thank Mary Ann Manion and Elena Collins for their reoccurring photo contributions to the E-Zine. The photographs can also be viewed online at www.WCRSTL.org or www.Facebook.com/WCRStLouis. If you have a great photograph from a WCR event, please send it Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Michelle Silies, WCR-STL Public Relations Chair

The September Business Resource Meeting featured Chris Krehmeyer, Executive Director of Beyond Housing of St. Louis. Beyond Housing is a provider of affordable housing and home ownership services, provides support services to families, children and seniors, acts as catalyst for community-wide rebuilding efforts, empowers residents to be leaders of their own neighborhood revitalization efforts, and promotes individual and community asset building. Mr. Krehmeyer discussed Beyond Housing's general approach as well as specific programs such as:

• 24:1 Initiative
• First-Time Home Buyer Training Program
• Foreclosure Prevention Program
• Rental Program with Support Assistance
• IDA Program

For more information on these programs, please visit: www.BeyondHousing.org.

Program Sponsored by: Patty Clisham/Ductz of West St. Louis

Eight Signs That Tell You It Is Time For Air Duct Cleaning

When it comes to knowing when it's time to have your air ventilation system inspected and cleaned, many people may not be able to recognize the signs of a dirty system. Generally speaking, if you have no memory of the last time your system was cleaned, it's probably been too long. Over 60 million people in North America suffer from some form of allergy, with children and the elderly being most affected by respiratory problems.

Many forms of mold, mildew and other bacteria can easily form in the dirt and dusty pollutants that form within the air ducts of your ventilation system. It's what you can't see that can make you sick.

Some indications that you may have a problem with your air duct system can include:
- The air return grilles in your walls have a black fuzz of dust along the vanes
- A layer of dust returns a few hours after you've dusted your home thoroughly
- The filters in your air system have black dust on them
- Dry and stuffy air throughout your home or office
- Higher than normal utility bills due to poor air flow and dirty HVAC components
- Heat registers on the floor have dirt and dust in them
- Sneezing more frequently, especially after air starts to flow
- More frequent cases of attacks in anyone with asthma in your home or office

If you have done any sort of renovation or demolition work throughout your home, this can also have an effect on the way that your air ventilation and heating system works. The dust that becomes airborne will travel straight through your air duct system and may end up clogging your filter. Even the simple act of painting can stir up a lot of dust that can have an effect on the way that your air system functions.

One of the first things you should do when you buy a new home is to have someone come in and inspect the air ventilation ducts for dust and other airborne contaminants. Because we spend an average of 75% of our lives indoors, the quality of the air we breathe should be of the utmost importance. Dirt, dust, animal dander and other airborne pollutants can have a marked effect on our health and the health of those around us. The EPA has proven that levels of hazardous pollutants inside our homes and offices are sometimes 70 times higher than in the air outside.

Always use a NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) qualified, certified professional to inspect your home or business. DUCTZ Total Care would be happy to assist you with your indoor air quality inspection needs. DUCTZ Total care is a proud member of WCR St. Louis and SLAR. Contact Patty today for an estimate on your duct cleaning needs. 314.631.6700 or www.bit.ly/DuctzSTL

The Metropolitan St. Louis, the St. Charles and the South Central Chapters of the Women's Council of REALTORS and the Missouri Association of REALTORS® hosted a PMN Course entitled "Harnessing the Power - Skills Based Performance Management" on September 27, 2010 at the Plaza Executive Suites in St. Louis, Missouri. Regisrtation Costs for this day-long class was $150.

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

Terry Watson, ABR, ABRM, CIPS, CRB, CRS, GRI, PMN, SRES, is founder and president of Watson World, Inc. Mr. Watson delivers keynote speeches, offers motivational seminars and provides educational training throughout the United States. In addition to being a much sought after instructor, Mr. Watson is an experienced and highly motivated sales professional with practical real estate experience. Mr. Watson is a broker with his family's real estate firm and has hired, training and supervised more that 100 REALTORS®.

Terry Watson has his own unique approach of imparting knowledge the combines an infectious can-do attitude, robust sense of humor, and an uncanny ability to reach and involve all types of learners. This much sought after real estate trainer is sure to offer another useful and memorable seminar. Proof of his effectiveness lies with the fact that many of the current registrants are returning attendees eager to hear more from Mr. Watson.

ABOUT THE COURSE

This course taught how to harness the power of performance management skills to challenge yourself, to manage your time effectively, to build credibility and develop a personal vision. What separates the best from the rest? The best have systems not just for their real estate businesses but for themselves. They have harnessed the power of performance management skills to challenge themselves, to manage their time effectively, to build credibility and develop a personal vision. This course showed how to eliminate the obstacles that conspire to prevent you from getting to that next level in your business and in your life.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Course objectives included:

• Know how to recognize and eliminate self sabotage
  
• Challenge yourself to expect and achieve more in the important areas of your life
  
• Develop a personal vision for your business and other life areas and gain tools for achievement
  
• Understand how to minimize resistance to change and power your performance as a result
  

COURSE OUTLINE

Harnessing the Power Course Outline:

• Challenging Yourself
  
  • A. How the Mind Works Find the ìblind-spotsî that derail our ability to see things or process information clearly.
    
    • 1. Conscious Mind Learn how we create perceptions, form associations, evaluate process and formulate decisions.
      
    • 2. Subconscious Mind Learn how we store and filter information and experiences.
      
    • 3. Creative Subconscious The mind adjusts our perceived ìrealityî to fit our subconscious beliefs.
      
  • B. Self-Sabotage Learn to break the barriers that prevent us from becoming the best we can be, in both our personal and professional lives.
    
  • C. Building New Beliefs Replace old beliefs with new potential.
    
    • 1. Self-talk Cycles Change negative self talk to positive affirmations.
      
    • 2. How to Create Vivid Goals Reaching beyond your grasp and avoiding obstacles.
      
    • 3. Avoiding Obstacles
      
    • 4. Achieving Your Dreams Use a personal ìtoolkitî to measure your progress and reach your goals.
      
• II. Performance Management Produce high levels of quality delivered through organized and efficient systems to provide consistent results.
  
  • A. Creating a Business/personal Plan
    
    • 1. Vision Who do you want to be? What do you want to do?
      
    • 2. Creating a Meaningful Mission Statement Why do you exist?
      
    • 3. Building a Credible Culture How does your team support your vision?
      
    • 4. Putting It All Together
      
• III. Change Management
  
  • A. Effectuating Changes How to effectively introduce change.
    
  • B. Team Buy-In
    
  • C. Challenging the Status Quo
    
  • D. Evaluation Tools Manual and electronic tools for evaluating change.
    
  • E. Gathering the Information Needed
    
  • F. Testing Considerations Learn to troubleshoot your current methods and decide what new elements are needed.
    
  • G. No Progress Without Fear-Create systems and plans for change.
    
  • H. Setback Management What to do when creativity derails.
    
• IV. Time Management
  
  • A. The Focus of a Career in Sales Your success is directly proportionate to your ability to initiate new contacts and generate referrals.
    
  • B. Analyzing your Personality
    
  • C. Organizing your Work Area-Build systems for efficiency.
    
  • D. Review and Recap your Progress Evaluate where you are at and where you need to be.
    
  • E. Productivity Tools Contact management and schedule management software.
    
  • F. How to Avoid ìTime Banditsî Avoid pitfalls that drain our time and energy.
    
  • G. Procrastination Solutions to short-circuit procrastination.
    
• V. Life Management The Ultimate Balancing Act
  
  • A. Re-Setting Your Goals-Are you doing what you want to do? Are you all that you want to be?
  • B. Balance Wheel Time management exercise.
    
  • C. Axioms of Life Management Time management exercise.

ABOUT THE DESIGNATION

The Performance Management Network (PMN) REALTOR® designation is offered by the Women's Council of REALTORS® and focuses on business development skills including negotiation, networking, time management and more. The PMN designation is designed to develop the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep REALTORS®' businesses out front and on top of an ever-evolving market. The PMN's professional performance training courses are taught by recognized experts on topics that are driving the marketplace.

By becoming a PMN Designee, agents show their clients that they are committed to ongoing education and professional excellence, and show their colleagues that they understand and value the importance of a powerful network of business connections.

DESIGNATION REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for receiving the designation include:

• Must be a REALTOR®, REALTOR-Associate® or Association Executive member of the Women's Council of REALTOR® and must complete the WCR PMN Application.
• Must Successfully Complete Three Performance Management Network Courses such as:
  • Effective Negotiating for Real Estate Professionals
    
  • Networking & Referral Systems
    
  • The Business of Your Business: People, Planning, Money & Management
    
  • Harnessing the Power of Skills-Based Performance Management
• Proof of closed referral transactions over a 24 month period totaling 30 points as follows:
  
  • To/from another national WCR member = 10 points each
    
  • To/from a non-WCR REALTOR® = 5 points each
    
  • From a client = 2 points each.

For more information on the PMN Designation, visit www.wcr.org.

Program Underwriten by PrimeLending

SEPTEMBER EPISODE - SALES STRATEGIES WITH JAY PAPASAN

The September episode of WCR Live - The St. Louis Broker Conference Call featured hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank interviewing Jay Papasan, co-author of "The Shift" regarding proven sales strategies to manage changes and conditions in the market. The discussion includef such topics as:

• Master the Moment of the Market - Short Sales, Foreclosures and REOs
• Create Urgency - Overcoming Buyer Reluctance
• Re-Margin Your Business - Managing Expenses
• Find the Motivated - Lead Generation
• Expand the Options - Creative Financing

The show aired Thursday, September 9, 2010, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CST. You can listen to archived shows or receive podcasts by e-mail, RSS feed or iPod download.

THE ARCHIVES

Missed a show? Use the on-demand feature at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WCRLive to listen to past shows including:

• WCR LIVE - PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW This episode is the inaugural show for WCR LIVE - THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL. In this segment, producer Ryan Shaughnessy and hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss the concept for this new show, upcoming guests and more. (January 29, 2010)
• WCR LIVE - WORKING THE PHONES In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss the central importance of the telephone in business development and real estate sales including such topics as telephone communication skills, overcoming the fear of making and taking telephone calls, the difference between warm and cold calling, the need for prompt return calls, using voicemail to your advantage and more. THIS MONTH'S GUEST: DAVE BUEKER, KELLER WILLIAMS ST. LOUIS REALTY. (February 11, 2010)
• WCR LIVE - PORTRAITS IN LEADERSHIP In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss portraits in leadership including such topics as identifying leaders, leadership styles, building your team, delegating tasks, demanding accountability, and more. Guest – 2010 WCR President Elizabeth Robb. (March 11, 2010)
• WCR LIVE - UNDERSTANDING COMMUNICATION STYLES In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss the need for understanding communication styles including such topics making a good first impression, the power of active listening, looking for verbal and non-verbal cues, using the right communication channels and more. THIS MONTH'S GUEST: 2010 WCR PRESIDENT-ELECT CAROLYN MANTIA, RE/MAX RESULTS. (April 8, 2010)
  
• WCR LIVE - DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss how to develop a corporate culture embracing innovation. THIS MONTH'S GUEST: STEVE ROSENBAUM, HOST OF THE HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS SHOW ON THE ESPN RADIO NETWORK. (May 13, 2010)
• WCR LIVE - SELLING SKILLS In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss sales techniques such as qualifying prospects, removing objections, and closing the sale. THIS MONTH'S GUEST: STEVE HOFFAKER, AUTHOR AND NATIONAL LECTURER. (June 10, 2010)
• JULY - NO SHOW
• WCR LIVE - JAY PAPASAN AND "THE SHIFT" In this episode of WCR LIVE-THE ST. LOUIS BROKER CONFERENCE CALL, hosts Michelle Silies and Klaus Bank will discuss proven sales strategies to manage changes and conditions in the market. THIS MONTH'S GUEST: JAY PAPASAN, CO-AUTHOR OF "THE SHIFT." (September 9, 2010)

Show Sponsored by: Insight Title and New Castle Home Loans

J Morris, Acting Vice-President of Membership, coordinated the 2010 Fall Membership Recruitment Drive. The goal was simple - recruit 20 new national WCR members before September 24, 2010. National WCR members are REALTORS and national affiliates who are members of a local real estate association and local real estate association staff.

In connection with the Fall Membership Drive, Ms. Morris announced two incentives:

• The first 13 new national members received a free ticket to the Cards-Pirates game on September 27, 2010. The ticket included a souvenir t-shirt and two hour all-you-can-eat ballpark buffet.
• The current member who recruits the most new national members will receive one year WCR membership renewal.

In addition to these incentives, all new members received a free box advertisement in the WCR Metro St. Louis E-Zine. The 2010 Fall Membership Recruitment Drive culminated in the WCR Night at the Ballpark on September 27, 2010, where new members and current members had the opportunity to network and current members shared their experiences with new members as the St. Louis Cardinals took on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Need a few reasons to join? Here are just a few...

• Leadership Training and Opportunities
• Mentoring
• Networking Opportunities
• Educational Programs
• Performance Management Network Designation
• Personal and Professional Growth
• Member Discounts

WCR Night at the Ballpark Sponsored by:

• Cardinal Sponsors: Arenz Pest Control, Assured Title, BPG Home Warranty, First American Title, St. Louis Association of REALTORS, and USA Mortgage
  
• Pirate Sponsors: BPG Home Warranty, Cardinal Surveying, Continental Title, INhance IT Home Staging, Investors Title, Liberty Mutual, PREA Signature Realty, Prime Lending and RE/MAX Results.

The 2010 WCR Expo & Fashion Show entitled "A Passion for Fashion" is set for November 10, 2010, starting at 4 p.m. at the Westport Sheraton Chalet. The 2010 WCR Expo & Fashion Show will feature:

• Exciting Vendor Expo with over 40 National and Local Exhibitors ranging from Real Estate Tech Solutions to Home Decor Items to Clothing and Personal Items

• Fabulous Silent Auction including Day Trips from St. Louis to Sports and Event Tickets and Much More

• Stunning Fashion Show with 40+ Model Showing Off the Lastest Fashions Provided by Macy's Mid-Rivers

• Complimentary Drink Tickets Provided Courtesy of Continental Title Company

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE...

Last year, this event sold-out with over 300 in attendance so get your tickets early. There are two ticket packages:

• $40 per person for the Dinner and Fashion Show

• $600 per Brokerage Table which includes 10 Dinner Tickets plus a Celebrity Broker Model

EXPO AND BOOTH PACKAGE AND MODEL SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE NOW

For more information, contact:

• Bob Sargent, 2010 WCR Ways & Means Chair, for Expo and Booth Packages - BSargent@USA-Mortgage.com

• Liz Connolly, 2010 WCR Fashion Show Chair, for Model Sponsorships - Liz@InHanceITStaging.com

or download event registration or other forms at: http://www.box.net/shared/hflexdgjh8

2010 WCR Expo & Fashion Show Sponsored by INHance IT! Moving Forward, USA Mortgage, Buyers Protection Group - Home Warrant & Inspection and First American Title

Our next networking and fundraising event is the 2010 WCR Expo & Fashion Show entitled "Passion for Fashion" to be held on November 10, 2010, at the Sheraton Westport Chalet where local real estate professionals will model clothing generously provided by Macy's-St. Peters and will collect gently used business clothing for Dress for Success. Dress for Success is a local charitable organization dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools.

The 2010 Expo & Fashion Show will include:

• Vendor Expo
• Business Networking Reception with Free Drink Tickets
• 3-Course Dinner with Cash Bar
• Fashion Show Featuring Celebrities and Local Real Estate Professionals as Models
• Silent Auction Highlighting Local Businesses and their Products and Services.

In today's real estate market, our members do not just sell homes-our members also sell the communities in which they work, live and play. In doing so, our members are proud to promote local businesses. Now, we are calling upon the generosity of our business partners in our local communities to support the Women's Council of REALTORS® by donating an item for the silent auction.

Here are some of the reasons to donate an item for the silent auction:

• Support the professional development programs offered by the Women's Council of REALTORS®.
• Gain recognition as a WCR supporter and expose your business product or service to the more than 400 real estate professionals attending the event.
• Receive recognition in the printed silent auction program, be highlighted and acknowledged through announcements throughout the event, and be recognized in printed materials advertising the event.
• Silent auction items donated may be deductible as a business or advertising expense. Consult your tax advisor for more information.

Here are some suggestions for items to donate:

• Wine, Wine Baskets and Wine Accessories
• Gourmet Food Baskets
• Local Neighborhood Gift Baskets
• Event, Music, Sports and Other Tickets
• Fitness and Other Memberships
• Restaurant and Other Gift Certificates
• Spa and Other Service Packages
• Travel - Lodging and More
• Day Trips and Other Group Outings
• Catered Events and More
• Sport Memorabilia and Other Collectibles
• Designer Purses, Jewelry and Accessories

In addition to donating an item for the silent auction, we would also invite you to attend the event, purchase an Expo booth at the event, or support the event by collecting used business attire for donation to Dress of Success.

If you are interested in donating an item for the silent auction, contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or via e-mail at Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.