As part of our current ongoing “expansion”, for the last few days I have been trying to cobble together something that resembles a real estate company policy manual.
I am going to post a few of my policy manual paragraphs here, in the hopes that my Bloodhound friends might suggest revisions or additional thoughts.
The issues addressed by these paragraphs aren’t exactly the sort found in sample policy manuals, so I’m kinda sorta winging it here:
Social Media
Salespeople and staff members are encouraged to create profiles and participate in conversations on social media sites such as Active Rain, Trulia, Zillow, LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, RealSeekr, MyAgentBook, and others.
You are also encouraged to post frequently on the Company blog at www.bobtaylorproperties.com, and will be given a password and login. (Aside: I hope to make this work for the new folks as a “sandbox” site.)
Listings
In the interest of providing seller clients with a consistent experience, for each listing the Company will provide the following services at the Company’s expense:
- The Company will create a single property web site with a .info domain name. That will leave the .com domain name available if you wish to create your own additional web site for the property.
- The Company will create and install a unique custom sign for each listing.
- The Company will create and print color flyers on standard paper stock. You are responsible for attaching a flyer box to the listing sign, and maintaining a supply of flyers at the property. You are encouraged to create additional flyers of your own design.
- The Company will generate weekly postings on Craigslist.
So, would you guys write this stuff differently? What other things would you address? Thanks!
Bob says:
HUD and RESPA compliance, especially with regard to online content on company sites.
November 2, 2008 — 3:15 pm
Cheryl Johnson says:
Excellent point, Bob!
Let’s see if I can expand on it for my policy manual, and give it a positive spin in the process (so as not to discourage new bloggers).
“Your posts do not need to be confined to real estate topics. You are encouraged to write about movies, books, restaurants, local events, or your child’s school or sport activities.
Political discussion is also encouraged as long as you are careful to be respectful of other people’s opinions and feelings.
As in any discussion or interaction with consumers, you must take care to comply with all Fair Housing, HUD and RESPA regulations.
Any post on the Company blog which condones cruelty to, or mistreatment of, animals will be immediately deleted, and your login will be canceled.”
November 2, 2008 — 4:26 pm
Steve Jagger says:
I suggest writing your policy manual in a wiki. No paper, no binders. We moved our policy and procedures into a wiki about a year or so ago and it has been awesome. So easy to update and add to and easy to reference.
I hope that helps.
Steve
November 2, 2008 — 7:15 pm
Bob says:
Love the wiki idea.
November 2, 2008 — 9:51 pm
Cheryl Johnson says:
I was planning to put it online … but hadn’t thought of using a wiki format. I do like that idea.
November 3, 2008 — 3:27 am
Cheryl Johnson says:
Also an online format can contain hyperlinks to more detailed information. For instance the section encouraging posting on the company blog can contain links to pages with screen shots explaining exactly how to login, how to insert images, etc., etc.
November 3, 2008 — 5:15 am
Matt Fox, AZ Insurance Guy says:
As an insurance agent that sells liability and E&O insurance I look at this a little differently. I would tell them what they can’t do in social media. Make sure they aren’t personally attacking other Realtors, neighbors, buyers or sellers. As the broker you can be held liable for personal injury, defamation of character, slander, etc. of your Realtors.
Also, I like the online idea. I use WordPress for our procedure manual and created a theme that pulls the data based on categories. However, I like the Wiki idea, that’s great and easy to set up.
November 3, 2008 — 6:36 am
Eric Blackwell says:
@Steve- LOVE the wiki idea…we moved our office newsletter to an online blog and that worked AWESOME. Doing a wiki for policies and procedures would seem like a natural extension.
Great idea IMO
Best;
Eric
November 3, 2008 — 8:08 am
Bob says:
Matt brings up excellent points about liability.
November 3, 2008 — 1:29 pm
Bob says:
Here is one resouce:
http://onlineliabilityblog.com/
November 3, 2008 — 5:11 pm
Cheryl Johnson says:
And while on the subject of Wikis …. Can anyone suggest a Wiki host (if “host” is the proper term)?
I see
http://pbwiki.com/
http://www.wikispaces.com/
http://wikispot.org/About_Wiki_Spot
And many others.
For an online policy manual, I suspose I want password protection … what else do I want?
Thanks!
November 4, 2008 — 6:33 am
Bob says:
http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki
A few years into my real estate career I was in an office meeting where the manager was addressing the issue of an office policy manual raised by a few agents.
He went to a blackboard and wrote in big letters, “DO WHAT’S RIGHT”, then turned to the agents and stated, “If anyone needs further clarification, leave.”
That was the best group of agents I have worked with in my almost 20 years.
November 4, 2008 — 8:47 am