It is just before 7am as I write this.
Our large office is dark and quiet this time of day, waiting another couple of hours before truly springing to life. But I am not alone. Seems there is always at least one of our 110 agents here getting some business done. That’s a good thing. But I really do enjoy this quiet time to reflect and plan. And write.
I have been trading e-mails since last night with someone coming to BHBU. She is not the first. Another attendee contacted me with his “homework” questions a few days ago. I think I caught her off guard by offering a small modicum of blog help before we get together in Phoenix next week.
As I sit here this morning, I thought it might be good for me to share with you why I am taking the time off and coming to BHBU. The guy who built our brokerage calls it sharing ideas. Harrell explains it this way. “If I have a dollar and you have a dollar and we give our dollars to each other, then we each still only have a dollar. If we do that with ideas, we each then have two.” (Addendum: It is often far more than two because of the stimulated thoughts from the original ideas) He is far from a typical broker and this is far from a typical brokerage. Harrell Tague is THE reason for that.
Greg refers to the synergy of shared genius as a scenius.
Call it whatever you will, I see it as a true principle. It has worked for me every time it has been implemented.
That’s why I have taken the time last year to go to the RealEstateWebmasters conference. And BHB Orlando. And now BHBU and soon to RealEstateWebmasters2009 and HomeGain Nation live.
The pay I get for these conferences is the synergy of shared genius (scenius) plus relationships with each of the people involved. The ideas and relationships that come from that are huge. It’s the kind of compensation that could keep one of our 110 agents in business when they might otherwise fold. It is the kind of compensation that can help us attract the BEST agents to hang out with us here at RE/MAX Properties East and open a huge shared can of Whoop-Ass on an otherwise tough market. (Our market share is growing despite the times.) That doesn’t stop with a close knit group of friends. It doesn’t contain itself inside the walls of a brokerage. And it sure as heck does not reside in the NAR / Vendor echo chamber.
So I guess what I am saying is this. I have discovered and continue to re-discover the power of being part of a scenius. If you are one of those who think “I don’t have much to offer. I am just coming here (to BHBU) to learn.” Let me suggest that there is huge power in sharing ideas and staying up til 0 dark 30 working on your marketing plan…and on whoever else’s marketing plan who is up that late or early with you as well.
I plan on Bringing it. And Sharing it. And I am looking forward to meeting each of you and learning from you as well.
Please Bring it. And Share it.
Gotta run. Time to get busy…there’s some cats that need skinning here today…(grin)
Teri Lussier says:
Beautiful Eric. What a great way to start the morning!
>If you are one of those who think “I don’t have much to offer. I am just coming here (to BHBU) to learn.”
Guilty. But if you are also one of those, please don’t think twice about it- the Bloodhounds have never kicked me out for being the dumbest one in the room. They can speak for themselves, but from my POV, I believe the old adage about learning the most when you teach is something that each of these folks has instinctively internalized. They sharpen their own skills by explaining “stuff” to the rest of us.
April 16, 2009 — 5:16 am
Greg Swann says:
> They sharpen their own skills by explaining “stuff” to the rest of us.
Writing is thinking. When you codify your thoughts in words, that’s when you yourself can understand them best. The human mind is a thrilling wilderness, vast and uncharted. Discursive prose is the map.
April 16, 2009 — 6:13 am
Kevin Sandridge says:
Cat Skinning again! You guys are going to have PETA on your tails!
Eric – folks are in for a treat as you impart your wisdom and experience at Unchained.
LOL – Teri – you hardly qualify as “the dumbest!” It was a real pleasure meeting you, Eric, and the rest of the gang in Orlando. Just sorry to have to miss the Phoenix Event. Maybe one day I’ll get my act together enough to be able to relay some thoughts at Unchained. Until then, I’ll keep tail wagging!
April 16, 2009 — 6:10 am
Greg Swann says:
This is a gorgeous post, Eric. You have a beautiful spirit, and it shines through here.
April 16, 2009 — 6:19 am
Eric Blackwell says:
@Teri- Exactly. And Kevin is 100% right about you!
@Kevin- Thanks (errrr..awww shucks)It is too bad you won’t be there! We will miss you, but it was very fun meeting you as well.
@Greg-Thank you sir. You are correct about the map. Some days I need a GPS to keep up with your extensive vocabulary (grin), but I continue to learn every time I look something up!
Best;
Eric
April 16, 2009 — 6:36 am
Sean Purcell says:
I love your analogy Eric, although first-timers to BHBU and especially to Mr. Blackwell might find the math below more accurate:
I show up with one idea and Eric shows up with five ideas and when we put our minds together I am much the richer for having met him.
April 16, 2009 — 8:57 am
Ryan Hartman says:
True Sean… unbelievable how much Eric did for me in one quick phone call a month or so ago….
Looking forward to meeting all of you, but landing in the same city as EricOnSearch for a few days is especially exciting for yours truly…
April 16, 2009 — 11:59 am
Brad Coy says:
– Eric
I’m thrilled to be a part of this opportunity and looking very much forward to meeting you.
Tired from that day, but resting up to bring it and share it…
Brad
April 16, 2009 — 5:23 pm
Joe says:
Colleen and I are attending this BHBU event and looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to seeing you and others Eric, so relationships is plus for this event. Someone sent a questionnaire email to Colleen and I and one of the questions was “Do we have a blog?” Hmm, I would assume anyone going to one of these events would have at least that! lol
April 17, 2009 — 9:49 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
Hey Joe!
It will be great to finally meet you in person after years of phone / email! I did not realize that you and Colleen were coming!
About the blog. We are going to help people at every level. There are many who are just starting out and part of building an online presence during a conference is making sure that everybody has what they need.
Having a good stand alone WordPress blog is a great way to do that. I am creating those for any conference attendees that need them (no charge). There are more folks that you might beleive who have their website on a brokerage or franchise server and it is largely controlled by them.
We want them to be able to OWN their web presence vs RENTING it. We also want to teach them how to use rented web presences to further achieve their goals.
Really looking forward to meeting you and Colleen!
April 18, 2009 — 6:19 am
Brian Kinkade says:
Hi Eric,
I am looking forward to “Bringing it and Sharing it” and to seeing you again.
As a wise man and friend once said, “It’s much about the relationships and paying it forward.”, this has proven to be so very true, thanks Eric, my wise friend.
I’m looking forward to meeting and making many new friends at this, my first, BHBU event. Let the synergy of scenius begin.
April 18, 2009 — 5:00 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
Hey Brian!
Back at ya! I am really glad you are coming and looking forward to hanging out (errr…WORKING)..(grin).
You did a GREAT job on CherryCreekToday.com. It has turned into my primary example of how agents can use a blog to connect with their communities and local businesses. (Here’s to you turning that into a powerhouse in 2009!)
Keep pounding it, my friend. See ya soon!
Eric
April 18, 2009 — 5:42 pm
Sharon Simms says:
Eric – I truly understand about learning as well as teaching. When Tami and I teach the CLHMS designation classes (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist)we are ALWAYS learning something from the attendees, as well as nurturing relationships. Ever since Orlando I’ve been excited about the almost-here experience in Phoenix.
April 26, 2009 — 11:25 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Hey Sharon-
Looking forward to meeting you! One thing I need. I am just now getting to your blog and the domain is still pointing to ssims… Can you help me with that?
Shoot me an email if you need specifics!
best;
Eric
April 26, 2009 — 2:24 pm