Special offer

Armonk, NY Real Estate News

By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
  “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—      I took the one less traveled by,        And that has made all the difference”  Robert Frost     As a business coach I am always proud of my clients as they achieve their goals and have success.   The success always comes when the client gets out of his or her comfort zone.  I have written about this before on my website blog and here on Active Rain.  Today, I want to share my pride in the actions and achievement of one of my daughters.  Of course I know that I am prejudiced but I am happy to have two daughters that are achievers.  My younger daughter is a Millennial who is building her professional career in New York.  She realizes that there are risks and rewards when making her career decisions. So here is her story.  She has goals for her ...
Comments 18
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Why did you become an entrepreneur?  Many say they want the freedom.  There is a great upside to being in your own business.  You have the opportunity to succeed big but you also have the chance to fail.  That is why an entrepreneur takes risks.  You have to risk failure to get success.  And that is what many great entrepreneurs have in common. For example, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs has business failures.  However, they got up, learned from their failures and went on to create successful companies employing thousands. Last week I and three of my colleagues had an opportunity to share lessons learned so that the business owners in attendance could learn from others. I will share answers to four of the questions. Q. When you develop a business plan why do fail to...
Comments 15
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Sometimes a very big obstacle stands in the way of our ability to reach our goals.  The obstacle is not something external.  Instead it concerns the way we think.  In particular, it could be a behavior called procrastination. Procrastination is something that we all have to confront and deal with from time to time. It's only natural to procrastinate at times, but the way we deal with our procrastination patterns will determine what effects procrastination has on our life.  Sometime we make the excuse that we need better time management but time management is usually not a time management issue.  It is usually a behavior problem. Although we plan our action steps toward achieving a goal procrastination gets in the way and stops us from succeeding. When you procrastinate you simply fail t...
Comments 16
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
As some of you may know from a previous post I have been working with a social media strategist.  Together we are helping businesses use social media to get better results.  We had done an introductory session using Google Hangouts.  Some of you may have used them.  It is a great platform, and of course, has great Google juice.  But then my partner found an even better solution, a webinar software platform called Webinar Jam. This software has much more functionality than Go To Webinar.  Not only that but Go To Webinar can cost as much as $499 per month.  This product currently has a small annual fee.  As of this blog they are even running a special price. Webinar Jam works on top of Google Hangouts but you do not have to go to Google Hangouts to set it up.  It is completely self-contai...
Comments 24
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Some people are proud of the fact that they are always in control and will proudly state that they are a control freak.  They brag about the fact that nothing gets past them.  Sounds like a dependable person and one that always gets the job done.  Yes, that is usually the case when they are working by themselves.  However, once a business owner, or a broker brings on other people as employees or agents being a control freak can turn from a strength to an obstacle.   Let’s consider this scenario. A person has talent in home repairs. He does great work and he has loyal customers. He begins to get busy to the point that he cannot do all the work himself so he hires others. Bear in mind that he has developed a quality brand based on his individual work. In this scenario it is only natural t...
Comments 57
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
 This is the guiding vision of Performance Development Strategies.We help small to mid-size businesses create better results in their business.  Those results are defined by the owners of the business.  We do not come in as professed experts who think we know more the business than the owner does, ready to give advice on what the owner is supposedly doing wrong.  Instead, we believe that the answers lie inside all of the people in the business.  We put the process in place to make everyone more results focused. We believe in the abilities of our client and are passionate about their success.  These are the ideals we live by:   We live by the golden rule.  We treat others as we wish to be treated. We follow all laws and ethical guidelines for our profession; we expect the same from our a...
Comments 13
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Have you noticed that people react negatively to sales pressure?  The old paradigm of "Always be Closing" has changed to "Attunement Buoyancy Clarity" according to Dan Pink in his book, "To Sell Is Human."  Instead of concentrating on the close and getting the signature on the dotted line try these 7 ideas next time: 1. Don’t use a sales pitch but instead start a conversation. When you call someone, avoid making a mini-presentation about yourself, your company, and what you have to offer. Start with an opening conversational phrase that focuses on a specific problem that your product or service solves 2. Your central goal is always to discover whether you and your potential client are a good fit. Let go of trying to “close the sale” or “get the appointment.” If you simply focus your con...
Comments 73
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
As a certified coach I help businesses get better results.  Today business and sales people are trying to make sense out of social media.    Join me tonight at 7pm Eastern time along with Kyle McMurry, a social media strategist and get answers to questions below:   Webinar link Here   Where do I get Started? Too Much to Learn I don't understand the Tech Which platform do I use Does Social Media even work for my business Do you fell left behind by SM? Confused about what to say and where to say it This takes too much time I still believe in face to face I get all my business from referrals I am afraid of revealing my network on social media I don’t want to reveal personal details to get business I don’t need help on social media I will just outsource for a great price  Have you ever paid...
Comments 6
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
If you have ever struggled with training new office staff or getting agents on board you are certainly not alone.  I have heard brokers say that the struggle with getting office on board and talk about lack of follow through or understanding on the part of others.  How is it in your agency?  Is everyone on the same page?  Most if not all business failures have this problem in common. If you are having growth problems in your agency it might be traceable to this cause. Here is a quick checkup. Ask everyone on your team, “What are the top three goals of our group”? If you receive exactly the same 3 answers from ALL of the team, Congratulations! However, if you receive more than 3 answers, this may indicate the following symptoms: Poor Communication Loss of Customers Office turnover or une...
Comments 43
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
An informed electorate makes for a healthy democracy.  But it is just as important to make sure that our elected officials at all levels understand the needs of their constituents.  That is true at all levels of government. What about the business community?  It is important for legislators to understand how laws affect business and industry as well as jobs.  Many industries have their advocacy groups to educate local, state, and federal legislation.  The Business Council of Westchester represents all business in Westchester, NY. Yesterday, the Business Council of Westchester’s Government Action group traveled to our state capital in Albany, NY.  We met with legislators of both parties and presented our positions on legislation that will help growth in the Hudson Valley of New York. It ...
Comments 0
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Spaced repetition really works.  To prove it let me ask what do you think about when you hear, “I’m Loving It.”  Or what do you think when you hear, “Just do it.” You probably think of McDonalds and Nike.  The reason for this is that over a period of time you have heard commercials on TV and radio that continually mention the taglines of McDonalds and Nike.  These companies used spaced repetition to plant their tagline in your mind. Do you remember how your learned your multiplication tables?  Or how did you memorize that poem when you were in grade school?  That was also spaced repetition. Spaced repetition is the most effective and powerful way we learn. So how are you incorporating spaced repetition into your learning process, and what about your process with other staff or junior as...
Comments 18
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I rely on my contact list and my calendar to run my business.  Microsoft Outlook is my choice but when I am out, which is most of the time, I use my hand held iPhone and iPad and sync it all in the evening.  When I find that my devices won’t sync I have a major problem. Last night for some reason iTunes was hung up and was not syncing.  I searched for answers online and tried some of the things readers posted but nothing worked.  I found that Apple has a call in number and I scheduled a call first thing this morning.  Here is what I learned. If you have problems with syncing of any kind it is best to uninstall iTunes and re-install it.  Don’t worry you will not lose your songs or your data.  However, there is a step by step procedure.  Here it is on Windows.  I don’t know about how to d...
Comments 11
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
People are always looking for that silver bullet.  So it is natural that many approach social media as the latest fad to jump their business. I seem to hear people say "cool new..." many times. Social media can fun and cool and you can use it for that purpose.  However, if you want to use this as a business tool you will want to set up a plan and be consistent in following the plan. How do major advertisers get you to remember their product?  Answer, Spaced Repetition.  How many of you think of Nike when you hear "just do it!" You get the point. Today businesses and professionals use social media that same way they used to use the Yellow Pages, the newspaper, magazines, and flyers. How did those businesses decide where to put their marketing dollars? To begin with, they analyzed their m...
Comments 33
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
In the last two years I have set up a social media strategy that works for my business.   I have learn from successful businesses include many here on Active Rain.  Here is a combination that has worked for me.  My clients are Business to Business rather than consumer.  However, I see many crossovers from realtors and contractors. I do blogging on my own web site as well as on Active Rain.   The biggest take away for me coming from the AR blogging webinars is “Long Tail Keywords” and “Hyper Local”.  I apply this to my blog and also to my web site. Linked In is the social media that has the most effect on my referrals.  It is the top referrer on my web site according to Google analytics but Active Rain is up there.  I forward my blogs to relevant Linked In groups and next to Active Rain ...
Comments 17
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Do you have the leadership skills to build a cohesive team?  Would you agree that your organization is only as good as your people? Therefore you select the best people. After you have selected them your challenge as a leader is to keep them engaged and producing results. Engaged team members will lead to loyal customers and loyal customers will lead to a sustainable business. In our business climate it is not enough to be good, you must exceed customers’ expectations. That is not going to happen if you have a lot of highly qualified but individual performers. You need cohesive and effective teams to make it happen, not people in individual silos. Everyone has different talents and it is important to leverage those talents. The power of your team is only as effective as your weakest lin...
Comments 7
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
      “…Unwarmed by any sunset light The gray day darkened into night, A night made hoary with the swarm And whirl-dance of the blinding storm,…” John Greenleaf Whittier - 1866   Today, we have yet another snow storm.  But we are not finished.  We have more storms forecast for later in the week or early next week.  For some reason I started to think about the poem that we had to study in high school English, “Snowbound”, by John Greenleaf Whittier.  The author talks about a New England snow storm and what people did in the 19th century when they were snow bound. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your outlook, we do not live in those simpler times.  For example, I had a large seminar scheduled for today.  So beginning yesterday I had to secure an alternate date.  Then I had to c...
Comments 12
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Creating high performing teams requires more motivation and inspiration than it requires assigning blame. In order to have a high performing team you need to look in the mirror and ask, “Am I a person who inspires and encourages others?”   What type of leader are you? Have you ever asked others?  If not, try asking the people around you to give you some guidance. And if you have employees or you are a broker with agents make sure you ask them to give you some feedback on your leadership.   Take a risk and and ask them what they feel is your biggest leadership challenge and what you can do to improve it. Asking others for their opinions conveys respect, shows that you value their feedback and increases your credibility as a leader. Remember that you have to be open to receiving feedback ...
Comments 17
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
    While everyone is talking about this frigid weather is anyone thinking about hurricane season?  Here in Armonk, NY, the snow is on the ground and the temperature is no higher than 10 degrees.  All over town workers have been cutting down trees that might interfere with power lines.  But that is not all.  Most of the utility poles are being replaced and rewired. These workers are braving the cold to work on the power lines.  But they are not restoring power.  Everyone has power.  They are preparing for the next hurricane. You have heard a banker tell you that you should apply for a loan when you don’t need it.  Well our town is fixing the aging power lines before we have another hurricane and lose power.  Like many of us who purchased backup generators after Hurricane Sandy, the town...
Comments 6
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
When one of your valued associates quits and goes somewhere else do you wonder why?  Was it because you did not pay them enough, give enough commission, or commission split?  Maybe, but more likely there were other things that caused it.  Learning to identify those other things will create a productive group of associates.  Get it wrong and you will continue to tread water always trying to catch up. But if you get it right you have stability and the building blocks for business growth. So why do so many associates and employees leave, or worse, why do they stay and become a drag on the organization? Here is a sobering fact. Employees do not leave organizations, they leave supervisors. While factors such as compensation are undeniably important, people who are truly engaged with their or...
Comments 57
By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Have you wondered why some people say they have had great business success while working with a business coach?  First of all, here is some information on what coaching is and what it is not. You should read this before you decide whether coaching is right for you? Coaching relationships vary considerably. There are life coaches, sports coaches, health coaches, as well as business coaches. Here is some information on the nature of coaching, its benefits, and how it varies from other type of consulting. Many times people confuse coaches with traditional consultants.  They might ask a coach for advice. However, a coach’s role is not to provide answers or solutions. Instead a coach helps the client develop their own potential. If you have ever been motivated to act or energized by way of c...
Comments 6