By Todd Carpenter, Social Media Manager, National Association of REALTORS®
I sought the Social Media Manager position at NAR because it was an opportunity to shepherd changes in communication for one of the largest, most powerful, and established influencing machines. I tried to keep an open mind, but I admit to a preconceived notion that I would be largely alone as a force of change within the association. Turns out I was wrong.
There are staff members pushing for change in community, public, and government affairs. There are staff harnessing technology to revolutionize everything from the way the magazine is published to how our conferences are experienced. However, no one is changing the game more than NAR CEO Dale Stinton.
When I was hired, Dale told me to be the exact same guy on Twitter that I had always been. “Don’t let NAR change you,” he said. Dale gave everyone who attended RE BarCamp Chicago the chance to ask him ANY question they could think of. He answered them all. Dale helped put dozens of social media-savvy REALTORS® on virtually every national committee. He’s been the driving force in launching RPR, the REALTORS® Federal Credit Union, Right Tools Right Now, and now the Game Changers program.
Last week, Brian Boero at 1000 Watt Consulting wrote a great post about one of NAR’s Game Changer-funded programs being developed by the Houston Association of REALTORS®. HAR is planning to give Houston home buyers an unprecedented level of data about its members, including how many transactions they’re performing. HAR already provides an opt-in consumer review program as well.
Are consumer reviews the future? Is broadcasting the number of transactions every agent completes a good idea? How can anyone know without trying? That’s really the inspiration behind Game Changers, to encourage associations to stick their necks out and try something new.
There’s been a considerable amount of dialog about raising the level of professionalism among REALTORS® lately. There are calls for mandatory training and/or minimum levels of business transacted. NAR’s leadership wants to raise the bar as well. The Game Changers program is just one step toward accomplishing that. Meanwhile, ask yourself how you can be a game changer in your own business. Calls for the industry to raise the bar are needed and welcome, but it starts with you. Are you a game changer?
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by tcar: My thoughts on #NAR and #RTB http://bit.ly/ciffiP...
Some great concepts have come out of the Game Changer funded programs that I believe have given the local associations the incentive and encouragment to move forward on programs that in the past have been out of the box for the REALTOR® Association in a variety of areas most especially at the local level. Many of these new programs will create greater public awareness of REALTORS® and what they do for their clients and the communities in which they serve.
What HAR is doing has intrigued me. The “Heroes Welcome Home” program that C.A.R., MoRE, RANWC and NSBAR touches another level of value.
I look forward to learn about more “Game Changes” happening around the country and seeing them implemented locally.
It is these fresh ideas coming from within the REALTOR® Association in an ever changing industry that will help Raise the Bar.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Carpenter, REALTOR® Magazine, YPN, Robert (Bob) Watson, ericaramus and others. ericaramus said: RT @tcar: My thoughts on #NAR and #RTB http://bit.ly/ciffiP [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Carpenter, REALTOR® Magazine, Maya Paveza, YPN, Mike Bowler Sr and others. Mike Bowler Sr said: RT @tcar: My thoughts on #NAR and #RTB http://bit.ly/ciffiP (Sounds like solutions to me, that beats just tearing things down) [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Carpenter, BHGrealestate, REALTOR® Magazine, Maya Paveza, YPN and others. YPN said: Raising the Bar By Changing the Game http://bit.ly/aGlkSZ [...]
[...] ) Raising the Bar By Changing the Game – It is good to hear that the NAR is very much behind what Houston is doing with their agent [...]
Two Programs which we feel are changing the game for our association members.
The NWLAR Board of Directors recently approved the NWLAR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM!! Children and Grandchildren of NWLAR REALTOR® members may apply if they are graduating high school seniors. We ask that the student complete an scholarship application and write an essay on a real estate related subject. The committee will award two $500 scholarships. Winners will be announced May 21st, 2010.
Also, we are announcing our Cookbook Fundraiser for “Home is Where the Heart Is.” The mission of this foundation is to help REALTOR members who have had a catastrophic event and may find themselves in need. The committee is asking everyone to send in their favorite recipes. We hope to have the cookbooks for sale this fall. I promise you will want to be included!!
2010 President Northwest Louisiana Association of REALTORS