Archive for August, 2010

My team has been involved with the important initiative known as .MLS (pronounced “DotMLS”).   .MLS is an exclusive address on the internet for MLSs.  It will be managed by the MLS Domains Association, a non-profit association. Only genuine MLSs will be able to join the association and claim .MLS domain names.  It’s a way for MLSs to Take Back the term ‘MLS’ on the internet. Visit the About Page on mlsdomains.org to see the 40 MLSs that have already joined the association and the domain names claimed so far.  These leaders represent... [Read more]

In the last article, we talked about the need for organizations to identify who they really are and to develop a business model. Again, Focus Forward sees this as an important component of an organization’s survival strategy in a rapidly shifting world. Too often, Realtor associations are unclear about who they are and what they do. They adopt mission statements that sound a lot like every other Realtor organization, containing phrases like ‘protect private property rights’ and ‘high ethical standards’. A clear mission statement should be memorable and compelling,... [Read more]

ZD Scribd iPaper var zdscribdvar_432_1 = scribd.Document.getDoc(35515595, 'key-xsn0fqvfvsryoxx8xsf') zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('jsapi_version', 1); zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('height', 500); zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('width', 590); zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('disable_related_docs', true); zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('mode', 'list'); zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('auto_size', true); zdscribdvar_432_1.addParam('page', 1); zdscribdvar_432_1.write('zdscribdid_432_1');  Read More →

The first step in any association or MLS strategic planning process is to develop a clear picture of the organizational identity of the group.  This is not an easy process: just as when we first meet a new person in our lives, forming a clear image is a multi-step process. The first step is in the initial impression.  It’s superficial, of course, and based on appearance, speech, and mannerisms.  Often these impressions are significant clues to a deeper understanding, but more often than not, we find ourselves misled in our first analysis: the quiet person is really... [Read more]

Focus Forward welcomes you to the first in a series of blog posts on strategic planning for real estate associations and Multiple Listing Services (MLSs).  Weekly posts are aimed at assisting you, the leaders of real estate organizations, including staff and volunteer leadership. We work with the leaders of real estate associations and MLSs, who are at risk due to the “big shift” taking place in the industry and we show them how to create their own blueprint for a thriving MLS business by being of much greater service to their members and consumers. Kevin... [Read more]