We understand that consumer and member expectations are constantly increasing and that’s why Focus Forward and the Loyalty Research Center have joined forces to offer this timely and unique solution that will ensure REALTOR® Associations benefit through quicker results and improvements that can be measured. What could be more important in this economy and highly competitive real estate market?

Since 1997, the Loyalty Research Center has worked with REALTOR® Associations to improve performance and strengthen member relationships. LRC designs REALTOR® Association research studies that determine REALTOR® loyalty and identifies the problems and issues that can undermine loyalty and satisfaction

Kevin McQueen, President of Focus Forward, provides professional consulting services to Associations, MLSs, Vendors and Brokerages. He brings more than 28 years of hands-on leadership experience as an MLS vendor, CEO of the largest regional MLS in Michigan (Realcomp), President and CEO of a software firm and as a trusted industry advisor & independent management consultant to more than 300 organizations.

Kevin McQueen and the Loyalty Research Center look forward to working together with you and other REALTOR® Associations to improve association performance, reduce member losses and grow by knowing more about what your members want and need to succeed.

Watch for our upcoming announcement about the National REALTOR® Association Benchmark Study to show you how you stack up with others.

Please contact either of us to discuss your questions and your needs. It doesn’t cost anything to talk.

Kevin McQueen   kevin@kevinmcqueen.com (248) 374-1045

Andy Keene   akeene@loyaltyresearch.com (317) 466-5043

1.  How can we reduce our operating expenses by working together?

2.  How well do our current services meet our customers’ business needs?

3.  How do our services compare with others in our market and across the country?

4.  What should we do to help our brokers and agents keep up with consumer demands and remain relevant?

And the most important question:

What is keeping you from answering these 4 questions?

The most frequent responses include:  not enough time, the politics,  our market is unique, the cost of the assessment, we don’t have overlapping market disorder, too many other priorities right now and our neighboring Associations / MLSs don’t want to work together.

A better answer to the last question might be  “a thorough and objective assessment of our market”. That’s precisely what the Effective MLS Market Solution program (EMMS) was created to do. What could be more important than answering these questions right now?  Ask your leadership or your brokers what they think and let us know since we are very interested in your input at this time.

It’s time for a fresh new approach to support the efforts of progressive MLSs’ that seek out the best ways to help their MLS customers serve consumers more effectively.

With EMMS, you will know:

-  The opportunities for improved service and decreased costs by working together

-  What your brokers value

-  Governance and technology solutions that closely align with your brokers’ business needs

-  A plan outline for how to proceed, if you choose to

If you are interested in learning more about participation requirements,  contact Brian Larson at blarson@larsonsobotka.com  (612) 424-8661 or Kevin McQueen at kevin@kevinmcqueen.com  (248) 374-1045.  NAR is sponsoring our professional fees and all you pay for is a portion of the travel costs. There are a limited number of programs available.

Kevin will be in Quebec City for AEI this weekend if you would like to discuss this in person one on one or with some of your neighboring Association / MLS Execs.  Call (248) 374-1045 to schedule some time to talk and answer your questions.

Here is the EMMS 2-page overview for a quick read

Kevin McQueen presented some of his most current views on the future of MLS at the recent NYSAR Business meetings, held in Albany New York.   He built on one of the themes from Inman Connect NYC — Real-time Everything.   View Kevin’s presentation on this and other topics about the future of MLS including data standards, RPR, the new Cloud CMA and long-term strategic planning is dead as we know it.

Want some ideas on what to do next?   Call Kevin at (248) 374-1045 and let’s take a fresh look into your future together.

As a result  of their  Game Changer Initiative, the 4,100 members of the Montana Association of REALTORS^® (MAR) will be more informed and involved in issues that matter to them and the fifteen local Associations / Boards across the large diverse state of Montana. We will utilize the best available communications strategies, technology and infrastructure to:

-       Improve two-way communications of issues and information between MAR, the local Associations / Boards and their members, helping to keep them better informed so they can be more effective in their individual businesses.

-       Establish greater value in the eyes of their membership while strengthening MAR and the image of leadership.

-       Result in greater interest and involvement through member participation in leadership roles with the state and local Associations / Boards by making it easier for people to participate in meetings electronically and online.

-       Create a model for other local and state REALTOR^® Associations across the country.

The project is scheduled to launch before May and Kevin McQueen will report on progress at AEI (Quebec) and the Midyear Meetings in Washington DC.

We began by surveying the members across the state to get a better understanding of what was important to them.   29% of the members responded and we now know a lot about  their preferences for being communicated with.  65% of the members use text messaging and 53% use Facebook for business!  Surprising and useful information indeed.

If you are interested in learning more, contact Kevin McQueen at kevin@kevinmcqueen.com or (248) 374-1045

I will begin regular blog posts about topics of interest to inform and create communities where we can all learn from each other.  This is a very exciting time in our industry and I am blessed to play a modest role.

Let me know what you think.  I’ll be in New York for Inman #ICNY this week, Wednesday – Saturday.

Let’s connect.

Here’s to an amazing 2010!