Can you say that you own page 1 of Google for search results on your name?  I can!  And if your answer is also “yes,” then you must be doing all kinds of right too!  I cannot over-emphasize the importance of this to your business and your personal brand.  For example, I have worked very hard to make sure that my name is synonymous with Houston Relocation.   This didn’t happen over night, but over a series of many sleepless nights, week after week and month after month.

As a bi-product of my efforts, my name has also become synonymous with Social Networking.  If you are friends with me on Facebook, connected to me on LinkedIn, follow me on Twitter, read my Houston Relocation Blog, etc., then you know what I am talking about.  I am out there posting, commenting, linking, following, blogging literally all the time.  Of course it helps that I am an insomniac, as I often do most of these activities during the wee hours of the morning…thus the idea of many, many sleepless nights.

So back to the idea of owning page 1 of Google…

To truly be effective on-line, Google has to know about you.  And, the only way that Google is going to know about you, is for you to be out there, all over the place, all the time.  Original content is also the key.  You will notice in my many posts on this Houston Relocation Blog, that my content is only ever original.  I don’t copy and paste OPC (Other People’s Content).  I write about a variety of topics that include a lot of information about Houston, relocation, real estate, conferences, social networking, technology and so on and so on.  As such, Google continues to promote me for key words such as Houston Relocation and Moving to Houston, as well as a slew of others based on my blog posts.

I use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter much the same way.  I make sure that my blog posts and the articles that I write about relocation and moving to Houston are always posted on these sites as well, and linked back to my Houston Relocation Blog.

The payoff has been huge!  I am hearing from other relocation professionals, clients, transferees, colleagues and friends on a regular basis about how they “follow me” on all of these different sites.  And the new business opportunities that have resulted are rapidly increasing.  These new business opportunities come in the form of new referrals, as well as invitations to speak at relocation and real estate conferences and events, RFIs (Requests for Information), RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and collaboration opportunities within my networks.

Google has become the modern day business card.  Everyone Googles everyone when they are looking for contact details and a variety of other information.   That’s why it is essential to own page 1 Google real estate on your name.  It’s good if you can say to someone, “Just Google me,” and know that you will come up on page 1 of Google.  Better still, when you say, “Just Google me,” you want to have the confidence that you will not only come up on page 1, but that you will dominate page 1.  Make sure you own that real estate!

Here’s a great example of something that someone told me today.  I had lunch today with a friend and business associate that I have known for the past 10 years.  While driving to work this morning, she called her office to get my telephone number.  The person in her office Googled Michelle Sandlin, and naturally, I came up page 1, position 1…and 2…and 3…and 4…and 5…and, I think you get the idea.  She told me that I was all over the place and how impressive that was. 

So, what happens when you Google your name?  Please tell me you Google your name on a regular basis and set Google alerts for your name and company and various other key words of interest.  This is a very important part of growing your brand, your business and making sure that you are ranked where you want to be with Google.

Technology and social media have revolutionized the way that we communicate and how we do business.  Those who don’t stay on the cutting edge of this technology and utilize it for growing their business are quickly being left behind.  I am fortunate that John Daugherty, Realtors not only recognizes the importance of technology, social networking, blogging and Google rankings, but that we are leading the charge in Houston.  And I dare say, you ain’t seen nothing yet!  Wait until you see what is coming next.  We have a lot of really cool things in the works that will soon be released.

Stay tuned….

Peggy Smith, CEO of Worldwide ERC

This was quite a week for John Daugherty, Realtors and our Global Relocation Services Division.  At our Sales Meeting on Tuesday, I had arranged to have none other than Peggy Smith, the new CEO for Worldwide ERC® (Employee Relocation Council) visit and present to our team.  I first had the pleasure of meeting Peggy in May when I was in Orlando, Florida for the RDC (Relocation Directors Council) Spring Event and Worldwide ERC Conference.  In her opening comments at RDC, she said that she was going to be spending her first 120 days as the new CEO for Worldwide ERC® conducting a “Listening Tour” among Worldwide ERC® members throughout the country. 

That was all I needed to hear.  As soon as I got back to Houston, I reached out to Peggy via email, congratulated her again on her new position, told her how much I had enjoyed meeting her in Orlando, and let her know that I would very much like to be included in her “Listening Tour.”  Expecting that it would take her a little while to get back to me, I was amazed when I heard back from her almost instantly.  We set up a time to visit by telephone for the following week.

During our hour-long conversation, Peggy explained to me what her idea was behind the “Listening Tour.”  She said, “The organization (Worldwide ERC®) is ready to embrace the challenges and to look and think about a different approach.  The listening tour, I think, is important to us as an input valve to help determine what our next 3-5 year strategic plan might look like.”  She said that from the “Listening Tour,” that she should start to see key themes develop that she can bring back to the ERC Board at the upcoming Global Workforce Symposium in Seattle.  Based on these themes and the input that she receives from members, she said that she will be able to bring forward specific elements that she thinks we should begin pursuing as an organization.  I think that this is a very progressive idea for Worldwide ERC® and its members.

The more she shared with me, the more intrigued I became.  Soon I realized that it wasn’t enough to speak with her on the telephone, and that I really needed to get her to Houston to speak to our Houston Relocation Team.  Again, she humbly agreed, told me when she was going to be in Texas, and we ironed out the details.

Peggy Smith, Cheri Fama, Michelle Sandlin, John A. Daugherty, Jr.

Before I knew it, the morning of August 3rd had arrived, and I picked her up from her hotel and brought her to our office.  We enjoyed breakfast and light conversation about her own relocation from Seattle to the Washington, DC area.  During her presentation to our team, she shared a few details about her recent relocation and the vast differences in the housing market.  She and her family left their custom built 4,000 square foot home in Seattle, and are now living in a 1,300 square foot apartment in Washington, DC.  She jokingly said that there wasn’t a recession in the Washington, DC area and that she was paying $3,800 per month for her 1.5 bedroom apartment.  Meanwhile, her 4,000 square foot home, which she had decided to lease rather than sell, would probably only fetch about $4,100 per month.

She asked us about the Houston real estate market, and what impact the recession had on home prices here.  John Daugherty told her how the home prices in Houston have remained fairly stable and that we have not suffered in the ways that other parts of the country have.  Peggy seemed surprised at the fact that we have not experienced a bubble here in Houston, thus we didn’t suffer the bust that was experienced elsewhere.  

In addressing our team and talking about why she had embarked on this ”Listening Tour,” she explained that the purpose is to create an input valve to help determine a strategic plan for the organization based on member suggestions, annual surveys, and conversations that she has had directly with members via telephone, email and over coffee. 

Peggy also talked about what corporations and relocation management companies seek in their real estate partners, and addressed the often uncomfortable subject of escalating referral fees.  According to Peggy, corporations and relocation management companies are looking for the following traits in their real estate partners:

• Knowledge & Perspective
• Collaboration
• Strategy
• Solutions
• Reliability
• Value/Cost-efficiency
• Performance

She also drove home the all-important fact that “there is no such thing as personal business in relocation.”  I often remind the agents at our company about this, and how employee benefits may be at risk if any part of the process is mishandled.  Even with a pre-existing relationship, it is possible to jeapardize corporate business.  The actions of one agent in representing our company, can put the whole account at risk.  It is my job, through the proper training and direction, to see to it that these risks are minimized at all times.

As a company, we have always placed great emphasis on our Global Relocation Services Division.  As the person responsible for this Division, I am extremely proud of the consistent growth in our relocation and referral business, especially during troubling economic times.  We have truly earned our place among the top real estate firms around the world, and more and more, we are becoming the number 1 choice for corporations, organizations and relocation management companies that partner with us on a regular basis to assist their relocating employees.  

Peggy’s visit to our company was an exclusive for the Houston market, as we were the only real estate company on her short agenda.  This was an important nod to our company as a major player within the global relocation industry and as a member of Worldwide ERC®.  I am always thrilled to be able to bring valuable relocation training and information to our team.

John Daugherty, Realtors started its Global Relocation Services Division in 1974.  Since that time, our company has been heavily involved in corporate relocation by assisting both domestic and international transferees in buying, selling and leasing properties in the Greater Houston area.

As a wise frog once said, “It ain’t easy being green.”  Well, that is not necessary the case for John Daugherty Realtors Global Relocation Services Division.  Going green certainly poses a unique set of challenges for a real estate company.  There are voluminous files, which contain copious amounts of paper, and several copies that must be made and distributed and so on and so on.  I found much the same when I took over our Global Relocation Services Division at the end of 2008.  I saw that so much of what had previously been stored in paper files and boxes, could easily be saved electronically as PDF files.  Gone are the days of saying, “Just put a copy in my box.”  This phrase has been replaced with “Just send it to me via email.”

My approach was to set up an electronically organized filing system for my entire department to share.  And the advantages, beside being “green,” are numerous.  For starters, I have access to everything via my computer, without having to lug files home every night and every weekend.  This is a huge advantage when I travel as well.  All I have to do is connect to our server from anywhere my laptop can take me.

Additional Advantages of Paperless Filing:

• Saves time, money and filing space
• Shared access to information without fear of loss of original documents
• Increased security of sensitive documents and information through restricted access
• Instant access to files; because the system I developed is so organized, any single sheet of paper can be instantly accessed, much quicker than anything could be by sifting through a paper file to find something
• Easier to archive closed files and information because everything is in one place

While it is impossible to go completely paperless, I can tell you that I have significantly cut down on the paper usage of my department.  I still use notebooks and pads to help me with my day-to-day organization, but I have also incorporated paperless notebooks into the mix.  The best tool that I can share with you for accomplishing this is Microsoft Office OneNote.  It is a wonderful program that allows the user to set up multiple notebooks on the computer for use with other Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook.  As a self-professed organization  junky, OneNote enables me to have a centralized source for managing important information, projects, ideas, you name it!  If you are not familiar with this amazing product, I hope that you will have a look at it.  If you are already a fan, please share with me the ways in which it has transformed your life!

OK, so back to being green…

John Daugherty, Realtors has also recently started promoting these great reusable bags.    Our agents and using them instead of gift-wrap for housewarming gifts, and taking them to the grocery store, keeping them in their cars, giving them away to clients, and so much more.  The uses are enumerable, and there is nothing to throw away!

The relocation industry is also focused on green initiatives.  I spent a good deal of time last night reading the July issue of Mobility magazine, the monthly publication of the Worldwide ERC.  The cover says it all:  “It’s Good to be Green.”  Much of the issue is dedicated to articles and information about being green.  As a member of Mobility’s Editorial Advisory Committee, I always read each edition cover-to-cover, but I found this issue to be of particular interest due to my own commitment to running a more green, paperless Relocation Department.  According to the cover story ”It’s Good to be Green” written by Stephen McGarry, “The Worldwide ERC Green Initiatives Committee spent the last year examining the sustainability practices and eco-friendly programs of Worldwide ERC members.”  The Worldwide ERC has certainly made great strides in bringing information on green inititatives to the forefront for its members.  This is exemplified in this socially responsible issue of Mobility magazine, as well as with the Green Forem on its web site, which enables member to share information about various green initiatives.

As for this Director of Global Relocation Services for John Daughterty Realtors in Houston, I am proud to say that I am focused on running a department that is as green as possible.  I hope that other members of the Houston Relocation community adopt similar practices.  Hats off to everyone out there who is already running a paperless department.  If you need any additional pointers, or have pointers of your own that you would like to share, I always encourage you to comment on my blog posts and/or contact me directly.  I am always happy to share!

Stephanie Pfeffer, VP Marketing for Luxury Portfolio

Stephanie Pfeffer, Vice President of Marketing for Luxury Portfolio Fine Properties Collection^©recently gave an incredible presentation for the agents and management team at John Daugherty, Realtors.  Over 70 of our agents were in attendance as Pfeffer discussed the many benefits of our company’s affiliation in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^© and Luxury Portfolio. 

Pfeffer’s presentation began with some great statistics and general information about Luxury Portfolio, which is the luxury property marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^©.  Launched in late 2005, Luxury Portfolio quickly rose to prominence with a Webby Award-winning web site:  www.LuxuryPortfolio.com.  The site was the first of its kind to promote homes in multiple languages and currencies.  Through our membership, we have a bevy of marketing services and tools at our fingertips, for which enhance our ability to showcase our luxury listings to a global market of potential buyers.

Pfeffer’s visit to John Daugherty, Realtors exemplifies our company’s on-going commitment to providing the very best in training for our agents.  As one of our agents, Susan Collins, put it, “Stephanie brought our membership to life and provided us with many powerful tools to share with our clients about the ways in which our affiliation allows us to increase the exposure that we give to our listings.” 

Front: Cheri Fama & Michelle Sandlin; Back: John A. Daugherty, Jr. & Stephanie Pfeffer

John Daugherty, Realtors is a proud member Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^©, which is the largest global network of premier locally branded companies dominated by many of the world’s most powerful independent luxury brokerages.  John Daugherty, Realtors is among only 200 member Brokerages that also make up Luxury Portfolio.  As a network within a network,  Luxury Portfolio includes the most respected luxury real estate brands in the industry and features more luxury properties on its web site than any other luxury network.

As Director of Global Relocation Services for John Daugherty, Realtors, I have been so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful network, which comprises the best of the best real estate companies in the world.  The partnerships and friendships that I have made as a result are unlike anything I have ever known in my many years of experience in real estate and relocation.  I speak to our various partners throughout the country on a weekly basis, and it is so nice to be able to leverage our combined knowledge and experience as we continue to establish best practices within our individual companies, while raising the bar within the relocation industry.   It is no wonder that this exclusive group of companies have become the most well-respected within the Relocation industry.  And for John Daugherty, Realtors the strength of our brand has also earned us the reputation as the most well-respected name in the Houston luxury real estate market.

(Front Row): Josephine Claiborn, Michelle Sandlin, Katrina Delgado, Lynn Mather; (Back Row): Cheri Fama & Steve Thistle

John Daugherty, Realtors recently participated in Pink & Blue Jean Day and the Cocktails for the Cure fundraising events as part of its annual support of the Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation.  For a mere $5.00 donation, participants wore their favorite pink shirt and blue jeans to work to show their support of the NOMF and the fight against breast cancer.  This city-wide event raises money annually for breast cancer research.

As a way to continue the fun and fun-draising, many participants went to Goode’s Armadillo Palace after work for Cocktails for the Cure.

Houston, TX

Do you set Google alerts for various key words and topics?  I do, and have done so for a long time.  My two favorite key words, as you might have guessed, are “Houston” and “Relocation.”  And it seems like pretty much everyday, I receive my alerts on these words, which deliver valuable information and news items directly to my Outlook Inbox.

Lately, I have been overwhelmed by the really great press that Houston has been getting, and of course the better the picture painted by the media, the more relocation seem to follow.

Take today for instance.  I received my Google alert about an article from the Houston Business Journal, that was entitled, “Houston is No. 1 City for Young  Professionals – Forbes.”  It seems that Houston appears at the top of the list of the best cities where a recent college graduate can get a strong start on a high-powered career.  According to Forbes, Houston received top ranking for its “business-friendly environment and abundance of oil money.”  Houston is home to 14 of the largest companies, which is second only to New York City.  (New York City, by the way, only made it to fourth place on Forbes list).

The article in Forbes says that recent graduates from colleges and universities from around the country “have graduated this month into a bleak economic landscape.”  Forbes advice, and I quote, “Consider moving to Houston, Texas, Washington, D.C. or Minneapolis, Minn.”  These three cities topped Forbes list this year of the best cities for young professionals.  I was not a bit surprised to see Houston at the top of the list.  Last month the Houston Chronicle reported that Houston added 2,700 jobs as the unemployment rate in Houston decreases.  The article said that the influx of new jobs attributed to  a decrease in the unemployment rate in Houston for April.  (Click here to read the entire article:  Houston adds 2,700 jobs, unemployment rate decreases)

Two other Texas cities appeared on the top 10 list:  Dallas (#6) and Austin (#10).  (Click here to read the entire article:  America’s Best Cities For Young Professionals.)

Kathy Wetmore

Kathy Wetmore has been a long-time top producing agent at John Daugherty, Realtors.  While she is certainly a legend within our walls, her success and recognition is extends throughout the Houston area and beyond.  As part of our company’s commitment to bringing large scale internal training to our agents, Kathy recently spoke at one of our company’s social farm meetings.  In a presentation entitled, “Social Farming in Your Neighborhood,” Kathy discussed and answered questions regarding utilizing social farming as a basis for building a very successful real estate career and loyal following of clients. 

Kathy opened by saying, “You can all be winners, but you have to work at it.”  She said that “It has not been easy; it’s been a lot of work.”  Kathy definitely exemplifies the success that can be gained by working very hard at it.  She got her real estate license in 1980 after relocating to Houston from England.  Two years later, she got her Broker’s license.  Her first year with John Daugherty, Realtors, she tripled her income.

She said that she knew that in order to be successful, you have to get out there and network and get out there and work.  She has been “farming” the neighborhood in which she lives, Boulevard Oaks, for nearly 20 years.  For Kathy, she became very involved in the neighborhood by volunteering on committees, working in the schools, sponsoring activities, serving on boards and establishing herself as the expert in the neighborhood.  She stressed the importance of getting your name out there.

“Be the leader.  Don’t follow the leader,” Kathy stressed.  She urged agents to go out and make your own mark and not to try and emulate someone else.  Many people in the real estate industry have tried to follow Kathy’s lead in Houston.  She says that she was the first agent to use a photograph of her with her dog for her marketing pieces.  Now that photograph has become synonymous with the name Kathy Wetmore.  As an avid supporter of such organizations as Houston Humain Society, SPCA, C.A.P.S. and B.A.R.C.,   Kathy founded her own rescue dog group in 2008, Shaggy Dog Rescue.

People have to be able to identify your name with something, according to Kathy.  For her, it has been her animal rescue.  She says that your contacts come from the things that you are involved in, and it is important to stand out and get your name recognized.

Kathy’s success in Houston real estate is inspirational.  It is not easy to make it to the top of your profession, whether that profession is real estate or something else entirely.  And even more difficult perhaps is the ability to stay on top.  Kathy Wetmore has achieved both and is a success story deserving of the highest accolades.

As I was reading the headlines today in the Houston Business Journal, I was not surprised when I saw this little gem.   It read, “Most Execs Willing to Relocate, Houston Popular Option.”  As the guru of Houston Relocation, I can tell you that this has been true for many years, and not just with executives.  Houston has been a top choice for many employees and their companies, whether relocating to Houston from across the state, across the country or across the globe.

So what makes Houston such a preferred location for relocating employees?  According to the article and Eric Nielson, managing director of the Houston office of Korn Ferry in the Houston Business Journal, “Houston provides candidates opportunities to direct their career to a higher level in a market that’s held relatively steady during the recession.”  He goes on to say, “We are now experiencing strong hiring activity due to the global strength of the energy/natural resources sector and the Texas regional economy.”  (To read the entire article, please click here:  Most execs willing to relocate)

Houston has always enjoyed a continuous influx of people relocating for improved job opportunities.  During the recession, this has been especially true.  Our population has increased greatly as a result.  And the numbers are looking better all the time in terms of our local economy.  It seems that everywhere I look lately, there are new reports talking about Houston’s improved unemployment numbers, improvements with regards to our real estate market and improvements to the Houston economy in general.

People will keep flocking to Houston whether as part of a corporate relocation opportunity, or for better opportunities altogether.  Houston has affordable housing compared with other real estate markets, lower cost of living than most cities, and  a decent climate (as long as you don’t mind a little heat and humidity)…just to name a few.

Lastly, I will say that while some people do relocate to Houston kicking and screaming, they also leave Houston the same way.  And I should know, as I was one of the ones who moved here kicking and screaming, and 25 years later, I am still here.

John A. Daugherty, Jr. & Cheri Fama

John Daugherty, Realtors announced last week that Cheri Fama has joined our company as executive vice president and chief operating officer.  I could not be happier!  I have known Cheri for the past 10 years, having worked closely with her as a founding Board Member of the Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation.  I have also had numerous opportunities to visit with Cheri throughout the Houston community and within various professional circles, and I can say that having Cheri join our team is a home run!

Cheri has 28 years of experience in the residential real estate market in Houston, having first began her career as a consultant for Houston Lighting & Power (now Reliant Energy), which introduced her to many prominent commercial and residential developers, architects and builders. (To learn more about Cheri, please click on the following link:  Cheri Fama).

It wasn’t until this morning that I was able to give Cheri a proper “welcome” to our company, as I was in Orlando last week for the Worldwide ERC and Relocation Directors Council Conferences.  But, it is important to note that at John Daugherty, Realtors, we don’t welcome new people to our “company;” we welcome them to our “family.”  I think that this is a very important distinction for our company.  In a word, “family” truly defines the culture of our company and the relationships that are cultivated among our agents and staff.  John always makes it a point as well to welcome new agents, staff and members of our management team to our “family.”

“Cheri’s breadth and depth of experience of the market, along with her management experience as president and senior vice president with previous residential real estate firms, will be an asset to our family,” states John A. Daugherty, Jr. as he welcomes Cheri to our family.

Cheri will be a wonderful addition to our family indeed!  I personally look forward to working with her and showing her what makes our Global Relocation Services Division the best in Houston.  Welcome to our family Cheri!

John A. Daugherty, Jr., president of John Daugherty, Realtors and I recently  attended the LuxuryRealEstate.com and Board of Regents 8^th Annual Spring Retreat in South Beach, Florida. The conferences provided a great deal of information and idea sharing among its members and attendees, who make up this international network of the finest residential luxury real estate brokerages in the world.  Members are proven leaders in the marketing of distinctive properties and are committed to high performance, professionalism and quality services.  John Daugherty, Realtors is the exclusive Houston member, and Daugherty serves on the Board of Regents Executive Committee. 

This was my first time attending a LuxuryRealEstate.com conference, and I must say that I really enjoyed it.  LuxuryRealEstate.com is made up of the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate.  The members are proven leaders in the marketing of distinctive properties and are committed to high performance, professionalism and quality services.  The Board of Regents is the governing body of LuxuryRealEstate.com.  Regents is an exclusive network of the world’s most elite luxury real estate brokers, comprised of the most legendary names in the industry. This group was developed from a need within the Luxury Real Estate Network for leadership among the best of the best.

During the Regents segment of the conference, John and I had an opportunity to participate in two separate round-table discussions with the other attendees.  John spoke about the current state of the Houston real estate market and how it has really bounced back.  John Daugherty, Realtors went over our sales goal for the month of April, with over $100 million in sales.  We also had 28 homes priced at $1 million or more go under contract in April.  (Read entire article on John Daugherty Realtors’ web site)  John also spoke about what we are doing in terms of aggressively marketing our luxury properties through the use of our on-line strategies.

Meanwhile, in my round-table group, I spoke about one of my favorite subjects:  How I am using social media sites to boost our company brand awareness by promoting our company and our relocation and referral services on my Houston Relocation Blog, on LinkedIn, on Facebook and on Twitter.

One of the most discussed topics was that of the decline of the print media in the way that we market our properties, luxury and otherwise.  Our company’s reduction in print advertising is definitely in line with what other real estate companies are doing.  We heard from many companies that have significantly reduced their print advertising, and others that have a plan for completely eliminating it altogether in the not so distant future.  There were even a couple of companies that said that they have already gone completely out of print in favor of putting that money into their web site and web marketing strategies.

I am very lucky to work at a company that so heavily supports conference and relocation event attendance.  I recognize the importance of my attendance at these conferences as they definitely provide great educational sessions and idea sharing among the attendees, and allow us to develop strong relationships with other companies in other markets, all of which have the potential to send us referrals, as well as receive referrals from us.  I always come home so energized and full of great new ideas to discuss and implement in my Relocation Department.

As for the LuxuryRealEstate.com and Regents Conference, “This was a great opportunity for us to meet with other top luxury real estate firms and openly discuss our local markets and how technology and web marketing strategies are reshaping the way that we advertise our listings and market our unique brands,” says John A. Daugherty, Jr.