If you’ve been feeling drained of management motivators, check out Cole Lindbergh, the 25 year-old Games Manager at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. This guy totally gets leadership:

“People don’t come to park to play games. Our attitude will directly reflect whether or not someone will play the game in our department. That’s why it’s important to always keep them motivated and keep them happy because it will 100 percent affect the sale!”

He understands what it takes to motivate a staff of employees who are trying to get people to play those midway games in order to win a stuffed animal. He oversees the hiring, training, and management for 100 staff, trying to energize the team in the lowest revenue-producing department in the park.

And you thought your job was tough!

If your job is to motivate and energize anyone—and if you’re in management, it definitely is—listen to this podcast of “This American Life”

It’s rare to find someone who loves his job as much as Cole does. So if you find that person, recruit him or her immediately!

And check out Cole’s Leadership Tips in this video

“When looking for new employees, I’m looking for the most outgoing, most enthusiastic, most exciting people around,” says Cole, who started working summers at Worlds of Fun when he was 14.

Cole also recognizes the importance of delivering the right training. “Training day is the single most important day of the season. It’s my first day to get you excited about the job. For returning employees, it’s my first chance to get you excited about the new season. Everyone should feel confident in knowing what my expectations are, what their expectations for the job should be, and how much fun we’re going to have this summer.”

Check out the video below to see another way that Cole motivated his staff to achieve a goal. Would you let your team do this to you?

Finally, watch this video of a guy who really loves his job!

A top-performing team begins with you recruiting top performers, and then keeping them motivated to deliver. If you play it like Cole Lindbergh, everyone wins.Similar Posts:

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Of course, I ended up with a Chevy Astro van with the back seats taken out so I could store all my junk. Dom Pérignon taste, Pabst Blue Ribbon budget.  I digress.

Fast forward to today, I’m out for a run and I see a sweet Tacoma double cab and it hits me,“I’m a baller now, I’m going to go buy me a truck!”  Positive self-talk, right? I go home, tell my wife and she totally surprises me, leans over to give me a kiss and says in her sweet voice “You go get yourself that truck honey.”

Whoa – game on. So I start looking. Now folks, I’m a buyer. I have an 8 year old Toyota 4Runner with 100k miles, time for an upgrade. I buy late model used cars and I drive the heck out of them! I don’t do car payments and I look for the best ROI.

At this point, I’m not kicking tires – I’m pretty serious. So I go online, start my standard obsessive-compulsive search that keeps me up at nights. Researching everything, everywhere leaving no stone unturned.

I narrow it down to 2 strong possibilities and one of them is the beauty:

TWIST: This listing is one of the few that didn’t have the price listed, anywhere, not on Cars.com or on their website. (That drives me bananas because I know they just want me to fill out the form.)

But, I’m interested, so reluctantly, I fill out the contact form knowing full well what I am getting myself into (I’ve shopped dealers many times). Here is the message I send mostly pre-filled for me from Cars.com. Note: I also give them ALL my contact info because my wife said make it happen cap’n. I want a new truck!

Hello!

I’m writing from Tulsa, and I’m interested in the 2011 Toyota Tacoma you have listed on Cars.com. I would like to know more about this vehicle. I can be reached by phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX

Thanks Mike Lyon

Additional Comments

I am wondering what the price is? I also have a 2004 4Runner I might trade in. Thanks.

Sounds like a good lead – right?

So, this was submitted 9:17 a.m. on the weekend. The auto response comes back 10 minutes later.

Hi Mike,
My name is (“internet manager”), I will be working to help you find the right vehicle at the best price.

My assistant  will contact you to make sure we get you all the information you need.

Thank you for your request for information, and she will be in touch soon.

Ok…standard protocol. Then I get this weird little message 3 minutes after that?

Good Morning Mike,

I just received your request. Is this a good email address to send information to?

Thanks.

Jamie
Customer Service Representative

At his point, I’m like, what is this? Are they trying to make sure I am a human? So I send back a response – because I want the FREAKING PRICE OF THE TACOMA!

So I reply:

Yes. I am looking for pricing on the Tacoma. Thanks!

OK – So I am a real person, asking a simple question, that should elicit a pretty straightforward response.

(Note: I gave my phone number, still no call)

One day later, I get this message:

Mike

Thank you for your interest in the Toyota Tundra that we have on our website.  It is still available and ready to biy (his spelling, not mine).  We have it listed for $45900 on the lot.  I can let it go for $42600.  Would you like to come in to take a closer look at it?

Ummmmmmm – noooooo, I do not want to look at your Tundra (see my initial request for pricing on your Tacoma spelled T-A-C-O-M-A) At this point, I am actually a little amused thinking to myself, is this for real?

(Note: still no call)

Then, later that day – I get this text…you heard right, a text message with a picture of….wait for it…the Tundra!

Mike that tundra @ (dealership removed) is still available, and is really nice.

I’m thinking, “Wow – thanks bro, I’ll be sure to let anyone I know who is looking for a Tundra that you have a really nice one, in the meantime, can you just get me the FREAKING PRICE on the Tacoma”

P.S. Don’t text me – we aren’t there yet in the relationship.

P.P.S. How do you know this is my cell phone?

Update: One week later, no calls and no additional emails. Classy move guys.

By now, I have cooled off a bit. They could have had me, but alas, it was not meant to be. Maybe I am  being harsh, but this just doesn’t seem right. Especially considering this dealership’s monthly advertising budget is probably well in the hundreds of thousands! (I see their super cheesy commercials featuring the daughter of the owner) Let’s just say, we didn’t get started off on the right foot.

The moral of the story: You don’t have to be superhuman at follow-up to get a sale; you just have to be good.

Pay attention folks, this is your competition. How do I know? I’ve seen shop results of 1000’s of real estate agents and homebuilders. Half of the time, there is NO FOLLOW-UP at all. My encouragement to you – join the top 3% and develop a plan to be remarkable!

Online leads are people…. (that reminds me of the classic line from Charlton Heston “Soilent green is people”)

Customers spend 10-20 times the amount of time online researching their next home vs. face-to-face interaction with a sales person. It’s time to get REALLY good at communicating with your prospects.

(Do you have a similar “fun” follow-up story, share below)

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Check out some of these great statistics provided by Fast Company in this sharp Infographic created by Rachel Z. Arndt and illustrated by Liz Meyer.

• In 1989 there were 1.8 million email accounts worldwide. In 2010 that number jumped to 3 billion.
• In 2010 email used by Seniors is up 28% while email used by teens is down 59% (Thanks to texting) The average businessperson sends 33 emails each day.
• In 1985, 90% of all emails were business related. Today just 8% are business related.
• 89% of all sent emails are spam, the majority of which are pharmaceutical promotions.
• In 2010 there were 107 Trillion emails sent, verses 170 billion pieces of mail sent.
• Also in 2010, 36 billion photos were shared on Facebook and 25 billion tweets were posted.

Just for some perspective, in 2004 there were 1 million Facebook users and by 2010 there were 600 million reconnecting with family and friends on the worlds favorite social network. In contrast Americas first online interactive experience AOL, had 23 million users in 2004, but by 2010 that number dropped to a mere 4 million.

This all kind of contradicts a Newsweek article written by Clifford Stoll in 1995, “The Internet? Bah! hype alert: why cyberspace isn’t, and will never be, Nirvana.“  The naysayers that said the internet will never catch on probably don’t like having that thrown in their faces at cocktail parties.Similar Posts:

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Smitty Runs the City – Time is Running Out (Diddy Runs the City Parody)

Want to See My Models (Zoolander Parody)

ML: How did you get the idea to do a parody for your video instead of the same old stuff?

JS: First, I got the idea to send out videos from you. I got the idea to do a parody because I saw other sales people sending out videos. Some were cute/cheery and some were serious, but that wasn’t my personality. I love comedy and doing impressions of people (celebrities, co-workers, my boss, my family) so my boss (Mike Dowell) recommended I do impression videos to send out to realtors.

ML: How did you choose the characters for the impressions?

JS: I started thinking of the impressions I do that people would recognize as funny and started writing down 30 second scripts. I now have approximately 15 scripts written, and 5 of the videos have been shot. They are currently being edited Kyle Smith with Exile Media. He has really high tech equipment, lighting, green screens, microphones, etc. and can work in any part of the country at a reasonable price. (hint)

ML: What has been the response so far?

JS: The response has been great! In the past, I would get 0-2 responses to the emails I send on a weekly basis. In the first 24 hours, I have had close to 90 views on YouTube, and a lot more on Facebook. I got a large number of reply emails saying they were really impressed and excited that something fun was sent instead of the same old email.

ML: What is your advice to other sales execs looking to integrate video?

JS: I would recommend two things to other sales execs. First, do something that fits their personality and have fun with it. If you like cooking, send out a video recipe where you quickly make something and plug your business. In my case, I love funny. If you attempt to do something you aren’t, people will see right through it.

Second, invest in some simple video equipment like a webcam and an affordable hand-held camera. The Flip Mino hand-held camera and Logitech 9000 camera’s are great. Then invest a little money in a couple high tech videos that blow people away.

Use the hand held and webcams to send short, simple, and sweet messages to people. This will get you started. Then use your high tech videos to get people talking about you, and tell them to forward your videos to people they know. Someone that I didn’t know from Miami contacted me and said they wanted to follow me to see the responses I got. Another guy from Colorado, that does marketing for car dealerships across the nation, posted my video on his site.

I hope this helps Mike! I never would have gotten these ideas without your knowledge. Keep on learning so you can keep on sharing your ideas. Thanks Again!

(Thank you Jeremy – great stuff!!)
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I recently experienced the true power of email and I am happy to share it with my friends at doyouconvert.com.  Enjoy!

I sent this email to a select group of 200 contacts as part of my monthly follow up campaign.  The list included past clients, current clients, industry professionals, friends and family members.  We are always trying to come up with new ways to increase our response rates and I get the best results by keeping my emails entertaining and light hearted- without losing sight of the real purpose (additional business).  This email went out on a Tuesday afternoon about 2:00, imagine yourself receiving this unsolicited email one random weekday.

EMAIL #1

Subject: I need your help…

I recently received an email from a Ugandan prince who has a large sum of money he wanted to give me.  All I had to provide was my social security number and my bank accounts.  It was simple!  

While I wait for the money to show up in my account I am continuing my career as a real estate agent.  So if you know someone in the Triangle who would like my help in the next few months, please send them my way.  I always make time for personal referrals, hopefully you feel good about sending your friends and family to someone they can trust- me!

Enjoy this wonderful spring weather!  Check out http://www.zachschabot.com if you’d like to see my new website.  I would love to hear your comments!

The email responses and phone calls started within approximately one minute after sending.

EMAIL #2 (2 days later)

Subject: Re: I need your help…

WOW!  I just wanted to thank everyone for a wildly entertaining two days.  I appreciate those of you who expressed a sincere concern for me after reading my email about the Ugandan prince.  To answer some of your questions…

- Yes, this was a joke.  
– No, I did not actually "fall for it."
– No, my email was not hacked. 
– I was trying to add some humor to the boring "if you know anyone buying or selling a home I would love for you to refer them to me" email.

NOW, which response do you like best…this will give you a glimpse into my friends who appreciate a light hearted approach to just about everything…enjoy!  

A.) Zach, don’t trust that email. It is a scam!  Only the widows of Nigerian generals have the real deal.  Hope I caught you in time.

B.) I will keep my eyes and ears out for a referral for you, but as you know I tend to run around with musician types who are more in the income bracket of wanting to sleep on your floor rather than to commit
to a mortgage 

C.) I don’t know Zach…… Would you trust someone who gave his social and acct numbers to a Prince? Maybe if he was a King….

D.) Zach, I know a Nigerian mega millionaire that needs some help placing a large sum. I sent him your home phone number.

Stay tuned for my next email.  Since I don’t think I am getting the money from the Prince I am going to make some other improvements in my life.  But don’t worry, you can still call me with your real estate questions.

The key message here- lighten up!  Be a real person.  The next generation of buyers will work with you because they like you and trust you.  That can only happen if you are transparent and honest with them.  And a little humor never hurts either…. 

STATS:

-200 Emails sent
-45 email responses
  notables:
   6 building company presidents or vp’s
   5 business owners
   10 past clients
   1 columnist for local biz journal
4 phone calls
   notables:
    1 friend at a US Congressmen’s office
    2 Current clients

Initial Leads- 4 potential clients (2 referrals from past clients, one repeat client, one new client)

**Since this email went out two weeks ago I have received 2 additional referrals from past clients**

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Are you indispensable? Tell me why and you can win a copy of Seth Godin’s new book Linchpin. Watch the video for details and leave a comment, send a tweet, post on Facebook. Bonus points if you leave a video comment.

See Seth Godin talk about his book here:

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I think this is one of the first “builder marketing” blogs optimized for the iPhone. Much easier browsing and faster access to the content – rendered specifically for your iPhone (or iPod Touch). For those of you using Shilackberry’s or sub-standard smartphones – you’ll just have to dream of the things that could be. (I’m messing with you)

iPhone users – just browse to www.doyouconvert.com and it automatically detects Safari and converts the site. You also have the option to switch back to the “full site”.

The magic is in the Wptouch plugin for WordPress.

I’m curious, how many of you out there are using an iPhone? Leave me a note in the comments. If not – what are you using and why?

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Not to mention – this is the 100th post as well. Two birds with one stone! Time flies when your having fun.

Check out the first post:

Dec 4th, 2006
This blog is born out of necessity. Their is a huge need for a blog dedicated to the tools, tips and best practices of selling new homes online. I’m talking about a highly focused source for Online Sales Counselors and those who manage the Online Sales Program and Internet Marketing for their builder.

And here is the kicker – I want to give it from the perspective of someone who actually works in the field.

So why me? I started in 2005 and implemented an Online Sales Program from the ground up. I handle all of the Online Marketing as well as the internet leads for the largest builder in Northeast Oklahoma. Our program is still a “work in progress” but we have seen undeniable results that validate our program. My background is in web development, sales and marketing and I am truly passionate about the opportunities for builders who invest in an Online Sales Program.

This is a community project – I hope to get the conversation started but I would love to hear from you! What works, what doesn’t, what you see, what problems you have and what you enjoy! Let’s get this party started.

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