I’ve been in my office today reading hundreds of notes that you’ve written following this year’s MasterMind and the most common theme has been, “It was just what I needed.” Nothing surprises me about our Members anymore, including the fact that 3000 of you showed up in San Diego for our annual Client Party/Seminar.

Now let me share something with you.

This year’s MasterMind was just what I needed! I can’t remember the last time I attended an event where I felt so rejuvenated, refocused and implemented so many action steps right away. After a two-year hiatus from a decades-long practice of journaling I now find myself carrying my journal with me everywhere I go - capturing what I did, what I felt and what I thought. It’s as if a big part of my life that was missing is back. On a side note, so many of you have generously sent me journals that I have enough to last me the next 20 years! So I thank you, and if you must send a housewarming gift send a bottle of wine to fill my new cellar! :)

In counting my blessings I recognize how privileged I am to do the work I do for the people I get to do it for. And this year the gift of serving people came back to serve me in a way I never would’ve imagined. This year’s MasterMind will go down as a life-changing event for all who attended and the one whose life may change the most will be the lad who presented it. MasterMind was just what we all needed. See you next year!

It’s a good life!

Brian

Last week we held our MasterMind event in San Diego where several thousand of our Members from across the North America came together for two powerful days of content to delve deep into What Matters Most. Sinbad got us off to a hilarious start on opening night while Franklin Covey’s Hyrum Smith joined us to share what he believes are the critical elements to living the life we want.
 
Countless attendees who had enrolled in the Summertime Surge shared with my staff how thrilled they were to be filling their tanks and getting recharged after the intense lead-generation workout. The Summertime Surge results are in and I can tell you there are more celebrations to come. With an average earned commission of $26,971, you Blitzers have shaken the establishment and thrown down the gauntlet for the naysayers.
 
We’re working on the next Blitz and you’ll have a whole host of activities and strategies to help you power into the New Year. I couldn’t be more proud of your achievements and at a time when the negative media wants you to believe the sky is falling you guys are out there proving the opposite. Keep up the good work.
 
It’s a good life!
 
Brian

One of my favorite parts of training people all these years is the creativity they have when applying our systems. Our job is to structure and systemize so people can perform at a high level. But when people apply ingenunity, creativity and add a dash of some humor, you get a cocktail that’ll blow the doors off any Mai Tai!

Today I want to feature an agent from the great Pacific Northwest – Barbara Koch-Caraco. Barbara found a low-cost, creative way to Pop-By with a dose of sunshine to her favorite clients. At less than two bucks a piece, stack these pitchers with a bunch of fresh lemons and a cool slogan that says: “I’m here to give you the “Big Pitcher” on the market and quench your thirst for knowledge and information,” or “When life gives you lemons, you’re supposed to “Make lemonade.”

Well done Barbara…and thanks for sharing your story with us on Blitz Central so we can encourage many other agents to do the same.

Oh, by the way…don’t forget to send your summertime success story to the Blitzmaster so you can be featured on next week’s blog. Remember, when the market gives you lumps, bring your clients lemonade.

It’s a good life

Brian

A recent survey of customers who didn’t stay connected to their salesperson found:
 
Why customers stop doing business with you:
 
•   1% Death
•   3% Move Away
•   5% Buy from a friend
•   9% Sold by a Competitor
•   14% Product Price
•   68% Perceived Indifference
 
That’s why we’re Blitzing. We want to make sure that during this Summertime Surge your customers know you’re fired up and enthusiastic about the business, you’re passionate about serving them, and you’re anything but indifferent to their needs. This is why we work by referral - to build long-term relationships with our customers so they not only do business with us again, but also are excited to refer us to their friends and family.
 
Make sure you’re signed up for our Blitz – the Summertime Surge - because we want to make sure all our customers know that we do care.
 
It’s a good life!

Brian

Aloha! I’m writing to you from the Big Island in Hawaii where Peak Performers is about to kick off. But it’s not the only thing about to kick off…The Summertime Surge is getting close and registration is open! Have you registered yet?

The Blitzmaster, Joe Niego, and I have been working hard on the design of this Blitz to maximize your personal energy and your business productivity. Let me tell you, you’re going to love the daily activities and love how they impact your business. Here’s a taste of what’s to come:

• Week 1 – Popping-by with a Dose of “Sunshine”
• Week 2 – “Cutting the Cord” on Calls
• Week 3 - Beach Blanket your Database
• Week 4 – Iced Coffee and Calls
• Week 5 – Making Lemonade
• Week 6 – Defeating the Dog Days of Summer
• Week 7 – Morning Time Mixer
• Week 8 – Blitzing the night away

As you can see, this is a whole new Blitz with 60 days of concentrated fun in the sun so it’s time to get registered, get ready and get Blitzing! Go to the Member’s area today and make sure you don’t miss out on heating your business up with The Summertime Surge.

It’s a good life!

Brian

A couple of weeks ago I wrote from the Santa Clara Turning Point that Brian had ‘finally gotten it.’ Well last week we traveled to both Dallas and Boston and guess what…he’s still got it! The new Turning Point is packed with powerful content giving a perspective you’re not going to hear anywhere else. Weaving his way through the last century and right up to today with historical data, Brian offers a different way to view the current market and how to not just weather this storm, but come out on the other side with a great business.

The new Turning Point is a combination of education, motivation, and inspiration all packaged in good old Irish wit. I know I’ll be at the next one!
 
David Lally

Greetings!
 
My name is David Lally and I work for Brian Buffini as his assistant. That means that everywhere he goes I go, everywhere he’s been I’ve been and today I’m at the Turning Point in Santa Clara. Brian has already done a couple of Turning Points earlier this year but today he finally got it! The event has emotion, intimacy, power and passion.
 
And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who thinks so.
 
He’s speaking to the crowd as if it were a conversation between two people…and this is one engaged audience. The feedback is tremendous and anyone I’ve spoken to today has been thrilled. There’s a new goal-writing section and powerful videos to engage and inspire (when I manage to not grind them to a halt – sorry Brian!). One thing I know, he’s on fire and back in the saddle.
 
For those of you who went before, go again! It really is the All-New Turning Point, and it started today in Santa Clara.
 
David Lally

When Buffini & Company launched The Blitz we obviously thought it was a good idea and truly believed it would work. But if we made one mistake it was that we underestimated the level of tenacity, drive and determination that you, our Members, would display.

Less than two weeks into the Blitz over 250,000 Pop-Bys have been completed, more than 200,000 personal notes have been sent and 200,000+ phone calls collectively have been made to your databases.

So far, you folks have generated over 20,000 referrals for your businesses in less than two weeks. Apparently you guys have decided not to participate in this recession, are ignoring the doomsday brigade and have embraced the concept that a “recession is a terrible thing to waste.”

Each day Joe “The Blitzmaster” Niego and myself go over your emails, comments and stories. In the 13 years of Buffini & Company, I can honestly say: this is the most fun I’ve ever had; this is the most rewarding the work has ever been, and I’ll never again underestimate you guys.

Now don’t forget…it is a 90-day Blitz, not a ten day one. Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. So keep up the good work. Let’s break records together. It looks like you guys are going to be just fine in 09.

It’s a good life!

Brian

Have you been living vicariously through the candidates, checking the polls, and watching the early returns? Well it’s time for us to get back to work. Just think...if we can apply ourselves and do just 2% of the Pop-Bys, handshakes and mailings these candidates did trying to get people to vote for them, we’d have such a big business we'd need help taking care of all the leads.

Reality is, the election is over and whether your team won or not, America is an eagle: it needs its left wing and its right wing in order to fly. We all need get down to work. Whether we’re euphoric or we’re down in dumps, let’s go flap our wings by doing our calls, writing our notes and getting out to see our best clients.

Working by referral is a trailing effect, so store up for the winter and get ready for a blitz in the New Year. Our goal is to help your business fly in ‘09.

It’s a good life!

Brian

I just returned home from a week in the fabulous city of Toronto. I’ve said this many times, but I truly believe it’s vital to get out of our environment on a regular basis. Visiting another country helps expand your thinking and broadens your horizons. It invigorates you by introducing you to a variety of new experiences…from different foods, different phrases to a different way of looking at the world. Getting out of the country also gives you a great appreciation for the things you enjoy most about your own city, town or neighborhood. And in that leveling of our perspective grow the seeds of contentment.

Right now, with so many people worried about their finances, the market etc. it’s very easy to forget all that we have and all there is to be thankful for.

So, my encouragement to all of you is sometime in the next 12 months, get out and about - as the Canadians say - and go visit a foreign shore. It’ll expand your horizons and be good for what ails you.

It’s a good life!

Brian

Oh, by the way…people have been requesting the fun facts and figures I’ve been talking about recently so they can respond to this market. Feel free to utilize these numbers and maybe together, one client at a time, we can educate the market!

Some facts to know:

• More than 1000 banks closed in 1930 – only 14 U.S. banks have been taken over in 2008
• There are 76 million households in the U.S. that own their home - 24 million of these homes are free and clear
• There are 52 million homes with mortgages - 97.2% of these are not in foreclosure, 93.8% of these homes are current on their payments
  

On a sobering note:

• Over 20% of homeowners with a mortgage owe more than their home is worth
• 40% of all foreclosures are non-owner occupied

How did we get here?

Decade    Homes Sold High    Homes Sold Average

1970’s      3.9 million               3 million
1980’s      4 million                  3.3 million
1990’s      4.9 million               3.9 million
2000’s      7.1 million               5.6 million
Resale numbers – the above does not include new home sales.

Sources: Wall Street Journal / Moody’s Economy.com / RealtyTrac / NAR / Forbes

For some compelling stats on the Canadian market, visit the Economics Publications section on http://www.scotiabank.com