Monday, September 27, 2010

The iPad is a remarkable tool!


Take a bite out of the Apple and get an iPad. When I hold this new sleek took I lusted after, I feel like I am touching the future of computing!!!
  • It doesn't come with a book of instructions. A child can figure it out.
  • There is virtually no time to load, power up, or search.
  • The colors are vibrant
  • Books are easy to read and bookmarked. Why would we need text books in the future?
  • Movies play instantly and are clearer than life... they almost look 3D
  • There are apps that let you do everything you can do on your laptop
  • There are apps that let you do things you wish you could do with your laptop
  • There isn't software to load, pay for, or register.
  • It is fun to use!
  • The keyboard on the touch screen is silent, reacts with touch as light as a feather
  • It is so visual....
  • There is no mouse... just touch and click...
  • Can go from one app to another instantaneously
  • Everyone around me at the Apple store was younger than 30, it seemed.
  • It is hard to put it down.
  • Some of the apps,... like Flipboard that makes Facebook like a magazine... are fascinating.

Oh I could go on...
But, why get one for your business?
Because you can browse for homes so easy. A listing presentation could be made so easily. Your contacts and emails open with just a click. With apps like Dropbox you can store anything like a contract or flyer or photo on one computer that is online and almost instantly it is accessible on the iPad. Because you can read books to learn more. Because you can blog anytime on it. Because it is easier to carry and lighter than your desktop (do you still have one) or your laptop. Because videos load so easily. Because apps are added every single day that will make it an even better tool.

Because the iPad is the future and that IS where your business is going.

Purge the "policy"


There is nothing that irritates me more than a company policy that makes it difficult to be a consumer. The other day I paid a bill early... in anticipation of receiving it... and the check was returned. It was their "policy" to not accept payment before due. What a stupid policy. There are just so many policies that feel like brick walls. Policies are just rules someone created to make it easier on the company and not for their own customers. Practically every policy I have come up against is just plain stupid and can be reversed with a nod from the "boss."
Have you hit up against a policy that irked you? Do you have your own policies that cause your customers to say "ugh?"

Friday, June 25, 2010

We assume the earth is always pointing north


Whenever we see a globe or photo of the planet earth, north is always on the top. Yes, in relationship to the sun, the earth spins on its own axis and we dance with the sun. But, in terms of the entire universe... we could actually be upside down. Or, is there an up and down in the universe. We are but a mere speck in the cosmos. Technically, couldn't the globe be upside down and be just as accurate. Do we assume north is "better" than south? hmmm...

Dipping your paws in ink for fingerprints


Most of us would remember if we were convicted of a crime... if we had the mug shot, the fingerprints, the court appearance. Now, I can't say ALL of us would remember... but I'm rather sure most of us!
The real estate Department of Licensing will be requiring all real estate agents current and new to be fingerprinted over the next six years.
This past month I had fingerprints taken as part of my application to get a Coast Guard Captains 50 ton Masters License. I had to get a TWIC card (transportation workers id card). I pressed my little paws onto the fingerprint pad over and over... took so many tries... evidently IO have weak prints. But, I can tel you, even though I am pretty sure I don't have a criminal record that the FBI might find... it still is a bit creepy. Kind of the "Big Brother" government tracking me thing.
And so I wait for ... how long?... to find out that I am cleared.
The fingerprints and FBI check for your real estate license might give you the same creepy feeling. But, you are required nonetheless to have them taken. It's like when you get your license tabs for your car... every so often you have to have an emissions test. The Department of Licensing will notify you on your renewal form if you have to go dip your paws in ink. N0 stress!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Carbon Monoxide Alarms... when required.


During the December 2006 storm in Western Washington over 1000 people were treated at emergency rooms and 8 people died because of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. It is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is caused by all combustion. People did bring charcoal burners into properties. But, if your neighbor does that you could be poisoned by the gas seeping through walls.
The Washington State legislature passed a law in April 2009 requiring CO alarms. The statute requires building code council to adopt rules to require them in all new residential properties.
The statute also says that all owner occupied single family residences legally occupied before this act are exempt.
However, for any owner occupied single family residence that is sold on or after the effective date of this act (July 2009) the seller must equip the residence with CO alarms in accordance with the requirement of the state building code before a buyer can occupy the residence. RCW 19.27.530 (1)b.
In April 2010, there was a proposed change in the law as passed. The change as discussed in HB 2886 which is in committee "removes the statutory requirement for the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm when an owner-occupied, single family residence is sold."
The Bill also extends the date to January 2013 that all existing multi family residential occupancies must have a CO alarm.
It also requires the building council to adopt rules that are consistent with the smoke detectors, when applying for building permit.
But, the proposed change did NOT go through the legislature... maybe the CO alarm companies had a big lobby... because as the way the law is right now over 10,800 alarms will have to be installed per WEEK in Washington state to meet the deadline of July 2011!

So that is the latest on that issue.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Classes in Pierce County this week!

Get yourself into social marketing with classes this week in Pierce County.

Wednesday, Jan 20 at 10 am Get Connected on the Internet at
Home Team NW in Puyallup

Thursday Jan 21 at 9 am Blogging and 1 pm Twitter at
Keller Williams on Tacoma Mall Blvd..


Email Natalie or just show up for any of these classes! You are welcome to come! Get yourself online and connecting this new year! Don't wait.. NOW!
Natalie
clockhoursatgmail.com

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

There's so much to learn ... I can barely keep up!


This social media revolution is like raising kids. They grow... regardless of what you do they get bigger and change. As a parent I was always trying to catch up with the new lingo, the new toys, the new activities, the new teachers, the new fads. I always felt a little behind the 8 ball. But the more I kept informed, the better relationship I had with my kids.

Its the same for social media. You will never know it all. The guru's that I try to be close to on a regular basis are also learning every day. I think... "Gads, you are brilliant! Look how much you know! You have it.. you can do it all! " .... and then the next time I see them they have taken another leap into some other aspect of the social media world.

So I try to make sure I do something every day. I keep myself on Facebook all the time. Really, I am amazed how many people I communicate with about work! I made appointments, scheduled classes, helped a couple agents with clockhours etc!
I go on Twitter every day. If I do anything I just send a tweet but also make sure I am responding to anything someone tweets about or to me!
I try to write in my blogs or post photos.
I make sure that I tell at least 10 people about my website, a blog or my YouTube channel.

Every day I make an effort to learn something. Today I watched a video about how Steve Jobs is a magnificent presenter. Do I zap my audience with enough visuals and an "ah ha" moment? I saw a 4 minute video on TED talks where a guy explained the power of the internet connections using example of naming the Greenpeace whale "Mister Splashy Pants." (amazing example!) Then, I read Seth Godin's blog and went to links about iPhone apps. He has an app which I need to download that on my iPhone! Then I jumped to Anil Dashes blog about his take on being on the Twitter.com Suggested User List. I learned so much about noise on Twitter and the effect or non effect millions of anonymous followers can have and how important it is to go for your target. Then I followed real estate agent, Rich Jacobson's tweet about how Kitsap Peninsulas sales have climbed a bit. I registered for a Biznik event featuring the author of "Drive" about what motivates us. I clicked on a blog with a photographer takes one photo a day in Seattle... where did he go yesterday? And I either commented or shared what I learned with someone else via email or blog or facebook!

So learn something new online every day... every single day. And then do something every day to connect with people. Because, this keyboard in front of me is my connection to the world like no other tool ever! A television is one way communication. But, the internet and social media tools let me connect back!