Education
Why Bother with Professional Development?
August 15, 2008 5:44 PM
Professional Development, aka Education, can be perceived as a "must do" or as an asset to REALTOR® success. This article discusses both sides of the equation with pointers for consideration.
Since 2004, Virginia REALTORS® have found themselves spending time and resources on Education mandated by the Commonwealth. For brand new licensees, the challenge has increased to thirty hours mandatory education. For experienced REALTORS® who have been licensed more than two years, now have sixteen hours to complete every two years. The purpose of the required real estate training is to supply all the necessary information that you need to "stay out of trouble", build new skills and learn more about the real estate profession. The question still remains "Is Real Estate training necessary?" Yes! Any person who is seeking for a successful real estate career knows that training is a must. Not only do you learn the basics - you will have the tools required to grow your business with confirmed results! You would not try to build a car with out having the facts and training to do so, right? Treat your real estate business with the same care and attention!
As Brain Tracy stated in 2001 in his book, Get Paid More and Promoted Faster, there have never been more opportunities and possibilities for ambitious people to achieve their career and life goals than today. That is a very encouraging statement, right? The most important point is this: Your responsibility to yourself, your family and friends is to take action when new opportunities arise. Look outside the box, past the "required" courses and the number of hours mandated. Establish a plan that focuses in the key areas you feel you need to strengthen. If you have concerns about your plan, by all means "seek wise counsel". Find an accountability partner or a coach!
A primary concern, especially with today's housing market conditions, you may have is less money available for you to spend on designation courses or other training programs that enhance your skills, knowledge and abilities. Before you say "Oh well, I'll just wait", consider that when the market picks up (and it will) you will reap the benefits of your training, planning and groundwork for a successful future if you concentrate on your development now. A number of highly successful REALTORS® have shared how they "maxed out" credit cards - not the best thing to do - to find programs and/or work on professional designation courses as new REALTORS® or when business slowed down.
REALTORS® will often question the validity of a designation - i.e. who cares? The designation is a small part of the total package. Your focus must be on the development of professionalism. While you need to watch the finances, think about the basics, such as a solid Business Plan that can help you ask the right questions, conduct your research and development a plan that is achievable and measurable. Make sure you have resources allocated to professional development. Statistics tell us that any business that doesn't have a plan will fail within 2 -3 years. Don't become a statistic - be a success and get started now!
Dr. Liz Minthorne is the Director, Professional Development and Standards at DAAR. Besides her real estate experience, Dr. Liz has over twenty years in the telecommunications business in marketing, business development and account management. Her doctorate is in Strategic Leadership with emphasis on Organizational Behavior.
Since 2004, Virginia REALTORS® have found themselves spending time and resources on Education mandated by the Commonwealth. For brand new licensees, the challenge has increased to thirty hours mandatory education. For experienced REALTORS® who have been licensed more than two years, now have sixteen hours to complete every two years. The purpose of the required real estate training is to supply all the necessary information that you need to "stay out of trouble", build new skills and learn more about the real estate profession. The question still remains "Is Real Estate training necessary?" Yes! Any person who is seeking for a successful real estate career knows that training is a must. Not only do you learn the basics - you will have the tools required to grow your business with confirmed results! You would not try to build a car with out having the facts and training to do so, right? Treat your real estate business with the same care and attention!
As Brain Tracy stated in 2001 in his book, Get Paid More and Promoted Faster, there have never been more opportunities and possibilities for ambitious people to achieve their career and life goals than today. That is a very encouraging statement, right? The most important point is this: Your responsibility to yourself, your family and friends is to take action when new opportunities arise. Look outside the box, past the "required" courses and the number of hours mandated. Establish a plan that focuses in the key areas you feel you need to strengthen. If you have concerns about your plan, by all means "seek wise counsel". Find an accountability partner or a coach!
A primary concern, especially with today's housing market conditions, you may have is less money available for you to spend on designation courses or other training programs that enhance your skills, knowledge and abilities. Before you say "Oh well, I'll just wait", consider that when the market picks up (and it will) you will reap the benefits of your training, planning and groundwork for a successful future if you concentrate on your development now. A number of highly successful REALTORS® have shared how they "maxed out" credit cards - not the best thing to do - to find programs and/or work on professional designation courses as new REALTORS® or when business slowed down.
REALTORS® will often question the validity of a designation - i.e. who cares? The designation is a small part of the total package. Your focus must be on the development of professionalism. While you need to watch the finances, think about the basics, such as a solid Business Plan that can help you ask the right questions, conduct your research and development a plan that is achievable and measurable. Make sure you have resources allocated to professional development. Statistics tell us that any business that doesn't have a plan will fail within 2 -3 years. Don't become a statistic - be a success and get started now!
Dr. Liz Minthorne is the Director, Professional Development and Standards at DAAR. Besides her real estate experience, Dr. Liz has over twenty years in the telecommunications business in marketing, business development and account management. Her doctorate is in Strategic Leadership with emphasis on Organizational Behavior.
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