Week 4 Results & Prizes

The results are in! It is still a close race going into week 4. Taking home the Gold this week is USA (John's team) with 63 leases. Kenya (Debbie's team) took Silver with 59 leases.  Bronze goes to Canada (Keith's team) with 55. Great job everyone!

The prizes this week are as follows:
Gold: $40 gas card
Silver: $20 gas card
Bronze: $10 gas card

Weekly Graph

Grand Total Graph

QR Codes

What is a QR Code?

For those who do not know what a QR Code is, it is that funny looking square barcode that has been popping up more and more lately.  These codes can be found on everyday items such as food nutrition labels, marketing flyers, and consumer catalogues.  Information contained within the QR Code can range from anywhere from an electronic business card to an entire product manual.  Within Dolben, a QR Code can be easily generated by the Marketing Department and are used in a number of different ways.  Here at Longview, we have QR Codes that will bring residents to one of three locations, either our Facebook page, iDolben, or our website (longviewapartments.com).

 

When using a QR Codes, it is important to remember:

1)       QR Codes can only be scanned by using an application designed to scan them with a Smartphone.  A traditional mobile phone will not be able to scan these.  The app scans the Code using the camera and processes the information instantaneously. 

2)       The QR Code itself must be in a color that is easily distinguishable from its surroundings, such as a black code on light background and not a dark green over a slightly lighter green.

3)       Sizing of the QR Code should be approximately 1” X 1”.  It is possible for it to be a bit smaller, but this size is a good rule of thumb to go by.

4)       The QR Code is going to link the consumer to a webpage or information immediately on their mobile phone, so it is important that the information being provided is complete and easy to navigate on a mobile phone.

Potential Uses:

1)       Printed on labels and put on resident packages when they are picked up at the office

2)       On resident referral flyers, so the new referral can view the website and contact us directly when they view the flyer

3)       All Facebook material and promotions

4)       Can be added to tag flyers and corporate outreach material, so instead of ripping a tag they can simply scan and see our product immediately

5)       On the back of business cards and brochures.  These QR Codes can contain contact information and be used as an electronic business card so the property can be contacted by email or telephone simply by scanning the QR Code.

Tracking Usage

We have the ability to track the usage of each QR Code.  The metrics & analytics can be easily provided in order to be able to see which codes are being used and how often.  This information can be invaluable, as it shows whether or not the materials being used to promote the property and the code itself are effective or not.

-Team USA (John's Team)

Canada (Keith's team) is pulling ahead this week with the most leases this week and overall.  They captured 32 leases this week and have 86 to date.  It is still a close race and anyone's game.  Prizes will be awarded next week to the three highest teams. Keep up the great work!

Weekly Leasing Graph

Grand Total Leasing Graph

Tough week? Remember the basics.

Sometimes, it can seem like nothing is going according to plan. Calls aren't converting to tours, and tours aren't converting to leases. When that happens, remember that YOU have the power to turn things around. If you're wondering where to start, go back to the basics. Are you answering the phone with a smile? Standing to greet your prospective residents? Following up to stand out? These actions seem small, but they can make all the difference.

This short clip, featuring Kerri Strug nailing a vault on one foot (!) during the 1996 Summer Olympics, reminds us that even when we're hurting, we can still push ourselves to achieve great things.

Wishing you all an an Olympic-worthy week of leasing!

First Impressions - Lasting Impressions

You only have one chance to make a first impression, so make it count!  Whether it is on the phone or in person, take the time and give them your complete attention. 
View your morning drive/walk through the property keeping this in mind.  Remember, what you see will be what someone who has never seen your community before will see. What impression does your office or clubhouse provide? Make sure it shines!

There is a great website that was brought to our team's attention that provides not only additional thoughts on Positive First Impressions, but a great deal of other ideas too. Visit LeasingCafe.com for more.

Please share one thing that you do to ensure a positive first impression: it can be related to curb appeal and/or to your leasing presentation.

- Team Canada (Keith Corriveau's Team)

Leasing Contest - Week 2 Results

It is still a close race going into week 2 of the leasing contest. Each team is separated by 5 leases or less!  This is the closest race in Leasing Contest history!

Gold goes to: Canada (Keith's Team) with 54 total leases after 2 weeks!
Silver goes to: Nigeria (Derek's Team) with 53 total leases after 2 weeks!

And there was a three way tie for Bronze: Kenya (Debbie's Team), Jamaica (Jeff's Team), USA (John's Team) all had 50 leases after week 2!

Gold team members receive a $25 Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks giftcards
Silver team members receive $15 Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks giftcards

Bronze team members receive $5 Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks giftcards

Weekly Total Graph




Grand Total Graph

Social Media: Growing Your Facebook Community

Team Germany brainstormed ideas for increasing your Fan Base quickly on Facebook: 

1. Distribute a promotional flyer to all residents with an incentive based program for "liking" us within 30 days.
2. Send an email to all residents on Property Solutions letting them know that the next 30 residents that "like" you would be entered to win ___________ (concession, gift card or prize).
3. Make a poster asking residents to "like" the community and put it in your lobby, elevator, laundry room or community boards.
4. Tell every resident you meet.  Word of mouth is VERY powerful.  Ask them to tell their friends too!
5. Promote Facebook involvement with a "Face-to-Face: Facebook Meet Up With Your Neighbor"social hour!
6. Encourage prospective residents to check out the community as well, so they can get a taste of what the community is like.
7. Include a link to your Facebook community in your email signature.
8. Add a Facebook link to your website (note: if you have a Property Solutions website, there is a link to your Facebook page on your homepage).
9. Post everything (scheduled maintenance, fire alarm testing, community events, rent reminders) happening in the community and provide residents with exclusive content, so they see the obvious value in linking the page.
10. After you have done all of the above…do it again!  There are always new residents coming aboard that were not involved when you rolled it out.

Remember that growth happens slowly at first.  Be patient!  Before you know it, you will have an engaged group of residents. True advocates for your community!

We welcome more ideas on this topic. While a couple of our team members have had some success, the majority of us are still struggling to get residents to “Like” us.

What have you done at your community to help build your fan base?

- Team Germany (Nick Schmalz's Team)

Leasing Contest Results - Week 1

It's a close race, but the team with the most leases for week 1, is Germany (Nick's Team) with 28 leases! Remember, you still have a chance to win the first prize, given out next week. Happy Leasing!

Objections - Getting to "Yes"

“Would you like to hold the apartment?”

-       “I have to think about it”

-       “The kitchen is old and small”

-       “It’s a little above our budget”

It can be the most uncomfortable moment in the sales process.  But it is also an opportunity!

Remember, when they say they do not like something about the apartment or community, they are really saying they like everything else except that one quality.  That is a 90% score.

Agree with your prospects, and then overcome their objections by showing them the value they are not seeing in the objection they are stating.

One example of an objection is the following:

“I agree that our community is at the higher end of your budget, but an apartment home is not just about having the lowest price.  It’s about what you’re getting for your money!  You liked all the features and benefits I showed you and above all the location is 5 minutes from your job.  The difference between your budget and our rent is one or two evenings out for dinner each month.  You’ll enjoy that short commute twice every day!”

Tell us about an objection that you have experienced and how you would overcome it.

- Team Sweden (Tim Bostrom's Team)

Competing against yourself - and winning.

Most have heard the adage "we are our own worst enemies." Have you ever considered that in competition, we often compete against ourselves? As we kick-off this year's leasing contest, we encourage you to set benchmarks for yourself, your property, and your team.

This short clip, featuring eight-time Gold medal winner Michael Phelps, hopefully will help inspire you to do your best work. Think postively, and remember that you have the ability to create your own success.