Earlier this week, I had an IRL conversation with the lovely Lisa Sanderson (IRL = "In Real Life" for those of you not using Twitter). While the purpose of the call was a referral I had for the Poconos area, as typical females, we ended up going way outside the subject at hand and on to other things.....
"So, Lisa, how do you like Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate?" I asked. (As you may or may not know, the Better Homes and Gardens real estate franchise is coming up on it's 1st birthday this August.) Lisa's response, "I love it and here's why........"
After telling me about the great technology and gushing about the company philosophy, Lisa mention Sherry. Sherry - as in Sherry Chris, the CEO of BHGRE. Sherry - as in @BHGRE_Sherry on Twitter. Sherry - as in a presence at virtually every RE Bar Camp and Real Estate Conference this year. 
If you are active in social networking in real estate, you probably know Sherry. She probably follows you on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, ActiveRain, etc. If you have attended real estate conferences, you have probably seen her mingling at the after-party. She isn't loud, she isn't boisterous.....she's just....a presence. She is also the only large-brokerage CEO I can name (besides the one at the company where I work).
In just one year, Sherry has been able to put BHGRE on the map in part through networking and engaging with agents throughout the country. Rather than sit back in a plump leather chair in a big corporate office, she is out networking, mingling and getting to know the agents, the "worker bees".
So, while the other large-brokerage CEO's are sitting at their desks trying to figure out how to make the indians work harder for less of a split so the chiefs can keep their jobs, Sherry Chris is out meeting their agents and engaging with them. Who do you think is doing a better job of connecting with the agents?
Here's a little quiz, besides your own company, how many brokerage CEO's can you name?
Tina in Virginia
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Tina Merritt and Assoc. can be reached at email: tina@tinamerritt.com or 757-287-6338.
Our Network consists of both buyer and listing specialists helping buyers and sellers in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, Virginia.
A couple -- at KW and Realogy but they need to be looking 6 months and longer down the road and work on strategy rather than implementation -- that is what they have a staff for. I give credit to Sherry -- she does that AND stays in touch with the market down to the agent and consumer level.
I can name a few. I heard Sherri speak at one of the Bloodhound conferences and what she said made lots of sense.
Count me in as a Sherry Chris fan. She is always very pleasant and friendly and so approachable. BH&G RE has some great stuff going on. Their whole team is a reflection of Sherry and they are going to do some great things in the coming years.
Bob - she also is very supportive of Bar Camps and conferences - both in presence and financially. Her sponsorships and support are always greatly appreciated!
Cindy - Thanks for reading and commenting!
Scott - "staying in touch with the market down to the agent and consumer level" - I love that statement!
I have been hearing a lot about BH&G. I can't name any CEO, other than ours...
But, I won't forget Sherry and look forward to meeting her.
I think any Broker that is savvy in technology and can relate to their agents is a powerful force. Bet the recruitment rate goes up...