No one can argue that the event went very smoothly. It was painful and could have been handled better. But my guess is everyone has a little trouble getting out of the gate the first time.
True enough, Richard could have hired an event planner, but I believe he is instead trying to build a production company (Trademark Productions) and this was probably that team's first project. And although it was bumpy for us, my guess is that, for them, it served its purpose. Maybe next will be better.
Diversification in business is extremely difficult and the worlds of real estate and production are quite different. I didn’t go to the event to see how great a speaker Richard was or to see how well they put on the event. I recognized that it took Richard 17 years to perfect his real estate model, and yet I was still interested enough to travel to Charleston to hear about it, along with about 2,500 others. I’ll give him some time to prove himself as the head of a production company, but that's not my current interest.
First impressions are important, but that event did not provide anyone that attended a first impression of Richard. We would not have attended if we didn’t know anything about him and Trademark Properties. Their intention was for us to see that Richard and his team were just ordinary, real people. I believe the goal was for everyone to be able to associate and picture themselves as people just like Richard and his team. Then you might recognize that if his model works for them it is likely to work for you too.
As far as the numbers are concerned, I would suggest getting them from an objective source, preferably directly from the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (www.charlestonrealtors.com) and do your own math before you take stock from any other source. I work with numbers all the time as a business consultant so believe me when I tell you how numbers can be spun. I’m not claiming that Trademark’s numbers are correct, and I’m also not claiming that Prudential’s numbers are incorrect (which is the site that was referenced). Little things like being number one in residential sales can be defined in a few ways. Is that as the listing agent only or either side of the transaction? My guess is they could be two different brokers based on how you define it. Number one in Charleston has even more variables. Single family sales, single family and commercial, single family, commercial, condo and townhouse, 2-4 unit, 5+ units? My guess is that Prudential and Trademark have defined number one in two different ways.
It’s easy to be negative, pessimistic and argumentative. It takes effort to be objective, informed and knowledgeable.
It is what it is...As most things in life, it seems the meeting could be viewed as good or bad depending on your views and expectations.
For those who went to this meeting expecting more than you got and are disappointed...what was it "really" you were expecting? I suspect you wanted to find out first hand how good of a businessman Richard is and what he had to offer. Well, at the minimum he showed you how to capitalize on exposure and make $112,000+ in one day with minmal costs, didn't he? I would think that makes him a pretty good businessman and he did exactly what he's always tried to show you to do - maximize a profit with minimal capital & effort. Lesson learned...or should I say reinforced.
And for those of you that were energized by the meeting & orange juice, and assuming you have no inside information of what is to come, but understand what I explained above...just make sure to have a lawyer review all of your contracts.
Much success to all, and remember...freedom of choice is a wonderful thing.
After reading all of these comments, it is obvious that everyone had their own, very specific expectations of what they thought the July 27th event was going to be. The varying expectations seem to explain the different reactions from those who attended.
Maybe my expectations weren't as specific as those of others, but they were more than met by Richard's speech. While I didn't get the specifics of how Richard plans to roll-out Trademark, I felt like I did get something valuable - a feel for how Trademark was created, how is became successful, and how it will likely remain succesful in the future. Richard's speech could be seen as self-indulgent rambling or a blueprint/road map for the building of a successful company - just depends on how you take it.
As for the long wait to get inside and during the state-by-state photographic session - I thought it gave me a great opportunity to meet and talk with some very interesting investors from all over the U.S. and Canada - everyone from seasoned investors to complete novices. I found value in that alone.
smiles – I never claimed Trademark was number, nor did I confirm that Trademark was number one. You claim solid numbers when all you've provided are some marketing comments from competing real estate companies. I don’t consider those solid and you probably don’t either. Those numbers are no better than what Trademark has provided thus far. I don’t have any numbers yet either and you will need to inquire with the local board to get the numbers because they are not publicly available, only through board members. So the board members can spin them any way they want.
Richard has made a claim of number one in Charleston and has promised to provide the numbers that he bases that claim on. It will be sent as part of an information package to those that attended the event.
I'll reiterate my previous comment to get your own numbers if anyone plans to make a decision based on a claim of being number one. Personally that claim is not what I'm interested in. Trademark could be number 20 out of 20, but if his model works and he's willing to share it, I'm willing to listen. I don't produce $100M in sales now but if someone can lay it out, is willing to partner with me to show me how to get there, then I'm interested.
Is there anyone else on this board doing that volume and is willing to show me how? It doesn't need to be in real estate either; I'm willing to learn in any industry.
Most real estate brokerage arrangements are about the individual figuring it out on their own and competing with other agents that are trying to do the same thing. My broker is no different. Agents spend significant amounts of time and money learning different tactics and approaches to being successful in the industry. They begin hiring their own people to help them cover more sales and basically build a business within a business. Eventually some of them make enough money and branch out to start their own brokerage so they can keep more of the commissions and then they start hiring more agents, split the commissions and continue the cycle.
I'm interested in understanding a different way, and I believe that Richard has something different. My broker does about $100M with about 7 offices and about 87 agents. Richard seems to have done it with one office and about 30 agents. I'm interested in understanding the model that produces that level of efficiency. My guess is that most brokers will be very interested in seeing how it works so they can become more efficient and keep more of the money for themselves. They won’t care whether Richard is a good speaker or puts on a good show. It’s all about results and being able to produce them consistently and repeatedly.
That’s what I hope to learn from Richard. I won’t risk money if I’m not comfortable with the approach and the relationship. That might mean that I won’t be an Area Partner with Trademark. Again, I don’t have enough information yet to make that determination.
Like you, I made note of the "System" that he paid over $200,000 to develope. Web based access and by zip code for those that have it. That to me is at the core of what this is all about.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: stevetexas,
I think that your missing a major factor -That "MLS" web link you just posted is a stealth site for Prudential. If you want to talk about credibility go to a neutral site, not Trademark's #1 competitor's site. The facts Richard posted at the event was a legitimate MLS printout. I was in the 3rd row, I could see it just fine. The Prudential site you posted was #2.
I was at the event, and agree with everything that nyray had to say. I think everyone "heard Richard Ramble," but they didn't listen to what he was saying. What I liked about the event was that he was NO DIFFERENT then he was on the show - He told it like it was. I picked up a lot from this event, and look forward to working with the Team in the near future.
OK, you saw richard post or show a slide of a listing that says he's number 1. Well, that MUST be legitimate if he showed it to you (please note the sarcasm). I'm sure I could fabricate something that looked like a real MLS document to show to a crowd of people at an auditorium.
I'd put more validity in a website that stays posted for a while and can be checked out (and subject to complaint or legal action) than a slide or a poster that someone shows you for a few seconds at some speach that he was hawking his investment scheme at.
You haven't insulted me. I just think that if you're going to "investigate" you should go to a credible source. Your whole argument is: "You believe what he put up on that slide show, and you can't believe what he says just because he showed you an MLS printout." But the proof that you're showing is from Prudential's web site, how is that credible? I'm not sure how laws work in the rest of the country, but if my Real Estate office claimed to be #1, and was not, there would be some serious legal repercussions. I doubt that Trademark would "fabricate" an MLS printout to show that they're #1. If he did, and it is public information, he would be caught red handed. He hasn't been caught "fabricating" yet, so until you find a credible source, don't assume.
"You know what they say about assuming, it makes an ASS out of U and ME." -Richard C. Davis.
Very interesting smiles, that your comments seem to be the only ones "approved for posting" on this thread that's about the Trademark event that you didn't go to!? Perhaps you need to get a calculator, having a "presence" in all 50 states in one year doesn't equate to 5000% "growth" in one year. And no, I have no affiliation with Trademark other than attending the event, again, the one that you didn't go to.
I was just wondering, if you think that you and your company is not at some point responsible for the downward spiral of the housing market. You guys take a house and try to make a killing. You are not happy with a 10 or 20% profit, you slap an overwhelming price after you get the house done... a profit is one thing but a killing is another. i wonder if you guys are still selling many houses. The experts say that you and others like you in this business has driven the housing market in a hole. I hope your business goes in a hole. People like you that want to make such a profit, make me sick. I also hope they cancel your show, but at least people that watch now, know that you will stick to anyone that buys your property.....! Thanks for helping to crash the us economy, with your greedy ideas of business. ...
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
Dear Ms. Pruitt, Thank you for your enlightenment. Could you please explain, so we all understand, the exact difference between making a profit and making a killing? Please use economic theory and SAP (Standard Accounting Principles) in you response to form your argument as I would like to use your position for my dissertation on why many people, such as yourself, are overpaid and should have your salaries reduced accordingly in order not to overburden our fragile economic situation. Thank you for your time. I await your response with high anticipation. Sincerely, mr_low_country
Are you kidding me here??? Richard actually expects people to apply for a partnership via youtube? This has gone to a new level of ridiculous. Maybe "at the end of the day" this is cutting edge and I just missed the train, but this sounds absurd. If I wasn’t convinced before, I am now; TMP is not for me.
I dunno... after watching his video and the previous postings/emails, it kinda sounds like he's shooting from the hip on this one. He doesn't really have anything firmed up as to how he's going to do this. I guess I'll just do a speach and say "give me your money and your time and I'll figure out later how it's going to benefit the both of us". You would have to be a real "rube" to spend any effort at all trying to convince TMP to take you on as a partner without more details/expectations (in writing, I might add.. not via a video on youtube). I know if I were to charge $45 per person for a presentation, I would damn well have my mind made up as to exactly how this partnership would work for both parties (AND, I would put it in writing). I think too many people are blinded by the promise of huge profits and not being prudent here (I know, he didn't promise that, but those of you who are taking this seriously ARE thinking that... aren't you???)
Before anyone commits too much here, I'd suggest you do a google search on Al Parish (another well respected businessman here in Charleston). It may be a foreshadowing of things to come for you.
I was in Charleston on the 27. I have a few questions I would like somebody to answer. (1) Was there ever a book? (2) Where is the information packet? That was supposed to be out the first week. Two emails state that. (3) Do Others feel that Richard does everything seat of the pants? (4) If his bussiness model is so great. Why won't he show it to anybody. (5) Are you still thinking about spending money for a Trademark franchise,area partner?
Even during his youtube advertisement he had to ask Ginger how they were sending it out. "Are we using youtube Giner?" or something to that effect can clearly be heard on the video.
Even during his youtube advertisement he had to ask Ginger how they were sending it out. "Are we using youtube Giner?" or something to that effect can clearly be heard on the video.
quote:
Even during his youtube advertisement he had to ask Ginger how they were sending it out. "Are we using youtube Giner?" or something to that effect can clearly be heard on the video.
Throw up a video of YOURSELF on You Tube. Talk about whatever interests you, post the link here, and we'll critique it for you.
Richard got the "message" out which was the whole idea. It's a new medium. My You Tube back was far from perfect but again, that's not the point. You're getting lost in the weeds here, and so it goes ; )
I think Donald Trump is noted for saying the best, biggest, and etc. I don't think he can back up everything he saids. As far as Richard and company. They make money get things done and move on. Not a bad way to live a life.
