KW Technology Community Update: September 2015

Friday, September 25, 2015

HomeKeepr and Your KW Mobile App

Happy Friday, Ambassadors! We hope you're enjoying the fall-like weather, whatever that means for your location (it's still in the 90s here in Austin)! Here is your weekly update.

eEDGE INTERFACE UPDATE

Have you logged into eEdge recently? If so, you probably noticed that the interface has a new look! eEdge has gotten a face lift that includes new fonts, colors, and icons - all with the goal of making it easier to navigate. We haven’t changed any functionality, and we know you’ll find this refresh makes everything more intuitive and easy-to-use.

The updates to the visual design are intended to draw your attention to the little things we thought would make it easier to do the essential tasks:

Generate leads
Respond to leads quickly
Create meaningful connections with your leads

We hope you enjoy the new look of eEdge!

HOMEKEEPR AND YOUR KW MOBILE APP

One of the hottest trends in real estate technology are tools that provide post-transaction services. In line with that trend, we recently announced Keller Williams' partnership with HomeKeepr - a recommendation service that agents can provide their homeowner clients.

HomeKeepr is an app that creates a fully customized home maintenance calendar, and it's agent-branded. This helps our agents remain a valuable resource to their clients long after the transaction closes. Agents can transition from being seen as a one-time business relationship to a trusted resource for local information.

On September 30, your clients will have access to HomeKeepr within your KW Realty Real Estate Search app.

Get ready now by taking these three steps:

Claim and create your FREE profile.
Upload your favorite local home service professionals.
Make sure your clients AND recommended vendors have downloaded your app.

Join today's Ambassador webinar to learn more.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Here's our KW Technology webinar and event calendar, and a list of next week's events. All events are shown in Central Time.

To view the entire calendar, log into your KW Technology Community where you can connect with your fellow techies in other KW Market Centers across North America, stay updated on KW Technology news and events, and access resources to help you in your role as a technology trainer. See this blog post for instructions on joining the community.
All associates can register for upcoming webinars on the myKW home page, in the Scheduled Events section.

STAY CONNECTED TO US!
Be sure to follow us on Google+ so you’ll be updated when we post to this blog.

We deeply appreciate all that you do in helping KW associates drive productivity through KW Technology!

Make it a great day,
Brenda Harralson and W. Cavin Weber

Contact us at ambassadors@kw.com

Friday, September 18, 2015

New KW Websites - What You Need to Know

Happy Friday, Ambassadors! We hope you've had a great week so far. Here's your weekly update:

SNEAK PEEK AT NEW KW WEBSITES ON TODAY'S WEBINAR

Learn more at http://mykw.kw.com/website

Join today's Ambassador webinar to learn about the features and benefits that KW agents and Market Centers will enjoy with their new KW websites, including:

Professional, intuitive, and responsive design
Blogs to market your expertise and build an audience
Advanced listings search and save
Geocoded property detail pages
Agent Bio and Testimonials Pages
Market Center sites

We'll also share the answers to the top FAQs we have received thus far.

EARLY ADOPTERS FOR NEW KW WEBSITES

Early next year, responsive and modern WordPress websites will be available to all KW agents and Market Centers in the U.S. and Canada. Beginning at Mega Camp, we collected names of agents interested in becoming early adopters of the new websites. These agents will be among the first in Keller Williams to have access to this exciting new tool and their feedback will help shape the offering for the rest of KW.

Due to the great interest, the first early adopter group is full. Those selected will be notified later this month, and their websites will launch in early October. Agents were selected based on the complexity of the local MLS as well as geography.

We are still accepting requests for the second group of early adopters which launches in December. To request a spot, complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Please note that not everyone on the early adopter request list will be included in the early adopter group. All who requested early adopter access will receive an email notifying them either way.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Here's our KW Technology webinar and event calendar, and a list of next week's events. All events are shown in Central Time.

To view the entire calendar, log into your KW Technology Community where you can connect with your fellow techies in other KW Market Centers across North America, stay updated on KW Technology news and events, and access resources to help you in your role as a technology trainer. See this blog post for instructions on joining the community.
All associates can register for upcoming webinars on the myKW home page, in the Scheduled Events section.

Contact us at ambassadors@kw.com

Friday, September 11, 2015

Adopt a back-to-school mindset

Happy Friday, Ambassadors! What better time than the back-to-school season to return to a learning-based mindset?

PREPARE AND DELIVER A GREAT TRAINING CLASS
On today's Ambassador webinar, we'll go back to school and share our top tips for preparing and delivering a great training class. Here are a few of them:

For even more tips, watch
"10 Steps to Train Tomorrow"
by searching on KWConnect.kw.com

Build and follow a lesson plan
Investing time up front to plan out your class before you teach it is paramount. A lesson plan not only outlines the specific topics, activities and timing for each, it helps you clearly see the “big picture” of what the class is trying to achieve and ensures you don’t miss anything important. It helps you conduct your class in an organized fashion, and on schedule. Plus, it will give you confidence that you’ve thought through potential problems ahead of time.

Make a great first impression with your introduction
It's important to start strong! Arrive well ahead of time and make sure you are prepared. First impressions are everything! The best way to start is by formally introducing yourself (name, affiliation, credentials and why you're passionate about the topic). This establishes who you are, and sets the tone for the class.

Use the 3-step formula for facilitating class exercises

Introduce the activity by making the objective of the exercise clear. Give specific, detailed and clear instructions and allow time for questions before beginning the exercise.
Conduct the activity:

Keep your eye on your students and listen to their comments, but refuse the urge to do their work for them. Let them work it out.
Remain in the room - it’s not break time.
Announce time-marks or role-play changes, and be flexible; if an activity is moving quickly, it’s OK to wrap it up, or if they need more time, extend the time limit.

Clear the activity. This is where the real learning takes place. Spend about as much time on the “debrief” as you do on the exercise itself. This can be as simple as asking for “aha’s” or allowing students to share how they completed the exercise.

Use humor and enjoy yourself
Chances are, if you're having fun, your students will, too. According to Bob Orben, former Director of the White House Speech Writing Department, "Business executives and political leaders have embraced humor because humor works. Humor has gone from being an admirable part of a leader's character to a mandatory one."

Using humor in public speaking helps arouse interest and connect with the audience. It disarms hostility and shows that you don't take yourself too seriously. Finally, it will make a positive impression.

Join today's Ambassador webinar for more tips!

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Here's our KW Technology webinar and event calendar, and a list of next week's events. All events are shown in Central Time.

To view the entire calendar, log into your KW Technology Community where you can connect with your fellow techies in other KW Market Centers across North America, stay updated on KW Technology news and events, and access resources to help you in your role as a technology trainer. See this blog post for instructions on joining the community.
All associates can register for upcoming webinars on the myKW home page, in the Scheduled Events section.

Contact us at ambassadors@kw.com

Friday, September 4, 2015

Help shape the future of KW Technology products

Happy Friday, Ambassadors, and welcome to September! Here is your weekly update:

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF KW TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

Mike Silkett
Product Portfolio Manager
Communication, Collaboration
and Communities

We've always said that Keller Williams is a company built by agents for agents, and we apply this same philosophy to the technology tools we offer our associates. To ensure that you always have a voice in the development of our technology, we've launched Product Advisory Groups. If you're passionate about technology and want to help create solutions that will enable agents to do more in our industry, we encourage you to apply to join our new Product Advisory Group program.

Join us for today's Ambassador webinar which will feature special guest Mike Silkett, Product Portfolio Manager for Communication, Collaboration and Communities. Mike will provide a through explanation of the objectives, scope, requirements, and logistics of the Product Advisory Group program, and he'll answer your questions.

MARKET LEADER ANNOUNCEMENT FAQs

Yesterday afternoon, an email was sent to all KW associates announcing that Market Leader is to be purchased by Constellation Software, a leading provider of software and services. KW CEO Chris Heller and President John Davis have talked with Market Leader's new owners and are excited about their vision. Rest assured that the Market Leader transition to new leadership will not impact your ability to leverage eEdge in running your business.

For answers to questions that you or associates in your Market Center may have about this news, please visit this page on your myKW intranet.

KW WEBSITES EARLY ADOPTERS

Early next year responsive and modern WordPress websites will be available to KW agents and Market Centers in the U.S. and Canada. If you're interested in being an early adopter of the new website, sign up at the bottom of this page where you can learn more about this exciting new tool.

Due to the great interest, the first early adopter group is full and those selected will be notified in late September. You may sign up for the next group which launches in December. Please note that not everyone on the early adopter request list will be included in the early adopter group. You will receive an email if you are selected.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Here's our KW Technology webinar and event calendar, and a list of next week's events. All events are shown in Central Time.

To view the entire calendar, log into your KW Technology Community where you can connect with your fellow techies in other KW Market Centers across North America, stay updated on KW Technology news and events, and access resources to help you in your role as a technology trainer. See this blog post for instructions on joining the community.
All associates can register for upcoming webinars on the myKW home page, in the Scheduled Events section.