Expanding on the 2020 implicit-bias training video, the National Association of REALTORS® has launched “Bias Override.” The program helps real estate professionals learn tactics to interrupt stereotypical thinking so they can provide equal professional service to every prospect or client. Participants will examine their ideas about people from various identity groups, explore the assumptions they may not know they’re making, and learn how to be more comfortable working across lines of difference. “Bias Override” engages participants in building new habits of equitable behavior, helps REALTORS® overcome barriers to working with clients of diverse backgrounds and avoid fair housing pitfalls. 3-4 hours

VIEW SAMPLE As real estate licensees, we work for our clients, but we work with other agents, and the interactions we have with our colleagues can impact our clients’ experience, for better or for worse. In this session, we will explore building better relationships with other agents with the intent to leverage associations to our clients’ advantage ... and to our own professional benefit and for the betterment of our industry as a whole. 1-3 hours

Understanding our clients’ needs and motivations improves our ability to negotiate and serve them. Asking the right questions the right way and being comfortable with difficult conversations makes you a better business professional and calmer in your relationships. Discover the questions you should be asking--with buyers, with sellers and with investors in multiple offer scenarios and more! Find out how reflective listening, humble inquiry, body language and social cues can direct conversations. 1-2 hours

As brokers, we work for our clients, but we work with our agents and other agents as well. The interactions we have with our colleagues can impact our clients’ experience, for better or for worse. Masterfully navigating complaints and issues within the brokerage and between competing brands requires a complex skill set encompassing everything from communication rules to social media ethics. In this session, you’ll get techniques and tips to build better agent relationships and elevate your brand for retention and recruiting. 1-3 hours

Being an effective leader calls for spending time honing leadership skills, utilizing and constantly improving emotional intelligence, and most of all, recognizing that there are many realities in the organization. One’s perception — one’s reality — may not be the perception of all of the other players. In this session, attendees will test their own perception and compare it to others’ using music and visual arts, interactive discussion of how we perceive our environment and how we apply our emotional intelligence to interact and relate to those with whom we work closely when we are leaders — from your association staff to your Leadership Team and member volunteers to the organization’s membership as a whole. 1-2 hours

We had Maura as our presenter to kickoff our first Board of Directors meeting for 2021. Even in the virtual/Zoom environment that we currently reside, Maura's presentation was relevant and engaging, and the 90 minutes flew by! Our entire board had high praise for Maura's presentation, and I can't think of a better way for us to kick off our 2021 ... thank you, Maura!” - Jason Miller, 2021 President-elect, Minnesota REALTORS®

Keynote or Session  A high level of emotional intelligence is the key to better communication, healthier relationships - both personal and professional - and a happier life. This session explores the psychology of perception versus reality and its impact on relationship-building, as well as how one's emotional intelligence plays a role in making (or breaking) interpersonal relationships. 1 hour

Maura did AMAZING! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentation." - Cindy Teekell, Executive Officer, Northwest AR Board of REALTORS®

Steve Jobs said, “Get closer than ever to your customers.” Social media and the Internet have allowed us to do that. We’re with them as they browse for homes in their living rooms, read our blog posts in coffee shops and peruse our websites on smartphones. All this means providing ever better levels of service: rapidly responding to needs, deftly navigating social media, sharing marketing messages through acceptable channels and more. Online customer service now has the power to define us as real estate professionals. 1-3 hours

A changing real estate market means a skill set shift. You need a back-to-basics approach to generating inventory and marketing yourself to get more listings, but you may still be juggling multiple offers for your sellers AND buyers for well-priced homes. In this session taken right from the trenches of today’s market, Maura will even address the psychology of managing expectations - both for yourself AND your clients - in challenging market conditions. 1-3 hours

Your ‘Running Your Business’ course is always full of valuable information but never has been timelier or more relevant. We wish all our members could attend but were thrilled to have 696 join and stay engaged the entire two hours. We’ve gotten nothing but fantastic comments about your session.” - Maureen Murphy, CMP, CSEP, Vice President of Pro Development, New Jersey REALTORS®

Leads are only as valuable as the time you put into them. Without a system, leads are just names on a spreadsheet. However, with a strong lead generation system – one that includes incubation, follow-up and conversion – leads are not just names and email addresses: leads become relationships, closings and great referral sources. In this session, we’ll discuss how to create a system that not only generates more leads but helps you to convert those leads into loyal clients with a greater success rate. 1-2 hours

KEYNOTE  As a leader, you play a primary role in the year-over-year achievements of your organization. Empowering your agents and staff to be effective and to thrive means developing their leadership skills, using and improving your own emotional intelligence and recognizing the differing perceptions and realities within your organization. In this session, you’ll test your perception and compare it to others’ perceptions; you’ll evaluate how you apply your emotional intelligence to interact with other leaders, staff and the organization as a whole. Sharpen your ability to perceive, to understand and to lead toward common goals. 45-75 minutes ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP SESSION INFORMATION

Thank you so much for a great presentation this morning! The immediate feedback from the attendees was that it was a great way to kick off the year! They loved the way you presented these ideas and concepts!” - Carrie Andersen, Sr Vice President, Member Services, Minnesota REALTORS®

VIEW TRAILER The Nordstrom department store is legendary for exemplary customer service: from the earliest beginnings of Nordstrom, a sign hung from the ceiling that read, “If We Sell You Well, Tell Others. If Not, Tell Us.” Known for putting customer over company, Nordstrom salespeople are empowered to always make it right for the customer. As an agent, Nordstrom’s business philosophies can help you craft your own unique customer service proposition. By taking a page out of the Nordstrom book, from practical translation of the Nordstrom way into customer relationships, to incorporating the Nordstrom beliefs into our personal values system, we can revolutionize our businesses and our industry. 1-3 hours

VIEW SAMPLE Storytelling is an ancient art; it captivates us all, captures our imaginations, and when used effectively, can make you stand out from the crowd. Storytelling creates understanding, insight and affinity with consumers; it provides your business the vehicle for compelling marketing content based on what makes you and your customer service unique. From the way you present yourself and your services to the marketing of your listings, a memorable story has the power to attract an audience and showcase what makes you exceptional. So what’s YOUR story? 1-3 hours; Broker Version Session & Workshop Available

Get a unique approach to leadership training. Combining the elements of leadership, teaching, music, theater and real estate has resulted in a fast-paced, fun-filled and interactive experience with real impact. Your group will come away with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader in a REALTOR® Association; heightened problem-solving skills; and measurable, trackable goals PLUS accountability over the following year with their personalized and detailed follow-up program. Topics covered include: basic aspects of leadership, relationships between staff and leadership/volunteers, fiduciary duty, problem solving, goal setting, strategic thinking for leaders and more. Full day session; 1-2 hour modules available

For Association/Board Staff  The Nordstrom department store is legendary for exemplary customer service: from the earliest beginnings of Nordstrom, a sign hung that read, “If We Sell You Well, Tell Others. If Not, Tell Us.” Well known for putting customer over company, Nordstrom salespeople are empowered to always make it right for the customer. Nordstrom’s business philosophies easily translate into other industries and provide useful lessons for today’s associations. By viewing the agent as customer, associations can rethink their missions and continue to prove – and improve – the value of association membership and help to revolutionize our industry. 1 hour

For Association/Board Staff Our leaders have two important roles: setting/achieving goals and solving problems for their leadership year. Association executives are in a unique position to help leadership hone those skills. We’ll explore the art of the question: how the right questions can improve your relationship with your leaders and help you see them through a successful term. Through exercises and case studies, we'll discuss varous problem solving strategies and creative goal setting approaches to give you more tools for success in your Leadership Toolkit. 1-2 hours

For Association/Board Staff Has Covid changed association operations for good? How are REALTOR® Associations addressing staff morale, the Great Resignation, working from home, or hybrid options? Learn more about what the “new normal” looks like for associations and what it means for their employees and their operating procedures. Leave this session with examples you can implement as your association adjusts to the “new normal.”
Key Takeaways:

• How COVID has changed association operations and what they look like moving forward
• Potential models/office structures
• Tactics for enhancing staff morale
• Hiring 100% remote or shared employees
• Remote vs. in person and hybrid office options
• How we are adapting and moving forward

1-2 hours

For Association/Board Staff One of the biggest challenges facing associations is proving the value of membership, especially to the next generation of REALTORS®. Education, formerly a cornerstone of association services, has lost its luster. Topics that were once all the rage (social media, technology, video) no longer carry the buzz they once did since they are second nature to young professionals and new members. We’ll discuss how to use the resources at your disposal to abandon the status quo and revamp your educational offerings to engage the next generation in new and innovative ways, bringing the value of association membership to the forefront. 1 hour

The most successful negotiators get the best outcomes for clients by thinking outside the box. This session pushes you out of your comfort zone to think differently. We’ll explore the impacts of perception versus reality on the transaction and how emotional intelligence affects the negotiation process. You’ll walk away with fresh, new approaches and innovative options for even the most difficult negotiation. Maura is a graduate of the Harvard Negotiation Institute at Harvard Law. 1-3 hours; Session + Workshop Available; 3 hour class includes self-assessment(s), small group discussion and case studies—as time and format allow

For Association/Board Staff Working with members is a necessary part of every association staff member's role: from assisting with committee meetings to writing meeting agendas and minutes to planning and running events of all shapes and sizes. We will discuss member expectations (and how to manage them), the importance of detailed job descriptions and roles, and how to manage relationships, as well as strategies for how to handle things when they are stressful or negative. Working for a REALTOR® Association can be a rewarding and exciting job and — as with any career — having specific tools at your disposal is crucial. 1 hour

Understanding the needs and motivations of others improves our ability to communicate, negotiate and serve our clients' needs. Individuals who demonstrate a higher level of emotional intelligence (EQ) are able to navigate difficult conversations and ask the necessary questions to be better in business, in their personal life and lead calmer, less stressful lives. This session will explore the psychology of perception versus reality and how reflective listening, humble inquiry, body language and social cues can direct conversations and impact relationship building. You will discover the questions you should be asking in a variety of scenarios, as well as how to improve your EQ, communication skills and become a more well-rounded real estate professional. 3 hours

KEYNOTE   Emotional intelligence has become a buzzword not only in psychology circles and the self-help aisle but also in business and leadership. A heightened level of emotional intelligence can be the key to success for many reasons: better communication skills, enhanced interpersonal skills, stronger relationships and improved negotiation tactics. All of these together can make a happier you. In this session, Maura discusses the importance of not only emotional intelligence, but also body intelligence and moral intelligence. Learn how they are interlinked and how you can work to improve and strengthen all three to combat burnout and to work toward stronger relationships, a greater sense of contentment and even greater financial intelligence and security. 1 hour

KEYNOTE   Culturally, we are conditioned to believe that January 1 is the time for a rebirth, resolutions and a "new you." But what if you're perfectly happy with the "current you"? What if you want a little motivation without the pressure of recreation? What if past failures with New Year's resolutions have you gun-shy and doubting your ability to sustain them? The act of the New Year's resolution has become a marketing ploy that is counting on your failure, so let's find a new way. Maura wants you to do away with the old (resolutions!) and usher in the new (goals! planning! personal growth!) with the ultimate focus on creating a system that works for you to create success and happiness not just for this year but for years to come. 1 hour

Storytelling is an ancient art; it captivates us all, captures our imaginations, and when used effectively, can make you stand out from the crowd. Storytelling creates understanding and insight into your business as a story for consumers and agents; it creates affinity, even with those whom you haven’t met yet; and it provides your brokerage the vehicle for unique, compelling marketing content. From the way you present yourself and your brokerage’s story, a memorable story has the power to help you both recruit and retain your agents. So what’s the story you’ll share? 1-3 hours; Alternate Title: Once Upon a Time – Stories That Stick

For Boards and Associations   Association executives (and staff) can play a large role in the success of association leadership. Helping your leadership become an effective leader and enjoy a successful year can mean assisting them with developing their leadership skills, utilizing and constantly improving your emotional intelligence, and most of all, recognizing that there are many realities in your organization and that your perception — your reality — may not be the perception of all of the other players. In this session, attendees will test their own perception and compare it to others’ perceptions, using music and visual arts, interactive discussion of how we perceive our environment and how we apply our emotional intelligence to interact and relate to those with whom we work closely — from your leadership to your volunteer members, your staff to the association’s membership as a whole. 1 hour
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP SESSION INFORMATION

Maura is an awesome speaker. Great useable ideas and good stories. She is genuine and passionate. I highly recommend her!" - Bob Clark, Minnesota REALTORS®

For Boards and Associations  Storytelling is an ancient art; it captivates us all, captures our imaginations, and when used effectively, can make you stand out from the crowd. Storytelling creates understanding and insight into your association as a story for consumers and agents; it creates affinity, even with those not actively involved and engaged with the association; and it provides your organization the vehicle for unique, compelling content. Whether you are promoting RPAC, events and education, or member services, the way you tell your association’s story has the power to help you both recruit and retain your members, to prove and improve the value of membership. So what’s the story you’ll share? 1 hour