What Our Clients Have To Say....... 

Rich has made a great impact by assisting me in tackling my day to day activities and working by simplifying the process.   At first, I was very unorganized and Rich assisted me in prioritizing and focusing on the high payoff activities.   Rich is very adaptive to my personality and skill set and we work together to formulate the necessary changes to utilize my abilities to their potential. I can be very open and honest about my successes and road blocks and we always look for a solution.   Jonathan says “If you’re looking to get better and gain an unfair advantage on your competitors, he highly recommends having a coach. Being the best requires discipline and self development and there is no better way than to have an outside coach helping you achieve your goals.   I have learned to “Always put a question behind a question.”  Jonathan Foley, Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services, Falmouth, MA

Peggy Dineen’s gentle persistence and coaching with Rich Rudnick has rocketed her monthly income from $600 to $8,000 in just five months. Peggy says it is a privilege to work for Dentist Profits Systems in the Chicago area.   Peggy  says she looks forward to her weekly calls with Rich. She says implementing his suggestions is critical. “Rich is a genius at what he does and it has helped me be successful.” she adds.   Peggy says confidence will convert prospects to clients. “The biggest part is knowing the prospect’s behavior profile. Don’t give up! Just keep on going till you get the sale.”   Peggy is a real believer in coaching. “You’ll increase your sales by investing in Rich’s coaching in just a couple of months,” she says.  Peggy Dineen, Dentist Profit Systems, Chicago, IL

 

Rich has a great perspective of business in general and can help in orchestrating a plan for success.  Most of us in the business world can get so tied up with the day to day operations that we don’t take the time to work on the future success.  Rich provides the necessary accountability that we all hate but need to keep focused on the goals for success.  Smart Sales Solutions is smart money spent for future success!  Mike McGowan, Western States Insurance, Madras, OR

Aaron Gardner’s real estate business has changed a lot since he started in September of 2006. He’s gone from “barely scraping by,” as he puts it, to adding 2-3 quality prospects in his pipeline every week.   Aaron started coaching with Rich Rudnick several months ago. He says, “With Rich’s help, I’ve converted my leads much more consistently. They get what they want, I get a commission check, and everyone is happy!”    Coaching with Rich has given Aaron a crystal clear view of his goals and how to achieve them. He says Rich has also taught him how to communicate his value to clients and justify his fee.  Aaron says he saw his coaching investment as “directly applicable to my future success.” -  Aaron Gardner, Realty Executives, Mankato, MN

At a time when other real estate agents are complaining of a slow market, Angela Dreher and Trish Phillips closed more than a million dollars in sales in January. “We just got 250 listings from a local builder,” Angela says. “We were able to present ourselves well.  Even though we are small - we can handle it.”  Angela says coaching with Rich has really boosted their confidence.  As a result of their coaching, they have completely changed the way they do business. Angela says they communicate more effectively with their clients, they are tracking their production, and their negotiating skills have improved.  Angela didn’t have the money for coaching, but says, “I knew I needed the discipline and someone to be accountable to.”  Trish (her partner and the principle broker for Bend Style Real Estate) agreed and team coaches with her. “You can’t afford not to coach!” Angela says. “All it takes is one sale and you’ve paid for it!”  -  Angela Dreher and Trish Phillips, Bend Style Real Estate, Bend, OR

Candi Stabeck is a Super Real Estate Agent - literally!  Mpls. St. Paul /Twin Cities Business Monthly Magazines have bestowed that honor on Candi six times since 2003. A 22 year veteran in real estate, Candi has achieved the Edina Realty Chairman’s Circle Award six times in the last seven years. So why did Candi choose one-on-one coaching with Rich at Smart Sales Solutions? Candi says Rich has not only helped her get back on track with prospecting and staying in high payoff activities, he’s also helped her team (son Scott and assistant Sue Rodelius) operate more efficiently. “It’s the best money I could spend to reposition myself, my team, my business and the future of my business. I’ve had nothing but a good experience. Rich is just a dynamo!” Candi says veteran agents will find coaching with Smart Sales Solutions “a real shot in the arm,” and newer agents will discover “it’s absolutely the best thing they can do!” - Candi and Scott Stabeck, Edina Realty, Wayzata, MN

Andrew Kolars says the investment he made in one-on-one coaching in July 2007 was easily made back in one sale. He’s seen other results as well.  “I’ve gotten every single one of the last six listing appointments. Four of the six have already sold! One sold in 1 day, the others took 2, 21 and 31 days. By the end of this month, I’m ahead of my goal for 2007!”  Andrew evaluated all the advertising he's done and decided coaching with Rich would provide a much better return on his investment. He cites "huge benefits" in time blocking, tracking production and being held accountable for daily planning. "In the short time I've been doing this, the results are simply amazing to me," he says. "If you listen to what Rich has to say and follow through, you will definitely be successful!" - Andrew Kolars - Realty Executives, Mankato, MN

   

If you think you can’t make money in this market, Norma Tewalt begs to differ.   Norma has closed more real estate transactions year to date than she did all of 2006.  Norma didn’t do it alone - her daughter Erica Calarco has been a valued partner since 2005.  They both say coaching with Rich has made the difference. Norma says Rich provides a valuable service. “He holds you accountable and keeps you motivated.”  Erica says, “He helps keep you on the right track.”  Norma says Rich has given her tangible tools to succeed in this market, such as 8 Steps to Sell Your Listings. “Rich is very knowledgeable,” she says. “I put that to work. It gave me something to show sellers about selling their homes in this market.” Norma Tewalt & Erica Calarco, Sisters Hometown Realty, Sisters, OR

Matt Lathrop’s real estate business has doubled since he started coaching with Rich at Smart Sales Solutions a year ago. He says Rich keeps him focused on high payoff activities.  “It’s been excellent,” Matt says. “I can handle a lot more business now.” He currently holds 33 listings. Matt says he has no trouble saying no to unmotivated sellers. Recently he turned down listings for an entire subdivision because the developer was unrealistic about his prices.   Matt hired an assistant using the behavioral assessment and hiring tools Rich provided. He says the Core Selling Skills and Behavior Style Selling classes were a huge help. A talker by nature, Matt says, “A lot of the developers I meet are Dominant behavior types. Now I put them at ease by getting right to the point.”   -Matt Lathrop, Focus Realty, Bend, OR

After several years as a loan originator, Robert Brown decided to emulate the good habits of his more successful colleagues. After three months of coaching with Rich Rudnick at Smart Sales Solutions, Robert says his business doubled.  He says it comes down to setting prospecting goals and doing the things you don’t feel comfortable doing.  “It has increased my business,” Robert says.  “It’s all about prospecting for new relationships and maintaining current ones.” Robert cites other benefits from coaching, including accountability, production tracking, daily goal review and scripting. “In a marketplace like this, it’s easy to get discouraged. You have to get back to the basics and continue to do them,” Robert says. “Rich helps me keep my mind on what’s most important.”   -Rob Brown, Arbor Mortgage Group, Bend, OR

Wendy Duncan doesn’t have time to procrastinate any more—she’s too busy! Wendy started coaching with Rich at Smart Sales Solutions in January of this year, and by May had already sold more real estate than she had all of 2006! “I’ve just gotten better,” Wendy says. “I’m seeing the most production I’ve ever done!”   Wendy says Rich helps her be responsible for her goals and business plan. A key benefit, Wendy says, is the ability to track numbers and manage her database of clients. “Seeing those numbers in front of you is very powerful,” Wendy says. “It’s made me very enthusiastic and gives me something to work for.  As long as you do the work, you get the results!” —Wendy Duncan, Buyer's Agent/Broker, Windermere Central Oregon Real Estate, Redmond, OR

"Ever since ten of his staff members took the Core Selling Skills class a year ago and Mark started coaching, they've implemented, customized scripts, prospecting, tracking production and other disciplines.  Mark says, "People are being challenged when they weren't before."  Mark says coaching with Rich at Smart Sales Solutions is vital to growing a business.  According to Mark, "Implementing the ideas and advice Rich gives will definitely pay for itself in sales!"      - Mark Davidson, Davidson Insurance Agency, Inc. - Lincoln, NE

Douglas MacDonald owns a successful insurance agency with two offices in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He employs ten inside and three outside sales people to provide his clients with insurance, financial planning, business services and employee benefits. With revenues of $2,500,000 per year, why did Douglas decide to hire Rich Rudnick at Smart Sales Solutions? “Rich is a great ‘Sounding Board’, someone to whom I can express, in confidence, the challenges I face and who has excellent insight to help guide me in the direction to completion of desired goals,” Douglas says. He also says coaching helps him stay accountable. And when it comes to personnel, Douglas says the DISC assessment has been a very effective hiring and recruiting tool. - Douglas D. MacDonald - President, Murray & MacDonald Insurance Services - Falmouth, MA

Beth Anderson says the last two years were low points in her 20 plus years with  Edina Realty in Woodbury, MN.  Things changed after she started working with Rich Rudnick of Smart Sales Solutions last June. Beth says, “I did three times as much business the last half of 2006 as I did in the first. And I’ve done as much business in January and February as I did all of 2006! I’m carrying a lot more listings and they are selling!” Beth says Rich helped her to focus on her work and be accountable. “I had no money to pay Rich at first,” Beth says. “He convinced me that I wouldn’t go backwards with him—and I haven’t. One sale paid for my coaching!”   Beth says "You have to make it happen!" - Beth Anderson - Real Estate Broker, Edina Realty Inc. - Woodbury, MN

Mary Gillen entered the real estate industry in 2005 and quickly became a top producer in her Oregon community.  This year, Mary is on track to realize a 33 percent increase in her income. She says, “It’s all about change and a desire to be successful. I challenge myself by setting goals and working toward them, even if they are higher than I think I can achieve.”   Mary says she has learned the value of a support system, including her family. “Rich has given me the skills to get my priorities in shape. I have a team in place, and I’m more accountable to myself.”   Mary says, “I keep the Foundational Five Daily’s in the back of my mind, and by doing them every day I’ve increased my business.”   - Mary Gillen - Real Estate Broker, Coldwell Banker Sun Country Realty, Inc. - Prineville, OR

Anna Mastrud says she turned in her “secret agent” badge once she started coaching with Rich. She says, “Rich gave me the confidence to get out and talk to everyone on a daily basis, no matter what!”  Anna started prospecting every day, and she says it’s paying huge dividends. “I’m building my pipeline and my business is growing!”   Anna also appreciates the time management skills she has learned as a result of her coaching with Rich. “He showed me how to work with “A” clients, and not exhaust my energy on prospects who aren’t motivated.”   Anna says Rich has helped her to be “in the moment”, whether she’s with clients, family or friends. Now she’s working on her business plan and goals for 2007 and planning for her best year yet.   - Anna Mastrud, Real Estate Broker, Keller William Central Oregon Realty - Bend, OR

Bea told Rich she didn’t need a coach when he called her a year and a half ago.  After all, Bea has dominated the real estate market in her area for 18 years.  Then she thought, “A lot of high-ranking people have coaches.  What makes me better than them?”   Bea has closed 27 million dollars in gross volume year to date, an 11% increase over last year in a declining market of only 30,000 people. Bea says Rich also gave her great guidance with team management and using D.I.S.C. to hire appropriately.   Bea says, “Now I don’t interview anyone until they’ve completed the D.I.S.C.”    “I need a strong coach,” Bea says. “Rich really helps me tow the line. I had to break some old habits. Now I know what I need to do. It’s really helped.” - Bea Leach - Principal Broker-Real Estate, CRS, Windermere Central Oregon Real Estate - Redmond, OR

Ryan says he spends less and earns more since he started working with Rich.  “Rich taught me the systems and procedures to continually stay in high payoff activities and prospect—and I’ve closed more deals as a result.  Because of my new prospecting skills, I closed an additional $7,000 in September.”   Ryan says, “I spent more than $40,000 in other marketing and lead systems in the past year, and the return on investment in working with Rich is far greater than all of them.  I wish I’d met him two years earlier!”   Rich was persistent—and that impressed Ryan.  “He always did what he said he was going to do, and that was exactly the way I wanted to treat all my prospects.” - Ryan Belt - Mortgage Loan Originator, Priority One Mortgage Incorporated - Coon Rapids, MN

When Tom Rannells moved from Portland to Redmond, Oregon a couple of years ago, he left behind a real estate business based almost exclusively on referrals.  As a newcomer in town, Tom had to start over by finding new prospects.  “Rich provided the direction and the skills and the means to improve my prospecting,” Tom says. “It would not surprise me if 2006 were the best year I’ve ever had—and it’s come from prospecting.” Tom says Rich’s behavior profile work was extremely valuable.  “He helped me understand my personality and my sales style.”  Tom says this helps him communicate better with potential clients. “Knowing my core values means I can speak authentically about who I am—and not say something canned.”    - Tom Rannells, Real Estate Broker, Windermere Central Oregon Real Estate - Redmond, OR

 

Dave Makela first began one-on-one coaching sessions with Rich at Smart Sales Solutions a little more than a year ago.  Prior to working with Rich, Dave averaged about 5 sales per month.  Now he’s averaging more than 20 sales per month.  “Our new client growth is up 75% over 2005,” says Dave. He credits the systems Rich provided for the “phenomenal results” he’s received.   Dave says Rich has been especially helpful with handling objections, scripting and staying on track of call logs. “Rich will push me and bring out the best in me because he wants me to succeed,” says Dave. “I know he has my best interests at heart.“     - David Makela -VP Client Development, Ministry Coaching Interenational - Bend, OR