ADVANCED ACCESS May 2004 Newsletter

May 2004 Newsletter

”Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can. “
- Danny Kaye, Entertainer

WINNERS Announced in
“Most Impressive AA Website” Promotion!

ADVANCED ACCESS is pleased to announce the WINNERS in our 2004 “Most Impressive AA Website” promotion. Hundreds of votes were submitted in our contest, and it was a very close race between the nominees. All of the nominees’ websites were dynamic, content-rich and in general, very IMPRESSIVE. We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the following winners in each category:

Best Homepage

1^st Place: Larry Webb – Anaheim Hills, CA

2^nd Place: The Whittington Group – Oklahoma City, OK

3^rd Place: The Doris Leadbetter Team – Great Falls

Best Lead Generator

1^st Place: Greg Wiatt – Prescott Properties, Prescott Arizona

2^nd Place: Valerie Whiteman - Pawley’s Island, SC

3^rd Place: Bob Wilson - San Diego Homes, San Diego, CA

Best Use of a Template

1^st Place – Todd Shealy – Gainesville, FL

2^nd Place – Geri Sonkin – Long Island, NY

3^rd Place – Toni Krieger – Scottsdale, AZ

Best Use of a Theme

1^st Place – Jon Paul – Cape Charles, VA

2^nd Place – Angie Boyce – Chesapeake, VA

3^rd Place - Carol Westerman – Santa Clarita, CA

Best Use of an AA Feature

1^st Place - Dan Hill – Phoenix, AZ

2^nd Place - The Red Wagon Team – Huntington Beach, CA

3^rd Place – April & Bill Dornan – Boardman, OH

Most Original Content

1^st Place – Fran & Rowena – La Canada, CA

2^nd Place – Lane Elliott – Scarsdale, NY

3^rd Place - Naples Realty Services – Naples, FL

Most User Friendly

1^st Place – Metro Realty – Laguna Niguel, CA

2^nd Place – Kirk Greer – Virginia Beach, VA

3^rd Place - Gene Brown – Orlando, FL

Most Impressive Advanced Access Website: Larry Webb

Larry Webb, from Anaheim Hills, California, was thrilled to hear the news that he had won first place in both the Best Homepage and Most Impressive Website categories. “I am truly honored to win the ADVANCED ACCESS “Best Homepage” and “Most Impressive Website” competition. I would like to thank those who found my site worthy of this distinction and voted for me. My Advanced Access site has enabled my business to grow exponentially in a very short time period.

Larry continues, “To be quite honest, I was a bit skeptical when I signed up for an enhanced marketing (Gold) package. However, the results have been phenomenal. I no longer consider ADVANCED ACCESS a website developer and host company. I now consider them to be a strategic partner and critical element in my rapidly growing business. The staff is always helpful and quick to respond to my very demanding and short-fuse requests. The leads generated from my links to all the major search engines have enabled lots of opportunities for success. I would truly recommend anyone considering enhanced services through ADVANCED ACCESS to pursue it.” Larry Webb, Ph.D., MBA, Realtor®

Each of the winners in our Most Impressive AA Website Promotion have worked diligently to enhance their site design, improve their link popularity, content and features available to the homebuyer and seller. As a result of their hard work, they have achieved high exposure, high rankings on the search engines and large numbers of unique visitors each day. We recommend that you spend some time reviewing our winners’ websites. You will find it is time well spent for gaining some valuable ideas for your OWN website.

We would like to thank RealEstateABC.com, VisualTour.com, and InternetCrusade.com for graciously contributing some wonderful prizes to our winners.

The "Most Impressive AA Website" will receive a one year sponsorship in the award winning RealEstateABC.com directory ($200.00 value), 1 VisualTour Agent Starter Kit with 3 months free subscription for UNLIMITED virtual tours ($290 value), and a copy of the "Real Estate Technology Guide" written by Saul Klein, John Reilly, and Mike Barnett, the founders of Internet Crusade. The winner will also receive 6 months of free hosting for their ADVANCED ACCESS products and a mention on the ADVANCED ACCESS website. In addition, the winner will receive a colorful and eye-catching MOST IMPRESSIVE WEBSITE AWARD Icon to place on their website in recognition of their achievement.

Each of the first place 'Category Winners' will receive a six month sponsorship in the award winning RealEstateABC.com directory ($125.00 value), three months of free hosting for their ADVANCED ACCESS products and a mention on the ADVANCED ACCESS website.

Each of the second place ‘Category Winners’ will receive one year of services for the Real Estate ABC Newsletter program ($99.00 value) and one month of free hosting for their ADVANCED ACCESS website.

Each of the third place winners in the seven categories will receive a one year photo in the Real Estate ABC directory ($50.00 value).

ADVANCED ACCESS’ Mission Statement…written by
our own Customer Support Representatives

ADVANCED ACCESS takes pride in providing the most knowledgeable, efficient and responsive customer service to our valued clients. Recently our Customer Support Department sponsored a contest for the “Best Customer Support Mission Statement.” The group divided into teams and each team co-wrote a document that described their philosophy for Customer Support. All of the teams turned in some extremely well-written documents and the management at ADVANCED ACCESS had a difficult decision on their hands. We are proud to present the winning Mission Statement, written by Customer Support Representatives David Troutman, Kyle Ocampo, Sarah Strand and Suzanne Harris, below:

Pictured from L-R
Suzanne Harris, Kyle O’Campo, Sarah Strand, and Aron Spegon

Advanced Access prides itself above all on providing Customer Support that exceeds client expectations. The relationships that are forged with our clients are rock solid. ADVANCED ACCESS is unique because we started out as a family owned business and have grown into an industry leader; and yet, we still have that same one client at a time mentality. It is the trust, loyalty and respect we provide to our clients and receive in return that makes this company stand out from the crowd. Providing exceptional Customer Support is what we are branding, therefore, we have earned that right to call ourselves the best.

We play in integral role in how clients perceive the company as a whole. We are their welcome wagon, their life line. Advanced Access believes in continuing the education of its clients so that they can better use this product. Equally as important, ADVANCED ACCESS believes in continuing the education for its employees so that we may better serve each client to our fullest ability. Utilizing our ever-increasing knowledge, understanding, patience, is what makes us well equipped for every situation we may encounter.

The goal of the Customer Support Division is to leave each and every client with a better understanding of their products and a greater appreciation for our services. And as a member of the Customer Support Division it is our role to provide the highest level of service, and always put the interests of the client first. Our clients depend on us to be here for them and it is because our support never wavers, we remain the best there is.

The Customer Support Division is the jewel of ADVANCED ACCESS. We are not just information dispensers; we take the extra initiative that leaves our clients the satisfactory feeling that they are well-taken care of. Because ADVANCED ACCESS started out as a family owned company, even today, with our extensive client database, we have not lost sight of the mentality. Each client of ours is not just another customer number; they are a member of Advanced Access family and are treated as such.

Congratulations are also extended to the 2^nd place team: Anna Bourland, Audrey Seiberling, Jeffery Perez and Steve Sorensen. The winning team received a cash prize and the 2^nd place winners received ADVANCED ACCESS t-shirts.

If there is anything we can do to enhance your Customer Support experience, we always welcome your feedback. Please do not hesitate to contact us at support@advancedaccess.com. We appreciate your business and support.

Article by Jane Ellsworth Featured in Online Article
For Realtor® Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches

Last month an article by our own Jane Ellsworth, Senior Vice President of Sales, was featured in the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches online publication.

Jane’s article, entitled “Getting your Website to Work for You, outlines some of the important steps you can take to ensure your website receives high exposure. As Jane writes in her article, “A well-groomed, accessible, flexible and versatile Website does no one any good if it isn’t seen by consumers, clients, or the hundreds of potential leads that are looking for a successful, well-established and tech savvy real estate professional. An important goal is for your Website to be seen, over and over again.”

With Over One Million Members – NAR Is Getting Younger

The National Association of REALTORS^® has just announced that its membership has grown to over one million members, but what does a 25 percent increase in membership since 2000 really mean? While it means more clout on Capitol Hill, it also means a shift in attitudes toward the real estate industry.

Membership of the NAR is getting younger, due in part to the dot-com fallout and job loss in technology firms, but the real story is how many believe in the opportunity to become a REALTOR^®and what impact they may have on the industry as they hunker down for long-term careers.

A survey of new members that was recently released, indicates that members are getting younger, attrition is down (despite the less than favorable earnings by new members) and new members say they are in it for the long haul.

People are going into the real estate business and that has to do with jobs and the booming real estate industry, so there has been opportunity in real estate because of the robust real estate economy. The second thing is that people are choosing to become REALTORS^®because the vast majority of transactions - about 90 percent - are done by REALTORS^®.

In 1978, the median age of a REALTOR^®was 42. According to the latest REALTOR^®survey, the 2001 NAR Member Profile, the median broker and agent are 52 years old, but the numbers could change if the trend to younger REALTORS^®holds. New members since 2000 average 43 years of age and they are already pushing the average age of members down to 51 years old. Finally, overall attrition is down, which also fuels the recent growth that the membership has enjoyed.

New members are younger and the typical member age is 51, while new members are 43, which is significantly younger. The other question and issue that has come up is where have they come from. Are these temporary people laid off from dot-coms and will they go back to what they did when the economy improves?

According to the survey, there is a telltale bulge of new members in 2002 and 2003 after the dot-com fallout. Three-quarters make a full-time living in real estate making approximately $36,000 a year, far below the $52,000 that the average member makes, but that figure can also include the ones who have joined since 2000.

The survey also indicates that members are working harder to get ahead than the typical REALTOR^®. While the typical sales associates (not brokers) make $39,300 annually and work 38 hours, the new member works 43 hours and earns approximately $36,000 a year.

Recognize Memorial Day with Patriotic Banners and Designs

On Memorial Day, May 31, 2004, we pay tribute to those who have served and those who died serving in order that we might live in freedom.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our nation. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Pictured above are a few of the many colorful and patriotic banners available in our graphic library to commemorate the holiday. In addition to the graphic banners, you can choose between two Classic Package design styles (examples below) to devote the entire home page of your website to this holiday of remembrance.

In your Classic Package, you can make the changes directly through your Virtual Office. The collages under the ‘All Holidays’ and ‘Patriotic’ categories are both appropriate for the month of May.

Any of our customer support representatives would be happy to assist you in adding the Memorial Day banners or website styles to your site. Simply give us a call TOLL FREE 866-518-1571 or e-mail us at support@advancedaccess.com.

Senior Level Management Appointments Announced

We are pleased to announce that two long-time ADVANCED ACCESS employees have been promoted to high-level positions of responsibility within the company.

Christopher Clelland, formerly Director of Customer Support, has been promoted to Director of Operations.

Chris began his career with ADVANCED ACCESS four years ago in our Customer Support department as a support representative, although his goal was to be in management. Chris quickly proved himself in the department and on his one-year review, he was promoted to Director of Customer Support and was married to his wife Fabi that same month.

Chris is very analytical person by nature, and his new position of Director of Operations is perfectly suited to his skills and abilities. Chris is enjoying his new responsibilities, and sums up his position, “I'm able to play a very integral role in product development, sweeping changes throughout the company, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly from one end of the spectrum to the other. The latest big project that I'm spear-heading involves taking every section of the company and bringing it together under one roof using a system of technology that provides every member of the company to not only better know and have access to the information they need, but also to obtain it much quicker.

He continues, “The past 4 years at ADVANCED ACCESS have been life-changing for me. I've had the opportunity to work around a great group of people that have fed my intellect, as well as my understanding of business to the strongest level.”

Chris has been working towards a Masters in Business at the local university, so his studies have worked beautifully alongside his experience at ADVANCED ACCESS. Coming from a customer service and sales background, Chris knows that above all else, Customer Support of the highest quality must remain at the center of every company that intends to do business the right way.

As a lover of the Matrix, Chris says, "I'm interested in the future, and I know the only way to get there is together. Though on my own I may be dedicated, motivated, and determined, I know that I can't ever be truly successful without those I work with, clients, and every influence I pick up along the way. The biggest lesson I've learned daily at ADVANCED ACCESS is that there's always something new to learn ;)”

Aron Spegon, formerly Assistant Director of Customer Support, has been promoted to Director of Customer Support.

Aron has been working with us for over two years, beginning as a Customer Support Representative. A natural manager with superb organizational skills, Aron’s intelligence and ability stood out, and he was steadily promoted through the years to his current position as Director of Customer Support.

In his position, Aron is responsible for all of the activities within the Customer Support Division. In addition, he solves some of the more challenging issues that arise in Customer Support, and works directly with many of our valued clients.

Aron is known as being an “out-of-the-box” thinker, and is always willing to go the extra mile to come up with creative solutions to help the department run more smoothly and efficiently. He was instrumental in many of the new changes that were recently implemented with the release of the Classic Package 3.0, as he was part of the “think tank” that contributed to the development team.

Aron was born in Chicago, Illinois. Since then he has lived in Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, and from one end to the other in California (Santa Rosa to San Diego). Aron is working on his degree at Fullerton College, with an emphasis in Psychology and Computer Science. Prior to coming on board here, Aron worked at New Horizons Computer Learning Center, the largest computer training company in the world. His duties as an Account Executive included establishing and maintaining large accounts throughout Orange County.

Although Aron has lived in many places, he feels most “at home” in Southern California, here in Orange County, and does not plan on leaving. His father and brother both reside nearby, and also a special girl with whom Aron has enjoyed a relationship for about a year. Aron enjoys spending any free time that he has doing something relaxing. He especially likes going to the movies, taking road trips, and playing video games.

When asked why he enjoys working at ADVANCED ACCESS, Aron said, “ADVANCED ACCESS is unwavering in its pursuit of providing an unparalleled product. The primary driving force of ADVANCED ACCESS’s success has always been service. We are blessed with dedicated and competent staff. I have experienced limitless opportunity to maximize my potential.” Aron loves making people happy, and when someone gets off the phone with him with a problem solved, happier than before, he feels fulfilled.

And now, here are a few thoughts about life….

“The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.”
- Robert Heinlein

“The purpose of life is to fight maturity.”
- Dick Werthimer

“Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.”
- Fran Lebowitz

“Life is something that everyone should try at least once.”
- Henry J. Tillman

“Life is a long lesson in humility.”
- James M. Barrie

April 2004 | Back to Main Page | June 2004