NSMC eNews - November 2009

What were the first perks of becoming a MIRM?

When I first got my MIRM (Member, Institute of Residential Marketing) designation in 1986 many of my builder acquaintances and sales and marketing friends in Ohio were curious about the meaning and benefits of the membership. Once I explained the significance of being a MIRM, they immediately treated me with a higher level of respect. In fact, in 1987, during the celebration of the MIRM Awards Program, (soon to become The Nationals), in Dallas, Tex., the first female president of the HBA in Cleveland, Ohio, who was a high-end custom home builder, questioned me about the importance of the designation and then committed to getting her designation within the next year. Subsequently, she had her entire sales team become MIRMs as well and entered the award competitions locally and nationally, bringing home many trophies.

What have been recent benefits to earning your MIRM?

During my career, I have lived and worked in several cities, initially in Cleveland, Ohio, then Cincinnati, Ohio, then Raleigh, N.C. and most recently North Topsail Beach, N.C. I recognized the importance of continuing my involvement in the industry whenever I moved, being a MIRM made it easy to participate in different SMCs. Over the years, I have been fortunate to have been SMC Chair in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Raleigh as well as the National Sales and Marketing Chair for NAHB. It helps to be a MIRM when you move around a bit.

The MIRM designation is recognized throughout the industry, and throughout the country, as a sign of professional achievement and thus it provides significant credibility to the designee. When HBAs and SMCs are looking for speakers, instructors or judges for their award programs, they are more likely to choose a MIRM. During the last 24 years, I have been able to travel and have been privileged to judge HBA and SMC award programs in more than 15 different cities, including Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Hilton Head Island, Charleston and Charlotte.

What MIRM benefit has had the most lasting impact on your career?

There is no doubt that the most lasting impact of having achieved the MIRM designation has been the outstanding contacts and friendships with most of the top industry professionals that I have been able to enjoy over the years. Add to that the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated and committed NAHB/NSMC staff, and you have a formula for success and great personal satisfaction.

While working with builders, developers, lenders and sales agents during my career, I have been able to call upon and utilize the talents of some of the top new home advertising minds in the country, several of the top interior merchandisers in our industry, the most respected sales trainers and motivational speakers and most recently a few social media gurus who are teaching builders and sale agents how to maximize the latest benefits, and the power of the Internet to create more sales. All of these folks are MIRMs and I am proud to call them my personal friends.

What have been the most unexpected benefits of earning your MIRM designation?

Several times during my career and most recently, in fact, just last month, I have had phone calls, out of the blue, requesting consulting services because they found my name on the NAHB Web site or sometimes in the past they may have seen an article that I had written for one of our industry’s major magazines or for the Sales + Marketing Ideas publication. Being a MIRM gets you in NAHB's Professional Designation Directory and also gets you on the radar for writing opportunities and other involvements.

For example, one fun assignment recently has been participating on the review team for the upcoming Home Technology Integration Course that will be piloted at IBS in Las Vegas in January 2010. Along with S. Robert August, MIRM, I helped develop and implement the sales and marketing segments of the new course.