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So I missed Thursday, but only one day late. . .

So I've been attending Brian Buffini's Turning Point Retreat for the past couple of days. As always it was very good and allowed me to be refreshed and ready to get back to working my business hard here in the heart of the home buying and selling season. The TPR is a business seminar put on for agents and lenders that teaches the way of doing business by referral. When I entered this business everyone told me that I'd have to go door knocking, cold calling, calling expired listings, etc. I was pretty aprehensive about all of that and was determined to find a better way of doing business. Fortunately the office I ended up in was a "Buffini" office. Brian Buffini was an agent in the late 80's and through the 90's in San Diego California. If anyone knows anything about San Diego, you'll know that in the late 80's and early 90's the city was in a major depression. Home prices FELL 37% during that time. Well Brian happened to increase his business every year during that time when as many as 75% of the agents were getting out of the business. He developed his Referrals By Design system of doing business and that's what he teaches now. And it's what I'm trying to follow while building my business. I can't say enough good things about this system. It's allowed me to build the type of Real Estate business I wanted to build. It's been awesome.

So through the whole TPR, I still stayed soda free. I'm now 17 days into my "no soda" regimen and I think I've pretty well kicked the habit. I'm going to continue until the end of February without question and then may occasionally have a coke. One very significant part of the TPR is re-evaluating your goals and setting into place an action plan for the next 90 days. I'll be working refining that over the next couple of days and will post the results here for anyone that really gives a rip. :-) The TPR doesn't just focus on business, they take the "5 Circle Approach" the 5 circles being: Spiritual, Family, Business, Financial, and Personal . . . personal is further broken down into mental and physical well being. So you'll see my goals from all 5 areas here when I have them ready.

MAN it's COLD! They said we were in for an "Arctic Chill" and they weren't kidding. When I left the house this morning, it was 24 degrees according to Toyota Temperature . . but I'd bet with the wind chill it was well down into the lower teens. Power went out all around the area around 8:30 this morning and it was hell trying to get anywhere around town. Many roads were blocked by downed trees or power lines. I was waiting for a furnace service guy on one of my listings at 9 AM and finally called the company at 9:20 to find out where they were only to discover they had cancelled my appointment because of all the emergency "heat out" calls they got. I was a bit torqued, but what can you do? I then spent nearly an hour trying to get across town to Lakewood because all the lights were out and being treated like 4 way stops.

Anyway, not too much to report for today . . . so I'll sign out now . . . have a good weekend everyone!
 

19 comments:

Come on John! Don't you know the REAL Brian Buffini story? He was a below average Real Estate agent who worked for Joe Stumpf at a training company called By Referral Only. Brian was a great presenter - not a great real estate agent! He broke off and started his own company using the ideas he took from Joe Stumpf at By Referral Only. OK, so he is more entertaining than Joe, but those are Joe's systems and ideas, NOT Brians!
by: Dan Crouse (contact) - 23 Apr '06 - 02:24
Hi There, I am coached by the Buffini company and I can tell you it is amazing and the amount of referrals I recieve has been incredible. Oh by the way... there have been many people that have taught something along this line but not to the degree of Brian and Oh by the way...Brian was top 1% in the stats
by: Dave (contact) - 13 Jul '06 - 21:25
John, for whatever reason you "Think" you know the real Buffini Story, it is apparent that you are a celebrity, seeking approval and attention. Yes, at one pont Brian and Joe worked together... and you can still find mutual material from the 2 of them "Floating" around... however, Brian's core nature to be concerned with the clients... not just the dollar, cut that relationship off, and if you know anything about success, I'd say Brian's conviction and Character proves who the "Real Man" is, and the company behind it. Perhaps you need to work on your own personal affirmations
by: Know you better than you know... (contact) - 03 Aug '06 - 22:49
I work at the company. Brian is an awesome man with great character. He is only 39 years of age and already this powerful. Let's see where he is in 10 more years because he is already crushing the competition and it's only going up from here.
by: Don-t think so (contact) - 03 Oct '06 - 14:45
Was there to watch them both and John's story is closer to the truth. Brian pretty much took Joe's material and begain presenting it as his own. Referrals By Design? Joe's core business was and is teaching agents and lenders how to "design referrals" - prior to and after the so-called "split". Brian didn't spend much time thinking up a Co. Name...
by: cs in sd (contact) - 03 Feb '07 - 10:41
Just my two cents if anyone cares and is still reading this thread. I was coached by Joe Stumpf's company for two years before I joined Brian's company to work for him. I enjoyed Joe's presentations as much as anyone, however, Brian is the REAL deal. He is an awesome man on and off stage he is the same. In front of thousands and in front of a few of us he's the same. Joe's company used to be called "Star Performance Seminars" and promoted "self-promotion" before he was introduced to Brian who changed what was taught. Both companies are doing a lot of good for a lot of people. I've had conversations with both mena and in my opinion they are both doing what they can to improve the live of realtors and lenders. I can only speak for my experience. Brian is an awesome mand with an increadible company that has grown when other are failing miserably. Check both out and make a good decision. Like I said, just my two cents.
by: Joe (contact) - 13 Jun '07 - 20:04
OK - lets set the record straight. Brian sold Joe and his ex- wife a house. Joe's wife was so impressed with the way Brian conducted himself and with the systems he used that she told Joe "You have to get this guy to share his stuff with your audience." The name "By Referral Only" is literally the tag line that Brian's father used to place on his painting and decorating signs in Dublin. If there has been any stealing of information it has been by Joe from Brian. In the process of sharing his (Brian's) systems with other realtors Brian realized that he had a real desire to help other people. He started his own company (Providence Seminars at the time) and began speaking. Over the past 11 years that company has grown. Not because Brian is a great speaker, which he is. It has grown because the people who use the systems he developed are successful. They run no advertising and gain all their clients by referral. Would their business be so robust if the systems didn't work??? CHeck it out for yourself. http://www.buffiniandcompan...
by: Alton (contact) - 24 Jul '07 - 22:43
I joined By Referral Only as wellas Brian's program. During the 2ys I belonged to Joe's my business didn't change.In the 6 yrs I've been with Brian, my business went form30% referrals to a present rate of 98% Awesome!Joe nickels and dimes you with extras too. Brian gives so much of himself with extra seminars. A class act.Joe has some great people with him when I joined: Rita Casey etc. They-including joe's wife-allleft him. JOe, Mike Ferry, Tony Ronnins none of them can keep a marriage together. Brian is married with 6 kids-he runs his life with integrity. However,By referral only has some good marketing ideas. I'll be with Brian forever.
by: Jean Marie (contact) - 02 Aug '07 - 20:10
I have done both Joe and Brain for 10 years. Both men are of great character. Brain did get his start with Joe and he choose to go on his own. I have talked with Joe and Brain about their relationship and both men respect each greatly.By Referral Only is a very complete system focusing on Before During After...Brain chooses to focus only on After. You have to look at each program closely to see what make sense for you - for me I choose BRO only because I like Joes constant updating for the current market - it's always fresh and his complete sytems._ best of luck - Larry
by: Larry Kellerman (contact) - 19 Oct '07 - 09:40
I did went to by referral only for a year pogram and made a great diference for me and my busines, I loved it and was besttime and money I ever spend, I get a great retutn of It.
Now I am doingbrian buffini, and geting my realtors associates also doing it, I see the similarity, butalso I see the diference, Brian B. move away from by Referral Only, I think both teaching is good.
by: Eli Oliveira/ Remax Fidelity NJ (contact) - 19 Oct '07 - 12:43
I'm not a realtor nor a lender but an accountant who is in the Buffini coaching system and am just curious, why do people look for the negative and then share what they find? Why should it matter whether it was Joe's ideas or Brian's ideas? They both have apparently helped many other people for the better. Doesn't that count for anything anymore? I'm a hopeless optimistic but I'd like to believe that if Joe & Brian are the motivators that they appear to be, they are both probably over any hard feelings either of them may have harbored if any so why bring it all up again?
by: Kate (contact) - 09 Mar '08 - 20:05
Isn't that crazy? This post by far has garnered the most comments out of any ever on my blog. It's amazing to me to see how many people just have to have their say as to who is better. Hey, Buffini works for me, so I'm sticking with it.
by: John (contact) - 14 Mar '08 - 07:07
Not only is most of his ideas are taken from other speakers, but most of his stories are made up. After his lack luster Real Estate Career. He got out of the business and started a landscape business called "Misty Mates". He went to Joe Stumpf and borrowed some money to pay his taxes. Joe offered Brian a Speaking Spot on his tour for payment. The DAY after he paid Joe back, he went behind his back and Started his speaking career. In 2005 his Brother Kevin Buffini plead guilty for Real Estate Fraud, and Brian spent a TON of money to get him out of jail only to work for him. Go figure, Brian Buffini Mr. "Integrity" hires Real Estate Felons in his company.
by: Drury (contact) - 16 May '08 - 18:36
I've been in RE for seven yrs - I am trying to do something new and been referred to check out Brian Buffini by a few key people who have apparently used his program. I also heard of Joe from years back. Now that I ran into this thread I think my investment deserves more researching on my end.
Anyone with more current feedback - please not negative just actual. Thanks so much
by: Saya (contact) - 30 Oct '08 - 13:49
I used to work for Brian. He is awesome, he is great on stage but doesn't change when no one is looking. I only heard him say nice things about Joe. I never met Joe but one of my friends who is featured on his website and on some literature that I read told me she wasn't getting any value. So she came to Buffini and Company coaching. Although I am no longer at the company, she is still being coached and she loves it. So I hope that is helpful for you. I often hear people say " oh, Joe trained Brian." My question would be " How many houses did Joe sell, how many did Brian sell?" I would want to be lead by someone who knows where to take me. Oh I don't want to be picky but if you all would check your spelling it would make what you say more credible, sorry.
by: brian (contact) - 14 Nov '08 - 12:57
I have used a few different Coaching programs and am happy to share my honest opinion of Brian Buffini's system. I use the Buffini System at about 75% capacity and have done so since day one in my Real Estate Career. I'm utilizing the Club Net system, not personal coaching from the Buffini program. I have now been a Realtor a tad over 3 years and have seen my business grow from 15 transactions in my first full year (2006), to 20 in 2007, to 22 this year (2008). 22 transactions isnt exactly setting the world on fire but its enough to put me in the top 5% of agents nationwide and provide me with a healthy 6 figure income. I attribute this to a wonderful program (Buffini's), hard work, and a great accountability coach (not a Buffini coach but someone else that is in the program with me). I listened to one of Joe Stumpf's coaching calls a year or so ago, subscribed to his "marketing nuggets", and implemented a few of his ideas which lead to some success. Just tonight, I purchased Joe Stumpf's system for $199. This is supposed to include everything he gives at his seminars for $795 and will be shipped to my doorstep. What's good about Joe's systems is he gives you the templates you need to generate ads, postcards, etc. You just plug in your own info or experience. I'm using Joe's program to bring in more business from the people I don't know and to try to pick up a few tips on how to do an even better job of servicing the clients I have now. I love Brian Buffini's sphere lead generating strategies and after the sale follow up. It has created a business for me that's 80% referral. However, I really just want to kick it up a notch and am excited to use some of the ads, postcards, and verbiage that Joe advocates. I don't care who spoke at who's seminar. They both seem to respect each other and I would think we should do the same. John, I hope you're still doing well in Real Estate and would love to hear about your more recent thoughts of Brian's Systems. I went to his TPR this year and got some great current stats about our market and some positive insight on how to inform my clients of the great opportunity that's in front of them. Very much worth my 2 days an minimal costs. All the best. Aubrey
by: Aubrey (contact) - 26 Dec '08 - 19:55
I can't believe this banter is going on after all of these years! I met both Joe and Brian at a Star Performance Seminar in a resort in NJ way back in 1992. Both gentleman were and are influencing their "disciples" in positive ways. The story about Brian's father is the truth. I know there was some legal wrangling between the two for use of the phrase, but let's face it, if you work for a company and create somethi9ng for the company, it is company property.

I have been out of the business for almost 10 years now and I am still amazed at how polarizing real estate trainers are. Pretty much every system out there works - if you apply it.

Joe and Brian - thanks for helping me succeed. Because of the service you provided I was closing 50+ transactions/year before exiting.

Jon McLeod
former RE/MAX agent
by: Jon McLeod (contact) - 08 Jan '09 - 11:23
Wow. There is a lot of heat in these comments so I guess I will add a little fuel to the fire. I have been coached by Buffini & Co. for 3 + year and have found it to be a very valuable resource for my business. I never subcribed to this coaching service because it was the only one out there or the first one created. I mean really..do we need to purchase the wheel only from it's creator? Do we need just one view point per idea? This is a great concept shared by many great business minds who decided to market it. I love the service I get from Buffini and Co and have high regard for the integrity of the company and Brian Buffini. He is a wonderful speaker and I chose to believe he is the wonderful moral individual portrayed on stage. If that portrayal is a fantasy then I would rather not know. Oh by the way...Drury...Judge not lest ye be judged. I think everyone has someone in their family that may have strayed from the straight and narrow.
by: Kathy Magliochetti (contact) - 01 Apr '09 - 10:07
Thanks for the comments. I am in the process of evaluating whom to choose. From the comments it looks like Brian is clean in and out (sorry Tiger). Did not see such comments about Joe. I am sure both have good to offer, and all those who they have helped to grow will be grateful to them both. Thanks agian guys.
by: Rex (contact) - 12 Dec '09 - 06:31



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