26th November 2012
The General Manager’s Corner CHANGING TIMES LEADING INTO 2013 The boxes are lining the passage way and the countdown is on for our office relocation scheduled for 28th of November 2012. While we are excited about our relocation and new office, it is with much sadness we say a farewell to two of First National’s very special Membership Services administrators. We wish to thank both Rachael and Julia for their passionate commitment to their roles within the National office and to the membership. Their friendly approach, always helpful attitude and dedication over the past year will be sadly missed. We wish them every success in their futures. It’s a shame that they are unable to re-locate to Auckland, however, they are both looking forward to a long summer break that they can spend with their families. Stepping up into their busy roles is Amber Regan who will be based in Auckland at the new Head Office. She is really looking forward to getting to know you all and is very friendly so please don’t hesitate to drop her a line and say hello. Amber grew up in Auckland on the North Shore and has just graduated from AUT University studying Event Management and Advertising; these skills will be put to good use in her role in Membership Services Administration as well as her love for photography. She will be taking on extra responsibilities such as social networking and conferencing and will be full-time at Head Office. The focus for 2013 is to provide service to the membership; this will be at an office level. This will include hands-on training in social media, IT solutions, database training, agency profiling assistance and much more. We are excited to announce that Gina Fowler has accepted the role as the Upper North Island, Membership Services Manager. This is based on the First National Australia model which results in the role being more proactively involved within your office and with the development of your teams. Another farewell that we sadly make is to our lovely contract accountant Michelle Harrison. Michelle stepped into the role at short notice in a temporary basis. She has performed an outstanding job within her role; handling the company accounts and assisting management. We welcome on our new accountant Marion Jones who has been training with Michelle over the last few weeks. Marion is a very experienced contract accountant and will take up a part time role with the team at the National office. As I have just completed the National Office Budget for 2013, it will be very helpful having two accountants reviewing our income and expenditure for the coming year. Thank you to all offices for returning your Office Survey, your confirmation letters will be sent this week.
First National Group NZ Ltd
The General Manager’s Corner
The girls sharing some Cosmopolitans at the Millennium Hotel in Rotorua
Amber, Rachael, Julia & Gina had a beautiful lunch and spa as a farewell gift to the girls in Rotorua
FIRST NATIONAL WHANGAMATA FEATURED IN THE COASTAL TIMES
Gordon Turner, principal of FN Whangamata, creates a great media opportunity using the FN Home Safe Kits.
First National Group NZ Ltd
The General Manager’s Corner
SPECIAL OFFER Online Video for First National Real Estate Many of you have already seen the online video for First National Taupo featuring Principal Brent Howie and his team. The video promotes the various services available through First National Taupo and has now been embedded in their website, which can be seen at: http://www.taupofirstnat.co.nz/ As you can see, by placing the online video in the header (top) of the home page of a website provides optimal viewing and impact for customers. It showcases a business in a very unique and authentic way, enabling customers to engage with your staff and premises, before they have even met you. Online video is the world’s biggest trend in marketing because it helps build customer relationships in a way no other medium can. In New Zealand, 83.5% of internet users watch high engagement online video. Of those who do watch it, research indicates that 40 – 80% of people go on to make direct enquiries or purchase with that business. Quest’s online video has a variety of uses and can be: embedded directly into your website; emailed to customers (via a link to your website); watched on a Smartphone by scanning a QR Code in print media (for example business cards, newspaper/ magazine advertising, property flyers, brochures etc.), branch window etc.; used on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn; shown to prospective customers in presentations; or looped so it can play continuously, for example in store or at an event If you are not familiar with QR Codes, please see the attachment, which is an advertisement with a QR Code in the bottom right hand corner. A QR Code links to a video in a website, so that when a person scans a QR Code with their Smartphone, they in turn watch the video on their phone. Online video can be utilised in a number of ways. With regards to First National Real Estate it can be used for: 1 Branch Overview – like Taupo First National – with generic details of a branch, for example history, background, values, staff and services of a branch. 2 Specific Services – relating to one service of a branch of First National Real Estate – for example Rural/Lifestyle – providing key details such as locations, types, agents etc. 3 Agents – relating to one agent – specific details of one agent within a branch of First National Real Estate – for example background information, their role and how they can help customers. The videos are then embedded in the respective pages of a website. For example, a video about an agent would be embedded in their profile, accessed through the About Us page, then Our Team in the drop down menu. Having seen the First National Taupo online video, if you would like one or more for your branch, please find below a special offer to First National Real Estate: Special First National Real Estate Video Package (90 second videos) includes: up to 2 hour shoot on location; up to 2 interview situations; up to 8 cut away shots; Royalty free soundtrack (same as Taupo First National); FREE website embedding; FREE QR Code set up for any First National branch or agent. Cost: 1 video: $3,995 2 videos: $2,500 each 3 videos: $2,165 each 4+ videos: $2,000 each Prices are exclusive of GST. Offer ends this Friday, 30th November 2012.
First National Group NZ Ltd
If this interests you contact: Jacqui Earle Business Development Quest Marketing Ltd Mobile: 021 137 1150 Call Free: 0800 60 50 40
The General Manager’s Corner
DID YOU SEE THE ECLIPSE? On the morning of the 14th of November, Rachael, Amber and I witnessed the partial eclipse of the sun. Apparently we missed the memo that you are not supposed to stare at it without Solar Glasses, so for the rest of the day we had stars in our eyes! An eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon passes directly between earth and the sun casting a shadow on the earth. The next eclipse with this amount of obscuration seen from New Zealand will not occur until 2028 and Auckland will not see a better solar eclipse until 2035.
The National Awards will be taking place at this Convention, as this replaces a NZ based "National Conference" in 2013. Make sure you register to be a part of the action and excitement that joint Conventions offer.
Other industry-related information that may be of interest/benefit to you: First National Template – Design update for Rural Properties (see attached eg. For FN Gore)
Colleen Milne General Manager P: 07 577 9693 ext. 208 M: +64 29 771 0750 E: colleen.milne@firstnational.co.nz
First National Group NZ Ltd
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” - Henri Bergson