Community Team Service

Community Team Service
Expand the Team, Expand the Benefits

The community team meeting concept has been around quite a while now. Many companies have had such success with it they are ready to take it to the next level. That involves expanding the role of others who work with home buyers throughout the process to strengthen service and attention.

Depending on the details of a company’s processes, this might include mortgage, selection, closing, and warranty personnel. Traditionally, these folks are welcome at community team meetings but in too many cases schedules have made their attendance irregular at best.

Given the realities of today’s marketplace, the time has come to devote more energy and attention to existing customers and coordinating services to them. The good news is that today’s technology makes doing so possible and convenient. Video and phone conferencing is readily available from most locations–so even if participants are unable to attend in person, they can join via technology.

Imagine the results if this meeting became a standard item on the schedules of these professionals–tangible evidence that looking after existing customers is a priority. What results might come from this entire group reviewing each buyer’s status and discussing issues and solutions together? Rather than having numerous separate conversations, the efficiency and effectiveness of bringing these matters to the community table systematically makes a lot of sense. Out of the box solutions to problems often come from fresh perspectives. Energy and enthusiasm grows from a sense that you are not alone selling, building, and servicing new homes and the customer who buy them.

Action items noted for follow up on the community team meeting agenda have a greater chance of being brought to closure. The responsible individuals will be reluctant to let the group down. With budgets tight and fewer people available to serve customers, working together to come up creative services and solutions to problems may be a great way to serve more customers. This team approach to caring for homeowners would go a long way to bringing more buyers through the sales office door.

The era of sign the contract and throw the buyer into the system hoping for the best is gone along with the exuberant market of years ago. Simple, efficient means of staying close to customer needs are needed and this one could have significant impact for all involved.