Q & A with some of the Women from CIREB: Janet Besheer

Name: Janet Besheer Title: Operating Principal/broker Company/firm: Keller Williams Realty Saratoga Springs Years with company/firm: 2 Years in field: 11 Years in real estate industry: 11 Address: 3 Maple Dell, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Telephone: 518-871-9975 Email: [email protected] URL: www.janetbesheer.com Responsibilities include: As operating principal/broker my role is to attract leadership to the company and provide the environment for leadership to develop the mission, vision, values, beliefs and perspective of the business. I manage the day to day running of the business and work with agents to help them build their careers. Real estate organizations / affiliations: National Association of Realtors; New York State Association of Realtors; Greater Capital Association of Realtors; Commercial Industrial Real Estate Board; Saratoga, Schoharie, Schenectady Association of Realtors; Warren County Association of Realtors; Women's Council of Realtors; Institute for Luxury Home Marketing; Keller Williams Luxury Homes Division; Keller Williams Commercial Division; Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce; Warren/Washington Counties Chamber of Commerce; Malta Business and Professionals Association; and Weekly Real Estate Columnist, THE SARATOGIAN newspaper. Professionally, where were you ten years ago and where are you now? Ten years ago I was building real estate career in Saratoga Springs and today I have realized my dream of owning and operating my own office and helping others to build their careers in real estate. What single event professional or personal has most significantly impacted your career? Joining the local chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors and becoming President of the chapter in 2008 had a huge impact on my career. I not only learned important leadership skills, but I became confident that I could follow my dreams. What was the best decision that you made in the last year? The best decision I made last year was in the hiring of my CEO - Erin Sheridan. Together, we share a vision and passion for our office and our agents and we are expanding this company every day. What award or recognition has been the most meaningful to you and why? Keller Williams Realty Saratoga Springs has been recognized as being among the Top 10 Market Centers in the entire company on target for a Home Run Launch. My office opened in November '08. In a little over a year, the office has grown to over 65 associates, has been profitable and has profit shared back to our agents every month since 11/09. We continue to grow. To know that we are in the company of other successful launching market centers is a proud and exciting testament to the efforts of my entire office. How do you stay ahead of the curve? The Keller Williams Realty International model has been wildly successful around the country and in Canada. By following the model and using the tools the company provides to us, I run a lean and mean business and one that is mutually beneficial to owners and agents. Many real estate companies today are very deeply in the red, especially coming off of one of the most challenging real estate markets in recent memory. Together with my CFO, Jennifer Snyder, our expenses are carefully scrutinized and we work to keep them as low as possible. We are in the black and plan to stay there. Who has been the strongest influence on your career and why? The strongest influence on my career has been my husband, Peter. He has supported my decisions and allowed me to take the necessary "big steps" to move ahead. Without his support, I am not sure I could have come this far. What impact has social networking had on your success? Social networking is becoming an essentail to my success and the success of my company. Communication is evolving and social networking allows us to touch a vast number of people who can have a valuable impact on our business. Keller Williams Realty dominates Facebook in spreading the word about our company. My local office utilizes social networking for everything from event announcements, to new listings, to open houses, or just to stay in touch. And with the billions of people online, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity to stream our message to them. How has the need to create a more sustainable environment influenced the way you do business? Green is in! We are a "paperless" real estate office and all of our documents are housed on line. There are no "paper files" for contracts and agents do not have to come to the office to drop off paperwork; scans and email distribute information. We use less paper, less gas, and less time. In addition, we use energy efficient lighting throughout our office. What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? The biggest opstacle was getting from "Keller Who?" to where we are today! Early on there was a lot of misinformation being circulated by those who did not understand how our company works. We have a unique business model that allows agents to keep more of their commissions, have access to training and consulting to help them take their businesses to the next level, to participate in the way our office runs, be part of a culture of teamwork and trust, and to earn passive income through profit sharing. Today we are being seen much differently and the market is getting to know us very well. What advice would you give to a woman just starting a career in your field? Talk with others in the field and find out why they love doing what they are doing. Also, check out the environment of the office. Every company has its own tone; one may be more comfortable for you. Lastly, remember that success results through people. Reach out.