Richer of RealtyUSA discusses CRM system in bus.

Name: Jessica Richer Title:Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Company Name: RealtyUSA Years in Commercial Real Estate:13 In the last 12 months, which project, transaction, honor or accomplishment are you most proud of and why? At the RealtyUSA 2014 Annual Awards Luncheon I was honored as the "Commercial Investment Agent of the Year 2013" and "Top Branch Producer 2013" for the RealtyUSA Commercial Division in the Capital District. I am very proud of these accomplishments. This is the first time a woman has been named as Commercial Investment Agent of The Year and as Top Branch Producer in the Commercial Investment Division. What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession? There was so much to learn. I was concerned about "doing it right" and realized that the best way for me to learn was to absorb as much information and obtain examples of successful actions and procedures from as many seasoned commercial realtors as possible. Every time I was involved in a transaction, I sought out a mentor or researched what others had done before me and how they had handled the situation. Whether it was a Letter of Intent, a Request for Proposal or a marketing strategy, I always tried to identify the best practices and then enhanced them to meet the unique aspect of the situation I was involved in at the time. What was your first job and what did you learn from it? One of the first "real" jobs I had was working as a dental assistant in my father's office. I learned about how to interact with all different types of people and about customer service, respect and giving to the community in a quiet and unassuming manner. What are you doing differently in 2014 that has had positive impact on your career? My business has grown to the point where I need a sophisticated and professional CRM to take me to the next level. This year, I invested in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system specifically designed for Commercial Realtors. This CRM enables me to organize my business by tracking contact interactions, transactions, listing activities and my progress. The CRM has helped me to create a data base for past, present and future clients. There has been a learning curve and it has required me to retool how I do my business.