Those of you on Active Rain may have seen today's featured blog that went out as the headliner in the daily newsletter about, basically, an agent's frustration with how we're paid. I know we've all seen these posts before and the subsequent responses of "Yeah, but that's the way it is and it will never change," and so far, there's nothing really new in the blog itself, but I wanted to post my comment here because it's something I feel REALLY strongly about going forward here at ACRE!

In the midst of all our discussion about the rebranding of ACRE, etc., the topic came up yesterday about whether or not the consumer has any real interest in our consulting services. The comment was made (to paraphrase) "the reason the consulting movement isn't spreading is because consumers don't see the benefit" or something like that.

All rightee... after much soul-searching and deliberation... I think I have a solution that will work... See what you think.

Took a little time off over the weekend from all the fun and drama here on the Exchange to step back a bit and really think about ACRE 2.0... and where we want it to go. All the feedback provided over the last several weeks has been incredibly eye-opening and helpful; hopefully as much to you as it has been to me!

During our beach-front brainstorming session, Merv had the great idea to tap the brains of the former management consultants in our midst as we're developing the ACRE/TCP 2.0 course. We'd love to pick your brains about how consulting works in the "real world" so we can better explain a consulting model and practice to real estate practitioners who may not fully get it.

Another thing that came out of my meeting with Merv today is the decision to create a whole new ACRE/TCP website instead of trying to update the existing site which, Merv explained to me, is the product of various programmers and thus not easily editable by anyone BUT a programmer. Control-freak that I am, I'm not comfortable owning a website that I can't maintain (and I have no intention of learning PHP), so... a new website it shall be.

Just had a marathon brainstorming session with Merv here at the beach - my head is spinning and my brain is pretty much mush, but I'm excited about what we came up with and want to share some of it with you...

First things first... the Rebranding.

Hey ACRE's!

Merv and I are going to spend the day at my beach house talking about (among other things) the ACRE website. If you have anything you'd like us to put on our agenda to discuss, please let me know asap! 

This morning I sent out an email to my ASAC asking whether or not they feel the new ACRE should continue to be a designation... 

As I drafted up my email, it occurred to me that it might be kinda cool to make it more of a "society" of real estate consulting professionals - of which we could be "proud members of..." as opposed to just another meaningless (to the public) group of letters behind our names...

This came up in another thread today (https://www.theconsultingtimes.com/exchange/forum/archives/2012/01/the-future-of-acre---rebranding.html) as whether or not the To-Be-Rebranded ACRE designation should include a competence component - that is - in order to receive the designation, should you have to demonstrate competence? And if so, how?