ALVA International, Inc., the new real estate company on Beach Drive in downtown St Petersburg welcomes international visitors and clients.
Among us (3 real estate agents working with buyers and sellers, 1 real estate agent handling our website-internet-transactions-coordination, and 1 part-time receptionist) we speak 7 languages, so we had Welcome printed in 7 languages on our front window.
The window lettering went up on Saturday, and it happened that 3 of the team were in the office for the afternoon. In less than one hour after the lettering went up, we had a Dane come in, exclaiming "I can't believe you have Welcome on your window in Danish!" He was visiting from South Tampa, and after chatting a while, requested some real estate information on downtown St. Petersburg.
The team could hardly restrain themselves from shouting "YES!" as they so quickly saw the results of the window lettering.
Hi Sharon, I only speak 2 1/2 languages but being able to connect with people from other backgrounds & cultures even on the most basic level opens so many doors!
Hi Sharon, This is great that you and your agents can speak so many languages. That should be an asset to your business.
marti - you have the gift of universal language - your heart speaks to us all.
Shirley - it's an asset and it's great fun.
Hi Sharon, it must feel really terrific and welcome mat invites all. It may only take one Dane to make the ultimate difference. I have been thinking so much about what you did and then I wonder....should I? I think it must not be the right time for me as yet because I can't decide but I am thrilled you have charted the way for others should they wish to follow. In the days of ailing businesses around the globe, it is heartening that someone like yourself and family "got it right".
What a non-threatening way to break the ice and let the public know of your additional talents. Will you list the 7 languages for us? I can't tell all from the photo.
Hi Sharon,
Oh my gosh, what a great idea, just love it.
What a great idea. Knowing that many langs your office should get the benefits of more business. Good Luck with all the buyers that should bring in!
Sharon - great idea, but of course it fits right in with your skills plus, I suspect, a good segment of the buying public there. So what ARE the 7 languages - I can guess a few looking at the window but...
jeff
Just like the doggy stop you have, this shows once again how attuned your team is to connecting with your prospects. This is an excellent way to build rapport on a level that requires absolutely no advertising - I speak your language. Don't we do the same thing when we connect with groups that are for dog lovers or computer geeks or gardeners? We all "speak the same language" and so are much more open to working with one another. This is absolutely great! I'm so happy things are coming along for you guys!
~Renae
That's a very unique way to welcome prospective visitors - and an alluring way to entice them to come on in, even if just to say hello!
Kathy
First the answer to the most common question: the languages are English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Danish and Finnish.
William - you answered your own question. Everything isn't aligned yet. You're thinking about it ... so when the right location (as was my trigger) or the right day or the right whatever appears, you'll be ready for it. Then you'll be passionate and convinced, not wondering.
Debbie - we're all for Pull vs Push marketing.
Lynda - feel free to copy it. Just let me know how you improve on it.
Kristina - many buyers from other countries are prepared to do business in English, but enjoy some relaxing conversation in their own language. In other cases, one spouse speaks English well and the other may not speak it at all.
Jeff - it will be interesting to see which local offices copy the idea. It seemed so much more subtle and classy to do this in the lettering rather than a sign saying, We speak ...
Renae - I wish we could add Indian and Chinese and Russian and more, but it seems like false advertising when we don't speak those languages (though I did study Russian and Japanese, I couldn't begin to converse in those languages now).
Kathy - we do want to say that we're neighbors, or locals, and please come in so that we can welcome you - whether it's change for a parking meter, recommendations on a restaurant, directions to a museum, a map, etc.
Great idea!
Sharon, if you will ever have Russian or Ukrainian speaking clients to refer to Colorado Springs area, please let me know. I speak both languages. And you will get referral fees.
Sharon, wonderful idea and I hope it adds to your already world wide appeal, especially in your part of the world!
PS are you and Tami coming back to Texas any time soon? If you do, I would love to take y'all to dinner and show you some of Austin!!
Irina - I'll keep that in mind. So far my Russian clients have wanted the sun and warmth of Florida rather than the skiing of Colorado Springs.
Russell - seeing Austin through your eyes would be fantastic. We're going to Dallas tomorrow for some brainstorming with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, but fly back on Tuesday - no time for Austin this trip. Next time there's a CLHMS class scheduled there and they ask for us - we'll be there! And will plan an extra day to see Austin with you.