OHIO 4-3-23

OHIO EDITION

3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR WORKSPACE WORK FOR YOU

24-HOUR TOUCH-UPS

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO

to Maximize Your Price List

CONVERTING INTERNET LEADS TO REAL LIFE SALES

Are You A VALUE-ADDED AGENT?

FEATURED AGENT

JERI O'BRIEN LOFGREN COVER STORY

ANDREW A. BALALOVSKI

OHIO EDITION

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WOMEN WHO MOVE CINCINNATI 2021

JERI O'BRIEN LOFGREN

O’Brien Lofgren, real estate 9 out to agents 21 o her life serendipitously. “I was inform them for a job, so a neighbor of mine tiple-offer s s a REALTOR® referred me to a significan ager of their brokerage,” Jeri her proven t “He called and said, ‘I think secure the p a great job for you.’” Once Jeri foot into the office, the restA. was Jeri has a ANDREW BALALOVSKI JERI O'BRIEN LOFGREN JERI O’BRIENas she found her true calling. involvemen LOFGREN She has ser portunity came to me and I took PTAs, and e r three decades later, Jeri has CONTENTS state PTA b a top agent in the greater CinA STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE 15) HOW TO OVERCOME teach readin rea. She 4) works as a solo agent, TO CONVERTING INTERNET YOUR WORKPLACE FEARS to provide the most attentive tion to educ LEADS TO REAL LIFE SALES 17) 24-HOUR TOUCH-UPS TO onal service to each client. The enjoys relax MAXIMIZE YOUR LIST PRICE ARE YOU A is based ority of 6)her business playing pick VALUE-ADDED AGENT? 22) 3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR second hom als, as word spreads fast about WORKSPACE WORK FOR YOU k. “People know I will get the very import that two of h for them,” she says. “I handle same compa pect of it, so it’s just me and my Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 om startmag@topagentmagazine.com to finish.” | www.topagentmagazine.com In ofthe coming No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent the publisher.

Top Agentyears, Jeri Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published ents appreciate her heartfelt approach andexpressed her or factsserving materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions supplied by itsher authors.clients. She w To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. ess to fight hard exceptional service, no ma Published in the to U.S. secure the best deal for them. she loves making the real ues honesty throughout the process and comeveryone. Top “IAgent don’t think I es at every step, knowing that each moment of 2 Magazine It’s just so exciting.” action is important. Creating an individualized E X E C U T I V E SAL E S V I C E PRE S I DE N T F O R S IB CY C L IN E

For the past 29 years, I have been committed to helping Cincinnatians find a place to call home.

My business is built on old-fashioned principles of hard work, trust, and building relationships, while continuing to evolve in the ever-changing real-estate landscape.

I grew up in Madeira and raised my children—two of whom have built their own careers with Sibcy Cline Realtors— in the Montgomery area. We are proud to work for a company that is committed to giving back to Cincinnati, the city that has brought our family, friends, and neighbors so much happiness over the years.

I would love to help you, too, find a place to call home.

Please reach out to me any time! Warmest Regards, Jeri O’Brien-Lofgren  9979 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242, (513) 266-8568, https://jobrien. agents.sibcycline.com

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 1

Laughs!

Top Agent Magazine

3

A Step-by-Step Guide to

Converting Internet Leads to Real Life Sales In the era of apps, instantaneous social platforms, and text messaging, it’s little surprise that the modern homebuyer begins his or her search for real estate representation online.

Even if you’ve got a top-notch website or an influential social media presence, how do you connect with web surfers who have yet to commit to the services you offer? Take a look below to learn a few key techniques to bridge the gap between digital interest and real-world sales.

4

RESPONSIVENESS IS KEY Like it or not, our digital culture relishes immediacy and instant gratification. With that in mind, be sure to stay on top of online interest forms, e-mails, or newsletter signups. Don’t let an online lead go to waste by taking too long to engage and follow-up.

Things move fast, and it’s easy for potential clientele to forget which websites they’ve visited. Even if your lead isn’t ready to commit then and there, you demonstrate your

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

Mastering the fundamentals of digital communication is the first step to converting digital interest into concrete business. accessibility and attentiveness by following up swiftly—a characteristic anyone would seek in an agent or lender.

ENGAGE WITH OPEN-ENDED CONVERSATION When online back-and-forth goes stale, communication drops off quickly. If you’re following up via e-mail, social media, or text, be sure to keep topics focused squarely on the potential client. Ask open-ended questions to give your lead the opportunity to loosen up and engage on a personal level. There’s no better way to cement a digital lead than to take a pointed interest in the specifics of their situation. Doing so transforms the impersonal invisibility of the internet into a true connection.

GIVE ADDED VALUE Plenty of businesses send impersonal, automated messages in response to an online inquiry, but establishing a true connection may mean providing your lead with something of value. Perhaps you’re forwarding a property for sale that fits the interests of your lead, or a relevant article, or maybe you take the time to send a personal message—demonstrable value and a personal touch separate your follow-up response from spam. Other ideas to consider when Top Agent Magazine

adding value to your follow-up technique: incorporate area promotions and access to local events, make a date for coffee, or offer a brief consultation free of charge to make the first move.

DON’T STOP MAKING CONTACT If you don’t connect with your internet lead right off the bat—don’t be discouraged. It often takes multiple tries before a follow-up interaction sticks. Folks are busy and frequently flooded with e-mail blasts and junk mail. A lead may not engage without a little prodding that shows you’re committed to their business. Remember: it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

Digital leads don’t have to be difficult to capture. The internet plays a powerful role in funneling modern clientele your way, but in order to take full advantage of the web’s reach, you’ll need to tailor your follow-up technique. Mastering the fundamentals of digital communication is the first step to converting digital interest into concrete business. Keep these tips top-of-mind as you build your online presence and mine the vast world wide web for an endless wealth of clientele. Earning a command of digital lead conversion is the surest way to bolster your business in the ever-evolving digital era.

Top Agent Magazine

5

Are You a Value-Added Agent?

I’ll bet if I asked ten real estate agents, all ten would answer ‘yes’ to that question. Yet, when I ask agents how they are value-added, they say things like: • I communicate regularly with my clients.

• I have a written listing presentation.

• I am honest.

• I am trustworthy.

Are these ‘value-added’ attributes? Or, does the client expect these attributes and services?

6

Are these exceptional services or average services? I’m writing this article at the beginning of a New Year. It’s a perfect time to re-assess your professionalism and master being that ‘value-added’ agent.

Client Expectations are Higher than Ever Unfortunately, too many real estate agents assume they are ‘value-added’ because they are providing the services they want to provide— Top Agent Magazine

the services they think the client values. However, there’s a real client out there, and the client has different expectations. How do I know that? Because so few agents regularly survey their clients. In fact, when I’m speaking to an audience, I survey them, and find that less than 25 percent gather after-sale surveys! So, the majority of agents don’t know if the services they are providing are average or exceptional.

Why Bother Being Exceptional?

• Because you want to set yourself apart.

• You want to create client loyalty.

• You want to create at least 50 percent of your business from client referrals (the latest National Association of Realtors survey Profile of Members found that the average Realtor got only 18 percent of their business from referrals. That’s a hard and expensive way to run a real estate business!

• Because you want to run a more pleasant, profitable business.

Four Actions Value-Added Agents Take How can you identify value-added agents? By their actions. Here are four actions I believe show agents that are above just ‘average’. The principle here is:

Watch the actions, not the words.

If I were a manager, or a seller or a buyer, and I wanted to find a value-added agent, here’s what I would look for: Top Agent Magazine

1. Has a database and populates it This agent is committed long-term to his clients and to his business. He uses a contact management program (CRM) to manage ‘leads’, so none are lost — and clients do not feel neglected. After all, it takes much longer today to convert a ‘lead’ to a sale than it used to take.

Actively using and maintaining a CRM means the agent is committed to forming long-term professional relationships over time.

Other demonstrable actions concerning the agent’s CRM are: • Has a rapid-response method to deal with Internet inquiries and other inquiries via email. (The average client expects a response within eight hours—but a recent survey showed the average agent responded in 50 hours!).

• Has a method to follow up on all leads until they ‘buy or die’. As a client, that means I won’t get lost. As a seller, it means my agent will follow up with all leads and give it 100 percent to sell my home.

2. Invests in the technology and follow-up pros have This agent makes every decision based on their vision of their career at least three to five years in the future. For example, instead of selling someone a house anywhere just to get a sale, my value-added agent sells only in an area they define as their ‘target area’. That way, they’ll get known, and can build on their reputation.

The value-added agent has the ‘guts’ to turn down business! Because they care more about the well-being of the client than getting one grimy commission check, they learn to 7

‘tell the truth attractively’, and work harder to retain the client than to make one commission.

Adding those Client Benefits to your Dialogue

3. Works for referrals, not just sales I said the agent learns to ‘tell the truth attractively’, even if the buyer or seller may not want to hear it. For example, if it’s in the best interests of the seller to list their home at a lower price, the value-added agent has the strategies and the statistics to prove that the seller won’t be well served by pricing higher.

Of course, it’s not enough to actually take these actions. You need to explain to the client why these actions are in their best interests, and how you stand apart from most agents by employing them. Why? Because your client won’t know you run your business so professionally.

And, the client probably doesn’t know most agents don’t run their businesses this way!

And, this value-added agent has the intestinal fortitude to walk away if they know the home will not sell at the client’s desired price (but doesn’t have to too many times because they create a stellar reputation amongst their clientele).

TIP: Always show your clients, don’t just tell them. You do have a Professional Portfolio and evidence on your website, don’t you?

4. Keeps the buyers and sellers’ best interests in mind Our value-added agent makes every decision to grow trust, not just to make a fast buck. For example, the agent sits down with a prospective couple and finds out they can’t purchase right away and creates a plan with them to save for their down payment. Then, the agent keeps in touch over a period of months, offering helpful information and market updates.

Put Yourself to the Test

How many of these actions P. S. Managers and team leaders—two tips do you exhibit?

What do you want to work on to become a true 1. Call each of your agents’‘value-added’ phone mails.

What’s the impre agent?

Are they professional? Do they state the company n TIP: represent your culture and image?

Managers, give your agents a 2. Create a quick class in phone messaging using the ‘test’ on these four points.

In other words, this agent practices seller or buyHow many pass? this blog. er agency representation, not ‘agent agency’!

Copyright ©, 2016 Carla Cros

Carla Cross,CRB, CRB, MA, is theoffounder andSeminars, president Carla Cross & Carla Cross, MA, President Carla Cross Inc.,ofand Carla real management and sales.

Herspecializing internationally s Crossestate Coaching, is an international speaker in realbest-selling estate management and Running business planning for all professionals. agents, Up and in 30 Days, is real nowestate going into its 5thHer edition sevenexperience internationallyas published books, including Up and Running in 30 Days , vast a top-selling agent and award-winning manage and 20 agent and management programs have helped thousands of real sales podium, blending her musical background with her proven estate professionals to the greater productivity and teaches profitability.someone Reach Carla strategies (she uses piano AND even to at play—f 425-392-6914 or www.carlacross.com. and practical).

Find out more at www.carlacross.com.

8

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

ANDREW A. BALALOVSKI

Top Agent Magazine

9

Top Agent Andrew Balalovski is the Principal Broker of Balalovski Real Estate, LLC., where he leads an elite team to assist clients throughout Franklin County, Licking County, and the surrounding areas of Ohio.

Being a second generation REALTOR® and first generation Broker, he bleeds real estate and is a lifelong Ohio resident. This individual is none other than Andrew A. Balalovski.

Learning the industry at a young age from the ground up with the influence of his father, a leading agent in the Franklin County area, Andrew knew his destiny.

While attending Capital University, Andrew accepted an opportunity with a prominent 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

downtown, local, real estate brokerage and appraisal firm, which later inspired him to pursue his real estate license. Drawing from his strong foundations in the business, Andrew would quickly uncover his niche in Ohio’s commercial and luxury markets, with his first sale being for a $550,000 apartment building in Johnstown. In the twenty years since, he has gone on to author an accomplished career, building a robust network of national and international clients.

Top Agent Magazine

Today, Andrew is the Principal Broker of Balalovski Real Estate, LLC., where he leads an elite team to assist clients throughout Franklin County, Licking County, and the surrounding areas of Ohio. Drawing on past experiences, such as assisting with the development of a Family Dollar and brokerage of a new build Dollar General, has allowed Andrew to hone

Top Agent Magazine

into his service offerings to clients. Andrew, now, provides a range of sales, leasing, consultation, and exchange services to meet the demands of any client—be it for a luxury property or triple net commercial investment.

When listing a property, Andrew personalizes his approach to the distinct needs of each

11 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Andrew now provides a range of sales, leasing, consultation, and exchange services to meet the demands of any client—be it for a luxury property or triple net commercial investment. client. After helping them fully prepare for the market, he enlists state of the art niche technology where he shares their listing. It is a highly targeted blend of digital and social media campaigns along with the most sophisticated websites and advertising avenues available.

Along the way, he utilizes proven resources like branded postcards and literature to ensure positive outreach.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

Elsewhere, Andrew is just as attentive when assisting his buyers and tenants, leveraging his years of experience to carefully guide them to the right investment or location for their best interests. In fact, he prefers to keep in touch long after the deals are done to cultivate an ongoing relationship and provide his clients with reliable insights into the local market. Over the years, he has earned a fantastic reputation Top Agent Magazine

throughout Ohio, with the near entirety of his volume coming from repeat clients or referrals.

Now recording close to 30 transactions per year, Andrew remains committed to the core values that set him apart. “In real estate, no two days are the same,” he says. “When you wake up in the morning, you never know who you could meet, because every client and project is different. For me, though, there could be

Top Agent Magazine

nothing more rewarding than getting to know each buyer, tenant, investor, landlord and seller and providing them with boutique assistance throughout their transaction.”

An avid philanthropist, Andrew is dedicated to his community. On top of being an active member at his church, he supports a number of cancer organizations, film / media, the arts and local festivals throughout the year. When

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found traveling the world or catching the occasional movie downtown.

As he bridges further into new developments, Andrew looks forward to expanding his team while scaling his reach throughout not only the State of Ohio, but also the nation. In the meantime, he is excited for all the new

opportunities that await. “People often say we’re in the future business,” he says. “After all, every transaction offers new perspectives on the market and ways of doing things for our clients. Knowing this, we are always positioning ourselves to embrace the unexpected while focusing on providing our buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and investors with the best service possible.”

For more about Andrew A. Balalovski, visit balalovski.com email andrew@balalovski.com, or call 1-614-257-8123 www.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 14

Top Agent Magazine

How To Overcome Your Workplace Fears Fear is something that can help protect us from danger, but it is also something that can be a hindrance to us in our lives, especially when it keeps us from potentially thriving and growing as a person. This is especially true in the workplace. Here’ a look at some proven ways to overcome common workplace fears.

1

ASSESS THE FEELINGS BEHIND THE FEAR

Really owning the emotions that are putting you in a place of fear, is the first step. By just naming it and then talking it out in your head, what exactly you’re feeling and why, it can help deflate the fear. Think of it as releasing some of the fear into the ether. Yes, you’ll still be nervous about your presentation, but a lot of what was holding you back is gone. You’ll feel lighter, and hopefully have just enough butterflies to make your soar.

2

TALK ABOUT YOUR FEARS WITH A TRUSTED CO-WORKER

Nothing can make you feel more isolated than going down the path of “This is something that only happens to me.” Trust me, it doesn’t, and you might be surprised to find out that some people have had it even worse. Talking to someone you trust and admire, hearing their own fear horror stories and how they overcame them, will help normalize what you’re feeling. Releasing yourself from the idea that it’s something about you, will be an enormous relief.

3

THINK OF THE WORST CASE SCENARIO

Although it might seem counter-productive, truly assessing what the worse outcome of the situation you’re afraid of serves two purposes. It might lead you to realize the worst case scenario isn’t that bad Top Agent Magazine

after all. Of course it could also lead you to a really uncomfortable thought, you could lose your job. As bad as that is, it also gives you an opportunity to start focusing on what really matters, and how you might grow from the experience and possibly end up better off. Countless people in their dream jobs now, were once fired and thought it was the end of the world.

Hopefully, that won’t happen to you, but learning to have confidence in your abilities to always find a way, will be a great tool in overcoming fears.

4

COMPARTMENTALIZE

If you’re a super-organized type, you might try actually setting aside time in your day to focus on your fears. It might seem odd, but it will let you NOT focus on your fears during the other hours of your day. Think of it as a task, you aren’t just sitting there worrying, you’re taking in your fears and figuring out ways to overcome them.

5

START THINKING OF YOUR FEARS AS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Start thinking of fears as challenges. As scary as it might seem to face them, for the most part they are things that can be fixed. A lot of fear is based on inexperience which leads to a lack of confidence.

A common fear is workplace evaluations. Instead of looking at it as hearing everything that is wrong about you, think of it as an opportunity to see where you can improve. Going into it with a positive attitude rather than a defensive posture, will make the whole thing better for both parties.

Overcoming fears is oftentimes about a simple attitude adjustment. Like anything it takes practice, but the results of that practice will lead to a life that you’re able to thrive in both personally and professionally.

Top Agent Magazine

15

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

16

Top Agent Magazine

24-Hour Touch-ups to Maximize Your List Price Sometimes it takes a full-scale overhaul to prepare a house for market. Other times, only a series of small adjustments are required to make a listing’s true potential shine. Whether you’re gearing up for an open house, assessing a list price, or maximizing a property’s appearance prior to photography—the devil is in the details. However, touch-ups and refreshes don’t have to dominate your schedule or break the bank. For a few ideas of where Top Agent Magazine

to begin, consider our handy check-list below for quick home projects that will fortify your bottom line.

Refresh grout for a sparkling clean look.

Perhaps the quickest and most cost-effective way to make bathrooms, kitchens, and other tiled areas shine is to refresh grout until it looks

Top Agent Magazine ®

17

good as new. Specialty grout stain removers and cleaners are inexpensive and sold at most home improvement stores. Plus, the project only takes a bit of elbow grease and an hour or two for a major makeover effect. Suddenly, dark, stained, and worn-down bathrooms gleam as if tile has just been placed.

Create mood lighting with soothing bulbs and fixtures.

A warm white light from specially chosen LED bulbs creates a welcoming environment when potential buyers come calling.

If outdated fixtures are bringing down a home’s otherwise modern styling, consider more design-neutral replacements that won’t

detract from the property’s charms. These are inexpensive but highly noticeable and impactful upgrades that shift a home’s ambiance for the better.

Repaint doors for an updated and inviting entryway.

It may sound like a hassle, but repainting doorways with a fresh coat signals a wellkept property—and that’s before prospective buyers even pass through the threshold. You can also change out generic doorknobs and switch-plates to add an updated flare while on a budget. Color-of-the-year trend choices can turn heads, while neutral paint choices signal less hassle for future homeowners.

Top Agent Magazine ® 18

Top Agent Magazine

scrub, or with the addition of new shelves or styled bulbs.

Make windows shine— both inside and out.

Cleanliness goes a long way in communicating a well-cared for home in which buyers can imagine themselves. Cleaning the inside and outside of windows not only refreshes a room, but it allows light to infuse the space while appealing to the move-in ready crowd.

Closet spaces are not an afterthought.

Every prospective buyer wants storage options, and you’ve surely led a home tour where guests inspect closets and pantries.

Don’t let these hidden spaces go overlooked. Make sure they’re clean, cleared as much as possible, and you can even touch them up with fresh paint, a good

Top Agent Magazine

Remove tough appliance stains with a bit of elbow grease.

If you’re packaging appliances with the sale of a property, you’ll want to make sure those big-ticket items are also in top shape to showcase their value. Stainless steel polish, electric cooktop polish, and stain removing pads for the kitchen sink can make your appliances look five years younger with nothing more than an hour or two’s labor.

Organize garage and basement areas to maximize storage and hint at bonus space.

It may take a labor of love, but organizing and decluttering these special storage spaces

Top Agent Magazine ®

19

can add significant value to a property. Instead of telling prospective buyers how much storage space there is—let these areas speak for themselves by giving them a neutral, airy bout of cleansing. That way, craft-lovers, car aficionados, and buyers with interest in renovating basement areas can witness the potential immediately.

Individually, these bit to-do list items might seem like extra work without the promise of 20

a major return. But combined? These small tasks go a long way in crafting a home’s image and projecting pure potential. After all, prospective buyers imagine their lives unfolding inside those walls. That’s why cobbling together these small-scale projects can have a big payoff in the end. Not only will a home present itself in a cohesive, attractively-packaged form, but it can also translate to higher interest and a significant pay-off—in more ways than one.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WOMEN WHO MOVE CINCINNATI 2021

JERI O'BRIEN LOFGREN For Jeri O’Brien Lofgren, real estate came into her life serendipitously. “I was looking for a job, so a neighbor of mine who was a REALTOR® referred me to the manager of their brokerage,” Jeri explains. “He called and said, ‘I think I’ve got a great job for you.’” Once Jeri stepped foot into the office, the rest was JERI O’BRIENhistory, as she found her true LOFGREN calling.

“The opportunity came to me and I took it.” Over three decades later, Jeri has become a top agent in the greater Cincinnati area. She works as a solo agent, wanting to provide the most attentive and personal service to each client. The vast majority of her business is based on referrals, as word spreads fast about her work. “People know I will get the job done for them,” she says. “I handle every aspect of it, so it’s just me and my clients from start to finish.”

out to agents who have sold in the area to inform them of her new listings. In multiple-offer situations, Jeri’s reputation is a significant advantage, as she can use her proven track record to help her buyer secure the property.

Jeri has a long history of community involvement, particularly in education.

She has served as president of multiple PTAs, and even spent a few years on the state PTA board. She is also certified to teach reading, which shows her dedication to education. In her free time, Jeri enjoys relaxing with her grandchildren, playing pickleball, and traveling to her second home in Florida. Her family is very important to her, and she is proud that two of her children now work for the same company as her.

E X E CU T I VE SAL E S VI CE PRE S I D E N T FOR SI BCY CL I N E

For the past 29 years, I have been committed to helping Cincinnatians find a place to call home.

My business is built on old-fashioned principles of hard work, trust, and building relationships, while continuing to evolve in the ever-changing real-estate landscape.

I grew up in Madeira and raised my children—two of whom have built their own careers with Sibcy Cline Realtors— in the Montgomery area. We are proud to work for a company that is committed to giving back to Cincinnati, the city that has brought our family, friends, and neighbors so much happiness over the years.

I would love to help you, too, find a place to call home.

Please reach out to me any time! Warmest Regards, Jeri O’Brien-Lofgren  9979 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242, (513) 266-8568, https://jobrien. agents.sibcycline.com

In the coming years, Jeri hopes to keep growing and serving her clients. She will always provide the same exceptional service, no matter where her path leads, as she loves making the real estate journey enjoyable for everyone. “I don’t think I will ever leave this industry.

It’s just so exciting.”

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 1

Jeri’s clients appreciate her heartfelt approach and her willingness to fight hard to secure the best deal for them.

She values honesty throughout the process and communicates at every step, knowing that each moment of the transaction is important. Creating an individualized plan for every buyer and seller, Jeri eliminates stress and ensures every question is answered. Taking the time to understand their goals, she is able to connect with them on a deeper level, establishing long-lasting relationships with everyone she serves.

When it comes to marketing her listings, Jeri takes advantage of the latest technology to attract potential buyers. She posts listings on all the top real estate and social media sites as soon as she knows they’re ready.

A video is created on the day the pictures are taken, providing a walk-through of the property to give potential buyers an idea of what the property looks like.

Jeri believes that pictures are the first showing, and she never posts a listing without them. Networking is another essential aspect of her strategy, and she reaches Top Agent Magazine

For more about Jeri O’Brien Lofgren, please call 513-266-8568 or email jobrien@sibcycline.com 21 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

3 Ways to Make Your Workspace Work for You Productivity experts agree that a curated workspace positively impacts productivity and mood, but oftentimes we settle for bland desks and cubicles that lack personalized details or considerations for workflow. Why miss out on the opportunity to optimize your surroundings when it could brighten your day—and boost your performance? Keep in mind some of these tactics to make your workspace your own and reap the benefits along the way.

22

DETERMINE YOUR WORKING STYLE AND DECORATE ACCORDINGLY For the creative set, a colorful and art-filled workspace can inspire fresh ideas and reduce stress. Likewise, casual yet aesthetically pleasing furniture, accessories, and décor set an inviting yet functional mood. A pop of color from an office tool—even something as basic as a stapler—can inject a sense of fun and modernism into your daily tasks. For the more analytical, right-brained worker, clean

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

lines and zero clutter go a long way. A few well-chosen personal photos in tasteful, unassuming frames can provide a motivating connection to the world beyond the office, while accessories and supplies that are sleek, monochrome, and contemporary inspire a sense of calm efficiency.

BUILD A WORKSPACE WITH YOUR DAILY ROUTINE IN MIND If you find yourself spending hours on the phone per day, or assembling stacks of documents and brochures, or even coming and going from the office with frequency—there are simple adjustments you can make to your workspace that will save you time and energy. If you sit for long hours—responding to e-mails or making calls—try incorporating an ergonomic chair or keyboard wrist-pad to maximize comfort. If you spend a long time assembling presentation materials, then file organizers, trays, and easy-to-pull labels can shave valuable time off your efforts. Lastly, those who step out for frequent meetings can reduce the hassle of being on-the-go by making your space mindfully organized—a coatrack and a dish for your keys by the door, an auto-brew coffeemaker, or an easily edited whiteboard calendar can make jet-setting simpler.

Top Agent Magazine

ADD EASY DETAILS THAT ENRICH YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE While organization and décor can rally productivity and mood, there are also a few extra details you can introduce to your workspace to improve the quality of your working life.

Healthy, easy to grab-and-go snacks—think nuts, homemade trail mix, and fresh fruit— can keep your energy up without the sugar crush or guilt. If there’s a window nearby, a hard-to-kill plant like a philodendron or a fern not only cleanse the air around you, but also provide a welcome connection to the natural world. Being prepared in a pinch is another great way to make your workspace work for you: a spare tie, a tube of lip balm, hand sanitizer, or a box of Band-Aids can save you a trip to the store when an unexpected need arises.

While we take great pains to make our homes our sanctuaries—complete with the decorations, furniture, and food we favor—we often overlook our work areas, even though we spend a sizable portion of our week sitting at the same desk. Challenge yourself to add a few of these personalizing, productivity-boosting details to your work area and bring the comfort of home to your working life.

Top Agent Magazine

23

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

24

Top Agent Magazine