Marketing + Management

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

By Lisa M. Felix • Sales and Marketing Manager Water Oak Country Club and Estates • Lady Lake, Fla.

THE FIRST FEW MONTHS in any new role are often overwhelming. Amid an influx of information—new people, settings, and challenges—there is an air of anticipation and excitement that comes with a fresh perspective.

In my transition to Sales Manager at Water Oak Country Club and Estates, I have been surrounded and uplifted by a team that makes Water Oak operate smoothly, but more importantly, provides connections to the residents and people that shape the heart of our community. I have learned about the community, the unique challenges and opportunities we have here, but I’ve also learned how important different perspectives and leading with authenticity are.

I joined Water Oak Country Club as Sales Manager a little more than three months ago and my transition to this role has gone smoothly, thanks to the strong team I have around me and their willingness to share both their insight and wisdom on all things Water Oak.

EMBRACE YOUR BACKGROUND

I came to Water Oak after spending four years living and working in the Denver market. Prior to that, I lived and worked in California, so everything here in Florida is new for me. I believe I have an advantage coming in with a fresh perspective that our target market can relate to as someone who recently made a cross-country move to this area. We connect with prospective buyers and members looking to join the Water Oak community, and I uniquely understand what challenges and/or hesitations they may face. I tend to lean on my own experiences and consider the things that personally drew me here-- highlighting the things that make Water Oak and Florida life both unique and enjoyable. As a native Californian, moving to Water Oak this May was rather seamless. Having spent the last four years in Colorado, I was very excited for the change. The beauty here is unmatched. With the towering crowns of Spanish Moss-covered Oak trees in the neighborhood, the evenings come alive with a pleasant cacophony of sounds from the insects, amphibians, and birds alike. Being new to the area and to the state, as I take my evening walks through Water Oak, it harkens me back to childhood and being on the ride at Disney ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ It’s almost unreal. It is as if you can feel the trees whispering in the gentle breezes and their evening hosts, all vying for a say in the clamor of early evening. It’s quite spectacular.

It’s just another great reminder of the local beauty from a fresh perspective. The ability to lean on my personal and professional background and perspective allows for me to further engage and connect with new residents here at Water Oak.

BUILD YOUR TEAM

Taking care when building a team is paramount. Just like I lean on my personal experience to connect with prospects and new residents, I lean on my team daily. We are lucky to have an amazing team here at Water Oak where each team member is so unique and has individual strengths. Not only does it make working here enjoyable, but it also makes our team stronger. We encourage our team members to embrace their individuality and lean into their unique interest and perspectives. No matter what type of person walks in our door, we are going to have someone they can relate to in a genuine manner and that is truly special. When building a team, I encourage leaders to consider the roles, existing team members’ strengths and weaknesses, and think about personalities and interests, too. You never know what a connection for someone can be. Having personable representatives can make or break your entire project.

RESIDENTS & MEMBERS

A resource we often overlook as sales and marketing professionals is our current residents and members. It may sound counterintuitive to prioritize speaking with people you’ve already had buy-in, but happy members are often our best marketing material. Hearing what they love about living here may not be what we assume keeps them happy. I try and meet new people in the community every day because every time I speak with our members, I learn something new that they appreciate. It’s also really important to consult with residents and keep them involved in shaping their neighborhood. For instance, some residents have suggested using the names of famous female golfers for the new section of the community and we’ve seen a great reaction to it. Our residents are our customers first and foremost. If you take care of them, they will take care of you.