1. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT- Looking at the prospect compels you to listen.

2. NOTIFY YOUR BODY- Smile, nod or communicate with body language that you are listening.

3. GIVE VERBAL FEEDBACK- It affirms the prospect.

4. BE RELAXED- It relaxes them.

5. READ BETWEEN THE LINES- Look for real message.

6. GIVE THEM THE FLOOR- Don't outdo the prospect with your stories.

7. BE AWARE OF "PERSONAL SPACE"- Be careful of touchy feely behavior.

8. BE SINCERE- Authenticity carries the day!

9. ASK QUESTIONS- Shows that you are listening.

10. TAKE NOTES- Shows that you value what they are saying and taking it serious.

11. IGNORE DISTRACTIONS- Keep the customer focussed.

12. BE INTERESTED- Make that choice.

Offered by the Strategic Resource Institute Sarasota, Fl.

Jacob Mermin Co-Founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Jacob Mermin Inspections
www.mermininspections.com
239-243-7322

1. BE CONFIDENT.

2. BE VULNERABLE.

3. EXCEL IN SERVICE.

4. IDENTIFY WITH THE BUYER.

5. BE HUMBLE.

6. GUARD THEIR BEST INTEREST.

7. TRADE PLACES. TELL THE NAKED TRUTH.

Offered by the Strategic Resource Institute. Sarasota, Fl.

Jacob Mermin Co- Founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Jacob Mermin Inspections
www.mermininspections.com
239-243-7322

R ESPECT BRINGS FAVOR. ESTABLEISH FAVOR.

E STABLISH NEED BEFORE YOU PROCEED.

S ERVE FROM THE HEART TO WIN THE HEART. WALK IN LOVE.

P ERSONAL INTEGRITY PRECEDES PUBLIC TRUST. ESTABLISH TRUST.

E XCEL IN KNOWLEDGE TO INCREASE STRENGTH. (GRAMAR)

C APTURE UNDERSTANDING TO MAXIMIZE KNOWLEDGE (LOGIC)

T AKE HOLD OF WISDOM TO BE PERSUASIVE. (RHETORIC)

Offered by the Strategic Resource Institute. Sarasota Fl.

Jacob Mermin CHI/CMI
Co-Founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor
239-243-7322
www.mermininspections.com

Landscape Design & Lawn Maintenance

One of our newest members is Joseph Casanova, owner of Casanova Lawn Care.  Joseph has a reputation for being a professional in all the areas that make the outside of your home a work of art.  He offers a complete Landscaping and Lawn Business including design and maintenance.  Casanova lawn service also offers complete Irrigation Repairs.

When asked what led to his love of the landscaping business, Joseph had the following to say:

"I started mowing yards when I was 15 years old.  The first yard I mowed was my parents...let me tell you that was not your average yard, in fact, it was a motel in Lake Placid, Florida.  After a few months, I started mowing all the yards in the neighborhood.  As I grew a bit older, I decided to go into Corrections, where I worked as an officer.  The last prison I worked at was Moore Haven Correctional Facility.  Throughout the years of working there I took over the lawn and landscaping of the facility.  I also had inmates on a crew where we'd do other beautification [projects for]...the community of Moore Haven.  In addition, I still had my lawn mowing on the side.  I moved to Lee County in April, 2004 where I purchased an established business.  I still have over 90% of the original customers from day 1!  I recently got married in March, 2007 and have a beautiful step-daughter and a wonderful wife.  I still enjoy lawn care and landscaping as I did when it took me 3 days to mow the old hotel [lawn]."

John Casanova
Casanova Lawn Care
Cell:  (239) 707-9245

Here are eleven rules for selling that are based on value and not based on price. These are by no means the only rules for selling. You may have not heard of these rules or you might have forgotten these and others over the many or few years of your selling experience.

REMEMBER: Don't drop your price... raise the value.

1. TO BUILD MORE VALUE... ADD MORE BENEFITS.

2. VALUE IS DETERMINED BY THE CUSTOMER, NOT BY YOU.

3. DON'T SELL WHAT IT IS... SELL WHAT IT WILL DO FOR THEM.

4. THE LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

5. VALUE IS DOING THINGS BETTER, THEN TELLING ABOUT IT.

6. INCREASE DEMAND BY REDUCING SUPPLY TO A SINGLE SOURCE... YOU !

7. DO THE THINGS YOUR COMPETITION WON'T DO OR JUST PLAIN CAN'T DO.

8. VALUE NOT DOCUMENTED IN YOUR CUSTOMER'S MIND DOESN'T EXIST.

9. VALUE IS IDENTIFYING AND SOLVING MORE PROBLEMS THAN ANYONE ELSE.

10. THE MORE COMPLEX THE PRODUCT... THE LESS IMPORTANT THE PRICE.

11. REMEMBER... PRICE IS ONLY A DETAIL.

Copyright 2005 S.I.P. Inc. Ft. Collings, CO.

Jacob Mermin CHI/CMI

Co-founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor

www.mermininspections.com

239-243-7322

Web Design, Search Engine Marketing

Today's world interactivity is rapidly changing and our clients need to continue to connect with consumers in relevant and unique ways. At Avant, we are focused on marketing solutions that address these profound changes happening in advertising, marketing, promotion, entertainment and commerce. Thinking with Avant means seeing every possibility, touchpoint and consumer ahead of everyone else.

Avant Innovations is a digital agency focused on creative marketing solutions for our clients via Web, Print and Multimedia.

Founded in 2001, Avant Innovations has established a strong reputation for being an honest hardworking knowledgeable marketing firm with the belief that any business big or small can be successful with the right type of marketing.  

There is always an opportunity to do more: deliver more in-depth strategic thinking, bring more creative ideas to the table, uncover innovative ways to spend your marketing dollars and develop powerful technology solutions to achieve your goals.

Avant Innovations can help your brand realize its highest potential.  Below is a short list offered by Avant. Please check out their website for a complete list of services as well as an impressive portfolio showing examples of their designs.

Avant's services:

- Web Design
- Web Developement
- Hosting
- Search Engine Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Logo Design
- Corporate Identity (business cards, letterhead, envelopes etc)
- Print Design (flyers, newsletters, postcards etc)
- Blog Services
- Copywriting
- Internet Business Consulting

Scott Foley
Phone / Fax:  (239) 573-6503
Cell:  (239) 691-3280
Email:  sales@avantinnovations.com
Web site:  http://avantinnovations.com

Home, HVAC, Mold Inspections

Jacob Mermin is a graduate of the prestigious Penn-Foster Career School of Home Inspections. We follow all National Standards established by organizations such as NACHI, National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, NAHI, National Association of Home Inspectors, and ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors.

Jacob Mermin has 19 years experience in the contracting industry within the Southwest Florida area. Jacob Mermin is a Certified Mold Inspector, receiving his certification through Mold Inspection Consulting and Remediation Organization, better known as MICRO. Other Indoor Air Quality certifications include, American Institute of Respiratory Educators, AIRE. A membership in the Indoor Air Quality Association, and Indoor Air Quality USA.

With nearly 20 years experience in the H.V.A.C. industry, Jacob Mermin is E.P.A. Certified in Freon as a Type ll air conditioning technician. This makes him one of the few Home Inspectors or Mold Inspectors who can continue the search for air quality problems inside your Air Conditioning Equipment or Ductwork. Due to our association with Coolair Air Conditioning & Heating, a well known, state licensed company #CAC055519, we can fulfill all your Air conditioning needs; be it regular maintenance, to emergency service, to air quality issues, to complete Ductwork or Air Conditioning replacements.

Jacob Mermin Inspections can provide all types of Air Quality testing; tape lifts, swabs, carpet or wall cavity samples, and air-o-cell air pump testing. We actually do the testing ourselves, no need to call another company. Jacob Mermin Inspections follow strict chain of custody protocols, hand carrying your refrigerated samples to the lab.

Our inspection reports are easy to read and understand. They can be the checklist type or a narrative, or may be a combination of both. We can post your individual inspections on our web site that only you can access. With your personal password giving you secure information and time to make any intelligent decisions you may need to make. We can also hand carry your inspection to you, we do not like to mail anything. Our inspections can include digital pictures and even video. For example; we can post video of the inside of your ductwork provided by the Rotobrush I-2 Cam, one of the few in the area

Jacob Mermin
Cell:  (239) 243-7322
Email:  jacob@mermininspections.com
Web Site:  www.mermininspections.com

 I was looking in the newspaper and I saw an ad for one of those CHEAP duct cleaning offers. I am sure you have seen the one where you can get your first 5 ducts cleaned for only $25.00. They never tell you in the ad how much the rest of your ducts are going to cost to clean. How about the carpet cleaning company that can also clean your air ducts? These companies never tell you about their credentials. One CHEAP ad said they were EPA certified. EPA Certified in what? I have an EPA certification to work with Freon and work on air conditioners. I am also a certified mold and IAQ inspector. They never say they have a certified mold inspector CMI or certified indoor environmentalist CIE on staff. They have neither of these certifications but insist they can clean your ducts. The carpet cleaning company doesn’t advertise any of these certifications or licenses, but after they clean your carpets and furniture your ducts can be next. Only about 30% of licensed air conditioning companies in SW. Florida have gone to the expense of buying duct cleaning equipment.

The problem that I have with these CHEAP duct cleaning companies is they are not licensed or qualified to perform this service correctly and they don’t even tell you the whole story. Let me tell you the whole story. First of all lets start with air conditioning 101. An air conditioning system consists of basically 3 parts. First we have the condenser, which is usually outside next to your house. Second is the air handler which is normally in your garage, closet, or in your attic. Third is your duct system.  An air conditioning system is basically a de-humidifier with cold air being a by-product. The compressor outside in the condenser pumps Freon coolant into the evaporator coil which is in your air handler. That evaporator coil gets cold. Every cubic feet of air in your house re-circulates through the filter to the evaporator coil. From there it goes to the blower and is sent to the duct system and out your vents. Now this is constantly happening during the cooling cycle every time you run your system. I know it’s taking for ever to get to my point but I am getting there. I am about to tie it all together. The average home owner goes to Wal-Mart and buys the cheapest filter they can find. Most homeowners are not going to spend very much money on something they don’t want to deal with to begin with. Unfortunately that cheap filter is causing the problem that we are discussing. Dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, and microbial growth are being sent through the duct system and out into your house.

Now here it comes what I have been venting about. Those CHEAP duct cleaning companies who are not licensed to open up your air conditioner’s air handler don’t tell you or can’t tell you that after you pay for your ducts to be cleaned, that they are only going to get dirty again. You see these companies don’t clean the evaporator coil, blower motor, and the interior insulation of your air handler. It doesn’t make any sense to have all your ducts cleaned with out cleaning the air conditioner. In the 20 years I have been working on air conditioning systems and dealing with indoor air quality I haven’t seen to many duct system that don’t also have a dirty contaminated air handle. Call an expert before you give these CHEAP duct cleaning companies your money.

Remember this: "Without quality air, we cannot have quality of life".

Jacob Mermin CMI/CHI

Co- founder Neighbor Helping Neighbor

www.mermininspections.com

239-243-7322

Special Event!!!!  Please RSVP!!!!

August 11th 2008

6:PM to 7:30PM

The Reserve Cigar & Wine Bar
10950 S Cleveland Ave, Ft. Myers
(just North of Boy Scout Road)

Please RSVP at (239) 770-6250 or (239) 243-7322

Neighbor Helping Neighbor is looking to expand it's membership!  We are offering special membership rebates for new members!  A yearly membership is usually $200. Bring in four memberships after you join and your next year's membership will be free.

 Important note. If you are thinking about joining Neighbor Helping Neighbor just call Mike Cathell or Jacob Mermin and we will bring you an application and pick up your check.

Remember: Don't wait too long because only one membership per occupation is allowed. Memberships are first come, first serve, and we can't make any exceptions. So don't wait, contact us now.

 We would hate for you to miss out on the newest and finest networking group to come out in 25yrs just because you forgot or put it off.

Call Mike at (239) 770-6250 or Jake at (239-243-7322
email at Mike@neighborhelpingneighbor.com or Jake@neighborhelpingneighbor.com  to RSVP
or for more information or to set a meeting for you and your friends!

Mike Cathell had 23 years experience in luxury sales and management before becoming a Realtor.  Many of the sales records set by Mike and his sales teams still stand unbroken!  Opening new markets allowed Mike to travel as far west as San Francisco and Seattle, as far North as Pittsburgh and New York, as far South as Miami and Atlanta.  The center of the country was not missed as Mike also traveled to Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago and many places in between.

Mike and his family have settled in Ft. Myers, FL after their third move back!  Mike, his wife and three children are active in many school activities especially the performing arts and the sciences.  One of their favorite charitable pastimes is the Franciscan Mystery Players, a Christian Teen performance group that Mike and his family have produced, directed and performed in churches all over South Florida.

Mike has been a Realtor for 6 years and with the downturn of the market, he has changed his business to help some of the people most affected by what is happening in Lee County.  Foreclosures are increasing in numbers dramatically.  Mike is presently developing a web site to show homeowners all the steps they can take to avoid foreclosure.  If none of these steps are desired by the homeowners, his team will try to help with the short sale to again prevent the foreclosure if possible. Because of the falling prices, large inventory and recent FHA loans available, his team is also helping first time buyers and renters to a home.

Mike is also one of the Founders of Neighbor Helping Neighbor referral and networking group.

Mike Cathell
Sellstate Achievers Realty Network, LLC
Cell:  (239) 770-6250
Email:  jmcathell@comcast.net
Web site:  http://www.fortmyersrealestate.listingbook.com

Keep Spammers from finding your clients' email address.

Nothing would hurt your credibility more with your clients than sending them an email message or invoice that ends up with spam and junk mail following right behind.  Last tip, I mentioned getting a junk email address for yourself.  You can get as many of these as you like.  This is the address that goes into your email "TO:" box at the top of the email, for example, bigroundguy@yahoo.com (sorry, it's taken!).

Two boxes under the "TO:" box should be another box that says "BCC:".  If not, you can add it under mail options from your tool bar.  "BCC:" is Blind Carbon Copy.  This prevents anyone from seeing the email address of receivers of this email.  Unfortunately, they can still read the email if they like, but more importantly, they cannot get your client's address.

This technique can also be used to send the message to multiple receivers without them seeing who else got the same email!

Other tips coming:  How to prevent your email from becoming spam if you need to send it to multiple receivers.

 Spam-a-lot is not what is sending all those junk emails to you!

Have you ever wondered why you get all those junk mails you never requested.  First, "spam-a-lot" is a Monty Python musical, not the software that sends all the unwanted junk to you!  Many companies scan emails that are sent and actually lift your address from your email.  They also take your friends' and clients' email addresses off of communications you send to them.

One easy way to stop this process is by "hiding" your business or personal email address.  Go to one of the free email services like gmail.com, yahoomail.com or hotmail.com.  Sign up for a free email under a different name.  Do not use your personal information as part of the email address.  In other words, joeGreen@yahoo.com or MarysDogBakery@yahoo give spammers your personal info.  Instead use generic names like bigroundguy@hotmail.com or dogcookie@juno.com for example.

Every time you order any kind of a free report or information through the Internet, have it sent to this address.  if you like it and subscribe, make sure the service will protect your business email.  If you do not like it, just delete.  Then Spammers can send junk to this address as much as they like!!!  You do not get any of the spam loading up your business email and wasting your time.

Look for other email topics about hiding your clients email addresses and how to use several emails to monitor your on-line ads.  By the way, if you get a chance to see Monty Python's musical, "Spamalot", go see it.  Lots of fun!!!!

Mike Cathell

Co-founder of Neighbor Helping Neighbor

My name is Jan Wolf and I am a Realtor with Sellstate Achievers Realty Network, Inc.  I have lived in Fort Myers, Florida for over 25 years and I've seen a lot of changes and growth take place during that time.  Fort Myers has been a wonderful place to bring up a family as I have and is also a great tropical paradise for anyone to visit and escape from those harsh winters up north!  With the warm Florida sunshine, white sandy beaches, boating, fishing, wonderful restaurants and shopping etc.and with affordable housing what else could you ask for!  Southwest Florida is definitely a great place to live or visit!

Customer Service is very important to me.  I want to give my customers the same kind of service that I would like to receive myself.  I will do my best to guide you through the buying or selling process, so that it is a painless, smooth and exciting process.  I want you to be so happy with the quality service you've received from me, that you'll want to recommend me to all your friends and family for all their real estate needs! 

When you are ready to buy or sell, don't do it alone.  With my experience and education let me help you get through the process as quickly and smoothly as possible!  Call me and you'll see!

Jan Wolf,  Realtor

Sellstate Achievers Realty Network, Inc.

Cell:  (239) 872-7614

Office:  (239) 985-0777

Fax:  (239) 985-0595

E-mail:  jwolf@sellstate.com

Serves:  Ft. Myers, Fort Myers, Cape Coral,  Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, Southwest Florida