First National

Group NZ Ltd

26th November 2012

The General Manager’s Corner

The boxes are lining the passage way and the countdown is on for our office relocation

scheduled for 28th of November 2012.

While we are excited about our relocation and new office, it is with much sadness we

say a farewell to two of First National’s very special Membership Services administrators.

We wish to thank both Rachael and Julia for their passionate commitment to their roles

within the National office and to the membership. Their friendly approach, always

helpful attitude and dedication over the past year will be sadly missed. We wish them

every success in their futures. It’s a shame that they are unable to re-locate to

Auckland, however, they are both looking forward to a long summer break that they

can spend with their families.

Stepping up into their busy roles is Amber Regan who will be based in Auckland at the

new Head Office. She is really looking forward to getting to know you all and is very

friendly so please don’t hesitate to drop her a line and say hello. Amber grew up in Auckland on the North

Shore and has just graduated from AUT University studying Event Management and Advertising; these skills will

be put to good use in her role in Membership Services Administration as well as her love for photography. She

will be taking on extra responsibilities such as social networking and conferencing and will be full-time at Head

Office.

The focus for 2013 is to provide service to the membership; this will be at an office level.

This will include hands-on training in social media, IT solutions, database training, agency

profiling assistance and much more.

We are excited to announce that Gina Fowler has accepted the role as the Upper North

Island, Membership Services Manager. This is based on the First National Australia model

which results in the role being more proactively involved within your office and with the

development of your teams.

Another farewell that we sadly make is to our lovely contract accountant Michelle Harrison. Michelle stepped

into the role at short notice in a temporary basis. She has performed an outstanding job within her role;

handling the company accounts and assisting management.

We welcome on our new accountant Marion Jones who has been training with Michelle over the last few

weeks. Marion is a very experienced contract accountant and will take up a part time role with the team at

the National office.

As I have just completed the National Office Budget for 2013, it will be very helpful having two accountants

reviewing our income and expenditure for the coming year. Thank you to all offices for returning your Office

Survey, your confirmation letters will be sent this week.

CHANGING TIMES LEADING INTO 2013

First National

Group NZ Ltd

The General Manager’s Corner

The girls sharing some Cosmopolitans at the

Millennium Hotel in Rotorua

Amber, Rachael, Julia & Gina had a

beautiful lunch and spa as a farewell gift to

the girls in Rotorua

FIRST NATIONAL WHANGAMATA FEATURED IN THE COASTAL TIMES

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First National

Group NZ Ltd

The General Manager’s Corner

Many of you have already seen the online video for First National Taupo featuring Principal Brent Howie and his

team. The video promotes the various services available through First National Taupo and has now been embedded

in their website, which can be seen at: http://www.taupofirstnat.co.nz/

As you can see, by placing the online video in the header (top) of the home page of a website provides optimal

viewing and impact for customers. It showcases a business in a very unique and authentic way, enabling customers

to engage with your staff and premises, before they have even met you.

Online video is the world’s biggest trend in marketing because it helps build customer relationships in a way no other

medium can. In New Zealand, 83.5% of internet users watch high engagement online video. Of those who do watch

it, research indicates that 40 – 80% of people go on to make direct enquiries or purchase with that business.

Quest’s online video has a variety of uses and can be:

embedded directly into your website;

emailed to customers (via a link to your website);

watched on a Smartphone by scanning a QR Code in print media (for example business cards, newspaper/

magazine advertising, property flyers, brochures etc.), branch window etc.;

used on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn;

shown to prospective customers in presentations; or looped so it can play continuously, for example in store or at

an event

If you are not familiar with QR Codes, please see the attachment, which is an advertisement with a QR Code in the

bottom right hand corner. A QR Code links to a video in a website, so that when a person scans a QR Code with their

Smartphone, they in turn watch the video on their phone.

Online video can be utilised in a number of ways. With regards to First National Real Estate it can be used for:

1 Branch Overview – like Taupo First National – with generic details of a branch, for example history, background,

values, staff and services of a branch.

2 Specific Services – relating to one service of a branch of First National Real Estate – for example Rural/Lifestyle –

providing key details such as locations, types, agents etc.

3 Agents – relating to one agent – specific details of one agent within a branch of First National Real Estate – for

example background information, their role and how they can help customers.

The videos are then embedded in the respective pages of a website. For example, a video about an agent would be

embedded in their profile, accessed through the About Us page, then Our Team in the drop down menu.

Having seen the First National Taupo online video, if you would like one or more for your branch, please find below a

special offer to First National Real Estate:

Special First National Real Estate Video Package (90 second videos) includes:

up to 2 hour shoot on location;

up to 2 interview situations;

up to 8 cut away shots;

Royalty free soundtrack (same as Taupo First National);

FREE website embedding;

FREE QR Code set up for any First National branch or agent.

Cost:

1 video: $3,995

2 videos: $2,500 each

3 videos: $2,165 each

4+ videos: $2,000 each

Prices are exclusive of GST. Offer ends this Friday, 30th November 2012.

If this interests you contact:

Jacqui Earle

Business Development

Quest Marketing Ltd

Mobile: 021 137 1150

Call Free: 0800 60 50 40

SPECIAL OFFER

Online Video for First National Real Estate

First National

Group NZ Ltd

The General Manager’s Corner

Colleen Milne

General Manager

P: 07 577 9693 ext. 208 M: +64 29 771 0750

E: colleen.milne@firstnational.co.nz

Other industry-related information that may be of interest/benefit to you:

First National Template – Design update for Rural Properties (see attached eg. For FN Gore)

On the morning of the 14th of November, Rachael,

Amber and I witnessed the partial eclipse of the

sun. Apparently we missed the memo that you are

not supposed to stare at it without Solar Glasses, so

for the rest of the day we had stars in our eyes!

An eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon

passes directly between earth and the sun casting

a shadow on the earth.

The next eclipse with this amount of obscuration

seen from New Zealand will not occur until 2028

and Auckland will not see a better solar eclipse

until 2035.

DID YOU SEE THE ECLIPSE?

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on

creating oneself endlessly.” - Henri Bergson

The National Awards

will be taking place

at this Convention, as

this replaces a NZ

based "National

Conference" in 2013.

Make sure you

register to be a part

of the action and

excitement that joint

Conventions offer.