Ask a Master Certified New Home Sales Professional (Master CSP)
Take it up a level and become a Master CSP. How will this designation help you reach your potential as a sales professional? These graduates have volunteered to answer your questions, provide you with guidance, and help you navigate the Master CSP program.
Find out from a Master CSP the benefits of earning your Master CSP by simply clicking on the Ask Me link following the expert’s bio.
Responses and opinions provided to you by designation holders are solely their own regarding the Master CSP designation program. NAHB does not warrant or endorse their accuracy, completeness, timeliness or reliability. NAHB assumes no liability for inaccuracy or incompleteness of the responses or opinions provided by designation holders.
S. Robert August
S. Robert August & Co., Inc.
Greenwood Village, CO
Designation and Year Received: Master CSP - 2006
Area of Expertise: Sales & Marketing
As one of the very first instructors for the Advanced CSP course, I have enjoyed educating IRM and NSMC students about the importance of translating and interpreting the construction management techniques and philosophies. After more than 12 billion dollars in gross merchandising and sales of real estate developments and new homes, I continue to find the courses to be helpful to me, the students I teach, and the developers and builders I educate.
As an experienced Sales Professional working for a Fortune 500 Company I was seeking to learn new tips and trends from other top sales professionals in the new home industry. Having already completed the CSP and ACSP I only needed a few more courses to achieve the Master CSP designation. I was one of three to be the first to achieve this designation in the class of 2004. The courses I took to achieve the Master CSP provided some unique insights into strategies around improving my sales/product presentation, prospect follow-up and of course customer service. As an industry professional that has worked for two of the leading builders in the United States I believe that it is important to continually self educate and stay abreast the latest developments within the industry. Because I have had to work in a number of highly competitive markets I feel that the knowledge I gained while seeking my Master CSP designation goes great lengths in ensuring that potential buyers view my sales presentation as more polished, refined and creditable then that of my competitors.
In order to maintain the highest level of value to my builder clients I determined that the educational path to the Master CSP designations would keep me head & shoulders above the competition, and help keep me abreast of current information & technical in sales and marketing.
Area of Expertise: New Home Sales and New Home Sales Management
My success in the new home industry, in most part, has been my dedication to continuing education. I have used the IRM Professional Designations to bring credibility and professionalism to every aspect of my job. During my 10 years as a new home sales professional, I attended many education programs including CSP (Certified New Home Sales Professional). I became active in the NSMC/IRM as a committee member and found that a new designation the Master CSP was available as an upgrade or continuation of the CSP.
My new goal was to graduate in the inaugural class of Master CSP’s and become the first in my State to achieve this prestigious designation. Just putting the letters Master CSP on my business card, as well as the framed certificate on my office wall, had customers saying “wow." I also attribute having the Master CSP in helping me win local, state and national sales awards, as well as being one of the differentiation factors that was considered for my recent promotion.
The Master CSP designation speaks quality to one’s character, integrity and work ethic. I have always strived to be a knowledge broker and completing this designation allowed me to have confirmation that I had achieved mastery of these sales skill sets. The required and elective credit classes for the Master CSP designation were easy to find and were enjoyable and fulfilling. Even with 10 years of experience, I learned new and exciting ideas and concepts that helped me achieve my sales and professional goals.
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S. Robert August