08 October 2009

With the housing industry facing a downturn phase in its life cycle, Ole South Properties (OSP) owner John Floyd partners with Results Expert Micheal Burt to redefine and reconnect the OSP Brand to the Middle Tennessee Region.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Some might call it destiny. After all, how do two people from humble beginnings who skyrocketed to pinnacles of success finally meet? As people in the audience at a recent Power Luncheon featuring Coach Burt were gathering their belongings, staying after for the book signing and then filing out to move on to their next appointment on the Blackberry, one leader had an idea for action.

John Floyd, Founder and Owner of Ole South Properties saw the potential to connect with Burt, and said, "I heard the message loud and clear and I think you are exactly what we need." Floyd saw an opportunity to partner with Coach Micheal Burt to redefine and reconnect Ole South Properties processes and its promise to the home building industry and his customers in Middle Tennessee, a field in which Ole South has been considered a leader for a over two decades.

Coach Micheal Burt’s philosophy is predicated on something famed executive coach Marshall Goldsmith once said, “What got us here won’t get us there.” With real estate and home building desperately needing a fresh look that idea resonated with Floyd and following the speaking engagement the two set a time to meet and begin a dialogue about a future partnership that could re-define homebuilding and real estate. As a result of that conversation a larger purpose was born.

With a deep passion for staying ahead of industry norms, John Floyd and Coach Burt are teaming up to create a new leadership and delivery system, one that creates a unique experience for employees, managers and customers, while simultaneously creating differentiation with a purpose. The process will include growth and learning of everyone at Ole South in an effort to compete and drive market presence in new ways. By building what Burt refers to as “The Ole South Promise,” a consistent concept across all of Ole South’s 18 communities that combines unmatched service with highly motivated sales teams and new innovation for the industry.

Focusing on integrity and quality as the watchword of its building process, Floyd hopes to use his 22 years of success as Middle Tennessee’s largest, independently-owned homebuilder "to maximize the potential of the promise" through Coach Burt’s processes. Coach Burt will challenge Floyd and Ole South Properties associates to answer questions like, "Who Ole South Properties is", "What Ole South Properties does", and "Why Ole South Properties matter" to Middle Tennessee. Burt will focus on integrating processes that develop Ole South Properties in four core areas; voice, leadership, execution and culture.

Without question, Ole South Properties is Tennessee's largest, independently-owned homebuilder. “Ole South certainly has a story that is connected to the people of Middle Tennessee,” said Burt, the author of four books and founder and CEO of www.coachmichealburt.com . “This is where I will begin this process. I want to hear the stories of the individuals in this organization as well as the home owners who have made an investment in themselves, Ole South, and Middle Tennessee. Ole South is authentically Middle Tennessee and I am embarking along with John Floyd to articulate the next chapter in that story.” “I only partner with innovators who seek to move to higher levels of success and are not interested in resting on past success.” “John Floyd and Ole South personify that innovation.”

Through his Signature Brand Series, Coach Burt is currently playing a critical role in the the recent explosion in generating new accounts at FirstBank. By infusing his I-Lead program as part of an 18th month commitment to FirstBank as well as integrating his RockStar Management philosophy Firstbank is seeing results toward this dominant aspiration. Results seen by Firstbank leadership are surpassing the expectations of even those who originally initiated the need for the partnership. At FirstBank, Burt took the approach that success could be created by growing both character and competency of each associate at all levels and revamping the ways to incentivize employees by offering a new system of rewards and accountability. Burt’s insatiable enthusiasm at Firstbank has not gone unnoticed.

“Micheal entered into our organization to teach, grow, and retain over 550 of our associates and to drive sales for us on the retail side,” said COO, Wib Evans. “His energy and knowledge is contagious and has increased solutions to drive people to us, increased our performance toward our ideal picture of success, and personally challenged me to lead unlike any other.”

Building a relationship similar to the one FirstBank and Coach Burt share is undoubtedly on the mind of Floyd and Ole South Properties. Because of his past success with FirstBank, Burt understands and welcomes the challenges that await as the housing industry is cycling through challenging phases, just as financial institutions are.

Ironically, John Floyd began his career as a bag boy and manager trainee at Winn-Dixie and was eventually promoted to a assistant store manager through his hard work, enthusiasm, and mindset. While working at Winn-Dixie he saved enough money to purchase a rental house, one per six months, on his way to finding a passion for real estate and building Ole South into the largest, independently owned builder in Tennessee.

Floyd understands that as external markets shift, he must re-create Ole South to continue to be an innovator in the field. “I understand that this company was built on hard work, determination, and focused efforts. While it’s easy for many in our industry to become negative and blame circumstances for our situation in the housing market, I think it’s vitally important to get back to the basics of core principles while still re-inventing the way we think, and build the best sales teams, products, and delivery systems we can so the ultimate benefit is to the thousands of people who choose to buy from Ole South.”

“I believe Coach Burt can challenge me to lead more aggressively, challenge my sales team to improve the experience, and challenge my staff to deliver on the Ole South promise.” “Through his coaching background he brings systems of accountability to ensure all of us are maximizing our talent.”

The long-term success of Ole South Properties is contingent on continuing the foundation that has been built through a reputation of being dependable and trustworthy, while offering homebuyers affordable, high-quality homes. Many organizations would be satisfied with being ranked in the top 100 builders in the nation, but Floyd recognized improvements can be made, and Burt will undoubtedly accept the challenge of “what got us here, won‘t get us there.”

These improvements will be crafted through Burt’s Sinature brands and a unique model created specifically for Ole South Properties by Burt and his team which includes thought leader Dr. Colby Jubenville, coordinator of special projects for Burt’s company.

“Coach Burt has already challenged me to lead through effective, clear communications,” said Floyd. “I am energized and excited to tackle the challenges ahead of us.”

When discussing the immediate future Floyd stated, “We continue to want to help first-time homebuyers achieve their homeownership dreams as well as developing several options for those seeking to buy their second home from Ole South as their family and income continue to grow.”

Contact Coach Micheal Burt @ 615.849.2099 for interview surrounding this press release or contact him directly @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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