Global Business Councils & How to Start One

One of the most effective ways for local boards to help members reach global buyers is to establish a Global Business Council.

Some local boards refer to their Global Business Councils as International Local Councils, Committees, or Networks. These Councils are REALTOR®-driven community organizations affiliated with local REALTOR® associations that plan events, educational opportunities, and other programs to help REALTORS® identify and work with global clients.

Read more about Global Business Councils

10 Steps to Launching Your Global Business Council

1. Identify a staff member to act as a liaison to the Global Business Council.
Although the council will be managed mostly by volunteers, it is recommended that a full-time member of the local association's team act as the group's staff executive and undertake any day-to-day operational elements of the group. This individual will also be instrumental in organizing the initial steering committee or executive board of the Group, as well as in identifying a chairperson.

2. Conduct a membership survey.
Associations wishing to build a Global Business Council should survey their members regarding their current levels of engagement with global and multicultural clients. The survey can be distributed and analyzed using online survey tools such as Survey Monkey and Zoomerang.

Sample questions include:

• What percentage of your business comes from international or cross-cultural sources?
• Do you speak a language other than English?
• Do you or have you ever actively marketed your services to international or multicultural customers?
• Do you currently hold the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designation?
• What barriers have prevented you from successfully pursuing or conducting global or multicultural business?

3. Consult NAR's State-by-State International Business Report
Identify ties you might already have with other countries by learning about the ethnic strengths of your members and community.

4. Check with your Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development Office to learn about networking opportunities with ethnic communities or businesses within your market area.
Find out if your town or city is involved in the "sister city" program and piggyback on it.

5. Partner with civic groups that have international exchange and foreign student programs.
Determine opportunities for joint ventures.

6. Identify any Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designees among your membership.
Involve them in your association's global program by providing a focus or a place to begin. Allow them to act as proponents of your global program by engaging others and educating them about the importance of building a Global Business Council. Choose one member to act as chair of the group.

7. Look for opportunities to collaborate with neighboring associations and local cultural or business groups.
Programs such as speaker sessions, globally-themed networking events, and educational opportunities will be easier to offer.

8. Create a section on your association's website dedicated to global and multicultural business.
Include information that can be beneficial to your members' bottom line, such as an online directory of REALTORS® who speak foreign languages or a database of translated contracts and resources.

9. Consider hosting the CIPS Local Markets or AE International Administration Course.
Small boards should consider collaborating with neighboring associations in order to boost participation.

10. Consider working with NAR to create a three-year business plan for your group.
As part of our new Global Business Development Program, we will work with your board to help you effectively grow your group and promote global business to your REALTOR® members. Our comprehensive three-year plans are tailored to the goals of each local board and are a free benefit of NAR affiliation.

For additional information, please contact Zach Benjamin at zbenjamin@realtors.org