Grover Beach, CA

Watching the TV show "Undercover Boss" with Dina Dwyer-Owens, Chairwoman and CEO of the Dwyer Group, we were impressed that they recite their "code of values" before each company meeting, to keep their commitment "front and center" and to emphasize the importance of the company philosophy. They even have 14 "service steps" that each worker must do before serving a customer. Very impressive!

In our updated business plan, we were very thorough when identifying our company's "reason" for existence. From our vision, crafted a very clear mission statement, and from that our goals & ideals. Sometimes known as a "philosophy" or "guiding principles", our California Coast & Country Homes, Inc. brokerage decided that these are the 7 ideals most valuable to us:

Our Goals & Ideals

• Teach real estate agents how to operate their own successful and profitable entrepreneurial business
• Raise the bar for real estate agents - education, knowledge, professionalism, ethics
• Harness technology to work smarter and more effectively
• Conserve resources and honor our natural environment with good stewardship of God’s earth
• Be a positive force for financial stabilization in the economy
• Be a voice for homeowners and promote the American dream of homeownership
• Teach families to leave a financial legacy through wise real estate investments

Does your company have goals and ideals? If so, do you know what they are? And do they guide your company's daily direction?

Interestingly enough, Dina is the female head of a traditionally male-dominated business. The Dwyer Group is the parent franchise corporation for Mr. Rooter, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, the Grounds Guy, the Glass Doctor, and Aire Serv.

"Dwyer-Owens remains committed to championing The Dwyer Group Code of Values and its themes of Respect, Integrity, Customer Focus and Having Fun in the Process as a foundation for the company's success. The service brands will account for more than $750 million in annual system-wide sales this year," says the Sacramento Bee.

You can watch the episode here (click "Watch the Full Episode"): http://www.dwyergroup.com/undercoverboss/

Regina P. Brown
California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.

California turns 161 this week. There's a lot to love: sun, surf, stars, beaches, babes ... Here's our Top 40 list!

By TOM BERG / The ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you live here, you know. You know why we love California.

And since this week marks our state's 161st birthday, we're celebrating with 40 reasons we love living here -- despite the smog, the traffic and, yeah, earthquakes.

Here are a few tidbits from our research:

• The California Gold Rush drew more than 300,000 people to the state.
• On Sept. 9, 1850, California became the 31st state.
• The US paid $15 million for the state of California.
• The Golden Gate Bridge has 1.2 million rivets.
• Laker Girl wanna-bes must weigh less than 130 pounds.
• The Beach Boys started as the Pendletones.
• The Rose Parade was once followed by an ostrich race.
• Baywatch attracted more than 1 billion TV viewers a week in its heyday.

Take a look at our slide show and see what you think. Thanks, and Happy Birthday California.

Click here to see the slide show of 40 photos: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-315651-happy-love.html

~ Regina Brown