An Open Invitation to The Irvine Company

IrvineRenter_IHB

IrvineRenter_IHB

New member
<img src="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/images/uploads/200973/welcome.jpg" alt="" />



We know you guys read the blog and the forums, and some of you even participate without revealing who you are. It is time the elephant quit hiding in the room. Come out and join us.



Your customers want to know you. They want to know what you are doing and why you are doing it. It affects your customers; it affects us.



We are your customers. We buy your houses, rent your apartments and shop at your shopping centers. When you set out to create a great community, you did it for us. We know what we like and what we don't like, and here we talk about it.



This is an opportunity for you. Come to the blog and our forums and participate. Identify yourselves as who you are. Don't try to disguise that you may have a bias or you will eventually get caught and it will be worse. If you speak the truth with authenticity, people will accept that you may be biased, but your information is good and truthful. People are here for good information.



We talk about what you do, and we speculate because we have no other sources of information. If you are not participating in our conversations, or if we do not know who you are, you cannot correct bad information when it gets presented. It is one thing to be damned for who you are, but it is another to be damned for who you are not. Talk to us. Give us good information, and we will be a happier community.



We also provide you a great mechanism for getting feedback directly from your customers and your potential customers. You can go pay for market data and studies, or you could ask questions directly to your customers for free in our forums. People will respond. Sometimes we get so bored that we start silly threads that are the online version of chit chat. If you give us something to talk about, it will be welcomed.



I am sincere in this invitation. No tricks. No agenda. Just an invitation for you to come join our community and make it better.



I also invite each member of our community to be open to anyone from The Irvine Company who identifies themselves on the blog or the forums. Call the BS, but embrace the truth.





If you want to contact us. I can be reached at irvinerenter@irvinehousingblog.com and Zovall can be reached at zovall@irvinehousingblog.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
 
Irvine Renter.



Its a nice idea. But your never going to get a response and you know it.

Like asking the CIA if it even exists. The silence is all you can expect.



Your a little fly buzzing around their face. And god forbid if they wanted to swat you.

Some guy would walk up to you with a small offer you cant refuse. And POOF. This website and its content is vapor in a minute.

Your going to sign a non disclosure and adios. They could bury you in legal paper work at the drop of a hat if you refuse.



I think your better off leaving a sleeping dog alone. He has very big teeth.
 
Friday night at 9pm. I'm calling it. IR is drunk...and overly optimistic.



Anyone acknowledging themselves as Irvine Company employees may as well sign their own pink slips.



A valiant effort nonetheless.
 
[quote author="Cuatro" date=1247933941]Friday night at 9pm. I'm calling it. IR is drunk...and overly optimistic.



Anyone acknowledging themselves as Irvine Company employees may as well sign their own pink slips.



A valiant effort nonetheless.</blockquote>


I don't think IR drinks. At least I have never seen him drink, and I have offered him some good wine before. Although, he has mentioned in his past he has been known to have knowledge of the outcome of too much alcohol.



But, I would love to hear from the 500 or so hits a day we get from TIC employees. Like IR said, be honest and cut out the BS, and we will treat you with respect. Well... no_vas might give you a good ribbing, but come on... he has done that to everyone, including me. It is just one part of being in this community as a whole. I think we have proven to love those who provide pertinent info, see the bashing of IR2, Ipo, and IHO as examples. They managed to survive, and now provide a wealth of info.



BTW, this is not the first time TIC has been called out to participate. Obviously they are reading here, now they should really focus on some true feedback. Bigger lots you biatches! I don't want to see IHO's ugly a$$ from my bathroom window even if we both have the three car garages we want, and you TIC employees would want that either... trust me... you just don't.
 
You're not getting bigger lots Graph



TIC has a product, they market it.



Personally, I miss the older Irvine cheerleading days. The bubble implosion posts are nice but with over a year of them, the point is made.



So again, I'll request a return to Community profiles. I know it's a lot of work. But, community profiles of Irvine and substituion neighborhoods would simply be awesome in my book. If IHB's sales arm mantra is comparables and rental equivalence, nothing is more enlightening than knowing what neighborhoods provide a substitute for the one you're looking at.





But if TIC does join us, maybe someone can explain this:

Corporate Offices

Irvine Company

550 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660
 
[quote author="bltserv" date=1247924386]Like asking the CIA if it even exists. The silence is all you can expect.</blockquote>


You hit the nail on the head. TIC is the most paranoid, secretive company on the planet. The employees don't even share information with each other for fear of running afoul of their nondisclosure rules. Good idea, never gonna happen.
 
Let me try to wear Irvine Company's hat: what is the upside for me to openly join the discussions?



I see very few. This board is like free research for them. They are paying up to $500 / interview by engaging third party to ask the exact same questions to a potential buyer that IHB is discussing every day.



Coming to the open will put them in the position of answering consumer questions, and defending themselves. Why do that?



If I were the owner of the blog, I will be thinking about how to extract some tangilable value from Irvine company by potentially providing some structured unbiased consumer based research, and feedback. This needs to be done carefully in the background instead of doing it in the open. This is Irvine housing Blog, and Irvine company is THE player in Irvine. So teaming with them is something worth considering.



Just to be clear, I don't know a single person who works for Irvine company. As a home owner, the very existence of Irivne company in Irvine is the one of the few reasons I became a homeowner in Irvine: mainly bc of their pricing and staying power in Irvine, which help to mitigate the down side risk better than most other cities. Newport, Laguna Beach have their nature downside risk mitigator which is ocean. Irvine has none of that.
 
IR you can always count on me to leave the IHB main screen on every IAC computer I visit... hopefully some manager will eventually get the message...
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1247959957]Let me try to wear Irvine Company's hat: what is the upside for me to openly join the discussions?



Coming to the open will put them in the position of answering consumer questions, and defending themselves. Why do that? </blockquote>


I have been reading many books on marketing lately, and I have read two recently on social media marketing (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Marketing-Hour-Day/dp/0470344024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247936196&sr=1-1">Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Permission-Marketing-Turning-Strangers-Customers/dp/0684856360/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247936227&sr=1-3">Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Prize-Inside-Make-Purple/dp/1591841674/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247936255&sr=1-13">Free Prize Inside: How to Make a Purple Cow</a>). I have been putting in my research time.



The upside for the Irvine Company is (1) the ability to directly assess the needs and wants of its customers, (2) they can correct misinformation, (3) they can add to the conversation and tell us some of the really cool things about Irvine that we don't even know, (4) they get powerful word-of-mouth marketing at no cost.



They would not be here to answer complaints to take service actions, they have their own website and phone numbers for that.



The biggest advantage to the Irvine Company is for their marketing. They can spend millions of dollars broadcasting their message to the world, and they can reach many people and influence their decisions. However, anyone interested in Irvine real estate is likely to do a Google Search for an Irvine related topic, and a thread from this forum or a post on the IHB is going to come up. Our SEO makes it so people find us here. Once they find us, they can cut through the advertising messages and get answers from real people living real lives in Irvine. <strong>A response from this board will carry 100 times the weight of the Irvine Company advertising message. That is why they need to be here. </strong>



IMO, the Irvine Company would get a tremendous return on its marketing time and effort by having people only communicating with us on this forum. They won't be able to control the message here, but they can help shape it by telling a compelling story that represents the truth of living in Irvine. This forum is one of the most powerful marketing voices because it is so real. All of us here believe in Irvine and what has been created as we choose to live here and live the dream. When the stories of marketing match the realities of the people living it, you have something very powerful. Participating here will help the Irvine Company make the most of it.



BTW, Zovall and I do not see this as a money making thing. We are not looking to partner with TIC or work out any financial arrangement. We want to promote this free community for all who wish to participate and make it be an authentic source of good information. We all benefit from that.
 
[quote author="roundcorners" date=1247961271]IR you can always count on me to leave the IHB main screen on every IAC computer I visit... hopefully some manager will eventually get the message...</blockquote>


Do you get opportunity to visit IAC computers often?
 
It would be nice. But TIC is an old dog. I'm not saying it won't learn new tricks...but the speed with which their marketing department will adapt to social media marketing will likely be glacial.



As far as former employees coming out to answer questions is concerned, I wouldn't bet on that either. I'm sure their employment package included pages of non disclosure agreements. Why would a former employee chance getting an angry letter, or worse yet, a lawsuit from one of Orange County's largest and most powerful companies? If any former employees do post they likely intend to maintain their anonymity. Why burn that bridge and open yourself up to such headaches?



Maybe things will change. It would be nice.
 
[quote author="No_Such_Reality" date=1247951169]



But if TIC does join us, maybe someone can explain this:

Corporate Offices

Irvine Company

550 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660</blockquote>




Would you want your offices on top of the spreading toxic plume? (Where's Marsha when you need her?)
 
<blockquote>I have been reading many books on marketing lately, and I have read two recently on social media marketing </blockquote>


Reading up on how to become a Salesperson. My advice. Dont quit your dayjob.



You fail to remember that TIC has a captive product. They OWN THE LAND free and clear. They can take all the time in the world. Its like being the only drug dealer on the block. As long as you dont kill your customers with over supply. Your Fat. They have learned a lesson all great sales people learn. Dont Negotiate when you have no reason to. Just shut up. Be dumb.

And count your profits. TIC has this down to an artform. Over communication or Over Selling

and marketing is bad for pricing when there is NO real competition.



Great example is Pelican. They spent a Billion Dollars. 10-15% Occupancy and they still have the highest price per room around. And they DONT CARE. They just buried the St Regis.

TIC has the cash and the patience. They can see out 20-30+ years with a marketing plan.

Their balance sheet is in a world we little mortals cant comprehend.



IR.

Your little website is hardly on their radar. Your making the mistake that you think they

care. Trust me. They dont in the least. Why should they ? Their business is already booked

and they cant lose it.
 
[quote author="IrvineRenter" date=1247962449][quote author="irvine123" date=1247959957]Let me try to wear Irvine Company's hat: what is the upside for me to openly join the discussions?



I have been reading many books on marketing lately, and I have read two recently on social media marketing (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Marketing-Hour-Day/dp/0470344024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247936196&sr=1-1">Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Permission-Marketing-Turning-Strangers-Customers/dp/0684856360/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247936227&sr=1-3">Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Prize-Inside-Make-Purple/dp/1591841674/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247936255&sr=1-13">Free Prize Inside: How to Make a Purple Cow</a>). I have been putting in my research time.



</blockquote>


O/T



These are great books, IR. I also recommend Seth's blog if you are not reading it:





<a href="http://http://sethgodin.typepad.com/">http://sethgodin.typepad.com/</a>
 
[quote author="Sunshine" date=1247973734][quote author="No_Such_Reality" date=1247951169]



But if TIC does join us, maybe someone can explain this:

Corporate Offices

Irvine Company

550 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660</blockquote>




Would you want your offices on top of the spreading toxic plume? (Where's Marsha when you need her?)</blockquote>


Maybe I just have a very sensitive sense of smell, but the patch of land right across the street, next to the library, reeks of chemical solvents on a hot day.



Corporations live forever. As far as I am concerned, the leadership now has been doing a great job.



Corporations are not moral entities, so they will comply with law, and if the law sucks, don't be surprised if the results suck.



We live in a democracy and everyone has the right to be stupid.
 
[quote author="bltserv" date=1247976300]



Great example is Pelican. They spent a Billion Dollars. 10-15% Occupancy and they still have the highest price per room around. And they DONT CARE. They just buried the St Regis.

TIC has the cash and the patience. They can see out 20-30+ years with a marketing plan.

Their balance sheet is in a world we little mortals cant comprehend.



IR.

Your little website is hardly on their radar. Your making the mistake that you think they

care. Trust me. They dont in the least. Why should they ? Their business is already booked

and they cant lose it.</blockquote>


I remember about 1.5 years ago, I got letters from the Irvine Company inviting me to participate in their market research. They offered like 300 or 500 dollars for a two hour session. When I called, I failed the screening test. I failed because I didn't fit the criteria of "ready to buy in next 12 months". I don't know if anyone here participated that market research session?



I think Irvine Company does care about this website to the extent that they can feel the pulse of the "ready buyers" to at least validate their marketing / product plans. Every Savvy consumer products company goes out of their way to find the "wants", and "needs" in order to design and price their products. There is no exception with the Irvine Company regardless their balance sheet. Their balance sheet give them the staying power in the market place, the ability to take a longer view of the market place, and financial return.



For the rational IR listed:

(1) the ability to directly assess the needs and wants of its customers

they can do this just reading this blog, why come out of the shadow?



(2) they can correct misinformation

it is the common practice of multibillion firms not to comment on"rumor" or "misinformation". Why? because it is once you engage, you don't have the excuse of saying" we don't comment on rumors" the next time.



(3) they can add to the conversation and tell us some of the really cool things about Irvine that we don?t even know

What is the benefit of telling you the "cool" things? Everything they want to tell the end customers are being said their carefully organized ads, and product roll out activities.



(4) they get powerful word-of-mouth marketing at no cost.

they are getting it anyway. If they engage, you ask questions they don't want to answer, they get a black mark. There is no upside for them.



If I were Irvine company, I will never openly engage here as Irvine Company. And this decision is a easy one too.



All that being said, I still believe there are value for Irvine Company to engage here with careful arrangements. I don't believe partnering with irvine company is "sleeping with the enemy". As a consumer and home owner, I would view "realtors" & "title insurer" more an enemy than anyone else.
 
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