Read, Watch, Listen: Real Estate CEO Mike Collin’s List

IMI Living’s founding partner and CEO Mike Collins (imiliving.com) shares the media that impacts and entertains him.

Founded in 1989, IMI Living specializes in bridging the gap between marketing and sales of resort projects. In its 30-year history, the company has completed more than 15,000 transactions totaling more than $9B in real estate, continually working with brands like Four Seasons, Rosewood, Montage, and St. Regis. With projects completed and in progress in more than 18 states and 9 countries, IMI has just signed to manage their 100th project, and is currently working with Four Seasons Anguilla, Four Seasons Caye Chapel, Quivira, Espiritu at Palmilla, Saint Peter’s Bay in Barbados, and the Concours Club in Miami.

Digital
I started this company when I was 25 years old, and there were fax machines. I come from the old school. I have a sophisticated organization of people who follow social media platforms, but I’ve elected not to do social media for myself. For information, I generally read Apple news on my iPad. I’ll read maybe five stories that pertain to what I’m doing—whether it’s a political debate or what’s happening at resorts in the Dominican Republic. I love how they give you new stories to look at that are related to what you just read. You get so much from one program.

Reading
The most important book when I started business was The Art of Closing Any Deal by James W. Pickens. It teaches you that you have to grab multiple hats to be a successful businessperson: You have to know their interests; speak to their needs; and engage with multiple people at any time.

Right now I’m reading Make Big Happen by Mark Moses. A lot of times I’ll skip around in a book and pick sections. This one is about how to live well, give well, and work well. One of the mottos for me and our company is that we’re very kind people. We realize that work is über important, and relationships are über important. If you treat people well, that comes back to you in a good way.

One of our good business partners is Jack Nicklaus, and he’s not just one of the greatest golfers ever, but one of the greatest athletes ever. There’s a book on him called Simply the Best! by Martin Davis. I like reading motivational sports books to keep my mind sharp and on track to win.

Television and Film
Everything I watch for entertainment is about people who are driven to be successful. My wife and I watch The Voice and America’s Got Talent with our 4-month old, and I love Billions and Suits. We try to go to the movies when possible. Bohemian Rhapsody was great last year. Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie of all time.