May I Offer a Little Friendly Advice?

There is an old saying: "Free advice is only worth what you paid for it". Well, hold on! Not everything that is free is completely worthless. Consider the air we breathe. Yes, there are times when advice can be good and beneficial to its receiver. There is another adage: "The best things in life are... FREE". Perhaps more than the actual advice, we should better scrutinize the source. WHO is the one imparting the sage wisdom? Are they actually a sage? In other words, is it someone who actually has experience in that field?

When I was in business school, we had the occasional adjunct professor teach some of the upper class courses. An "adjunct" was someone who was not on regular staff, but still worked in the industry of which they were teaching. That being the case, they were usually night classes. I always had this feeling that the regular faculty didn't like adjuncts. Nonetheless, THEY are the ones from whom I learned the most. If I saw an instructors name in the course catalog I didn't recognize, I knew it was probably a business owner or CEO. It would be someone I could ask real-world questions and get a straight answer. An answer based on experience and not what was already written in the textbook. In other words, I valued their advice.   

In real estate, it is estimated over half of all agents nationally quit after the first year in the industry.   One major reason for the high turnover is rookies feel they are not adequately trained in the BUSINESS of real estate. Over a decade ago, I was a real estate trainer for one of the largest RE/Max franchises in the country. It was a job I enjoyed and held that position for about five years. The program I put in place for new agents was hugely successful as evidenced by the stint of their careers. The training was said to be so good that veteran agents of other companies would recommend their friends who wanted to get into real estate to come see me! The managing broker loved me.

Given the acclaim from within as well as externally, you would think all the newbies would always hang on to every word I said in our training meetings, right? Nope! A new agent would knock on my office door and ask "Do you have a minute"? I always made the time. Once they asked a question or told me of a challenge they were having, I would tell them the best course of action or even offer a couple of suggestions. USUALLY, it was based on an experience I actually had throughout the course of my own career. I was puzzled the times they would not heed my words and go it their own way, sometimes re-inventing the wheel.   

On one particular incident, one of my agents asked if she could simply use the old house photos from an online listing that had expired with another company. Though I had never heard of such, I told her it was best she take her own listing photos and "start fresh". Simple enough, right? It may have been laziness on her part, but it certainly was not by accident she posted the old agents pictures online. Three days later the broker of the expired listing's company called my broker and words were exchanged. I believe the topic was intellectual property rights. Once my young agent caught wind of the conversation, she called the old agent and further exacerbated the situation. Feelings were hurt and there was now bad blood between the two firms, which in real estate is NOT good. Not good at all. All she had to do was take my advice... and her own damned photos.

What I realized was there are people who seek validation rather than unbiased advice. They have an idea and go to the expert. IF the expert agrees... YAY! But if the veteran dissents, they simply do what it is they really wanted to do all along. I use to be extremely annoyed by this, as I considered my time was wasted. Now I see it is part of being human. To varying degrees we all do this. We get it in our head what we want to do, but ask opinions of others to cover ourselves. This is why it is vitally important to suspend making final decisions on important issues until enough workable information is in. Granted, it's hard to separate our emotions from a logical decision. That's the human part I was talking about. Consider all the down on their luck gamblers in Las Vegas; a prime example of not separating ideas from emotion.   

Real estate is a tough career, but so is public speaking. I'm not even talking about being on stage. That is only 10% of it, the tip of the iceberg. As a public speaker and corporate trainer, I have about ten people a year ask me how to get started as a motivational speaker. I always stop what I am doing and take time to talk to them and answer any question they have. Why? Because a lot of successful speakers along the way stopped to talk to ME. They gave me advice and I took it. I always let novice speakers know the one most IMPORTANT bit of advice I can spare for someone just getting in the business; join Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is a public speaking club where one can learn the skills. The cost is only about $100 annually and generally, members are warm and welcoming. So, how many would-be Tony Robbins took me up on my advice? None! Not a single person I ran into again or called a month later actually joined Toastmasters. My guess is their dream is more attractive than the actual work of bringing it into reality. 

My advice to you: the next time you seek someone's opinion and their idea is contrary to what you initially thought, do further fact finding. However, they may be able to spare you some heartaches and stress. Has this person actually done what it is you want to do? If not, then WHY are you asking them?  Find someone qualified with real-world experience. If something isn't as easy as you originally thought it was, you're probably on the right track.    

http://MomentumSeminars.com
MomentumSemianrs@gmail.com

Service at the Speed of the Human Race™

The information superhighway was never intended for people to take a leisurely stroll. The internet was created, and exists for the rapid gathering of data. Service itself is just a byproduct. Truly, when it gets to decision time, people want to SLOW DOWN a bit. But, how do you do that or even hit an "off ramp" if everything is moving so fast?  

The concept of "Service at the Speed of the Human Race™", simply means gathering all pertinent information for our clients as quick as possible, explaining it to them in a way they understand, and then allowing them some time to decide how to proceed.  No teleporters or magic wands, just good client service. In fact, this has always been the model. But unfortunately, it's a point a lot of online platforms completely miss. At some point in the decision making process we must slow down, as bad information, out of sync priorities and miscommunication can upset an otherwise smooth process. If we are the professionals in our field, those who have knowledge and prior experience, and it does fall to US to tap those brakes.  Otherwise, our client stand to make a huge mistake, especially as it applies to real estate.

It is a concept First Community Mortgage refers to as "the human mortgage approach" of doing business.  Though they have access to all the tools of an online-only bank, they realize the greatest advantage is in their people. More important, their people making face-to-face connections with clients. Mortgage seekers don't want to be forced in to the next step of the process because the site says it's prudent to do so.  Nor are they willing to be denied by an algorithm. They want to look a professional in the eye and get some advice. People want options. Yes, at a point there is the need for a little bit of hand holding. That is a service you cannot get from the internet.

I recall several years ago, a large discount department store was playing with the notion of expanding into real estate. They had kiosks set up in a few of its stores as a pilot program to see how many more magazines, cheap toys, shirts, flip-flops, and 2000 square foot homes they could sell. This was at a time when there were not as many real estate information outlets as there are now. The discount chain's concept was to provide fast and convenient data while customers were shopping otherwise. People did in fact look at home listings on the in-store computers, but when it became decision time, elected to seek the advice of a Realtor®. The project was abandoned.  

Recently, I worked with some clients to sell their home. Within the first 24 hours, we received four offers. Each was good. The clients selected potential buyer to work with and we were able to sell the property for about $10,000 MORE than we originally anticipated. All this happened without the use of such online services as Homelight, Zillow or Trulia. For the most part, the offers that came in were by word of mouth. As for the bump in price; I went "old school" and actually MEASURED the property thereby finding additional square footage that was not reflected on the tax record. Something that would not have been caught by a "Zestimate", but rather by little ol' me!   
           
In the 21st century, we want something and we want it now!  However, instant gratitude is for the most part, a fantasy. Gaining information today is no problem at all, but is it the RIGHT information? More important, is it the right information for that individual? The human mind can race at a sprint, but the heart still needs go the distance of a marathon. That is what is meant by Service at the Speed of the Human Race™.    

Blaine Little is a real estate instructor, business trainer and an agent with Reliant Realty in Murfreesboro, TN

http://speakingforeffect.com/        BlaineSpeak@gmail.com

There is no leadership without a sense of vision.

As a corporate trainer, I often open my seminars stating; "The single most important skill of a good leader is that of communication". A manger or executive with an industrial expertise may point to another attribute such as accounting or engineering. However, when it comes to the task of actually LEADING others on the team, one would be hard pressed to disagree with me. Otherwise, just ask anyone who had a great idea and could not bring it to fruition because others did not share in the vision. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of professionals who perhaps due to their technical skills, gained a position of influence and yet do not truly appreciate the need for them to be "visionary". He or she has the degree, certifications, experience and skill sets to accomplish the tasks at hand. Yet, business professionals many times fail to understand the moment they take on the responsibility of a staff, team, department or even a single intern, they automatically become a LEADER... like it or not. I say that because there are a lot of business people who detest the responsibility of dealing with others and seeing to it staff members contribute their individual portion to the team. The attractiveness of title, prestige and more money clouds the reality that there will be a huge shift in their personal responsibilities. It is no longer the emphasis on individually doing, but instead relating what needs to be done by the team and WHY. 

Recently, I was presenting to the executive staff of a large energy company. The organization had recently undergone several growth spurts and weren't done. They understood the importance of creating a strategic plan relating the direction they were moving to their more than 1000 employees. Out of this, came the need to develop core values, as well as mission and vision statements. The company was undergoing such change they wanted to ensure all the workers were aware of the new direction they were going. Otherwise, employees would not see the need to be flexible in their understanding of what the individual job was. Where thee is confusion in the ranks, you have a loss in productivity, effectiveness and profitability. There could even be safety concerns for any entity that changes course and does not bring its members along.  

Followers WANT to be led! The good ones show up to work and fully expect to receive that day's marching orders or to be informed if the daily routine has been altered. Without a sense of direction, employees lose confidence in the organization, their leaders, even themselves and their abilities. To fill the void, they will many times create their own set of priorities, process policies and deadlines. However, these will all be different from one worker to the next and more than likely not be up to company standards. In time, the company will be swallowed up by inefficiency, lose their customer base, and eventually fold. The frustration an executive may feel is often one of the signs something is wrong and it may present itself too late.  

As a business leader, it's not enough to be proficient in your position, you must also bring the team along for the ride. That means telling members of the team where the ride is going... and why. In short, creating a vision. Key concepts, such as a vision statement is not the only way to do that, but it's a really good start. It may also require additional training and frequent updates. By opening good lines of communication to allow for questions, ideas and feedback, a leader can be assured that the team understands his or her direction. But if that leader simply assumes everyone knows priorities and what to do without follow through, that professional stands a good chance of not being in the position for long.   

Blaine Little
http://MomentumSeminars.com/
BlaineSpeak@gmail.com
 

The Little Red Squiggly Lines of Imperfection

So many people want to keep a perfect track record. As though THAT was more important than actually doing the job itself. I have stated several times to friends and family; "perfection is a myth". This concept of never being willing to make a mistake is sadly permeating our society. It's not just with the young people, either. Those changing career fields, also seem to have a certain aversion to failure. Granted, there's nothing wrong with wanting to do a job well. That's admirable, though it shouldn't stifle our ability to perform at all.

Those who wish to over analyze a situation will always be surpassed by those willing to "stumble forward". I recall something a friend of mine told me he heard from a former Chief Justice in one of his law classes; "The 'A' students will go on to teach, the 'C' students will do well for themselves, but the 'B' students will make all the money". That just always stuck with me. But isn't it contrary to conventional wisdom? Shouldn't it be the heads of the class who make the money?  After all, they had the best notes! Of course, you know the answer, life doesn't hand you notes. What life does hand us, is a series of lessons if we are willing to learn them.

We can think of countless success stories of famous people who were preceded by a long string of failures. Many times, these people overcame rough upbringings, family members who refuse to encourage their vision, lack of education, or economic hardships only to go on and invent the spinning spaghetti fork, or latest nose hair trimmer. When these people experienced setbacks, did they ask their college for a reimbursement on their tuition or simply try another way based on what didn't work previously?  As Alvin Toffler stated; “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ” That in mind, why do we seem so averse to learning what life has to teach us?

Many in business have drawn the erroneous conclusion that making mistakes is somehow bad. Is it? Most days, people make mistakes and never even know it. If ignorance is truly bliss, then perfection equals... well, ignorance. To a greater point, we are perhaps most afraid of looking bad to our peers or feeling as though we fell short of the skills of our competitors. But are the abilities of our colleagues and competition that much superior to ours? Or, did they come into their own by just not caring as much about OUR opinions of them? In other words, are they free from the additional stress of what others think, so they just go ahead and "mess up"? It was Thomas Edison who said; "I haven't failed, I just found 10,000 ways that won't work". We all know what kind of a loser he was!

Still, the sense of everything in our lives being flawless, is to what many in America aspire. At what point in our lives do we come to learn that everything must be an elusive 100%? Was it our family, grade school, college or career that led us to form such a judgement?  That's right, I just spelt "judgment" with two "E"s. Though the little, red, squiggly line tells me I 'goofed', I'm just fine with it. After all, it doesn't change what you perceived me to write, nor the point. My advice; don't be afraid to live your life with little, red, squiggly lines!

http://speakingforeffect.com/
BlaineSpeak@gmail.com

Does Your Customer Service... SUCK?

I'll be blunt, customer service in the 21st century, pretty much sucks! Like small children, we have become a self absorbed society, and lost touch with the idea that the consumers of our product or service are ultimately responsible for our paychecks. In a word, our "BOSS". But in a world filled with selfies, web addresses that begin with the word "MY...", and an ever increasing use of unidirectional communication, i.e. texts, our focus has shifted from the true money makers. Large businesses, it seems, are more concerned than ever about taking in more than they give out. You can imagine the strain that would create on their relationship with the public.  Where is the pride so many companies use to tout when it came to their customer follow up? Do we understand the public's expectations of us? Do we care?  Are we conceited, or have we just forgotten HOW to talk to customers?


The other day, an associate of mine commented on how great the customer service experience was with Amazon. To which, I replied how shameful it is that an "upstart" organization online, or over the phone can deliver better service than someone across the counter. It seems each year, dealing with a breathing body at the point of sale is becoming less, and less enjoyable. In fact, it's more and more one directional. Do you hear that sucking sound too?

A month ago, I needed to get a new cellphone, so it was just a good time to change carriers altogether. I knew the headache I was in for, but felt assured someone at one of the world's largest department store would be able to educate me as to the proper service that would fit my lifestyle. Typically, I go for the face to face transaction, though I am starting to rethink that. I looked at the in-store map for Plan A, and my entire State appeared to be covered in bright orange. That's a good thing... I think. However, after waiting two days for "coverage to kick in" at my home, I took the product back to the store. I was informed though the coverage map was correct, it apparently just didn't reach my home address, which, by the way, is in the geographic center said State. Really? Yes, they implied that the problem was somehow with me.

Undeterred, I switched to Plan B, however none of the four employees including a member of management could easily facilitate me in the switch since I was so newly in the system. Something about a vendor policy that would not allow them to manually fix the problem. Their solution; dial a toll-free number and hand ME the phone. Pathetic, but true. I first spoke to a man who explained the clerks earlier actions at the register deleted the phone number I had for the past decade, and he asked if I wanted him to see if he could retrieve it again. Obviously, my answer was "yes". Why he even hesitated solving what was an apparent problem, I don't know. Two hours later, after speaking to several voices, including Mary, who informed me she would need "two minutes of SILENCE" on my part while she typed in everything we discussed. Apparently, she was using pen and paper before. "Yes, Mary, I will grant you two minutes of silence", I responded. Anything to get it over with. A college buddy of mine told me I should have done business with a company that specializes in cellphones. He's right of course, but nonetheless, this mega corporation had forgotten what I was told the first day of business school; "If you cannot service the product you sell, don't sell it". 

Corporations are at fault as much as individual employees. In the "me" generation of business, we tend to think once a product is out the door, or contract signed, we are done with our part of the sale. However, we need to wake up, grow up, and recognize the establishment of a business relationship that will carry on for several days, if not years. A distance transaction may go smoothly, because management has empowered their employees to make certain decisions. Of course, they are being closely monitored when there are electronic means being utilized. So, why are the counter clerks not empowered at the brick and motor storefront? Perhaps it's a trust issue on part of the company which might not be able to eavesdrop on every conversation.  More than likely, it just goes to poor training. It's no doubt, the mega store was running scared during Amazon's recent attempt at a "Christmas in July" promotion. It's assurance. Even if they get it wrong, Amazon will fix it.

So, who are customer reps? Anyone who deals with potential customers on behalf of the business itself. Whether you are an independent contractor, sole proprietor, or just one cog in the spokes of a billion dollar machine, if your interaction has the ability to put a smile or frown on a clients face, you are a customer service representative. That being the case, you are the eyes and ears of business. You also have the power to effect whether that business thrives or dies. Oh, did I mention your actions effect your paycheck? Payroll departments tend to stop issuing checks when their companies go belly up.

Customer service is not easy. But neither is business itself. It never has been, which is why so many fail. Last century's giant could very well fall to next year's upstart which fills a void; delivering or surpassing customer expectations. A third-world country may surpass America in overall sales of widgets and thingamajigs! Though, it may not be too late if we train, empower, and promote a higher standard of customer satisfaction among those who have the ability to raise it. With a shift from "me, me, me", to "the customer is always right" (remember that?), a business just might survive. We might make the process "suck" a little less. In fact, we could BREATHE new life into an organization that was almost on life support.

http://speakingforeffect.com/