What is the one question that kids learn to ask as soon as they can speak?
Their use of it will diminish when they reach their teenage years because they then begin to feel they know everything.
Use of the question continues to drop in adult years for several reasons – people either feel they already know the information or should know the information but are too afraid to ask.
The answer to my question is “why.” “Why is the sky blue?” “Why is grass green?” “Why does corn on the cob taste better than corn off the cob?” “Why don’t school busses have seatbelts?” “Why do I have to go to bed now?”
“Why?” “Why is that such a great question?” Because it is a perfect introduction into our 7th Business Principle:
As independent contractors our success and failure rests squarely on our shoulders but that certainly doesn’t mean we have to “go it alone.” There are plenty of people available to assist you and help you accomplish what needs to be done to achieve your business goals. Sometimes all you have to do is ask
Ideas are shared every day between agents in an office. Ideas are exchanged everyday by staff members seeking to find more efficiency with specific programs or job tasks. Ideas are shared everyday from one manager to the next. That is how one can be so powerful…because you actually end up latching on to the knowledge and power of others.
If you need to know how to hold better open houses – seek out the best holder of open houses in your office and buy them a cup of coffee. ask them what they do to get such consistent traffic at their open houses.
If you notice another agent sells her listings quickly at 98% of asking price and you want to know her trick, offer to buy her lunch and learn what she does differently.
Can’t decide which marketing campaign might work bets in your farm area? Ask for help and advice from a successful agent in your office who has some great personal marketing campaign success.
Just remember…the “open exchange of ideas” isn’t a one-way exchange. You can assist people as well.
Say you learn of a great opportunity being offered at one of your local establishments and you think others in your office might benefit from it. Could you share that news at your next business meeting? When you come across that great new website or blog, could you forward the link to the rookie agent in your office who one day wants to be “in your league”? Have an idea for the company to improve? Reach out to your manager or sales advisory representative and discuss your thoughts.
One way we can always exchange ideas is through our virtual suggestion box. If you have an idea, thought or comment that you feel might benefit our local companies, don’t forget about these addresses:
Coldwell Banker King Thompson – suggestions@kingthompson.com
Coldwell Banker West Shell – suggestions@cbws.com
Emails sent to these addresses will be read by the company president and will be addressed. While not ever suggestion can be accomodated, every one of them will be read.
Most of us will agree that the more you learn in this business, the more you learn there is to learn. That means we must constantly be looking for help, guidance and wisdom from others and also being ready to provide the advice, assistance and feedback that others may need.
I want to know about an idea or tip that you may have learned from another associate, manager or staff member in our company. Reply to this post and tell me about it. Remember – Business Principle #12 says “we seek opportunities to recognize excellence.” This might be one of those opportunities.
Until next time…Build Relationships…Solve Problems…Have Fun!