You're Number 1 - Does Anybody Really Care - It's All About You? Every day, we are bombarded with advertisements from real estate agents and offices touting their accolades of being Number 1 in this or that. We read their self-procalimed 'me-me' bragadocious statements about their Platinum, Silver, Gold and Million Dollar Club awards. A collection of useless plaques and meaningless awards are displayed on white walls in cubicle-style real estate offices throughout the globe. It seems a bit narcisistic and over-the-top for an industry that is continually crying out for respect.
So, why does our egotistical profession spend so much time talking about our so-called accomplishments? Does anybody really care that it's all about you? Besides the recipient of such awards, I tend to think not! Don't get me wrong, I too, have received my share of "me-me" plaques. But, I could never really stomach displaying them in my office (I even asked my Broker to stop wasting the company money and giving them to me). Unfortunately, my surplus of 'accolades' have been piling up in an obscure box in my garage, where they'll eventually end up in a land-fill.
I suppose there's a time and a place for some serious patting ourselves on the back. Although, you'd think we would have graduated with honors in that department from junior high school. Must we continue to carry on with such antics as adults? Seriously folks, does the general public really care about us being Number 1 in this or that? Why do we spend so much of our time, energy, and resources giving ourselves pats on the back? Perhaps our energy would be better spent partipating in more helpful educational classes and seminars, enhancing our knowledge and designations in subjects that would better assist us in representing our clients.
When we carefully considered ideas for our new real estate brokerage, we purposefully left out the traditional "me-me" real estate model. There are no plaques or awards on our walls (or anywhere in the building for that matter). We do not spend time, money or energy touting our Number 1 accolades of this or that. In addition, we raised the bar for hiring standards that excludes all Primadonnas (which has saved us a tremendous amount of wasted face time with people who think they are God's gift to the planet). Thank you God :)
As a result of these careful and deliberate decisions, our clients and community have gotten the picture loud and clear. We are here for them, and not for us. We have a comfortable and unique boutique-style real estate office that offers a living room atmosphere with hardwood floors, gas fireplace, a full kitchen with cappuccinos brewing and muffins baking in the oven. In addition to our warm and inviting office, our agents possess an average of 10+ years in the business, are top-notch, and all subscribe to the Golden Rule philosophy (okay, that is the only touting I will do). Clearly, we are trying to communicate a different real estate message here. And so far, it's working.
It may be time to step out of what seems to be the "traditional" real estate box and try something new and different in our industry. We can make a positive step toward changing the way our clients and community think about us by simply changing the way we think about ourselves (less "me-me" and more "we"). If there are still agents out there that have a need to be Number 1, perhaps they might accept the challenge and be the 1st to take steps toward changing our industry perception. The general public will be the 1st to notice and will respect you for it!
Courtesy of Melinda Peterson ~ Real Estate Cafe ~ Where Something Good is Always Brewing!
