Real Estate

I was just in Cleveland, Ohio for a business and marketing conference. The room had 200 to 250 business owners and entrepreneurs and about 30 or so Realtors or investors.

We talked about a lot of things that would help us in our businesses but the two topics that were discussed the most were:

1)    Mind Set

2)   Your perception of reality

I want to spend some time on both. Perception of reality was the big topic because many business owners, and Americans in general, do not want to accept the fact that business models and other comfortable things have changed and will not do what's necessary to move forward.

YOUR PERCEPTION OF REALITY

Think about it; how many investors or realtors are still trying to run their businesses like it's 2006? They try to sell houses on their own, ignore the exposure it now takes to sell a home quickly, low ball offers and then wonder why they can't get a deal under contract. Worse yet, they get upset and blame the economy or the banks but they never look at themselves and wonder have I acquired the skills it takes to compete in today's market?

To my amazement one business owner went so far as to say that his customers were too stupid to understand the quality of his product and the service he provides. Are you serious? Do you think for one second potential customers are going to spend lots of time researching how great you are? No, they are going to buy from the business owner that takes the time to tell them about his/her business and how they can help the customer, period.

With so many choices in today's marketplace if you don't make it easy for people to do business with you they will take their money and go elsewhere.

MIND SET

Many investors and business owners and Americans today think the world owes them a living, maybe because they've been around a while. This could not be further from the truth. It owes you nothing; you have to go out and earn your living every day. So it's more important to understand this and change how you think. Accept the fact that business has changed and you must change with it. Don't pretend all is well and things will get better if you just wait or think someone else will fix it.

Business owners have to take the time to invest in themselves or their businesses to make it better than the guy next door. Don't let the 'I am owed' attitude keep you from succeeding.

In fact a number of business owners in the room said that 2013 was their best year ever because they changed how they did business, went after new clients and gave them exceptional services that the competitors were not doing.

They started doing customer appreciation parties and asked to bring a friend along. Started a newsletter in print and mailed it every month and a bunch of other things that separated their businesses from the rest of the crowd.

So what are you doing? Are you with the 'I am owed' crowd or are you changing how you do business and working to earn your customers' business?

The Bottom Line: you have to

CHANGE YOUR MIND SET,

ACQUIRE SPECIAL SKILLS OR TRAINING

AND GET OF YOUR ASS-ETS

If you would like more help with this please give me a call,

Paul

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Dori's corner

Hello Members, Dori here! Too hot in Florida in August so I am in Alaska visiting my cousins. No column this month, see you in September Dori.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

When an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops.

Thomas J Watson

You can't operate a company by fear, because the way to eliminate fear is to avoid criticism. And the way to avoid criticism is to do nothing.

Steve Ross

All lasting business is built on friendship.

Alfred A Montapert