I just got back from a trip to India. We started our trip in chaotic New Delhi and then we flew to the relaxed city of Kerala on the southern tip of India near the Arabian Sea.  Delhi was extremely dirty, especially its air.  Kerala was zen with its house boat tours and laid-back society.  In my mind, the two cities represent the ying and yang of India.

The following reflects my ten observations from my trip, in no particular order.

1. In Delhi, traffic signals, lanes, speed limits, mode of transportation (animal or otherwise) and even direction of driving don't matter (horn is used constantly). We saw cows and even an elephant on the busy highway. Our driver had to pay a bribe to a policeman if we wanted to continue on our way.
2. India is the largest democracy on earth (1.1 billion people), huge scotch drinkers and a nuclear power.
3. Sanitation and environmental concerns don't exist in Delhi - the people have not been taught otherwise.
4. There doesn't seem to be any correlation between being "poor" and happy.
5. Indians are very resourceful people despite their incredibly corrupt government officials.
6. The country will desperately need strong ethical leadership (non-existent at the moment) to deal with an influx of workers to the urban areas seeking to achieve the "middle class."
7. Being over 5,000 years old, the country's number of religious festivals and celebrations is mind-numbing.
8. There are 17 major languages and 844 dialects spoken in India.
9. The strength of the family unit is one to be emulated.
10. Indians believe human life is a gift not a right

Yin and yang is sometimes defined as polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces that are interconnected.  Maybe it's due to my jet lag, but I believe yin and yang exists in our commercial appraisal profession. 

10 yin and yang observations for commercial appraisers: 

1. Appraisers are too busy to implement new systems. <> When times are slow, appraisers are too nervous to spend money for new systems.
2. It is good to be a generalist.  <> It is good to be a specialist.
3. The appraisal profession is in decline.  <> There is opportunity in our profession.
4. It is best to be a very small nimble firm.  <> It is best to be a large firm with resources.
5. Tracking productivity is a waste of time.  <> Determining and tracking metrics can significantly enhance your hourly wage.
6. Reviewers just create more work for appraisers.  <> Appraisers can learn a great deal from reviewers.  
7. I would consider implementing report writing software but only if it is perfect in every way.  <> I understand that report writing is a process and will take time but I will start today.
8. As long as my appraisers hit their numbers, I don't care how they do it.  <> The appraisal firm has systems and solutions utilized by all appraisers across the board - no exceptions.
9. I update market information only when I need it.  <> Market information is updated on a consistent and scheduled basis.
10. I don't need to change the way I create appraisals.  <> I need to adopt an attitude of continuous and incremental change to learn and implement solutions.

You don't need to travel all the way to India to understand that our profession currently faces many challenges.  However you do have choices - meet the challenges in a positive, productive and effective manner involving change or continue without any changes along the same path.  Neither path is right or wrong, just a path.

Namaste

If you would like to join a discussion about this topic or Appraisal Best Practices contact Jeff Hicks.