On Wednesday, registration opened for units in a new condo development in downtown Toronto.

As is often the case with these developments, many real estate agents lined up...some for as long as 10 days...for the chance to register.

And once again, the police had to called to intervene and restore order. A similar situation took place a few years ago at another condo development a few blocks away.

For reasons that are not entirely clear, yesterday there were actually three line-ups.

It turned out...again for reasons that are not entirely clear to me...that the line-up of the most recent arrivals got priority over the other agents who had waited a long time.

Since most real estate agents have a very competitive nature, there were many disappointed and angry agents.

They started chanting that the developer was unfair and waving signs that simply said “Unfair”.

Because they did not get what they wanted, they denounced the registration system as unfair. Kind of reminded me of children claiming one thing or another...from bedtime to eating their veggies...was unfair.

It seems to me that the word unfair really means: “I didn't get what I wanted...so whatever happened is not fair!”.

While I am not familiar with the registration procedure that the developer used, I'm quite sure that it did not commit to fairness...whatever that term means in the development industry.

In fact, despite the best efforts of governments, real estate boards and a whole host of other organizations and people to make it fair, the real estate industry itself is sometimes 'unfair'.

But that's OK.

Life itself is not always fair.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but nowhere is it written as universal truth or rule that life must always be fair to everyone.

To those agents crying 'unfair'...like our children used to...I say: grow up!

From the perspective of organizational development, there is an implied expectation that every person who works for or with an organization will make a positive contribution to the overall well being of the organization.

This is true whether the organization is a large international company like RE/MAX, or a small real estate office with 1-2 sales people and support staff of 1 person.

If any individual agents or employees or don't believe that, they really shouldn't be working as part of the organization.

This contribution could be as simple as their personality....who they are in life and how they influence others or something else.

If you don't contribute to the environment you're in, you're really not part of that environment at all. You're just existing superficially apart from it.

You have to be part of the environment and to do this, you must make a contribution to your work environment.

In today's busy world, may people...and seemingly most people in real estate...pride themselves on their ability to multi-task.

Performing Tasks Simultaneously

As I understand the term, multi-tasking refers to effectively performing several tasks simultaneously.

For example, several years ago I met with a real estate agent to discuss a project that we were considering. As we started our discussions, he pulled out what appeared to be a an offer and started to review it.

When I stopped talking, he encouraged me to continue, reassuring me that he was good at multi-tasking and could perform several tasks at the same time.

Not only do I like to make eye contact when I am speaking to some one, I did not and do not believe that most people can be fully engaged and effectively involved in two or more tasks at the same time.

I had this belief confirmed yesterday.

Big Rocks First

I had planned my day to complete some editing, then get my H1N1 vaccination before heading to a concert.

To use Stephen Covey's image of adding the big rocks first completing the editing was my big rock for the day.

What I had not planned was despite the best of planning factors, big rocks unexpectedly appear and demand their share of attention.

I am one of those people who can be adversely affected by dramatic changes in the weather.

I my case, a sudden change in air pressure results in a headache. The more intense the change, the more intense my headache.

My unexpected big rock was the headache. What an appropriate image for a headache...big, hard, unyielding...and UGLY!

As much as I would like to report my success at managing the two big rocks...my work and my headache...and the other items, yesterday was not a thing of beauty.

I honestly tried to manage the four items I had on the go...but just couldn't pull it off.

Shortening The Task List

While editing, my mind wandered to the H1N1 vaccination, so I started checking checking the web site to learn the wait time at the nearest clinic.

I needed this information in order to determine when I had to finish my work so that I could go to the clinic and then to the concert.

This of course generated stress, which although totally avoidable still made the headache worse.

With the headache worsening, I had to take more time-outs, which added the pressure to manage the other tasks.

It was during one of these time-outs that I decided I was making the situation worse by trying to manage all four tasks.

As a result, the H1N1 vaccination and concert were dropped from the task list.

There will be many more opportunities to get my H1N1 vaccination and also lots more interesting concerts over the next moth or so.

The remainder of the afternoon was divided between the editing task and time-outs to deal with the headache.

And once the editing was completed, the headache received my full attention.

With my body focusing totally on dealing with the headache, my brain was able to reflect on the events of the day.

Sequentially, Not Simultaneously

It was then that I realize that if multi-tasking does in fact refer to performing several tasks simultaneously...it is a myth.

If however, it means performing several tasks simultaneously with reduced effectiveness...it is a very real concept...but of limited value. I learned that while trying to simultaneously manage my four tasks yesterday afternoon.

Realistically, if multi-tasking refers to performing several tasks sequentially...one after the other or switching back and forth...it's a good approach.

That is exactly how I managed to complete my editing and allow my headache the attention it was demanding before fading away.

Today it feels really good to have those two big rocks well managed and off of my to-do list.

Tomorrow..may you enjoy a good day of no-tasking...Happy Thanksgiving.

Connecting with others is one of the most effective ways to attract new business.

Adverting that promotes you helps you distinguish yourself from the competition. It also helps prospective clients learn how you can help them.

Promotion that connects with other people is not all about you...it is about your connection with your community.

Here are 8 promotional ideas that help connect you with others.

1) Acknowledge The Achievements Of Others

These people will remember your recognizing their achievements..and be more likely to reciprocate with referrals. Also you demonstrate your connection with other successful people...which reflects positively back on you. 

2) Community Website

Creating a community website for your niche market will enhance your profile, attract new clients and give you a sustainable competitive advantage.

3) Cross PromotionWith Referral Partners

Individually and collectively, you and your referral partners make up a system that offers very significant benefits.

The most obvious of these benefits is the cross-referral of prospective clients. The best way to stimulate cross referrals is by undertaking joint or cross promotions with your referral partners.

4) Exchange Information

The basic purpose of social networking is to exchange...not just gather...information.

By sharing information with others, you enhance your personal brand and brand profile...and make it easier for these people to promote you to their friends and acqaintances.

5) Honor Your Clients

Like ideas # 1 and 2, this demonstrates your connection with the community and reflects well back on you.

It also demonstrates how much you appreciate your clients...and the kinds of clients you serve. Tactfully done, this idea could also serve as a subtle testimonials.

6) Keep In Touch

The most effective promotional advertising ideas continue to connect effectively with prospects, clients and contacts. As a result, you will keep in touch with these people...maintain a relationship them.

7) Show Your Appreciation

Showing your clients how much you appreciate them is one of the most effective outward focused promotional advertising ideas. Instead of featuring you...it honors your clients.

This enhances your relationship with clients, which in turn generates more repeat business and referrals.

8) Sponsor A Team...Or Community Event

Sponsorship is a gentler, more friendly way of advertising In many cases, it will enhance your personal credibility and help make you more attractive to prospects.

To learn more about these ideas, 8 Advertising Ideas That Promote You...and 9 more promotional advertising ideas, see 25 Promotional Advertising Ideas

The best advertising ideas distinguish you from the competition and help attract new business.

Here are 8 advertising ideas that will help promote you and the service that you deliver to clients.

1) Ebook

By writing and self-publishing an ebook you will and an ideal vehicle for virtually unlimited promotional advertising ideas

2) Go Outside The Box

One of my favorite outside the box promotional advertising ideas is green bagels distributed by a Jewish accounting firm...on St. Patrick's Day. Cross-cultural...and at a time when accountants are normally totally engrossed in tax work.

3) Offer Tips

As part of your marketing communications strategy, offer tips based on your experience and expertise. What a great way to enhance your personal brand.

4) Produce a CD or DVD

Largely ignored, CDs and DVDs are among the most unique promotional advertising ideas. Anything you can say or write can be produced in CD or DVD format...and distributed as easily as ezines and newsletters.

5) Promotional Advertising Gift

Typically these gifts are donated to charitable or community organizations for their use as prizes or give-aways as part of of a of fund-raising drive or other special event. A promotional advertising gift generates advertising that you pay for by 'in kind' by donating the value of the gift.

6) Promotional Advertising Specialties Products

Promotional advertising specialties products are intended to serve as reminders of you and your services.

7) Unique Website

In today's online world, your unique website is the best vehicle for promotional advertising ideas ...regardless of what they are.

8) Write For Publication

Having your work published...whether in print or electronic format...can help you establish your credentials as an expert in your field.

This is especially true when you publish a book.

And speaking of publishing a book, how is that book that you have dreamed about writing coming along?

Coming tomorrow...8 Promotional Ideas That Help You Connect With Others.

As I'm sure is the case most everywhere else, waste management...aka garbage collection...is a big issue in Toronto.

Waste Management In Four Streams

We manage our household waste by separating it into four streams.

Yard waste...garden trimmings, dead plants and leaves...but not lawn clippings (???)...are gathered in paper bags and left curbside for collection and ultimate mulching.

Recyclables are stored in large blue bins with wheels as the await their bi-weekly journey to the curb.

Kitchen waste which can include soiled disposable diapers and pet droppings (???) are collected in small green bins, also with wheels for their weekly curb trip.

Grey bins are the vehicles of choice for everything else that does not fit into one of the above categories and is not hazardous-designated waste such as electronics, paint products, batteries and other specific types of disposables.

Despite initial misgivings of some residents, and post-launch problems the system seems to work quite well.

Most people have adapted to separating waste into its proper stream.

The Racoons Like It

Our neighborhood racoons have adapted particularly well to the waste management system.

Thanks to the ethnic and cultural diversity of the people who live in Toronto, they enjoy different types of food...albeit leftovers and waste...24/7, 365 days a year. And now with the green bins, they have convenient storage facilities...set up for their dining enjoyment throughout the entire city.

Not only have they figured out how to open the so-called 'animal-proof' lids of the green bins, they seem to follow some kind of a rotation system in selecting where to enjoy their meals. Few if us humans go the same restaurant every day...why should raccoons?

Although I don't know for sure, it seems that our green bin is chosen every couple of months or so.... and last night was our lucky night.

Leftover Leftovers

When I went out to take the green and grey bins for their trips to the curb, I saw the overturned green bin surrounded by the leftover leftovers from a recent raccoon meal.

Unfortunately the raccoons have yet to learn to pick up after themselves...of course there are human adults who have yet to develop this ability.

So I dutifully gathered the leftover leftovers, returned them to the green bin and complete my part in this phase of the waste management process.

Lessons To Be Learned

What is notable about this incident is that earlier in the week, I read a fascinating blog entitled What A Raccoon Taught Me About Selling.  by Kelley Robertson.

In his blog, Kelley suggests there are three things about selling that we can learn from raccoons:

1. be bold
2. ignore your initial fear
3. be diligent

What a great blog...take a couple of minutes and read Kelley's blog for yourself. It's a fun read.

Raccoons could be even better teaching models if only they learned to clean up their own messes. Few of us humans enjoy picking up after others.

Regardless of your work in the real estate business...or outside of it for that matter...the results of your work are clearly important.

However, as important as results are, it's usually a mistake to allow ourselves become focused on them to the exclusion of all else.

The actions are the only things we control, so we need to focus on what we do day in and day out.

Only Actions Matter

A better approach is to emphasis the work we do, rather than grabbing onto the result.

By setting high standards for the work we do...the actions that we can control...we can increase our confidence in our ability to achieve the results we seek.

By focusing on the results...listings, buyers, leads, sales, or whatever...we put a great deal of pressure on ourselves. This added pressure makes us more likely to do whatever it takes to get any work that we can get.

In turn, this urgency leads us reduce our fees, accept clients or work that is not right for us...just because we need the work to meet the results that we have set.

By emphasizing the work we do...our planned actions to achieve the results we seek...we can trust the process knowing that the results will follow.

Trust The Process

But remember that in order to trust the process, it is important to have faith in the numbers that formed the basis of your planning.

How many calls do you need to get an appointment...how many listing appointments to get a listing...how many listings to get a sale?

Divorcing ourselves from the results can really pay off.

It gives us total control over the one thing that really matters...our actions.

Last Friday, when writing about imagination, I wrote:

“Imagination allows us to transform old ideas and plans into new arrangements.”

I recently read a great example of imagination in action.

But first some background information...because it's important to give recognition where recognition is due.

Enterprise

Earlier this week, I received my November copy of Enterprise.

This magazine which celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, reaches Canada's small & medium enterprises.

Being one of the original contributors to the magazine, it's great to see it continue to thrive, despite the difficulties facing print media.

Congratulations and best wishes for continued success to Hayden Bradshaw, Publisher and Editor.

George Torok  is a long time contributor to the magazine. George and I have known each other for many years, having appeared at the same trade shows, seminars and small business and marketing events.

It's nice to welcome long-time friends like Hayden and George to my blog, which has yet to reach its first birthday.

Now back to imagination in action.

Beware of Barketing

The November copy of Enterprise contains a very imaginative and interesting article by Geroge, entitled “Beware of Barketing”.

The article's layout and graphic combine to make it jump right off the page. In introducing the term 'barketing' George writes:

“...Barketing is is a cross between marketing, and barking like a dog. Barking is often repetitive, annoying and loud, and always a one-way message. Barketing is marketing gone the way of dogs. You annoy customers with your message attempt, sound like the rest of the pack, and display no finesse.”

“Barketing is any form of marketing that looks and sounds like “me too” to your prospects. It feels to your market like you are competing for attention by shouting louder...”

Now that's imagination in action: two old ideas...marketing and barking...combined into a new arrangement...barketing.

The very sound of the term is off-putting.

@!#$% Dog!

The layout of the article helps to visually represent.

It contains a photograph of a man in a business suit shouting into a bull horn.

The text opens with several paragraphs...ah the peacefulness of it all.

It then shifts to a series of bullet points...like a dog barking.

@!#$% dog!

After three short barks...or bullet points...like a dog trying to have the last word, the article concludes and finally ends with a one-word sentence: meow.

Happily, imagination is alive and well at Enterprise.

Thanks George and Hayden...good work well done.

In late July and early August, when I wrote a couple of posts about firing clients, I was totally surprised by the response.

Obviously it is an issue that resonated with a larger number of people. In view of this response, I am revisiting the topic of firing clients, but this time with a three significant differences.

This time, the content will:

1. appear in my ezine...Best Real Estate Marketing...which will be emailed tomorrow.

2. also address the issue of getting hired.

Ideally if the hiring process...being selected by a client and agreeing to work with the client... is carefully undertaken, there should be no need to fire clients.

3. also include suggestions as to how to prevent the situation form arising in which it is necessary to even consider firing a client.

These suggestions were taken from the comments made in response to my post.

If you have signed up for he ezine, you can look for it in your email inbox tomorrow morning.

If you have not yet signed up, you can still do so...click here to make it happen.

Finally, if you would like to check out past editions of Best Real Estate Marketing, they are now available online.

We must always be open to new and different things.

We can have the desire and the passion but we must also have the ability to receive information that comes our way.

The Sixth Sense

For the most part, we gather information through our five physical senses--hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch.

We do however have a sixth sense allows us to come up with answers to questions without understanding why.

Often referred to as intuition or instinct, this sense also means having a hunch, or feeling about something.

I have learned that my intuition is usually correct.

I don’t know how I developed that ability. It’s something that no one could teach me. I think we all have it within us, but the hard part is really bringing it out, recognizing it and trusting it more then anything else.

Tempered With Research

I have acted on most of my hunches.

This does not mean taking foolish chances in life...just relying on my intuition. My intuition is usually tempered with research.

I may have a flash about something right out of the blue, but this sudden flash is also the starting point for the necessary research.

Invariably the strongest and most accurate intuitive or instinctive flashes seem to come when our minds are either unoccupied or total engaged in another task altogether.

This suggests that our sixth sense is a function of our subconscious minds...which represent Napoleon Hill's eleventh step to riches in Think and Grow Rich.

I continue to have a very healthy and active subconscious mind. This activity seems to increase in intensity around 5:00 AM, which explains why I am almost finished this post at 5:48 AM.

One Inescapable Conclusion

Reflecting on my own experience of allowing my sixth sense to play a key information-gathering role, there is one inescapable conclusion.

No it's not the absurdity of having my subconscious mind wake me at stupid o'clock every morning. I quite like the morning hours...but that's another story.

My intuition can be deadly accurate in the information that it gathers for my brain to process.

I have however, been trained and worked extensively in the left-brain analytical approach to gathering and processing information.

This means that it's not always easy to totally trust a natural process...like intuition...that cannot be explained using the 'scientific method'.

But I am getting much better at trusting my intuition more consistently. As a result it is feeling better and better. It is even starting to over-ride the ever-present need to have a logical explanation for everything.

How liberating is that?