Good list/idea of professional realtor.  Some I agree are top priority, some are personal preferences, but they all work together.  This job is something to be proud of and when you are proud of what you do, you tend to do your best and represent yourself as best you can and that is all a part of being professional.

Randy, I have agreed with what you have written about this in the past and it is the same here.  I think these are all good standards to follow, you can't go wrong by doing what you have written.

Rosemary - Well said

George - You can never go wrong for keeping high standards.

I agree with everything, but the part time aspect. You can be part time and be professional.

Randy, nice job.  And I agree with Kristine that you can be part time and professional but it is much harder simply because the time isn't there to give it your all.  I've met some astounding part-timers but they are few and far between.

Randy, great list.  I would have to offer that the most important is understanding the code of ethics and implementing it as a matter of course- never deviating- because all the training in the world doesn't replace a simple understanding of fiduciary (or, the fiduciary).

Other than the legal profession, I don't know of any other profession where there is more rationalizing bad, unethical behavior practices than there is in real estate.  Your list needs to never take a back seat.

Years ago I decided I was going to do my best to not even so much as mentally calculate or estimate the amount of commission I would earn if I got a particular deal together.  I waited for it to be a surprise when the title company escrow officer handed me the check.

It's amazing how much more focused I became on representing the client than I had been when I multipled .06 times the selling price.

Great post! I always enjoy reading your posts because you obviously know what it takes to be successful. I get tired of seeing agents slack on professionalism. I'm full time and if you work RE full time, who has the time to do another job!

An excellent summary of professional behvarior, Randy. Having respect for others, no matter what their role in the transaction, adn the relationship you have with them is important. Communication is important with everyone, not just the client.

I have to agree with those that feel PT can be professiolal too. In my mind professional describes the behavior and attitude not just the position or how many hours you put into it.

Great job,

Jeff

Kristine - I have not seen a way for someone part time to develop the needed skills and training while providing the highest level of service to their clients.  I am sure it is possible.  I honestly can't name one example in my market of a top professional who is part time.  They would definitely be an extreme minority.

Maggie - I wonder how many of them have spent the time and money for professional development like the CRS designation or schedule showings of homes around their other job schedule.  I think to be part time and do a good job you need to be teamed up with a full time agent, in order to prevent a lapse in service to your clients.

laurie- Great point!

I do think you can be professional and not necessarily work full time. Working part time does not necessarily mean having another job which is the assumption that most people make. It may just mean that you choose to have a life that allows you to pursue another interest like painting or writing or photography or spending time with your family. It does not prevent you from being professional. Not all doctors, lawyers or dentists work full time either. The fact that you do not work 60 hours a week does not have to make you less professional. It depends on what you do and how you perform during the hours that you do work.

The only other thing I disagree with is not trying things you are not proficient in. You will never become proficient in them if you don't work in them. This is an are in which you need to work with a mentor or someone who IS proficient in them until you become competent. If you are interested in a particular niche or activity you should try to get involved in working in it with the caveat that you do it with the supervision/assistance of someone else who does have the needed experience and knowledge.

Bill - I also did that when I started out so as to keep focused on the ball.  I believe if you take care of the clients the money will come.  I try not to count the money but the math is pretty easy.  I can estimate the commission within a few pennies without giving it much thought.  To this day I do not pull out a calculator until the deal closes.

Linda - I barely have any time for a life, let alone another job.  If you were going to sell your home, would you want an agent who is not successful enough selling homes that they have to work another job?  I wouldn't!

Jeff - That is a point many will never agree with me on.  I believe in all my heart that a part time agent who is a top professional is a one in a million.  I know this may offend some of the part time agents, but it is the truth.  I deal with part time agents constantly and have yet to see one I would call a top professional.  Some (a small minority) may do a decent job, but to call them a top professional is a real stretch.

Deb - Less hours is not bad as long as you are available and you have done all the other prerequisites. 

That is not the type of part time agent I am seeing in the market place.  I am seeing hairstylists, restaurant waiters, hotel workers, school teachers, secretaries and active duty military walking around with a real estate license and selling 1 to 2 homes a year.  There a thousands of them.

If you are teamed up with someone proficient in that discipline that is different than doing it on your own.  It is against our Code of Ethics to do transactions that you are not competent in.  It is absolutely unfair to the clients to make them guinea pigs.

Randy - I think it's a great list and one that shouldn't be hard to follow. 

I do have a couple thoughts on some of the points:

Designations:  Newer agents need a little time, and money, to get these.  They can't be discounted just because they don't have them. 

Part-time:  I do know several agents who were both successful and professional as part-timers.  Sometimes it's necessary because making money in Real Estate doesn't necessarily come fast enough to keep up with all the expenses.  If an agent is honest with a client about when they can devote their time then it's up to the client to decide if they want to use that agent.  It doesn't make him/her unprofessional.

The key word you use is "behavior".  There are enough people using the title, with all kinds of letters behind their name, but being professional it does not make.

Randy - all of these are on my list - although I admit there is always room for improvement - that is one of the reasons I am here on AR -

Randy:

I like Deb Hurt's description and you know me anyway. I CHOOSE to have balance somewhat and though I also work in the office and I am around real estate 24/7 I manage to MAKE time for me, family, hubbie (maybe I should have put him first...hahaha). And I choose to just sell....and I  have an e-PRO it's only because I had a little extra money and don't have yearly fees. It also shows that I  am internet proficient just as the other designations show that you had extra training.  Remember when you worked full time and then went full time as an agent? I think working full time would make a part time agent and I believe it may be hard to focus on a client 100%. Another active duty military man walked into the office to see if he could get an appointment ...gave him broker's card....I'm happy just the way it is for me.

Joddie - I understand that new agents can not always start full time and will not have designations yet.  If they want to team up with me they must have a plan in place for both.  I do agree that they need to be honest with their clients about their status at all times.

Thesa - Sounds like you are in the top professional category.

Sally - You put in more hours than 90% of the agents in our area.  You should also count the time you spend on Active Rain as part of the professional development. 

When I started, I started part time as many do. I had previous real estate experience and over 20 years of sales and did a great job.  I would be the last person to say I was a top professional at that time.

OMG Randy....You're giving away the secret (time on AR)

Randy - You would think from Mr. Cheek's most recent comment that he has some "soup" but keeps it hidden.  FYI - It's also hidden from CRS and REBAC - no mention of that name in their online directories. 

Mr. Cheek - please share which "soup" you have, and why you choose to keep it hidden.  Perhaps we can all learn something from you? 

Louis - No problem with you having your own opinion.  As I suspected - the implication that you had "hidden soup" could not (or would not) be substantiated. 

Sally - :)

Tony - I guess we are all curious.

Tony - Is that a picture of a listing?  LOL

Louis and Randy - just a difference in opinions.  Its all good.  Either you bring you can of soup or you don't - no need to make judgement on that person for their decisions on how they will handle their business is what I life by.  If there is something there that I can learn from I soak it up, if it is not for me, I don't soak.

Opinions are all OK.  We are all individuals and therefore, what works for one may not work for the other.

I had this problem on another post that I commented and lets just say I did not agree with all the points.  The author got upset. And that was cool to me because it did not change my opinion and I did not change hers.  It is what it is.

lol to both of you and please have a great day. Keep posting and I for one will keep reading.

Good list, and made even better because it has obviously struck a nerve with certain people.  Maybe they feel challenged by your list and can't measure up.

That's okay; measuring up is a personal decision and we each need to do it in our own way.  What works for one may not work for another.

Randy - I suppose at one time it might have been a listing - but not here in Arizona! :-)

Louis,

Tony, do you consider yourself a "professional?"

It's far more important how those that I respect perceive me......now I do have to get back to my soup :-)

Steven, I disagree with you that not being able to measure up is the reason to comment on a point that you might not agree with.  There is a difference between simply not agreeing on a point compared to not measuring up.  We all are owners of our business -- we decide what makes up our business.  I believe this post is an opinion just like any other post, an opinion.  The list is long and it is a good one, but if someone agree with the list as a whole and simply stated that they did not agree with one of the items on the list.... what is there to measure up to?

I am sure we are all professionals and we act and carry ourselves accordingly - yet we don't all do the same things the same way.  Variety is the spice of life - remember that one.

Opinions, comments and posts are our right and purpose on AR and we are sharing. AR Sharing is caring!

Question: How do you reply to an email/contact from another AR member?

Somebody is not play fair here. I am going to move on to other posts that are more pleasant! Today is Monday and I refuse to let a negative post start my day.  I can't believe someone would put a copy of someone's property on the comments??? Is this true??????? or you guys joking around?

I agree it would be much simpler if we got a straight answer to the question posed - but - Louis is entitled to behave however he chooses - within the Active Rain guidelines and within professional standards.

Oh my - and here I thought Louis was familiar with attorneys.. :-) 

Louis - "Slander" is the spoken word, "Libel" is the written word, neither of them apply here - but if they did - it couldn't be slander. 

I'll weigh in here, I am an agent with 10 years experience, but no designations. I will stack my professionalism against anyone.

I don't have anything against designations, but I have seen some empty suits with a string of letters behind their name also. Additionally, much of the "soup" doesn't mean a great deal to the average client. Many of us don't know what anything other than GRI, CRS, and ABR mean.

More training and a strict licensing code is a good thing. Some states, AZ included are talking lifetime licenses. What a foolish thing.

This was not a Members Only post, if participants have a disagreement and cannot post in a professional manner, they should take it off line. Email addresses are available here. Take the flame war off the forum. Remember inflammatory language begets more of the same.

Jim - Sounds like we're on the same page here.  I personally have nothing for or against those with or without designations.  I've heard about the four year licenses that start next month (?) - although I understand the same number of CE hours currently required will be required every two years.  Sounds like an effort to save some administrative dollars at the expense of keeping us all current - the jury is still out on that one.

I do have a concern with individuals who feel the need to attack those who do choose to pursue designations, then imply that they have some designations themselves but fail to disclose what they are or why they would imply they have them but refuse to share the information.  Sort of takes the whole discussion off track and makes the casual observer believe that the individual is being economical with the truth for some reason known only to themselves.

Given your stated feelings I hope you have encouraged the individual who felt compelled to engage in a unilateral "flame war" to take it off line.

Randy said it very succinctly to the commenter in question:

It is not just a question of you opinion being unacceptable it is your comments.  I deleted a previous message that you left because it was rude and insulting.  It was full of insults and I will not allow that to go by on my blog post.  Let me repeat, MY BLOG POST.  If you want to make rude obnoxious remarks and say things that are unprofessional, write your own post. 

Let us all remember, a fight takes two. It is better for all concerned to get off the topic. Randy wrote a great post, it wouldn't bother me if he deleted all comments and started over.

It does indeed - which is why I don't see a fight here - just someone (not you) trying (albeit unsuccessfully) to start one. :-)

jmacsays.com is well worth the trip. The man has many talents, I wish I had a few of them myself, not the least of which is his way with words, and ability to see and comment

Great topic, I wish every agent would embrace those standards. 

How much for the waterfront property?

Rosemarie - I do not have a problem with someone disagreeing with me.  In this case I deleted all of the messages from the other agent for posting inappropriate stuff.  He was posting insults and trying to hijack my blog post.  The topic was professional behavior I am sorry it attracted that kind of behavior.  I hope you continue to participate on future posts.

Steven - I am amazed that someone would be upset about a discussion on professionalism.

Tony M. - The funny part of a listing like that would be if they listed it as Above Average or Excellent condition.  LOL

Rosemarie - If you have your setting to have it go to e-mail, you can reply via e-mail.. If not you have to go to that members profile and click on the contact link above their web address.  I am several time zones behind and did not see the rest of the negative comments until other members started to respond to them.  I did delete the one yesterday with the first set of personal attacks.  I hope everyone here accepts my apology for not catching the rest of them sooner and deleting them.  It is very unfortunate that on a blog post about professionalism that a licensed agent would resort to this kind of behavior.

Tony - Yes he is entitled to his opinion.  He is not entitled to hijack my blog post and to put up personal attacks.  I deleted all of his comments and a couple of non-member comments that I thought were from him anonymous chiming in.  I did get a call from another agent in a different state that I accidentally swept up in the deletes.  I apologized to him for the inadvertent delete.

Jim - Excellent points!  This is a public post and inappropriate comments were deleted.  I understand if any of the people who posted comments here would like to delete or edit comments in response to those negative attacks.

Tony M & Jim - I also direct Chess tournaments.  In the rule book there is a rule called tournament director's discretion. In the future I will have to use that on my posts to ensure they stay civil and professional. 

Thank you to both of you for your observations.  I respect both of you and enjoy reading your comments and blog posts.

Ray - Too funny

I have to agree with Deb Hurt.  If you adhere to all of the rules of ethics and you give your clients 100% then the amount of hours you put in shouldn't matter.  Some of the most talented and successful people in the world started part time in whatever area they are now proficient.  Proficiency leads to those that become the authorities in any walk of life.

I would rather be 100% right on with one client than to be slipshod with 10. Just my humble opinion. :)

Roberta - True they may have started part time, but they were most likely not a top professional at that stage of their career. 

Assuming that the delete was unintentional, I will try to share again...I am one of those who makes fun of the use of designations. During my career I have held ABR, GRI, and WHS (workforce housing). You write a check, warm a seat, sometimes pay annual dues, and you get to use the designation. Even those that claim they are better designations because they require a 'test' never have anyone who is unable to get the designation. The tests are a joke. I also have a B.A. in economics, but my card simply gives my company name, my name, and my phone number. So, yes, I am one of those elusive folks who had/has designations but did/does not use them. The public has no idea that they are a "write a check, warm a seat, get the letters behind your name" system.  Experienced agents know better, or should. As one of the early practitioners of Buyer's agency (1988), I was contacted by the developers of the ABR designation when it was in its formative period. They wanted to know what I thought was important to know and what should be in the designation. Went thru the program (ABR) a few years ago just out of curiosity. It was the biggest waste of time I have ever been through and brought virtually no enlightenment to the participants concerning the actual practice of buyer advocacy.

On the subject of part-timers and professionalism, I believe that an arbitrary number of hours worked means little if anything. More important is that the agent set expectations with their client and other agents, and then meet those expectations.  I guess that is part of the problem with making a list of what someone thinks is "professionalism". By implication, if you do something different you are less than professional. I won't go through them all, one by one, but let's just take one that we can probably all agree upon: #2 Obey and embrace the Code of Ethics.  Do you realize that the Code has changed quite a bit over the years? How do you think that change occured? Many of the changes occured because agents and brokers were willing to stand up and say that the Code was wrong. Sometimes it was through litigation, sometimes just grass-roots lobbying. In any event, the Code we have today has evolved. The change was forced not by the obeyers and embracers, but rather by those who were willing to question authority. The Code has flaws today. Hopefully, the agents of this generation will have the backbone to question that our predecessors did. That won't kill the Code, it will make it better. But according to the list, that viewpoint makes someone unprofessional.

It was a neat idea to make a list, but to steal a phrase it seems to come down to the fact that professionalism is kind of like prornography--I may not be able to define it, but I know it when I see it.

Wow... Randy.... I wasn't privy to what took place prior.... but in any case, you have an excellent list there. I would hire you. Something that I have learned from a few of you all... just ignore these people. But the problem with that is that other people read these comments also.

In any case, if someone really feels strong about something and must feel that they put you down, DO IT IN AN E-MAIL at least.... keep the psycho babble out of the posts.

Steve - Thank you for reposting your comments.  We do disagree a little but probably agree to the most part.  I believe firmly that taking professional development is not a waste of time.  I feel that top professionals who take their careers seriously do go after them.  The proof is in the pudding.  The agents with CRS designations make up the top producers in our industry, I do not believe that is an accident.

The issue of part time vs full time is not a close call in my book.  If you have another job you can not dedicate the amount of time and energy required to master this skill and provide the highest level of service possible.  I am in a market that a large majority of the agents are part time.  It is not even a close call which I would want to be on the other side of.  That is not to say that there are not bad full time agents, because there are.

Jeff- The beauty of this forum is that if someone feels that strongly, they can write a blog post of their own.  They do not need to become rude and insulting.  Of all places a blog post about professionalism.

Randy - Yes, we probably do agree more than not. I would like to point out what I believe is a common flaw in your reasoning about CRS. Your conclusion confuses "causation" with "correlation". Combining the fact that CRS requires a certain level of transactions/experience AND the industry career average of two years, and by default, those who are successful enough to hang around for much longer than two years make up the pool of prospective CRS designees. So, the fact that agents with CRS designations make up a large percentage of top producers is not because they are CRS designees--they were top producers before who chose to get the designation. Had they chosen otherwise, they would still be top producers. The facts are correlative, not causative. What you would find most interesting is the number of CRS designees who are just average performers.

Ah, as usual the erudite Mr. Davis makes an important point, to which I agree. And, yes, I have my CRS...and I got it when the course was really tough. Started it back in 1984 and was one of the first agents in my area to get it. And, yeah, I loved Howard Brinton and he was one of my instructors.

That being said, I find that today many courses are watered down as these designations are looked at as profit centers. And, yes, I was a top producer when I took the classes. And, I also have a master's degree and many other education distinctions (you knew that Steve).

Randy, look at your point #17. I think that you're missing a word..."do not try things you are proficient in."

I believe we need to rethink this one. How are you going to gain proficiency if you don't try? I want to be the queen of FSBO's for example. I'm going to have to start somewhere to gain that proficiency so that the general public down the line will agree that I am, indeed, the FSBO queen.

We don't get to where we are by doing the same old thing. We have to take some risks. We might fail, but, then again, we may very well succeed beyond our own expectations. 

Randy,

I am hopping you mean professional Realtor.  They certainly could have been a top notch professional in another career.  Also what is a "top notch" professional in RE?  Should't it be someone who can support themselves and give 100% to their client/s?  Or this a numbers thing?  I sold two million dollars worth or I carry 20 listing in my pipeline.  I just think differently than most people.  I think quality, not necessarily quantity is what success is all about.  Now if you can do the quality and have a large client base that's great, but I don't think that is what it is all about.

Steve - The last time I saw the numbers the average time in the industry to get a CRS was much longer than 2 years.  It was 4 to 6 times that amount.  I don't have the actual number handy.

I think we are talking chicken and egg here.  One common theme among top producers is that they take professional development classes and get their designations.  That is a pattern of professional behavior.  Would they be top producers if CRS was not available?  Sure they would, they would also still seek out something similar.  That is what top professionals do.

Eileen - I addressed the point of trying things on previous comments.  It is not professional to do things we are not qualified in while representing a client.  It is appropriate to get training and possibly team up with a seasoned expert, but not to experiment on the client's dime.  Thank you for catching the typo on #17.  I fixed it.

Roberta - Item #1 was to join the Board of Realtors and the NAR.

I am not sure where I said anything about quantity.  I think all of the points I tried to make had to do with quality and behavior.  I agree a pattern of professional behavior is what my post was about.

For those questioning the widom of a Realtor gaining their CRS Designation: 

CRS members comprise just 4 percent of all REALTORS®. CRS Designees earn an average of $160,500 annually and more than four times as much as the $39,300 that the average REALTOR who sells real estate earns. Taken from the CRS website.

One thing I would encourage anyone serious about success in the real estate industry who is NEW to the industry would be to engage immediately in the CRS program.  The information in the CRS classes will help anyone who is serious about real estate become successful more quickly - and gain the transactions needed for the designation if they choose to seek it more quickly. 

More generally:

Do I have designations?  Yes. 

Have I learned something from each class?  Yes.

Does having designations = being successful?  No.

Does being successful = having designations? No

Does participating in designation classes and interacting with others in those classes or who have  designations INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS?  ABSOLUTELY!

Randy - Again, you're confusing correlation with causation. Ask yourself this: Do they earn more because of their CRS designation? Of course, not. Likewise, anyone or anything that you compare to the average is going to look amazing. The average is a career of two years and one to two sales per year.

If the KC Royals won the World Series this year, there would be a riotous party in the streets of downtown KC. Those two evens are correlative--they happen near the same time. Now, if the mayor of KC wanted to influence the outcome of the season, he might organize a riotous party and get lots of people to come to it, get drunk and celebrate. Surely THAT would cause the Royals to win the World Series, right? See the flaw? The celebration is caused by the World Series win--the World Series win is not caused by the celebration. So, getting a CRS designation won't cause you to become a top producer, but many top producers choose to get a CRS designation. For the CRS designation folks to claim causation in the success of their membership is simply intellectually dishonest.  

Steve,

Do they earn more becauseof their CRS designation? Of course, not.

I have to disagree based on personal experience.  The revenue generated from INBOUND REFERRALS from people I met at CRS classes and/or those that found me in the CRS Directory is in double digits.  In any market that's probably a pretty healthy slice of revenue.  I've paid out (to those referring brokers) more than $60,000 in referral fees in the last 3 years.  That's incremental revenue that I would have never had were it not for CRS - and that's just that designation.

That said - any designation is no guarantee of earning more - as with anything - what you get out of it is related to what you put into it.  Getting the designation in and of itself - but ignoring the information learned, not seizing the opportunity to network with agents who consider the designation important, and ignoring any contact via the CRS directory probably won't result in additional revenue. :-)

On a more basic level - if a licensee keeps their licensed status a secret (secret agent) and none of their sphere of influence knows they are licensed, they probably aren't going to get as much (if any) business/revenue from that sector.

Tony - So with that ringing endorsement, it's not actually the content of CRS but the association with other agents. Given that, along with the fact that the public does not know the meaning or significance of a designation, which do you think would be more beneficial to you:

1. Completing all of the CRS classes, BUT not being listed in the directory and not able to use the logo or designation in any way, OR

2. Doing absolutely nothing in the way of classes, BUT being listed in the directory and given permission to use the designation despite not meeting any of the qualifications?

If you had to choose one or the other, which would you choose?

Randy, I agree that to really provide value to clients, agents need to be in the business full time.  Of course there are some exceptions to the rule.  But in this day and age, information is everywhere, and the public has access to all the info they need to make decisions.  Our value is in our ability to organize, interpret, and present the information in a meaningful way.  If an agent is in the business part time and has another full time job, what does he or she have to offer the client.  Both client and agent have access to the same information and have the same amount of time.  Our value derives form our experience earned spending more time than our clients in the current real estate environment.

Steve ,

"So with that ringing endorsement, it's not actually the content of CRS but the association with other agents."

Actually - for me - it was and is both.  In my opinion, CRS class content gave me insights into what worked and what didn't, and how to do things without having to wade through tons of information and solicitations to identify "best in class" solutions.  I didn't come from a real-estate background, so I needed to get up to speed - and quickly - on solid information about what successful agents do in their business.  Not chicken and egg - but obviously they (successful agents) wouldn't do what they do if it didn't contribute to their continuing success - and CRS class content distills the huge amount of information out there into the most salient summary I've seen (except for CRB - but that's another story). 

Given that, along with the fact that the public does not know the meaning or significance of a designation, which do you think would be more beneficial to you:

You are absolutely correct - the public for the most part doesn't have a clue what the designation is - unless they are educated about it.  CRS - and other designations - include marketing programs that are designed to elevate understanding and awareness to the public of what the designation(s) mean - and how working with a designee is a benefit.  Again - if an individual designee doesn't do this - then that's a lost opportunity.

1. Completing all of the CRS classes, BUT not being listed in the directory and not able to use the logo or designation in any way, OR

2. Doing absolutely nothing in the way of classes, BUT being listed in the directory and given permission to use the designation despite not meeting any of the qualifications?

If you had to choose one or the other, which would you choose?

If I had to choose one of those two as written (which I wouldn't in the real world) - I would choose Number 1 as the information I learned enabled me to ramp up my business generation - referrals are only 10-15% of our business - not because they are low in number - but because we focus so much on generating new business in addition to referrals.

Option Number 2 seems pointless - and if such an individual existed - they would likely be screened out of the referral opportunities the moment they interacted with a knowledgeable agent.

My real choice would be (and is):

Complete all of the CRS designation requirements, network with fellow CRS designees, be listed in the CRS directory, be able to use the logo and designation, continue to take new CRS classes as they become available and to encourage others to do the same.  There is no financial benefit to me for encouraging others - but I firmly believe from personal experience that being involved with the CRS experience enabled me to get to where I am more quickly than if I had not included the CRS experience in my game plan.  If anything - I find the GRI and ABR too "basic" and if I had it to do over again would engage in the CRS curriculum right out of the gate!

I see from your website that you are a second generation licensee - so you no doubt learned a lot from the "first generation".  Those of us who aren't second generation licensees need other avenues to amass information quickly so we can implement business growth activities.

My question for you is - what would YOU suggest to a new licensee with no background in real estate with regards to how to build their business most effectively and efficiently?

Tony - Well said

Steve - I completely disagree with you.  I make more money because of CRS.  I absolutely do!  The skills I learned and continue to learn and the referral network I became part of have all contributed.

You made your point.  If you feel so strongly register with Active Rain and right your own blog post about how to be a professional.  I will remind you this is my blog post and the articles are my opinion.  You can disagree, but not hijack my post in the process.

Tony - Good points

Pat - Excellent points.  Our clients have access to more information than ever.  They need agents who have much more training andf expertise than they have to protect their interests.

Tony - I have my CRS designation as do you, yet we both are still taking the classes.  So are many of the top agents in the country.  That statement should say a lot.  I am getting tired of hearing from agents to lazy or not willing to invest in their profession sit back and try to justify unprofessional attitudes and behaviors.  I will not send a referral to an out of state agent who has not invested in professional development.

Good info

Rod - Thank you

Tony - Admittedly, my scenarios were not 'real world' and I freely admit they would not happen. I think many designees could not imagine life without the use of the 'letters'. As for your question, it is an excellent one.  My advice would be sequential. Identify a niche that interests you. Find an appropriate mentor for the niche. Learn the issues that are of special interest to your niche, then look for solutions. (It is this step of looking for possible solutions that could lead you to specialized classes for designations.) Once you have a grasp of the niche and its issues, focus your advertising in order to get your phone to ring. DON'T return calls promptly--answer the phone. They want to talk with you when they call. Do your best to be able to take those calls instead of letting them go to voicemail. Even if you must explain that you will have to call them back, doing so in person in much preferable to voicemail. Finally, as your niche becomes regular and dependable, work the niche clients for non-niche referrals. "Tony, I was very happy to help you and your wife with the purchase of your first home. Thank you for that opportunity. I want you to know that I am also just as capable in helping folks who need to SELL a home in order to buy their NEXT home. I would really appreciate your recommendation to anyone you know who might be in that position." It is the ability to generate "throw-off" business--that which comes as a result of referrals from your focus group--that separates a long career from a short one in my opinion.

With Randy's gracious permission I am posting a link to the following post on my Blog for those of us who want to continue the discussion on designations.....

http://activerain.com/blogsview/132399/Do-Designations-Equal-Success

wow.... that's all I have to say.....

Tony - Thank you

Jeff - You said a lot.  LOL

Randy.... that was the easiest and quickest comment that I have ever left on AR since I joined.  My pleasure...

Jeff -  :)

I apologize if I hijacked a thread. I simply thought this was a discussion about professionalism and that thoughtful comments, whether they agreed with your opinion or not, were welcome. Randy, I personally called you and you asked me to re-post, otherwise I would not have done so. I say that only so the casual future reader does not believe that I was given any indication that dissent, in a civilized manner, was objectionable to you. I will know better in the future. Good luck to you and, again, my sincerest apology.

I honestly do not have a problem with someone disagreeing with me.  There is a limit on someone else's blog post.

You really should consider joining Active Rain and writing your own blog posts.