"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But, baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again." Terrance Mann,from the movie Field of Dreams

I love a good baseball analogy- and my favorite baseball movie is Field of Dreams. Today I am thinking about office management, so here are some tips straight from the voice from The Field of Dreams...

Build it and they will come - Think of all the preparation that goes into making a field ready for play.  Look around your office- what does it say about you and your company?  Is everything working and in good order?  Does your office say - this is a great and productive place to work? Is the office full of activity or a place to socialize?  How old are your computers? copy machines?  or do you still have typewriters??  Your office decor and appearance needs to create the right first impression.  If your decor and equipment is old and dated, everyone that walks in will think your company is too.  Stage your office like you would stage a listing - everyday is a showing.

Ease their pain - Yes, today's market is full of pain for your agents and their clients.  Like it or not, a big part of your job is to listen to the pain and then make it better.  I think the coaching part of the job is sometimes lost in the listening.  Especially in today's challenging market your agents and their clients are looking for your guidance and solutions.  Are you working with your agents on their business plan?  Are you helping them with pricing?  Prospecting?  Objection handling?

Go the Distance - Office management is a marathon and not a sprint, even when the hectic days leave you breathless.  How many new initiatives have you launched?  Make sure your day to day activities don't overtake your vision of leadership.  There is no relief pitcher in management, you need to make sure you save enough good stuff for extra innings.

 

Some other great baseball quotes...

There is no crying in baseball -  Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer.  ~Ted Williams

That's baseball, and it's my game.  Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there.  You yell like crazy for your guys.  It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops.  Pretty girls, lots of 'em.  ~Humphrey Bogart

Things could be worse.  Suppose your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player.  ~Author Unknown

Progress always involves risks.  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first.  ~Frederick B. Wilcox

 
So, go into your office, put on your game face, ready your field and get into the game!