Coffee Bean

Scripts.  What we use on a daily basis.  For example, when we ask someone how they are doing.  We are asking, and will most likely get a response with the same question back to us.   In regards to Real Estate, we have to think in the same but a different way.  Scripts allow us to have the answer to situations that may lead to business.  When opportunity knocks, it's too late for preparation... Opportunity only exists for those that are ready, willing and able.

Like this time a few years ago at Starbucks, and there was only one table left.  So my friend grabbed the table and I went in line to get the goodies.  I got her a got a double half caff, two shot, mocha, whip something or another...  And I ordered a medium coffee.  (Ever notice how the baristas look at you funny when you order a small, medium or large instead of the official names, which I can never remember...  Well, maybe refuse to remember since I love Folgers coffee from my 15 year old Mr. Coffee maker at home...)  Where was I?  Oh yeah, the coffee ordering.  While I was ordering the coffee, I was talking to my friend about real estate.  Yelling back and forth about something when the guy next to me asked, "So, you in Real Estate?"... 

"So, you in Real Estate."  Wow, what a question. (Besides that it wasn't gramatically correct...) Ohhhh, the things I know now, that I didn't know then.  The ways I could have answered this guy.  The things I could have done to catch him in my net and...

How do you think I answered?  How would you have answered?  Is this opportunity knocking?

He then said (without telling you what I said)...  "My wife and I were just talking about selling our house last night, and are thinking of doing it ourselves."

Did I have the right words?  Did I know what to say?  Did I say the things that would lead me to be at his house that night?  Working on my presentation, staying in discovery mode, unlocking the sellers wants and needs, so that I could bring him what he needed to move on to the next phase in his life?

NOPE, NADA, NOTHING, ZERO

I was so into my conversation with my friend, talking about the market, and selling, and buying, and real estate... That I did not look this gift from the real estate gods in the mouth.  This COME HELP ME SELL card that was handed to me from the dude in the black hat from the monopoly game...

Want to know what I did?  (Not what I should have done)...  I handed him my brand spanken' new card with my fancy picture, and my fancy website, and my fancy crap all over it...

Do you think he called me? 

......................................................

  

 

Chris Alston

CEO- Team Leader

Keller Williams Realty, Cupertino

20230 Stevens Creek Blvd, Suite E

Cupertino, CA 95014

408-850-6955

408-850-6956 fax

calston@kw.com

www.kw.com

 

 

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86 Comments on So he asked me in line at Starbucks if I was in Real Estate... Uhhh, ummmmmm, well... (fun story)

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
07
2010
146,668 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I'm assuming you didn't get a call back. You've obviously learned from it and will certainly kick butt should another Starbucks moment arise!
8:32am • #67
425,546 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Chris, Im sure we've all had these moments, I know I have.  I'm not much into scripts and maybe I should work on that.  I might be better prepared the next time something like that happened to me.  Great post!
9:42am • #68
987,402 Points 81 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

We all live and learn Chris or at least we should............sounds like you did...............some never do..............bet that doesn't happen to you again, you're much better prepared now.............Best wishes for continued success.
10:27am • #69

  Christa, LOL about the magic marker ankle note!
11:14am • #70
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lanre - So true!  :)

Doug - You are so right!  When we fall, we then watch out for the next time, so we don't do it again!

Brian - Yes...  What I should have said was something other then "here is my card!" lol.

Bitebi - So true, so true.

Michelle - Funny!  I get the coffee and ask for a few ice cubes to cool it down (and water it down... lol).  Funnier yet...  go to Whole Foods and ask for a Diet Coke...  lol.
11:36am • #71
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Evelyn - So true...  If most of us would take the time to learn the scripts, we wouldn't have to have opportunities like this pass them by...  however, people like me need mistakes like this to propel them to learning what they should have learned...

Nate - I was at BOLD...  But that was several years later...  :)  If I recall, this happened about 8 years or so ago!  But still stands out in my mind!

Shanna - Yes, you are right.  At least asking, you could get a yes.  Not asking at all, always (or almost always) leads to a "no".

Nathan - I would love to hear the story about you being thrown to the wolves!

Kathleen - No, he didn't call me at all.  :) 

Margaret - Yup.  :)  I learned alot back then! 

 
11:42am • #72
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ellie - Great story!  You should post a blog about it, so we can all live the story.

Philip - So true!  Things like this have molded me into who I am today. :)

Missy - Great advice...  But I never got his name, or number, or location...  (and funny thing, this was about 8 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday!)  :)

Lori - At least if I asked the question, I might of got a yes...  lol...

Aaron - So true!

Erika - I never have been either...  I usually have situations like this that made me "learn" what I should have said, in a rough way!

Roger - Thanks!

Bob - HAHAHA!  I know!
11:47am • #73
144,478 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Ha!  Chris, I think we could all be rich from the missed opportunities - - IF we hadn't missed them!  Hopefully we learn and don't repeat those mistakes.

Have a great day!

 Mike
-----------------
1:07pm • #74
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike - I agree.  :)  Hope your day is good too! 
1:50pm • #75
JUL
08
2010
244,267 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris- You are right!  I just became a walking advertisement for the iPhone.  And there probably is an "app for that"!  Now about that brick, maybe all new agents should be given their own roll of bubble wrap for protection?

Congrats on all the great comments!

Keep smiling,

Karen
12:19am • #76

I think I know the answer.

This needs to be repeated: "Opportunity only exists for those that are ready, willing and able."

But he still might!
12:50am • #77
1,352,282 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is the unprepared lot in life, and we've all been there whether it's lost business, a lost date or the comeback that you didn't have until later.

It sounds like you've learned, and the next time Starbucks comes calling, you'll be ready.
2:01am • #78
1 Featured Post

Chris - I know that scripts work.  Do I use them?  Not really.  Its really just the knowledge of the right question or the right response at the right time.  I am really impressed by the "hard sell" types that can sell "fleas to a dog" (I've known quite a few).

We learn a little bit more every day from these interactions -- you WILL be ready for the next one that says that.

(and a Starbucks hint to Michelle in #57, and others who don't like it so strong:  buy the smallest size, and ask them to put it in the large cup, and fill the rest w/ cream/sugar -- I do that all the time--saves you some $)
10:30am • #79
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen - You have a "wrap for that"?  And yes, I'm still smiling!  :)

Russel - you are right, he did not call!  :)

Christine - I have learned, and it helped me early on, when I teach! 

Don - Thanks for the starbuck tip!  err.. I mean...  I agree with the idea that you learn a little every day.  I do not really use scripts, but over time have learned what to say which in essence is kind of a script!  :)  Thanks for the toughts!
3:28pm • #80
JUL
09
2010
553,709 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Chris,

Don't kick yourself over it.  We all make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.  Next time, don't let it get away.

Brigita
3:48pm • #81
187,872 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hmmmm, done that before... sometimes it happens.  Glad you shared with us all.  Definitely gives us some validation but good reason to practice scripts more often  :)  thanks for the reminder...
6:04pm • #82
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Brigita - Thanks!  I did kick myself when it happened.  Love the porfile pic, btw!

Christina - You are sooo welcome!  I am out in Brendwood on the 28th teaching short sales in the morning, and Social Media in the afternoon.  :)
6:14pm • #83
187,872 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks for the invite....I do want to come to your class :)  I am out of town during that whole week. :(

I will share with others of us from the Mountain House location :)
6:28pm • #84
JUL
13
2010
135,816 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Chris,

Thank you for sharing your story and I am sure there are a lot of people who will read this post and next time they are in line at Starbucks ........, there will be a happy ending and they get the listing, hooray!!!! 
10:48pm • #85
JUL
14
2010
447,861 Points 57 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sharon - So true!  You know I will know what to do..  lol...
12:03pm • #86

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Chris Alston (Silicon Valley, California)

Cupertino, CA

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Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Cupertino California)

Address: 20230 Stevens Creek Blvd. , Suite E, Cupertino, CA, 95014

Office Phone: (408) 850-6955

Cell Phone: (408) 921-4711

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Helping Real Estate Professionals learn new ideas and thought to help them in their business... At the same time, comments from our community help me in my classroom setting.


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