I attended the recent Red Carpet Rendezvous in part, because I am never satisfied with how much I know or have learned. Never. Also, I am taking my MSRE Broker exam this Monday Morning, so I thought the classes would help sharpen me up for the exam, and prepare me for the big step. The fun aspect of these classes was that almost all of them touched on topics recently discussed at Active Rain.
The first class--I termed MS Manners. It was officially titled, "Personal Skills for Professional Excellence" and taught by Marcie Roggow. A lot of it is what most of us already know, but may have become a little lax about. Sort of like when you are first infatuated with your significant other you take extra care with your appearance--then after the years roll by, well, you know what happens. Other than minding our manners, Ms Roggow made a very significant point in that a huge # of complaints turned into the real estate commissions cannot be heard because there is no violation of license law; but a violation of manners. (...So and so didn't return my call and left me waiting and wondering). He/She is unprofessional...
Regarding voice mail--she reminded us that we change our messages daily to include the day and date, as well as any expected long term absence so that clients and affiliated parties in a transaction will know that you check your messages daily. She advised against using a cell phone in public, not only because it irritates other diners who could be a potential buyer or seller someday, but because your fiduciary duties are at risk.
Ms Roggow is a strong proponent of using the traditional Mr., Ms, Mrs with the last name until the person we are addressing ask us to officially call them by his or her first name. She advises that we dress one step up from how we expect our clients or prospects to be dressed. An interesting example she used was that she had listed a $3, 000,000.00 home, her client called her to say she would not let the REALTOR show that had an appointment because she could not tell who was the agent and who was the prospective buyer.
We all have our horror stories as recently evidenced in several AR blogs. Sometimes we feel helpless because we cannot control the behavior of other agents and their behavior impacts progress in our own businesses. When I looked around the room and saw it almost full of Mississippi REALTORS(r) who obviously were interested in the use of Personal Skills for Professional Excellence I saw male and female, very young to distinctively aging. I saw a mixture of cultures and races. I also saw a group of professionals that cared about the impact that each person could have individually. If any of us incorporates any of the etiquette reminders re-taught in that class, the world will be a better place.
I thought of the many complaints we have in blogs and comments here at AR and about the behavior of other agents and associated professionals. Active Rain is a HUGE professionally oriented group. If each of us are conscientious about manners and personal skills, we will change the world. We are not powerless, but powerful. We RULE!
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