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Punctuality and Your Business - - - A mark of a true professional?

By
Mortgage and Lending with Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 NMLS ID# 158606

My mom has a little posse of friends.  The three of them did so much together so often.  But there was one friend who was always late at their luncheons, meetings, church stuff or whatever.  ALWAYS.  Mom finally set an noon appointment and when her friend didn't show, she waited 15 minutes and left.  Later the friend called and mom said, we had an appointment at noon.  I waited 15 minutes and when you didn't show, I left.  Thirty years later the friend says to mom, you know I'm still late for everyone all the time, except for you.  After you "dinged" me 30 years ago, I'm only on time for you.

I have a master's degree in Clinical Psychology.  This really goes down to ego I've learned.  It's not about being busy (we're all busy), but it's an issue of prioritites.  When someone is perpetually late, I think to myself why?  Here's the burning question..."What is is about you that makes you think that your time is more valuable than the people you have an appointment with?"  Harsh but true.  People who are always late just think (even subconsciously) that their time is more precious than the people who they're meeting.

These people will never get in my inner circle.  They just can't.  Stuff happens, but really, when I or my team or family are continually devalued by others I put brush them off to the side.

photo provided by freefoto.com

I work with Top Realtors in Illinois.  I can tell you that they are quite punctual.  Now they may be out with one client and have agreed to pick up another client at a certain time.  But seeing that the first client is taking to long, they are quick to communicate to others the dilemma that they are in.  The bottom line is that they're on their game. 

I have too much to do.  I have too much to accomplish in life and with my family.  Let's get stuff done so that we can screw around having fun later.  But if you're in this business, you're either on or you're off. 

You have agents in your office, clients that you meet with or loan officers who state that they're professional, but can't be on time to their own funeral.  How do you deal with them?  Do you accept them and quietly grumble to yourself?  Do you confront them or do you just cut them off?

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Comments(61)

Mark MacKenzie
Phoenix, AZ

I have always been sensitive to being on time, no matter how big or small the appointment - it doesn't matter.

I look at being on time as being a representation not just of how you value others but also of how well you can coduct yourself.

If you can't be on time, there is a good chance you are not going to be as effective with other thngs as well.

Nov 18, 2008 07:35 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

YES YES YES!!! This is THE THING that makes me the MOST CRAZY! If I see that I'm going to be late for something, I call. If I don't get an answer, I call again. I HATE BEING LATE! Very TIMELY post, bro!

 

BTW...Clinical Psychology Masters Degree? How impressed am I? I did not know. :-) GBU~

Nov 18, 2008 07:47 AM
Anonymous
Sherry Schneicer Keller Williams/Northville, MI

Larry, I used to do a lot of things with a friend like your mom's. I started telling her a time that was a half hour earlier than the real time. After I started doing that, I only had to wait a little longer than I would otherwise. When I have a client that's consistently late, I allow more time but also tell them up front that I have another appointment and I give them the time of that appointment. Most agents in this area are punctual.

Nov 18, 2008 07:56 AM
#47
Keith Strawn
www.ExploreBeaufortRealEstate.com (Ballenger Realty) - Beaufort, SC
www.ExploreBeaufortRealEstate.com

I am too often guilty of tardiness. I agree 100% with your comments, and have made great strides towards improving my punctuality. This post served as another excellent reminder of the importance of being on time. Thanks. 

Nov 18, 2008 07:57 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

It was one of my goals for this year to be punctual and I am very proud to say that I have made it. I was always late for everything but I didn't think it was because my time was more important, it was because everyone was always late anyway. So I thought why be any different, I still find myself waiting a lot but now I read or return calls while waiting.

Nov 18, 2008 09:28 AM
Kris Kombrink ~ The Kombrink Team
RE/MAX Excels - Chicago's Western Suburbs - Geneva, IL

Good post, Larry.  I too am a firm believer in punctuality.  If you're late for an appointment it means you don't think your client is important.  I always build a cushion into my travel times so I am not late.  It pains me to see people so careless with their time.

Nov 18, 2008 10:14 AM
Deborah Wilkinson
Premiere Property Group - Lake Oswego, OR

Years ago I dated an attorney who owned his own firm.  He was always late to the point that when we were to meet at a restaurant for lunch I would plan on arriving ten minutes after our scheduled time and still I waited.  It was so frustrating because even though he said he valued me and my time his actions said differently.  The solution: He said he valued my time equal to his so we made an arrangement where whoever arrived first would be paid their time, based on his hourly rate at the time was $200, from when we agreed to meet to when the late person arrived.  After that my friend was almost never late and when he was, I felt duly compensated for my time.

Not a solution for all tardy friends and associated but it worked. here 

Nov 18, 2008 10:28 AM
Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

Larry--I LOVE this post. Could not agree with you more. I hate it when people are late. Absolutely hate it. (And my sister is one of the worst offenders.) You are so right when you say their time is no more valuable than mine/ours. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Nov 18, 2008 11:04 AM
Anonymous
Kari Battaglia (Coldwell Banker Venice FL)

Larry -  Thanks for the insight!  I did not realize that being on time for an appointment is considered being late.  I always strive to be ontime but admit that I am not the best at scheduleing.  I am going to make it a point to be at least 10 minutes early for all appointments. 

Nov 18, 2008 11:34 AM
#53
Lisa Friedman
Alliance Realtors - Bedminster, NJ
Central New Jersey Real Estate

I love Deborah Wilkinson's idea above!

Nov 18, 2008 11:37 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Frank & Jodi....nothing like a poor first impression.  Hard to undo.

Mark....so true....

Elizabeth....I love it  "Timely post."  Sorry, but I've been so untimely on our project.  Clinical Psych....remind me on that.  Wanted to go into Christian Counseling, but..........and that's another who story.

Sherry, I had a buddy who used to do that.  He findly figured it out and is mature and responsible, but it can be hard dealing with those people.

Keith..we've all had experiences with that.  I came from a really "on time" family.  However, I went the other way for a bit...not bad, but horrible compared to the way I was raised.  Nice to be back in control.  I'm with Lisa...get there early and read a book or make calls in the parking lot.  Just be the best professional out there.

 

 

Nov 18, 2008 12:03 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Charles....whatever dude.....I got you so busted....If you're late your late...you're more important Mr. Napolean.  C'mon...give a confession here.  Nice excuse.  Just kidding of course.  At least your honest....but still I think you think your more important....just couldn't resist.

Kris....You do have to build in time for the unexpected.  I was going to be 5 minutes late for an appointment today and called my meeting.  He said that he was going to be 10 minutes late and asked if that was OK.  I never had to tell him b/c he threw up first.  I said "no problem, it'll work better for me."

Deborah....too cool of a story...you and my mom took proactive steps to correct the offences of others.  TOO COOL.

Peggy, print out all the comments here and give it to sista!

Kari....my advice...make someone else late...never be the late person.

Lisa...me too.....

 

 

 

 

Nov 18, 2008 12:11 PM
Mike Russell
Mike Russell Real Estate Group - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Kansas Real Estate

100% right on time. never early, never late. Just right on time.

Nov 18, 2008 01:22 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Larry,

That 15 minute rule applies to me, too. Whether it's a mortgage application appointment, or a doctor's or what have you, 15 minutes is it. No call to reschedule or anything, 15 minutes is all. It's just fair to everybody.

Nov 18, 2008 01:38 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Michael....Nicely put....succinctly put.

Esko...good words....I never knew that rule, but it's fairly predominant here.

Nov 18, 2008 02:54 PM
Tammy Anderson
"The Gateway Home Team" of RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL
Owens, Broker/Owner

I express to my children the importance of being late and as I type this my oldest overslept and is running late for work. 

Nov 19, 2008 01:16 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Great comments Tammy...we alllive and learn...

Nov 19, 2008 02:33 PM
Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

LOL, Larry--Just saw your comment to print out all the comments and give them to my sister. Guess what she's getting for Christmas?!? ;)

Nov 20, 2008 10:24 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I used to complain to my husband about never having enough time to do things. He told me what his wise old grandmother had taught him:

You always have time to do those things you do first.

Once I realized that it was just a matter of setting priorities, all was well with the world.

Nov 21, 2008 09:40 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Jim....you da man!  You nailed it.

Erica...too bad more people don't think the way you do.

Nov 22, 2008 01:35 AM