Who Are You Without Money?

Ask yourself this question:  Who am I without money?

How much does money define who you are?

This is a heavy question and the answer isn't always what we want to hear, but the advent of the Internet has made it increasingly vital in today's business.  This is what people are looking for when they read your blog and visit your website.   They want to know who they're dealing with and if that person is the kind of person they trust.   The more you talk about "competent" and "professional" services and use the other corporate catch-phrases we've all grown begrudgingly accustomed to, the more today's consumer will pull away. 

They've heard it all before...from the mouths of too many people who didn't follow through. Just what does "professional" service mean anymore?  Anyone can claim to be "professional"...just look at the mortgage fiasco and other financial messes.

How about just good ol' honest service.  You don't have to say it...just do it.

Unfortunately, just telling people you're a real estate professional isn't enough anymore.  It's a shame, too, because you put a lot of time and money into earning your qualifications.  Problem is, a lot of people have gone through the motions to get qualified and done a poor job taking care of their clients and prospects.

Some people will lie, cheat and/or steal (although the entire time they're telling you they're not) to get as much money or power as they can.  Some people will tell you whatever it takes to sell you, then tell you "You should have read your contract/agreement before you signed it" if you have any problems.   English translation:  I lied to you.  You should have ignored my words that you trusted and had your attorney approve this contract/agreement before you signed it.

Interesting that these are the same people who, when faced with accountability, will jump out of an airplane they've flown from Indiana and parachute down to the motorcycle they've stashed in the woods in Alabama to avoid being accountable for breaching the trust their business is built on.

Or maybe tell the court "I'm not here to talk about the past...I'm here to talk about the future."  (ex-baseball player Mark McGuire)  I know he's not been formally charged, but the way he handled things did more damage to his career than the steroids ever could.

Or maybe tell everyone "I did not have sex with that woman."  (I'm not picking on Clinton here, but come on now...)

In all realms of business, who you are outside of business is becoming increasingly important because who you are outside of business determines how you are as a business person.   Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone is accountable.

Who are we without money?   It's all about character.