Special offer

Funny thing preperation, Business vs pleasure.

By
Real Estate Agent with National Real Estate of Prescott

 I have been in sales for a long long time.  Prior to selling Real Estate I sold garden supplies to the big stores and little nursuries. Before that I dabbled in the loan/mortgage industry.  That being said I have had a boss or two that made similar comments. I still think about those comments.

Mortgage company I worked for.

As I was adamantly looking for a date one afternoon ( after I finished my work) for that evening. I had made a few calls to no success, Had my little black book open as I was quite bored and wanted to do something.  Unfortantly I made a lot of calls(LOL) My boss was sitting there talking with us and said Ken hang up. Then this comment came out of his mouth.  " If you went after the loans/mortgages with the furosity and preplanned verbage you are using trying to so pittifully to find a date you would be the richest man in this company" he then turned around and walked out. But you know what, he was right. I made more calls trying to find someone to go out that night then I had all day for loans. Talk about a wake up call.

Garden supply company

 I was getting ready to play golf with of course the boss and other people from the company/business. I went through making sure I had enough balls ( they do seem to disappear during the round) I went to the driving range hit balls until I was loose and ready to go, also went to the putting green and had to change my stroke as I couldn't hit the hole. Then everything started coming together. Bosses comment " Ken if you prepared for your presentation like you do for a round of golf you could be the top salesman in the company, but no you just go in and try to put something together at the last minute" He then proceeded to kick my arse in the round and was irritated all day.

Real Estate

 I now do tons of preperation before I go on a listing appt. I know what the property is, What the market is doing and sometimes I even have the listing agreement filled uot before I get there. It took along time for those few comments to stick but they did, Bosses I didn't like the comments then but now see why you said them. Thanks.

This all came up because I am getting ready/packing the horse trailer for the Paint horse world championships and could hear those comments from so long ago. Maybe I need to put a little time each day to prepare for new contacts, after all our business is all about repeat and new business.

Comments (5)

R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham
Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC
Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

It sounds like you're the type of person that would be prepared for what ever you were doing????

 

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. 

Jun 21, 2007 02:57 AM
Todd Murphy
Fitts Agency - Tuscaloosa, AL
One of the comments in a book I'm reading said, "Business over pleasure" until you have too much money and don't care.
Jun 21, 2007 03:01 AM
Ken Nimmo
National Real Estate of Prescott - Prescott, AZ

I have been to enough appointments not prepared to learn a few minutes of preperation closes alot more deals.

 

To me business over pleasure causes burn out.  I have done that and made lots of money, Is there enough money that you wouldn't care.  There has to be a balance. At least for me. 

Jun 21, 2007 01:35 PM
Calie Waterhouse
Chandler, AZ
Community Builder

Ken - Thanks for sharing. Your post reminds me of the business saying - something about what you do today will result in business success 90 days from now (or something to that effect).

Wishing you all the best at the paint horse world championships! Don't forget the pictures when you get back.

Jun 21, 2007 02:53 PM
Ken Nimmo
National Real Estate of Prescott - Prescott, AZ

Calie,

Your right we work in the rears. I see agents that complain about the business and they are just now prospecting for new listings or buyers. I try to tell them that their work now is for the next 90 days. I also ask them what they were doing 90 days ago. Most can't remember. I just give them a look like well..

Realtors need the pipeline flowing must be consistant.

Jun 23, 2007 01:53 AM