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Punctuality: Are You a Prima Donna or a Royal?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Napa Consultants DRE00893924

As a luxury real estate marketing professional do you show up on time to your appointments? Do you value clients who are punctual?

 

From our perspective, punctuality is a sign of self-respect and respect for others. According to King Louis XVIII of France, “Punctuality is the politeness of kings”. Kings do not have to be punctual. A true Royal treats his and her subjects with respect.

 

In contrast, a prima donna is a very temperamental person with an inflated view of his or her own talent or importance. To be unpunctual is a form of manipulation and a sign of disrespect.

 

Alexandra had an interesting experience at her very first appointment as a commercial real estate broker. Her client, a famous international artist, commented that he was impressed that she actually returned his calls promptly and was surprised that she showed up on time to show him property.

 

If you have high self-respect you do not want to be kept waiting by anyone; you expect professionalism. It is only someone with low self-respect who puts up with habitual lateness.

 

Treat your clients as if they are Royals and you will become a Royal yourself! It is a good habit to cultivate.

 

Are you a Prima Donna or a Royal?

 

Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-

ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace.

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Comments(69)

Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

You will recognize me as the one that shows up 10 minutes early, Impatiently "jumping up and down" like a kid that needs a bathroom!

Dec 21, 2015 01:53 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

I used to be a prima donna, until....I became a royal. I never make my clients wait for me. I'm always early and will wait for them. Having struggled with being consistently late (until I met a certain someone, ah-hem), I don't judge, but for me, to be punctual is to be on top of my game. 

Dec 21, 2015 02:09 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Great post Ron and Alexandra! I am an 'on-time every time' type of person and expect the same from everyone else. If I am unexpectedly running late, a quick call or text to the other party is a reflex too!

Dec 21, 2015 04:40 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I am almost always early and at a minimum am punctual. People who are late for appointments with me get a mental demerit - I feel lateness shows a lack of respect (except of course for the times when there really is an emergency and the person who will be late notifies the person they will be meeting).

Dec 21, 2015 05:05 AM
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

I would tbink, that luxury folks would be even more demanding of their time, so punctuality would be a MUST.  I though, feel that should be across the board.  You say you'll be there, then be there

Dec 21, 2015 05:08 AM
LUXURYSOCALREALTY COMPASS La Jolla
Compass - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Partner - The Private Client Network

I'm 99% on time and I expect those I'm meeting to reciprocate.  Being on fine shows you care to make extra effort to be prompt.  

Dec 21, 2015 06:22 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

If I'm not 5 minutes early, then I'm late.

I do a lot of work with military families... and they are as punctual as they get... I love working with them.... when they tell you they'll meet you at thirteen-hundred... they'll meet you at thirteen hundred!

Dec 21, 2015 06:45 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Alan May 

We had the good fortune of working with a former Marine on his brand.  You could count him every second of the day.  When he would say, he would have something for us, he did at the exact time.  He was punctual, and we are always early...I love anyone who has had that king of training.  A

Dec 21, 2015 06:51 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Waited 5 hours for a fence guy to show up. He called me this AM he said he was not far and can stop within 2 hours(RED FLAG 1). 6 hours later he still has not showed up....(RED FLAG2).... Manana.  Adios to you.

Sam Shueh

Dec 21, 2015 07:22 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Yes,Punctuality is the politeness of kings...

Sam S.

Dec 21, 2015 07:23 AM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Vince Lombardi is noted for --> "If you are on time you're late."  Did not take long for his players to arrive early and ready to go.

Mel

Dec 21, 2015 09:40 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Yep -- I try to get to appointments early... I really don't like to be late or have folks be more than 15 minutes late .. 

Dec 21, 2015 11:06 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Treat others as we would want to be treated..  

  • I am where I am supposed to be,
  • when I am supposed to be (actually usually a few minutes early).  
  • I do what I say I will do,
  • when I say I will do it.  
  • ..... If I mess up, I 'fess up and do my best to fix it.  

I confirm my appointments.  If a client is not there in 15 minutes and has not called me or texted me, I move on. 

Dec 21, 2015 11:57 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Ron and Alexandra Seigel ,

I couldn't stop laughing at the photograph. I'm definitely a Royal. I am not late and always arrive on time or a tad early to make sure I'm on time. I respect others time table. I respond to calls, emails and texts in a timely manner. I like Judi K Barrett I like to treat others as I would like to be treated.

Dec 21, 2015 08:10 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

My Mother taught me that if you are on time that means you are late.

Dec 21, 2015 10:09 PM
Raul Rodriguez
Covenant Partners Realty - San Antonio, TX
Looking out for the client's interest and not my p

Punctuality is showing respect to the other person, if I don't care enough to be on time I am demonstrating that I do not care about the person.

Dec 21, 2015 10:54 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

I prefer to be early. This gives me a chance to mentally prepare, review the agenda, get the home ready to show, etc. so that when the appointment begins we hit the ground running.

Dec 22, 2015 02:31 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Just lovin' that picture you included, Ron and Alexandra Seigel!  Captures your attention, for sure ... but your post is what kept and held my attention.  Great point ...

Gene 

Dec 22, 2015 02:43 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Being on time is the way to go! A feeling of being Royal and treating like a Royal!

And....

"To be unpunctual is a form of manipulation and a sign of disrespect."

Dec 22, 2015 01:45 PM
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

I'm always on time and get lots of compliments because of it. I don't mind either because should I have to wait a few minutes for my clients I may "pre-inspect" before they show up or do work on my smartphone. It's not wasted time.

Dec 22, 2015 08:49 PM