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I’ll play by your rules, but . . .

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Pareto Realty TN #251071

We all play by other people’s rules, but only because we have to in order to conduct the business we are conducting.

All professionals and organizations have processes for everything they do.

The more “dialed in” these processes are, the smoother doing business with them becomes . . . or not!

Who are the beneficiaries of “the way we do things around here”?

Are the processes designed for the benefit of the Organization or the client/customer?

Does the business owner develop and “enforce” their “rules of engagement” with the intent to deliver a smoother and more hassle free experience for the people they serve?

or

Does she design these processes to streamline the work flow so as to increase capacity for volume of sales?

or

BOTH!

There’s an interesting thread in a Facebook Group for REALTORS. A high volume “Team Leader” wrote a rant about an individual REALTOR who didn’t want to to play by her “Rules”.

The REALTOR was frustrated by the Team Leader’s process which negated any possibility of the 2 of them having a telephone conversation. This is a classic example of a “Clash of Clans” . . . 2 different business models (philosophies) forced to figure out how to work with each other because they had the great misfortune of each representing a side of a transaction – One buyer : One Seller

Oil and Water

Diametrically Opposed ways of doing business, each with wildly different rules of engagement (Processes), and both with the same goal . . . To CLOSE the transaction on time.

What to do?

Well . . . The first thing to do is whatever it takes to minimize the impact of this clash on the House Buyer and House seller who are experiencing heightened emotions as they navigate this HUGE transaction that is nothing short of a life changing event. The last thing these clients need is another reason source of tension.

This brings to mind a quote I first heard in a Strategic Battle Plan course in Combat Engineer Training spoken by:

Field Marshal Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke (26 October 1800 – 24 April 1891) was Chief of Staff of the Prussian General Staff from 1857 to 1871 and then of the Great General Staff (GGS) from 1871 to 1888. He was an architect of Germany’s Wars of Unification (1864–71).

  • “no plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force.”
    • Kein Operationsplan reicht mit einiger Sicherheit über das erste Zusammentreffen mit der feindlichen Hauptmacht hinaus.

What we learn from this is the importance of understanding that no matter how intricate and detailed our plan/process is, we cannot possibly plan for everything once the “fog of war” sets in . . . We must be agile, adaptable, creative, and resolute in pursuit of mission accomplishment.

Team Leader could give a little by being available for a call or 2 each week – maybe even schedule it.

REALTOR can then throttle her urge for immediate personal gratification, and save her concerns to address during the schedule calls.

Above all . . . Serving the client best trumps any and all SOP (Standard Operating Procedures).

Posted byBarry OwenMarch 29, 2019Posted inConsumer BlogLife Rhythm WayPareto RealtyReal Estate ProfessionalsEditI’ll play by your rules, but . . .

Published by Barry Owen

Strategist-CEO of Pareto Realty Real estate sales Professional Inviter-Facilitator-Practicer of Open Space Technology Opening safe space for people & organizations to self-organize around issues & opportunities BarryOwen.US Invite-Listen-Love 

Posted by

Barry Owen

Founder
Principal Broker
Pareto Realty
Nashville, TN

615.502.2080
www.paretorealty.co  
Call me: 615-568-2123
email me: barryo@comcast.net

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James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Barry.

Very well written sir.  The rules are in place to keep agents under control and to better serve their clients.  Carol Williams, here you go

Mar 29, 2019 07:59 AM
Barry Owen

Thank you James!

Mar 29, 2019 08:01 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Barry,
Keeping the buyer and/or seller as far away from the drama is paramount.  Many of us are very adept at this and that's why people think your job is easy.  Your last sentence sums it up perfectly!

Mar 29, 2019 08:51 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I like that "fog of war" comment, Barry.  I agree that it is important to keep the drama away from the client.  And, I can usually yield a bit as long as the client's interests are being twarted, unless there is something illegal or unethical going on.

Mar 29, 2019 12:28 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I never understand agents who would rather fight with each other than closing a transaction. Like their eyes are everywhere except where they should be: on the horizon.

Mar 30, 2019 11:21 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Barry:

Well done. I think your final statement says it best! We all have rules to follow...some legal...and well as processes and sometimes they are at odds with each. One has to keep the focus, and all that we do and say, on the ultimate goal for our clients and not let drama and an "I'm right" attitude take over.

Jeff

Mar 31, 2019 03:15 PM