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Change... NOOOOOOOOOOO

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Partners, Inc.

Recently I did something that really pulled me out of my comfort zone...  I MADE A CHANGE.  I am the worst when it comes to change.  Whether its using an ear piece instead of holding the darn phone to my ear, going from normal 2 inch heals to those cork lookin' things, moving homes, changing banks... and especially changing companies.  So many people make it look soo easy.  Haven't you met that Realtor that has moved 3 companies in two years and keeps on truckin?  I joined a company in '01 and stayed with them loyally since.  It wasn't until recently that my broker 'poked the tiger' and I became recruitable.  It took me 3 months to make the decision to move and man those were some crazy scary three months.

My old company scared the daylights out of me with the "independent contractor agreement clause" saying we wouldn't be insured and that my new company would "sell me out" if I were in need... that they didn't have any training, no one knew of them, I'd lose business...yada yada yada.  Finally I had to put my big girl pants on and make a decision and for the second time in my life... I took a chance and made a change.

Why are we like that? Why are we so afraid of change? Is it the comfort zone piece?  I have been trying to understand it for about 3 months now.  I made the change and talked my entire team into it.  They had faith in me and trusted me to make the right move.   Oh man...   The amazing thing is that the minute I did make that move, we felt at home, our clients and past clients were so supportive and the cloud lifted!  I can't help but think how often I have missed opportunity because I had my anti-change glasses on. 

Ironically enough, I am in the position of Recruiting for this new company and I am having to deal with people like me.  (now, that is karma!) 

I know all of you have probably faced the "making a change" situation with your careers.  Tell me... How do you deal with the walls of change?

Bless the people that recruited me.  I'm sure they all went out for a brewski (or two) after dealin with me.

Posted by

Stephanie E. Kulp

Team Leader of Kulp & Company Real Estate Group

Keller Williams Realty Partners, Inc.

11005 Metcalf Ave

Overland Park, Ks 66210

 

www.buyorselljohnsoncountyhomes.com

Stephanie@StephanieKulp.com 

Comments (40)

Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Stephanie,

Congratulations on your move. I have moved more than once. Most of the moves were caused by that "Poking the Tiger" comment you gave. Each time I have had to move I immersed myself in analyzing the new companies. Who the were in terms of their standing within the real estate community. Who were all of the agents. I have never wanted to associate my self with a company that might have an agent amongst them that had a poor reputation. And of course the other parts like Cost of doing business at the new company and support offered etc. The analysis just seemed to make the move go easier for me.

Mar 09, 2007 01:07 AM
David A. Podgursky PA
THE PODGURSKY GROUP @ Re/Max Direct - Boynton Beach, FL
THE PODGURSKY GROUP - Make the Right Move!

I went through that ordeal when I was a Realtor... it wasn't that hard to make a change because I felt that I was being totally beaten down by the system at my first company - and paid poorly to take it.  I felt at a competitive disadvantage ... of course I fault myself for certain things as well... I went from too much control to not enough... I wasn't ready for 100% independence!

So when I came to Florida, I felt that I had to find the right fit... it took a while for me to do so and I got sidetracked in a job that was absolutely fantastic for me to learn the area and get my confidence up - but horrible pay and it could have ruined me...

When I finally got back on the market for Mortgages, I had been through a lot of interviews so the first offer that came to me I thought was great... I didn't see through the smokescreen - so when push came to shove and they pushed WAY too hard - we parted ways... the next office promised me independence and with only 2 mortgage brokers it felt like a corporate job with stifling restrictions, not an Independent Contractor role (i.e. quit bugging me if I'm not in the office at YOUR "right" time)...

My current role I have been in for 18 months now and I have the freedom to contribute but the support to help me succeed!  It is a great role... for instance, I am free to find my own business but there are leads too... I am free to pursue commercial (and get all the business from my company) but I don't have to give up residential... the flexibility and support are making my entrepreneurial mind grow so fast.

It is all about finding the right fit...

BUT REMEMBER...You are an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. Your company can Co-Market you...but to really succeed you need to self promote which also means making YOUR name and not just coasting on theirs!  If your name is well known enough - then you can work anywhere for anyone or even for yourself and still succeed

Mar 09, 2007 01:16 AM
Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!
Well, I'm not gonna do it!  I don't have any big girl pants.  But, I did put on my man pants the other day - I too made the move to another company.  They are a good company, but I needed something different.  I'm glad I made the move!  Good luck.  Liked the post.
Mar 09, 2007 01:22 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley

Changing brokerages is emotional for a few reasons - usually we are attached to the folks we work with and feel badly about "leaving them" in addition to our concerns about the upheaval the move causes with our business. Many agents use the broker's contact management and other systems - so moving means a concern about getting that messed up too. And if the agent's business card had just the phone number at the office and the email with the company's addresss (eg MSmith@MyOldBrokerage.com) guess what? You need to be doubly sure that the old clients don't return to the brokerage instead of to YOU.

So fear is not an unreasonable response!!

Most agents only move when they feel that either the old company is going downhill or that there is a significantly better opportunity at the new place. Very few agents would move frivolously because (at least from what I have seen in my own market) whenever we move, there's a small loss of income that first year. I'm not sure if it's from the upheaval, or folks falling between the cracks, or what.

I have moved a few (short number) of times and each time it has not been a fun experience. It always feels like I'm divorcing my old buddies. Managers usually have hurt feelings. Sometimes they're even angry!  It's not pleasant.  I have learned, though, that you can not count on your brokerage always being the same and you should be prepared to move if need be.  Sometimes there are mergers and you won't like either the new policies or the new philosophy or even the new people in charge.  I have seen a mass exodus happen under these circumstances.

So what to do?

First, have your own branding and your own URL where people know to find you (not you@yourbrokerage.com).  You can point your URL to pages within the company site - but advertise YOUR url, not the company's, so that if you move or even if you just get your own separate website, your clients will find you quickly on the web.  Your email address needs to be permanent too, not dependent on who owns your company this week or this year.  An finally, you need to have at least one phone number on your card that doesn't go through your office - either a toll free number or a cell.  Even if you never move, if your company phones go down, people need to be able to reach you.

For 3 1/2 years I have been with my current brokerage, Intero Real Estate Services, and I'm happy beyond all telling.  I don't plan to ever move my license.  But whether there are big issues or little ones, such as the office phones or server going down, my clients can find me apart from the company tools.  I use the company tools but am not dependent on them.  With the way companies get bought out, merge, change names, and so on, I think that's really the way to go.

Mar 09, 2007 01:29 AM
Allison Werner
To Be Announced - Middletown, NJ
Stephanie- Congratulations, great post! There are more sales professionals considering making a move than would like to admit it. I am also a recruiter and know first hand how often the current broker "pokes the tiger"
Mar 09, 2007 01:31 AM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
I think deep down everyone is a little like that. Some people just don't let it show and others you can see it from a mile away. Good for you though. It's awesome that everything worked out great.
Mar 09, 2007 01:37 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Stephanie...

Oh! Man! I love this post. Really. 

I say that "I put my man pants" ... Your line is just as good. LOL...

Now about resisting change. I learned a long time ago that resisting it will stagnate you and your business.

I could say more but much of what I'm thinking has already been said.

Except of course... "Poke the Lion" will ya? ...   LOL... Thanks for the good morning world chuckle.

TLW...ROAR!

Mar 09, 2007 01:40 AM
Heather Saul
Weichert Realtors Hoey Group - Wildwood, NJ
I am right there with you - change is terrifying.  It takes a lot for me to make a move - but once I do it there is an amazing sense of accomplishment. 
Mar 09, 2007 01:41 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

Changing real estate companies is a serious change. Much doubt and apprehension is involved. Pros and cons need to be considered. Once a decision is made, a huge weight is lifted and now you can focus on making it work, which is where good agents excell. There are many good real estate companies out there, but, as I tell my clients, "It is far more important to have a good real estate agent than a good real estate company." You treated your situation with the seriousness it deserved and then made the right decision.

Mar 09, 2007 02:08 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty
Crossing the line of "change" is a very empowering experience.  It makes you realize that no matter what happens, you can always chart your own course to success.
Mar 09, 2007 02:24 AM
Kaye Thomas
Real Estate West - Manhattan Beach, CA
e-PRO, Manhattan Beach CA

Stephanie.. what a terrific post..I love your imagery..I'm one of those who hate to change/move.. homes, offices, men.. I think it's because I just don't like packing up stuff.. but every time I do.. I find it was the right thing to do

Mar 09, 2007 02:44 AM
Debbie O'Brien-Darling
Royal Lepage Pro-Alliance Realty Ltd. Brokerage - Belleville, ON
Excellent post Stephanie, I too made many changes in the last 2 years since I got married and moved to a new area.   New name, new area, new company, it is a challenge but I love the company I'm with now.   Change is great when it's a possitive one!
Mar 09, 2007 03:09 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker
Without change you become stagnate.  When you become stagnate - things become boring.  When you are bored you become unhappy.  These are all things that I hate, so I am always looking on ways to change, do better, win and make more deals.
Mar 09, 2007 03:22 AM
Kelly Kilpatrick
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Broker-Associate

Great post Stephanie! I identify with you on the Bluetooth headset!  I had mine for well over a year before I actually started using it.  I think the thing about change is the harder that you fight it the more energy you expend for nothing.  Change can be cathartic but it really is what you make of it.

Mar 09, 2007 04:56 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

I think change is good!   I have moved around alot and changed companies frequently with the exception of one the changes were good for me.   Get out of your comfort zone more and the "change" won't seem so daunting!

Patricia Aulson/REALTOR/Seacotst NH & ME

CallPatricia.Com!

Mar 09, 2007 05:36 AM
#35
Stephanie E. Kulp
Keller Williams Realty Partners, Inc. - Overland Park, KS
Kansas City RE Broker

I am sooo excited about how many people have responded to this post!  I agree with you all. It is so tough but yet exciting!

Kelly - Things did get stagnant, then boring!  Now I have so many avenues to pursue...I'm lovin it.

Kay-  too funny..(changing men) If you noticed I said in my post that this current change was the second hardest change....

Tony- You are absolutely right!  I totally know that I will be successful in my changes.  I feel empowered and excited.  Lovin it!

p.s. nice to know my "imagery" wasn't offensive.  I toned it down for the "rainers" ; )

Mar 09, 2007 06:38 AM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media
Hi Stephanie, WELCOME! I love this post as well. I opened my business last year, and BOY was I scared (still am, truth be told:)) but I stuck it out, tried it, and I'm so glad I did. I guess that means I'm wearing my big girl pants now too! Thanks for the great post.
Mar 09, 2007 10:00 AM
Beth Larsen
RE/MAX Sedona - Sedona, AZ
Sedona Arizona
Very engaging post, and such a great collection of comments that I had to bookmark it. I'll be back.
Mar 09, 2007 02:55 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous
Wow! I'm glad I found this post. Such a positive attitude! Making a change is hard. I made a change within the first 6 months of my career. (I guess I fall in the statistic catorgory:)
Jul 07, 2007 02:09 AM
#39
Anonymous
Stephanie Gilkison

I know it!  It's been six months since I changed and it was the best move I have ever made!  Its so funny how long it takes to make a move!

Good luck to you!

 

 

Jul 07, 2007 05:02 AM
#40