Rebuilding a company from the ground up

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with The Blaisdell Group, LLC

Over the past month, I have completely focused my efforts on setting a new direction for The Blaisdell Group.  I cannot begin to describe how confident and excited I am about the future prospects of this company.  I am going to go out on a limb and predict that we will be a million dollar company within three years.

There, I said it.  There is no going back now...

I heard an interesting analogy the other day.  When a ship leaves the dock, the chances of it getting to its destination are close to 100% because the Captain has set a predetermined destination & course before even starting the engines.  If this critical step was not completed first, the ship would be lucky to even get out of the harbor, let alone reach its final destination.

That said, here is the course I have set for The Blaisdell Group over the next few years.

  • I will remain as the Captain of the ship, continuing my role as Chief Manager and Broker.
  • The company will retain its current name; The Blaisdell Group, LLC.
  • The company will continue following a three year rolling business plan.
  • The company will immediately adopt a new relationship driven business model.
  • The company will begin communicating information of value, to its clients, on a monthly basis.
  • The company will identify and clearly define its target markets prior to starting any campaigns.
  • The company will invite only the best support professionals into the group as we grow.

OK, the course is set, I am nearly finished with the new business plan and will begin posting updates every few days.  I have a feeling that things are going to begin moving very fast over the next few months.

 

Comments (2)

David Dee
RMX REALTY - Alhambra, CA
Real Estate - San Gabriel Valley (L.A.) & N. Orang

Michael,  that is a very true statement about setting sail. The focus of knowing where you're going and when you arrive there is a sign of success to come. I believe in that model myself. Good luck on the rebuilding and looking forward to you arriving at your destination.

Jul 09, 2008 07:20 PM
David Daniels
Owner of FlyersToYou, Inc. and former Top Realtor - Hemet, CA

Michael,

Congratulations on the restructuring, refocusing and rebuilding of your company!! It's always exciting to watch as these things mature and develop into tremendous forces to be reckoned with!! Setting a new direction in today's market is probably necessary...but many companies are too afraid to change the way they've always done business.

I do a very interesting exercise at the start of my seminars that I think you might handle differently from most. I'll try to explain it briefly.

I have everyone pair up with a partner...turnaround (back to back)...and make 5 changes about themselves. One person removes a shoe....the other takes off their eyeglasses. One unbuttons a shirt...and another takes off a wristwatch. That kinda stuff. Then, they turn around and identify to each other what the changes are...and everyone starts getting dressed again.

Simple. Everyone did it. it was a success....BUT....

Then...I have them turn around again...and make FIVE MORE CHANGES!! You'll hear groans in the crowd....and I've even had some people sit down and state "I'm not playing this silly game". But the ones who stick it out...actually DO make 5 more changes. Perhaps it's removing a tie. Or a lapel pin. Or their belt. Or whatever.

They once again turn around...face each other...and identify each other's changes. Everyone then hurries to again get dressed. They sit down...and I proceed to tell them what just happened.

The first five changes? Well, everyone can do that because we can ALL handle a certain amount of change. No problem. Make the changes...identify them...get dressed...and sit down. But just when they think they've had enough...I spring five MORE changes on them. The moans and groans are indicative of people doubting whether they can actually handle more change (even though the majority of them do). And some people hit a block wall....and sit down...because their change tolerance levels have already been met (by the way, never hire them...EVER!).

The most interesting part of this exercise is the fact that in over 500 seminars...

NO ONE HAS EVER, EVER, EVER ADDED ANYTHING. They always remove things.

Remember that no rules were given at the beginning of the exercise, so it would have been okay for them to pick up a pencil and tuck it behind their ear....or crumple up a piece of paper and stuff it in their coat pocket, or balance their notepad on top of their head. But nope....no one ever does that. They ALWAYS remove things. Earrings, bracelets, shoes, etc.

Wanna know why???

It's because we, as normal human beings....associate change with LOSS! Of having to give something up due to change.

But change doesn't have to mean giving anything up. As long as you realize you can ADD things (new direction, more focus, fresh ideas, new faces, etc.)...change not only becomes easier...it actually becomes fun and exciting! I would have been real interested in finding out what you would have ADDED during that exercise!!!

My point is...have fun adding...have fun with the new directions and changes...and you'll do great!!

Congratulations again!

Dave 

P.S. The reason people couldn't wait to get dressed again...is because we're usually more comfortable going back to....or remaining who we were BEFORE the change. Don't do it. Now that you've made the decision...stick to it. You'll do wonderfully!

Jul 09, 2008 07:29 PM

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