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Experience Means Nothing

By
Education & Training with MarQeteer

One of the comments left in my blog post "Do You Talk To Your Prospects Like This?" last week was one of those statements of truth that makes so much sense you only need to hear it once for it to sink in.

It comes from J Philip Faranda in Briarcliff Manor, NY and goes like this:

"Some agents have 20 years experience.   Some agents have 1 year of experience repeated 20 times."

Experience itself means nothing.  What matters is what you learn from the experience you have, both positive and negative.

Don't get me wrong...ultimately success is up to the individual,  but we have all achieved what we have achieved with help from someone along the way.  In a market like this it's all too easy to forget that and adopt an "every man for himself" kind of attitude.

What I've noticed in my coaching is that the agents who have 20 years of real experience are very quick to thank those who helped them along the way.   On the other hand, the agents with 1 year of experience repeated 20 times either didn't have someone to help them or didn't seek the help.

If you're a broker or team leader, scrutinize your agents' efforts.   Are you doing your part to educate them and/or assist them in getting through a market unlike anything many veteran agents have seen before?

Comments (5)

Sue White
BusinessTrainingTeam.com - Conway, SC

Mark - thanks for the reminder that we need to be leaders and help others in our organization.  I am not in real estate, however, I have 42 people on my team and I work diligently to provide them the training and information they need to be successful.  Ultimately, it is up to the individual, but as a coach you know that people new in any industry need help - whether they have 20 years of experience or 1 year, 20 times.

Sue White, BuildYourReferrals.com

Jan 19, 2009 06:48 AM
Glenn S. Phillips
Lake Homes Realty - Birmingham, AL
CEO, Lake Homes Realty / LakeHomes.com

Mark, great point and great reminder!  I see this issue with businesses too.  I asked one title company what make them remarkable and why clients should order from them.  They said, "We are one of the oldest companies in town."

Huh?  Does that mean they do business with outdated procedures and tools?   Is that the best you can say about the business?   I mean there is some value to survival but that give me no incentive to have confidence in the modern market. 

Jan 19, 2009 07:05 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Well put, Mark.  You've got great insight, a good head on your shoulders, and above all, an obvious moral eminence that separates you from the company you work for.  I look forward to seeing what you have to say when you're not burdened by the weight of corporate shackles and have more time to contribute to the community.  Hopefully you will keep in touch with most of the people you deal with when you move on to bigger and better things in your life.

Jan 19, 2009 09:01 AM
#3
Jessica Wallace
Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345

Experience means something but so does intelligence, being willing and open to learning, innovation, strong work ethic and having your clients best interests at heart.  I am a relatively younger Realtor but have had success in this difficult market.

Jan 19, 2009 12:04 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Broker/Short Sale & Staging Specialist - Crosby, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

For those just starting out - ask questions and keep asking. be sure to thank them and be respectful of their time.

Jan 19, 2009 04:03 PM