Goodwill Should Be More Than a Charitable Concept

Let’s open up the toolbox and analyze our next Business Principles this week. It’s #2 and it’s one of my favorites because in today’s ever-changing market, it is so important.

Now, saying we are “Ambassadors” of anything is a pretty high expectation to set but one I think everyone should be happy to strive for. Are you willing to accept the new role? It doesn’t come with diplomatic immunity or a swanky residence in foreign country but it does come with some responsibility to rise above the stereotypes and preconceived ideas of what a Realtor does for a living.

• Has the media painted a negative picture of our roles in today’s environment? You bet.
• Do frustrated homeowners blame Realtors for their irresponsible spending and weak financial management skills? Yes Sir!
• Is the lending industry grabbing anything they can to pull down with them for years of poor business practices? Yes they are.
• Houses aren’t selling so it’s easy blame the real estate community the way an obese kid’s parent blames McDonald’s.
• “My home’s value has dropped,” cries the unmotivated Seller. “Why can’t the Realtors earn their fee?”
• “I heard it was a Buyer’s market so I’ll just send over some insultingly low offers” says the tire-kicking buyer.
• Realtors charge how much????? But I thought selling your home is easy, isn’t it?

It doesn’t matter where you turn, the song remains the same. It appears to me that each morning when we wake up these days, we should be adding a review of Business Principle #2 to our shower, shave and tooth brushing routine. We need all the help we can get and we are going to have to toot that horn ourselves because no one else is going to do it.

It starts with “speaking positively about our industry.” Be sure you are updated on daily statistics such as current days on market, average sales price and list to sales price ratios. Do you think the average person knows just how many homes sold in 2007? Are you keep your ears to the ground for new loan programs or government support programs for struggling homeowners? Remember, the New York Giants couldn’t have won the Super Bowl if the NFL wasn’t a strong, viable league. We must continue to be proud to wear the “R” from the National Association of Realtors.

We “always speak positively…(about) our company” is the next part of the Business Principle. Let’s all take some time to count our blessings for what we have here at Coldwell Banker. As far as the “Five T’s” we’ve got the best of the best: Tools, Training, Technology, Tradition and Teamwork. Let’s not spend our time looking at the things we don’t have, let’s focus on what we do have. John F. Kennedy said it best when he said “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” The “Power of Sold” is more than a campaign… it’s becoming a crusade against negative news in today’s markets.

And finally, we “always speaking positively…(about) each other.” This job isn’t easy, there are lots of emotions involved and plenty of moving parts we must maintain. However, those are not reasons that we should ever spend our time, efforts and energy criticizing or castigating each other. If more and more people worried about themselves and less about others, this final aspect of the Business Principle would be easier to accomplish.

It’s been said many times by our local President, Joe King – “Each one of us represents all of us.” I’ll do my best to represent you…What will you do today to represent me?

How do you interpret this Business Principle? How can you make your role as “Goodwill Ambassador” an important, respected position of authority? Will you “walk the walk and talk the talk”? Please add a comment to this blog and tell us what you think.

Until next time…Build Relationships…Solve Problems…and Have Fun