Building A Jerk-Free Business

I’ve noticed a huge paradigm shift in my social world since the economy took its shift recently.  That shift has only been criticized for changes our finances.  That shift really needs to be applauded for shifting a lot of attitudes for the better, however.

One of my business goals this year was to remove the hateful, lose-winners, whatever you want to call them FROM my business.  I discovered a little secret in 2008…the more I work with great buyers, sellers and agents, the better my life is and the more my business grows.  So, what steps can I share with others on how to accomplish a more stress-free business or even working relationship (as a buyer/seller) with an agent?  Here we go…

1.  Identify the “poison” in your life. Bishop TD Jakes always says, “Give the gift of goodbye” to those who create poison or drama in your life.  If you have business associates, clients and (unfortunately) family, you need to keep away from that negativity.

2.  Change your atmosphere.  If you’re finding a lot of stress in your life, analyze where you’re meeting these people.  Concentrate on positive places to connect with good people.  The Hands On Network is an excellent place to connect with positive, volunteer opportunities.

3.  See the parties in a transaction as your team.  The seller, buyer, buyer’s agent, seller’s agent, mortgage lender and miscellaneous service providers are so much more powerful when working together for a smooth, win-win transaction.  Within 12 hours of every bound contract, my assistant send out “Smooth Closing Covenants” to everyone involved to set the positive tone.  When I present every buyer’s offer, I use my “Complete Acceptable Offer” program which outlines how everyone that works with me will conduct business in a fair, professional, mutual way.

4.  Share and verbalize it! I’ve started discussing in my buyer and seller presentations the need for good attitudes.  I encourage my buyers and sellers to discover a different agent if they are looking for a cut-throat kind of transaction.  If a buyer or seller can subscribe to my brand of business, then we’re a great match.  If not, life’s cool.  There’s a match for everyone.  (Note:  This doesn’t mean I will let someone run over me, however.)

5.  Help every agent you can. When you see an error on a listing, a key box not working or something amiss on a home, correct it or share the correction in an edifying way.  Go to every broker open house you can possibly attend.  Get involved as much as you humanly can in your profession’s organizations.

6.  Develop an educator’s heart. When we stop looking at ourselves as sales person, but instead as teachers and learners, everyone wins.  You’ll find yourself with less problem-causers in your business, since most of those folks don’t want to learn too much.

7.  Steward your news choices.  When you find yourself in a bad place or attitude, typically you’ll find yourself attracting the same type of person/client/agent.  If your news source is consistently negative and if you are addicted to information overload, you’re just inviting the a’hole’s spirit into your life and business.

8.  Correct bad behavior. Don’t be afraid to grow some if another agent, a seller or a buyer is out of line.  I recently lost a buyer because his attitude toward negotiations and purchasing was predatory.  His jaw dropped when I asked him to please find a new agent that I pride myself on always doing the “right” thing and that what he was doing was “wrong.”  Money doesn’t rule and no one needs business that bad.  I’d rather pick up aluminum cans and earn recycling money than cheat, lie or misrepresent.

9.  Communicate everything upfront. Have you ever been on a plane when the turbulence was scary and overwhelming?  Once it’s finished, the captain comes on a says, “Sorry about that.  We were experiencing some issues.”  Wouldn’t you feel better if she came on and said, “In the next three minutes we will be experiencing some bumps.  Just buckle up, take your seats and I’ve got it covered,” prior to the turbulence?  You find most people are not a’holes, they just don’t want to be surprised.  When we talk about expectations and processes, everyone’s a lot happier.

10.  Merge with the pet lovers/owners. A Clemson University studied showed the the vast majority of pet owners (cats and dogs) have happier, healthier lives.  When you walk into a home and “Rover” of “Fluffy” greets you, you may have a strain-free, stress-free match made in Yummyville.