Years ago I had a friend who had graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton. He had worked his way through college by cutting grass and doing landscaping.
By the time he graduated, he had such a big landscaping business there in Denton, that he figured he'd have to take a hefty cut in pay if he closed up shop and took a regular 9-5 job.
For some reason, I heard my brain say to me, "Ask him who's his best customer?" and I don't know why my braind said that to me. Nevertheless, I asked.
My friend told me it was a Denton funeral home.
A funeral home?! What gives, I thought.
He went on, "Every morning unless it's raining relentlessly, we cut the lawn at the funeral home."
I asked him why?
"Well, I asked the funeral home the same question when we got the contract. The owner told me that his clients expected his funeral home to look spic and span and perfect every day and every moment of every day," my friend explained. "When it's your family member's funeral, there are no second chances for the funeral home to look better the next time."
From that I extrapolated to my real estate business: Every house gets a new yard sign. Our offices are cleaned everyday and kept spotless. We offer our visitors coffee, and we always make them a fresh pot. Our yard? It's mowed twice a week during the growing season and once a week during the fall and winter. Our cars? Washed everyday....sometimes twice.
What have you learned from other businesses that you've found are also letter-perfect for the real estate business?
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS
214 503-8563
1 800 314-7110
Our 43rd Year Selling Texas.
Hi Bill... Great post! It's smart business and an extension of the old adage, "You only get one chance to make a first impression!"
Good blog. There is no time like the present to get things done, and only one first impression.
Well one thing is ....I worked wth a Lender who sent me regular progress reports about where my client was in the process. What was done and what was not! This was without me having to ask...it was wonderful!
What I have always done that seems to work...I always put myself in the clients place and do for them what I know I would expect.
For example: I always call my Buyers with progress reports and send my Sellers copys of advertisements and web hits and inquiries.
That story about the Funeral Home is wonderful!
Hi Bill,
Excellent advice, it's interesting how things are easily transferable from one business to another.
Sometimes is the small things which have a big impact. In our office, it's about our consumer, our clients. We have a welcome board in our lobby area that acknowledges those scheduled for the day. People are surprised and love seeing their name on it.
Instead of placques on our walls we have framed testimonials along with photos of our clients.
Bill Cherry,
So, what else is new: perception is reality! Is that not the first rule of salesman/sales women - ship? Still, it might be wise for us all to check the "first impression" our customers and clients have of our offices.
Bill, that is a great post, and something to take to heart. I think how lazy I get with the car, and I am now ashamed. Thank you for reminding us that appearance is a part of our business!
You are right. You only have one time to make a first impression.
We should ALL be wary of that all important 1st impression.
To friend Tom Burris, Bob and Carolin, Tony and Darcy, Bill, Lynda, Joanie, Stacy and Steve:
Thanks for adding your valuable comments and insight. Isn't it interesting how often companies AND people slack up on the things that will make them positively stand out from their competition?