I ran across a quote today that I wanted to share with you.
Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? Frank Scully
Now, I don't know Mr. Scully (guess I should have googled him, now I think I'm breaking some AR rule here) but, I like what he says. It made me think about the things that we do for our family, children, co-workers and yes, CLIENTS.
How often do you go out on a limb? Maybe sometimes, here and there or maybe NEVER (yes, I've encountered you out there).
Let's take the grocery store for instance. I walk in there and spend 45 minutes loading up my cart (I have growing boys :)) I am dodging all kinds of old ladies "browsing" in the isles. I run into the people on the way to the Guadalupe River who are loading up on beer and ice chests (no food seems to be going into those carts) and then there is the Mom with 5 kids that are ALL OVER THE STORE. By the time I get to the check out counter there is a line out the door, down the street and into the next town. 
The checker is worn out, frustrated from items that don't scan at the right price and has to listen to the customers that are upset with them for the mistake. She is busy talking with the stock boy about their plans for the weekend, how she didn't get her break at the correct time and how she has to show up on her day off for a company meeting. She mumbles a hello to me, tells me I owe her $173.56. Loads up my cart and then sends me out the door to fight the crowds in the parking lot, crazy river bound drivers (remember these are the beer drinkers?) with a cart LOADED with groceries so I can load them into my car and unload into my kitchen (I know, I know, you got the point by now, right?) So, how do I feel when I'm backing out of the lot? Like I want to mow down one of those river rats? (Er, do you we get points for that? okay, okay, I'm kidding).
The point I'm making is that I'm not too happy.
Let's take another instance. I try to do business with my local cleaners. I go in with a smile on my face and leave with a frown. Why? Well, the lady behind the counter is not really happy with her job or her life today. She wants $5.50 to clean a pair of pants and I have 12 pairs! AND she wants me to pay her upfront? Upfront? What every happened to pay when services are rendered? Now do you see why I'm frowning. (definitely more to this story, but I won't bore you with the details of why my zippers won't go up nor down in my pants)
Getting back on track here with Mr. Scully is that: did I receive service? happy service? or did anyone go out on a limb to help me? HECK NO. I was left to fend for my own out in the grocery store jungle.
What constitutes going out on a limb? Is this just being nice (for the dry cleaning lady THIS would be going out on a limb in her instance) to the customers or clients? Not normally. Going out on a limb is just doing that....going out of your way to help, inspire, do something special for someone. Is it easy to do? Sometimes it just might be carrying my groceries to the car. Smiling to your clients and making sure that you get to know who they are. Find out what THEIR needs and wants are and then doing whatever is in your power to make it happen. Knowing when someone is anxious, nervous or upset about making that big move that you take the time to calm their nerves, seek out the features of a community that they might enjoy or find a place in their new town (school, church, yoga studio, whatever floats their boat) that they might be able to call home.
Is it difficult at times? Yes, many times I have felt that I did indeed set out to do the right thing (or something extra for someone) and I thought I was really putting myself out or my family.
But did I reap the benefits of the fruit? You bet.
Take a minute this week to do one thing EXTRA SPECIAL for someone around you. Spend some time, money, fix what might be broken, add something special to the transaction or to their lives.
There is nothing wrong for reaching for the fruit.
Serving the needs of Agents, Buyer's and Seller's for over 22 years.
Sheila Moran, Broker/Owner
RE/MAX ACCESS
19115 FM 2252, Ste. 7
Garden Ridge, Texas 78266
210-657-7500 / 210-325-6962
Under promise and over deliver. If you treat your clients like you would your own Mother and give them something that they do not expect, you have beat the competition. Royal..
Your post reminds me of a story that went something like this... a man went into a diner and ordered a meal. When asked what he wanted to drink he said, "a Pepsi". A few minutes later he saw the waitress leave the diner and come back in 10 minutes. She had a Pepsi in her hand and then served him. He said, "Where did you go?" She replied, "I went to the corner store to get your Pepsi, we only serve Coke here." Going the extra mile.... impressed he offered a job on the spot. Good post... thank you!
I have a theory along those lines.
About people.
You pass a person on the street every day and every day you say good moring and he answers back, "like hell it is"
This keeps on going for days and turns into weeks. Now One of two things is going to happern.
1. He will stop being grumpy and say good mornig to you! or
2. You will stop saying good moring to him!
Which will it be, don't be a quiter, if he gets to tired of you being nice, he will take another street to work.
Pete Stanley
Team Stanley , Waxahachie, Texas
www.elliscountymoves.com
Many times those who have gone before us have ruined it for those coming behind, which is why payment sometimes is required before services are rendered.
A good case in point in the real estate industry is home inspectors. Their job is to document all the problems. Sometimes the problems are so extensive that the Client decides not to buy the home. Since they have decided not to buy the home, they see no need to pay for the home inspection report itself since the home inspector already went over the great majority of problems at the inspection. So some home inspectors became bill collectors.
Some inspectors were kind enough to bill through escrow. However, when the Client canceled escrow and forgot to approve the home inspectors bill, again the home inspector became a bill collector.
Some home inspectors then billed through escrow secured by a credit card, only to find that the credit card was expired or canceled. Again the home inspector became a bill collector.
Consequently, my home inspector personna gets paid before doing the job with a very rare exception, and in those exceptions not a word gets spoken or written about the inspection results until payment is in hand.
The way I see it, if my Client is buying a $465,000 (median) home and can't come up with my $499 fee for a home inspection that virtually always winds up saving him thousands of dollars in repair costs or results in a lower price, then it's just possible that he shouldn't be buying a home right now.
I go out on a limb all the time because I am your original rebel. :)