It’s official – 2009 is here! I certainly feel a bit of optimism as I venture around to the offices. There is a certain electricity in the air that comes with each January that sparks hope with sales associates everywhere. Earlier today I wrote a great blog post on goal setting. When I went to save it, somehow the entire post save for one line got deleted. Just so you know… these things happen to me too. The post was brilliant and you will just have to take my word for it because there is no recreating it. But I do want to set a tone for goal setting and resolutions for the year.
Goal setting and Resolutions vary from person to person. My recommendation is that everyone should have them at some level. Every goal should be specific, quantifiable and measurable. In short, it is not enough just to say you want to do better this year – put a number to it. Maybe 20% more business than last year or 3 more transactions – the measurement itself is not that important – it just needs to be there. Other than the mission to do more business, may I suggest a few more business goals to consider?
- Learn and master a technology something… your blackberry, digital camera, blogging, facebook or whatever suits you – but endeavor to master something electronic for your business.
- Commit to better customer service – we can all use a brush up on better customer service skills. I do wince sometimes as I overhear a conversation or an irate buyer or seller makes their way to me frustrated beyond all reason. Times are tough, tension is high – take a deep breath and BE NICE. You will be surprised at how much easier your life becomes when you put your customers first.
- For every newspaper you read listen or read something motivational. We are all so inundated with bad news at every turn it is amazing that we can sell anything. It is a good idea to bring some balance into your news habit so that your attitude doesn’t end up running you out of the business.
- Learn new marketing methods. This one is essential. Our business is forever changed and you need to understand marketing for this millennium.
- Commit to get listings. Yeah, I know we are all a bit on listing overload – adjust. I know you have all heard that 50 is the new 30 (spoken by someone who is not yet 50!). Well for listings, the same holds true. 50 listings today are like 30 listings 2 years ago and 40 is the new 20. Accumulate well priced listings – throw the bad fish back into the pond.
Just a few suggestions to guide you into the new year. I thought of many of these things on my drive to North Carolina and I have made a few resolutions and goals of my own that encompass many of the things listed above. During the drive, I do like to listen to audiobooks and I really enjoyed my book this trip. I think you will too.
Seth Godin – Tribes… We Need You to Lead us. Seth Godin is a marketing guru who came up with the concept of permission marketing. Seth has a great blog and often speaks about real estate specifically. Tribes is his latest book and deals with the business challenges of today’s ever changing world and how to cultivate a loyal clent base. The video is about an hour long – but it is well worth it.
Tribes free PDF ebook – this is a collaboration based on the book
Download the audiobook for free!
Buy the hardcover book at amazon.com
I am inspired – I hope you are too. One of my resolutions is to continue with the Challenge – I hope it is one of yours as well.
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