Comments on: Lost and found: Surviving real estate reality http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html Turn On Tue, 22 May 2012 20:19:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Arn Cenedella http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-6829 Arn Cenedella Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:46:23 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-6829 <p>Marc:</p><br><p>Enjoyed your post and I love to watch both Lost and Survivor. They are excellent shows. And yes, the people are the best part. Seems to me if you can form a team that has both Jack and Locke - you will have a winner!<br><br></br></p> Marc:

Enjoyed your post and I love to watch both Lost and Survivor. They are excellent shows. And yes, the people are the best part. Seems to me if you can form a team that has both Jack and Locke – you will have a winner!

]]> By: Marc Davison http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3210 Marc Davison Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:14:11 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3210 <p>@Tyler, Those guys would kick ass because the adapt to their surroundings in a flash and actively look for ways in, out, up, down and around every obstacle. I submit that being stranded in deep recesses of the Louisiana Bayou surrounded by gators, insects, venomous snakes, no food or water presents as equally daunting of a reality as the real estate business presents anyone it looking to survive and thrive. </p> <p>To survive this market bayou, an individual will no doubt have to possess the very same exact disciplines those two men you cite present.</p> <p>Be active. Be aware. Investigate every potential. Be creative. Inventive. And possess skills that most others do not have or bother to hone. </p> <p>Thanks Tyler. </p> <p>@Matt. Who is Ben? Mmm. A reader emailed me suggesting that that I might fit that unsavory role at times. </p> @Tyler, Those guys would kick ass because the adapt to their surroundings in a flash and actively look for ways in, out, up, down and around every obstacle. I submit that being stranded in deep recesses of the Louisiana Bayou surrounded by gators, insects, venomous snakes, no food or water presents as equally daunting of a reality as the real estate business presents anyone it looking to survive and thrive.

To survive this market bayou, an individual will no doubt have to possess the very same exact disciplines those two men you cite present.

Be active. Be aware. Investigate every potential. Be creative. Inventive. And possess skills that most others do not have or bother to hone.

Thanks Tyler.

@Matt. Who is Ben? Mmm. A reader emailed me suggesting that that I might fit that unsavory role at times.

]]> By: Tyler Wood http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3209 Tyler Wood Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:52:07 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3209 <p>Hey Marc,</p> <p>This one connected with me, great post. I don't even really watch Lost or Survivor but I know enough about them to get your points. </p> <p>I enjoy Man vs. Wild (Bear Grylls) and Les Stroud as well. If these guys were real estate agents, they both would be kicking a** in this market because the don't take "no" for an answer, and they think outside the box and 2 steps ahead. That's how we need to approach real estate in today's market, plain and simple. Thanks again.</p> Hey Marc,

This one connected with me, great post. I don't even really watch Lost or Survivor but I know enough about them to get your points.

I enjoy Man vs. Wild (Bear Grylls) and Les Stroud as well. If these guys were real estate agents, they both would be kicking a** in this market because the don't take "no" for an answer, and they think outside the box and 2 steps ahead. That's how we need to approach real estate in today's market, plain and simple. Thanks again.

]]> By: Matt Dollinger http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3208 Matt Dollinger Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:40:50 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3208 <p>Marc,</p> <p>So I guess my question is who would be Ben in the overall scheme of things? </p> <p>To survive today, (in my opinion - communication therapy coming out) it cannot be a knee-jerk reaction. It's way more complicated than that and why I think alot of people have a hard time wrapping their mind around this.</p> <p>Much like survivor, there are things and changes that need to be made to "survive" for the moment. Cost-cutting, streamlining, outsourcing (nationally), and increased productivity are a start. </p> <p>Next, you have to look at the grand scheme of things. Look at our new President for an example, and not only study the future and the current, but study how past generations have survived similar situations. Learn, listen, then learn some more. Ask questions that you really want the answers to, and consider them - even the most outrageous. Look to your competitors to see what they're doing, and don't just play "catch-up"... weigh out what they're doing and see if it's working (sometimes that flashiest, newest thing isn't what's needed). </p> <p>Tech has made this last part wayyyyy too easy for you not to do. But one of the downfalls that I see many doing is that they don't listen to those closest to you. Ask your (people, employees, staff, agents) what THEY think could be done, and once again listen. I bet there's a million good ideas sitting there that they all felt the bosses "would never entertain".</p> <p>And then (maybe even sooner) go directly to your clients, tell them about the problem... and ask them what THEY would do, or what they thing YOU should do. We spend millions of dollars a year on research, and we could spend $1500 on lunch with our clients to find out what they think.</p> <p>Next comes action... and that's where I think your post hits home. It's about putting aside alot of what you though or knew in the past, your beliefs, and all the things that "used to" work and looking at it differently. There is no silver bullet here and no price tag for success. But I think collaboration is the beginning of a long process of recovery.</p> <p>Matt Dollinger<br /> The You Factor</p> Marc,

So I guess my question is who would be Ben in the overall scheme of things?

To survive today, (in my opinion – communication therapy coming out) it cannot be a knee-jerk reaction. It's way more complicated than that and why I think alot of people have a hard time wrapping their mind around this.

Much like survivor, there are things and changes that need to be made to "survive" for the moment. Cost-cutting, streamlining, outsourcing (nationally), and increased productivity are a start.

Next, you have to look at the grand scheme of things. Look at our new President for an example, and not only study the future and the current, but study how past generations have survived similar situations. Learn, listen, then learn some more. Ask questions that you really want the answers to, and consider them – even the most outrageous. Look to your competitors to see what they're doing, and don't just play "catch-up"… weigh out what they're doing and see if it's working (sometimes that flashiest, newest thing isn't what's needed).

Tech has made this last part wayyyyy too easy for you not to do. But one of the downfalls that I see many doing is that they don't listen to those closest to you. Ask your (people, employees, staff, agents) what THEY think could be done, and once again listen. I bet there's a million good ideas sitting there that they all felt the bosses "would never entertain".

And then (maybe even sooner) go directly to your clients, tell them about the problem… and ask them what THEY would do, or what they thing YOU should do. We spend millions of dollars a year on research, and we could spend $1500 on lunch with our clients to find out what they think.

Next comes action… and that's where I think your post hits home. It's about putting aside alot of what you though or knew in the past, your beliefs, and all the things that "used to" work and looking at it differently. There is no silver bullet here and no price tag for success. But I think collaboration is the beginning of a long process of recovery.

Matt Dollinger
The You Factor

]]> By: bob d http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3207 bob d Sat, 21 Feb 2009 09:10:30 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3207 <p>another good mark.</p> <p>Valuable Influence...those who give it, get it! </p> <p>Sadly, there's not a big pool that have it to give. </p> <p>It's like pinball, some can rivet for hours, others keep feeding the machine!</p> <p>Thanks for the jolt of inspiration!</p> another good mark.

Valuable Influence…those who give it, get it!

Sadly, there's not a big pool that have it to give.

It's like pinball, some can rivet for hours, others keep feeding the machine!

Thanks for the jolt of inspiration!

]]> By: Nick http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3206 Nick Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:51:08 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3206 <p>Great Post Marc.</p> Great Post Marc.

]]> By: Missy Caulk http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3205 Missy Caulk Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:29:43 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3205 <p>Marc,<br /> I love this post. It is so true it is not the circumstances that defeat us but how we respond to them. I tell my kids this ALL the time, well I guess you could say Nag. </p> <p>Not only are"Strewn across the sandy beach of this island called real estate." but so are our sellers. <br /> </p> Marc,
I love this post. It is so true it is not the circumstances that defeat us but how we respond to them. I tell my kids this ALL the time, well I guess you could say Nag.

Not only are"Strewn across the sandy beach of this island called real estate." but so are our sellers.

]]> By: Arn Cenedella http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3204 Arn Cenedella Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:17:23 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3204 <p>Marc:</p> <p>Enjoyed your post and I love to watch both Lost and Survivor. They are excellent shows. And yes, the people are the best part. Seems to me if you can form a team that has both Jack and Locke - you will have a winner!<br /> </p> Marc:

Enjoyed your post and I love to watch both Lost and Survivor. They are excellent shows. And yes, the people are the best part. Seems to me if you can form a team that has both Jack and Locke – you will have a winner!

]]> By: Brett Tousley http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3203 Brett Tousley Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:57:51 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3203 <p>Indeed this market is a great time to look deep into your business and determine what is and what is not adding value to it. While many agents are cutting expenses and awaiting the turn in the market, it's also an excellent time to forge new alliances.</p> <p>Look to your broker,lenders, inspectors, home warranty reps and escrow and title reps and ask. What value do they bring to my business and customers?</p> Indeed this market is a great time to look deep into your business and determine what is and what is not adding value to it. While many agents are cutting expenses and awaiting the turn in the market, it's also an excellent time to forge new alliances.

Look to your broker,lenders, inspectors, home warranty reps and escrow and title reps and ask. What value do they bring to my business and customers?

]]> By: csread http://1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html/comment-page-1#comment-3202 csread Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:36:57 +0000 http://wp.1000wattconsulting.com/2009/02/what-does-it-takes-to-survive-the-downturn.html#comment-3202 <p>I spoke to a group of about 150 agents this past Tuesday about the "why" of social media. I started out by explaining that I remember real estate in the days before fax machines, voicemail, email, PCs, the Internet, laptops and the Blackberry. I established some credibility about where I came from before I explained to them how they need to reinvent themselves and why. Some will get it and do it, others will get it and not be able to execute, and the rest are waiting for "the market to come back." I've come to the realization that I cannot reach everyone. I have to focus on finding those who want the guidance and are ready to embrace a future that could look radically different from what they are used to.</p> <p>BTW, I love your posts Marc. </p> I spoke to a group of about 150 agents this past Tuesday about the "why" of social media. I started out by explaining that I remember real estate in the days before fax machines, voicemail, email, PCs, the Internet, laptops and the Blackberry. I established some credibility about where I came from before I explained to them how they need to reinvent themselves and why. Some will get it and do it, others will get it and not be able to execute, and the rest are waiting for "the market to come back." I've come to the realization that I cannot reach everyone. I have to focus on finding those who want the guidance and are ready to embrace a future that could look radically different from what they are used to.

BTW, I love your posts Marc.

]]>