Yes it IS THANKSGIVING DAY today! The Globe & Mail has just published the Chestnut Park Award Winners for 2015, and I am so grateful to be a President’s Award Recipient for Outstanding Sales Performance.
My business has evolved, over the last decade to one that is 98% by Referral. There is no feeling in the world like the thrill of getting approval from your clients that you have not only honoured their wishes, but have also exceeded their expectations. It is said that a Referral is a standing ovation for a job well done. My business model is about trading in the quest for huge volume and awards in exchange for bespoke personal service and hands on attention to detail for every client. The ensuing volume and awards are BY-PRODUCTS….not the goal!
Just last week, I received an email that I’d like to share: I’ve changed the names to “protect the innocent” 🙂
“My name is “Sally Seller” and you were referred to me by “Ruth Referral”, whom I think you have recently met through “Carrie Client”. I am currently looking for a real estate agent and live in the Caledon area. I am not looking for a typical person who just lists my home, I am looking for someone who is truly passionate about finding the right family to continue the great memories in my home and your name was brought up. I am not sure if you travel north of the city for sales but would love the opportunity to speak with you. I can be reached on the following numbers:…… Let me know if you do in fact work outside the city and when we might speak. Thank you very much and have a nice weekend.”
I was THRILLED to get this note. This was another “Thanksgiving Day!” I always think of Sally Fields on her Oscar acceptance night many years ago, shouting out “They LIKED me! They LIKED me! That really resonates with me, for your INTENT during a client experience is to have them appreciate the hard work, due diligence, skill, CARE and empathy that goes into each successful transaction. Testimonials are wonderful from your clients, but they are the “telling” part of “show and tell”. When they REFER you to their cherished friends or family members, well that’s the SHOW part and we all know that the “telling” part has never been THE most important part of “show and tell”….right?
PS: I did meet with Sally Seller, as did a few other agents she was vetting and “she LIKED me”! For those of you who know me well, I sense, at the end of the day, the “not typical” and “truly passionate” vibes she was looking for were very difficult to ignore!
So my thanks go out to all my clients, past, current and FUTURE!! My appreciation to my family and friends/cheerleaders who are always there to support me and who know how much I love what I do, can never be quite articulated…
If you know anyone who’s looking for a Realtor who cares MORE about focusing on you, your concerns, goals and the successful sale or purchase of YOUR individual home, than they care about their volume of transactions and awards, please let me know the best way for me to connect with them. I’d love to offer them my personal service. Contrary to that old adage (it’s nothing personal, it’s just business!) this IS my business and it is VERY personal!
And, please, I encourage you to ask me any questions you may have about this post. I value your input and appreciate the time you took to read it.
And…..Happy Thanksgiving Day to you all!!