CHANGE is always good - right? Some like Change unless it means learning something NEW...

The Media, in all forms....Television, Radio, Internet, and Publications are still making mega dollars in advertising the "latest and greatest" of everything: the newest and "hottest" trends in technology, clothing, home decor, gadgets, and yes even nutritional supplements and diet/exercising systems. Afterall, we all want to think that we are "up" on the latest and best. We are all "convenience junkies" meaning...we love anything that will make our lives easier...and if it can make our lives easier PLUS save us money - that would be the cherry on top!!!

Today, I went to our local Realtor Association Breakfast and heard from several speakers....all to which most of them started out with quotes similar to: "In this economy...we all are Searching for ways to simplify business and save us money - AND at the same time help generate money..." That is one tall order! Save time, Save Money, & Money Generator - all in 1 breath!! As I look around the room, Realtors in the audience are attentively listening, taking notes, and nodding their approval. OF course we all want that!!! We ALL want our cake and eat it too - afterall, who wouldn't??!! But it didn't stop there! The speakers went on to discuss the ways they are going about accomplishing that HUGE task as a service to their Customers. It was at that point that the "Attentive Audience" was very interested to hear how "OTHERS" were going to make "THEIR" lives easier.....but missed the whole point which was....In order to become "NEW and EFFECTIVE" it takes an implementation of something NEW and the need to take a RISK to see if it would be successful. Afterall, that is why the Speakers were their to begin with...to try to sell their new ideas!! GREAT IDEA!!

The funniest part of the day was visiting and mingling with this crowd of Realtors prior to and after the breakfast. I can't begin to count how many conversations started out with "Well, How's your business going?" or "Well, Are you busy?" They can not figure out why some are insanely busy and why they aren't. These are the same people who are listening and expecting OTHERS to be innovative to service them....but who are resistant to change in their Real Estate practices in order to service their Clients - which, in the long run, only benefits them....hmmmmmm...

As we see throughout the years, technology continues to change. I mean it hasn't been very long ago when our cell phones were those giant mobile phones that had to be left in the car....Funny!! Remember? Technology is CRUCIAL to any business (not just to Real Estate) that deals with a service to the Public. With the internet being the #1 place ANYONE goes to research ANYTHING....we can NOT miss out on this Vital marketing technique...AND the majority of the marketing can be done FREE!!! Yes, FREE!!! All it takes is time!!! You can't get much better than FREE!! But yet, we still have people "farming neighborhoods" by sending snail-mail post cards and newsletters. (Which in my experience, seems to always be received on Tuesdays with all of the sale ads.) All of that costs money and is usually thrown in the trash!! OLD SCHOOL Marketing!! Why are people so resistant to Change???? Because it takes "effort" to deviate from the familiar to something they have to learn.

Friends, the whole reason for this blog is not to shame people into getting into the 21st Century but to give you a wake-up call. What you don't see is that if you are the one out there complaining about not being productive and not being successful and are the same one who choose to keep doing what you've been doing you will not be successful in your business. You think...afterall, if it's NOT broke, don't fix it.... What you don't see is....it is BROKE, if it weren't you would be productive. It's like that Children's story about the frog that slowly got cooked because the wolf talked him slyfully into taking a warm bath, then kept turning up the heat ever so gradually...until he was cooked!! Don't be a victim of OLD SCHOOL companies and Brokerages that keep lulling you into thinking that their training methods of the last Century work today....you must CHANGE and embrace the changes or you will be weeded out of your industry.

Don't let Social Media or technology frighten you! There is FREE online-training everywhere! If you are looking to partner with companies that are willing to train you to be successful in today's technology, then let me know! I have a LOT of friends in ALL industries! It may be time to reBRAND yourself.....to Market yourself as a leader in your Industry and not one that is being "weeded out."

Go out, embrace change - and prosper!!