John March

Have any of these people run any kind of a business? Obama and his whole crowd scare the hell out of me. john march www.j-march.com www.sunnyhiltonhead.com

Kris, I love the way you write. And, I think there's a point that is missing. Brokers can treat licensees like employees--technically they are--but in reality, we are all working in our own business. If one is to succeed then a change in mindset is in order. If licensees would consider themselves business owners instead of one who is in sales to “get an order”, I believe they'd operate on a higher plane, in many respects. When real estate licensees act like business owners who want to protect their brand and grow share of mind, as well as profit, they are motivated to do more of the right things, for the right reasons. Some brokers do treat agents like sales people instead of independent business owners. For example, mandated floor duty and meetings come to mind as does the requirement for agents to part with 20%- 50% of their “wages”, so that the broker can house them in a nice office (which is used occasionally) Real estate agents need to think and operate like business owners. We are in business to make a profit. This requires all the nuts and bolts that would make a business successful: A business plan, budgets and forecasts, policies, strategy, a marketing plan. Carrying out THE PLAN requires skill, determination and a willingness to do all possible to attract and retain "customers." If we are serious about building a business (and a reputation for quality of service) we know that unethical behavior will get clients to fire us, get us fines and cause us to lose our license. The slick salesperson whose only interest is in making the next buck, won’t last. In fact, I think he just left the building. John March, Broker/Realtor Keller Williams Realty Bluffton SC 29910 www.j-march.com

Today, I gave up my desk space. Who on God's green earth needs it! You stick a Verizon wireless device in the right place--in your lap top-- and you're good to go--or you use a blackberry. I will share this. I spoke with one of the powers that be about offering consulting. I didn't get any loud applause. My request was cast immediately as a discounting arrangement--which it is not--and after explaining that, I got permission to offer consulting only if I am not competing for a listing with an agent in my company. There is still darkness. We need some light. Does anyone believe that the ranks of Realtors is going to increase in the next 5 years? As technology, data collection, and regional MLS begin to jell, consumers will have a wealth of real estate information at hand. So, one of our "jobs" will fall by the wayside. Why do consumers need us now? Most are not marketers, they don't have a network of people who have the capability to attract buyers, they do not have the time to learn about all the technology, they do not know the ins and outs of the paperwork, etc. So, there is room for us to provide services. Consumers have the right to participate in the sale of their property, doing those tasks which they are capable of doing and comfortable doing. We can help them by performing those tasks and critical fiduciary responsibilities --and give them want they want--not the traditional commission arrangement.