Business Coaching

by Darrin DeRoches June 23 - 29, 2011

I met with a client the other night and a real estate broker was sitting at the same table.  I recognized him from his ‘bus bench ads’ so I introduced myself and we started to have a little small talk and a few drinks. Eventually the talk rolled around to the topic of real estate and when I referred to my clients latest sale the real estate broker asked my name, again, and immediately referred to my company as the one with “the limo!’ and how he reads my articles. So, a few more drinks and the “bus bench guy’ and the ‘limo guy’ start to talk real estate.     As a seasoned real estate broker he understood the ins and outs of the industry and he could really relate to the effectiveness of our company limousine and the use as a mobile office. “Brilliant” was a word he kept using when referring to the limousine and the service we provide.  It was refreshing to hear his perspective and how he understood how Unique Realty strives to provide full service when it comes to real estate.  Our conversation covered all the bases of real estate but we both kept asking what each other thought was the best avenue to reach potential clients.     The big thing in today’s world of business is “coaching.”  There are businesses coaches who- for a fee – will help you improve your life and increase your business.  There are several different approaches and fees involved.  Some top agents talk to a coach daily and spend thousands of dollars a month for this service; others may talk weekly and spent about 500 bucks a month to have a ‘coach.’  A coach may be successful themselves but like a coach in any sport he may have never succeeded but he knows the ‘game’ and how to motivate.  The game today is to really connect with a perspective client.  Years ago you did direct mailing, then email blasts, now Facebook and twitter.  Thank you cards with a personalized note are the latest and greatest marketing tool.  I agree with all these methods and I use them all to stay in contact with clients, but what about getting a coach?     I have another business friend who used a coach in his business and he was all head over heels with the coach – at first.  A coach will keep on you and use all the buzzwords – but what really resonates with a buyer or seller in today’s market? We both came to the same conclusion that old school service and the personal touch will never go out of style or become a buzzword. You are making the biggest financial decision in your life, service and knowledge will go a longer way than a coach or a buzzword!   V Darrin DeRoches is a local real estate and mortgage broker. He can be reached to answer questions, comments or stories about real estate experiences through this weekly column at mail@uniquerealty.ca.