?Real Estate Business is a People Business
5 Replies
- Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes13y
Tom,
You seem to like to take complicated subjects and try to whittle them down into pithy quotes and simplistic rules. But, when you do that, you lose all the value of the underlying ideas. As Einstein said, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." Note the last part of that statement.
That said, EVERY business -- real estate or not -- is about customers. No customers, no business. Real estate is not special in that regard.
But, to say things like, "...it is not about spreadsheets," is just an unsophisticated view of how businesses work. I know plenty of businesses that have lots of happy customers that don't stay in business because the owners think all they have to do is churn out a product people love, and the rest will take care of itself.
Take a look at the failure rate of restaurants. Much higher than the typical business. This is true for many reasons, but the most common mistake restaurant owners make is confusing the product with the business. They think that if they can make awesome food that their customers love, they'll make lots of money. They forget (or never realize) that a good product and happy customers is just one part of the equation.
If it were just about happy customers, the recipe for a successful business would be giving everything away. For example, you could make your customers happier (and get more customers) by cutting your rents in half, furnishing your units at no extra charge, throwing in free 70" LCD TVs in your units, etc. -- if it's all about customers, why don't you do that?
Because it's not JUST about customers...
- Real Estate Investor · Englewood, CO · Member since 2013 · 988 posts · 258 votes13y
- If you do not like my posts, then please do not bother reading them.
- If my subject matters are too simple or beneath your intellect, then ignore my posts.
- If your only intent is a personal attack on me, then please do not respond to my posts.
- Is this helping your creditability or to sell your books?
It is all right to have opposing viewpoints. In fact, that is what my posts encourage - conversations and various viewpoints. However, many times, it seems you only want to be argumentative for argumentative sake. Not just with me, but others as well that have an opinion that differs from yours.
The personal attacks are not a contribution - simply unnecessary.
When you make major errors expressing your opinions, I do not bring them to light - it is not my place or duty. Please extend the same courtesy by avoiding personal attacks or being argumentative just to be so.
Have you ever wondered why you had difficulty with the mentors you approached in the past?
- Real Estate Investor · chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 231 votes13y
i do not feel jscott is attacking you...he is trying to help those on here. your posts, while trying to help, just make no sense. don't ever screen a tenant? no late charges? happy customers?
I appreciate your input, however, what you're saying on here is a recipe for disaster for the newbs.
- Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes13y
Originally posted by Tom Goans:
- Is this helping your creditability or to sell your books?
...
Not just with me, but others as well that have an opinion that differs from yours.
...
When you make major errors expressing your opinions, I do not bring them to light - it is not my place or duty. Please extend the same courtesy by avoiding personal attacks or being argumentative just to be so.
...
Have you ever wondered why you had difficulty with the mentors you approached in the past?
Hi Tom,
Clearly I hurt your feelings...that wasn't my intent. Had I thought my words would be hurtful to you, I certainly would not have posted. I sincerely apologize.
To your points above:
- No, I can't imagine that my posting my frank opinions all the time helps me sell books. Therefore, it's logical to conclude that I don't really care about how many books I sell. Anyone who knows me or has followed me for the past couple years knows that making money off of helping people is far, far down my list of goals. As long as I'm minimally compensated for my time, I'm happy to provide anyone the information I have (and my book sales minimally compensate me for the time I spent writing them).
- Yes, I express my opinions more when my opinions are contrary to what's been said. The alternative is to say, "I AGREE!!!" all the time. I don't see the point in that. Also, you seem to assume that the fact that I often disagree with you is a function of my beliefs...there's another alternative, you know.
- You say that when I make a major error, you purposefully don't point it out. As if you're doing me a favor. Personally, the reason I spend my time here is to help people out, and that is often accomplished by pointing out when I believe people make errors. You're not doing anyone any favors by not pointing out when they make mistakes. So, don't hesitate to tell me when I'm being an idiot...that's how I learn! My wife is constantly reminding me of how little I know...so it certainly doesn't hurt my feelings when it's pointed out by strangers... :-)
- I have never, ever wondered why I've had difficulties with mentors. Because I never had difficulties. I spent 15 years in the technology industry before I was lucky enough (in my opinion, people under-estimate the role of luck when it comes to success) to be able to "retire" from that industry; in that time I had 2 mentors, and I owe much of my career and business success to them.
By the way, your comment about my having trouble with mentors I've "approached in the past" tells me that you don't truly understand a mentor/mentee relationship. I've never "approached a mentor"...that's not how the relationship works. A true mentor picks you, not the other way around.
All that said, again, I'm sorry for hurting your feelings...that wasn't my intent. I'll try to be nicer in the future.
- 13yEngelo RumoraBusiness MemberInvestor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
Agreed :)
It is much easier to keep repeat customers happy than to go out looking for new ones.
I also believe that good communication is a big key to success in both personal and business relationships.
Thanks for reading :)
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.