Owners, brokers, exalted ones lend me your ear! Today is the day to become students of history. To learn from mistakes made in the past. Does the royal library lack history books? Send out the servants to fetch them! The servants are busy on other important affairs of state? Perhaps, while exhausting yourself with strenuous retail therapy or the daunting task of where to holiday next, you could swing the golden carriage by the Barnes & Noble bookery? It will only take a minute, Sire. Books written about the French Revolution or the American Revolution would be a good place for his Highness to begin.
Why such laborious reading? Sire, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Those who can’t read the writing on the walls are likely to wake up from their feathered pillows and find that neighboring brokerages have raided their precious little kingdoms. They will find themselves oblivious to the fact that their former citizens voluntarily renounced the crown and ever so enthusiastically swore allegiance to their new brokerage.
Surely I must jest? Certainly not! The people are tired. The people are hungry. The people are overworked and underappreciated. The people are frustrated with being asked to wait weeks to receive their commissions from the Royal Treasury. The people moan at their deprived conditions while you bask in your splendor. The people are growing deaf from all the lip service uttered from the Throne. Bothered by all the pretty windowdressing that brought them here but window shopping is as close as they are allowed to come. Outsiders looking in…
They demand action! They long to see a plan. They want to witness improvements made to the Kingdom. Fortifications made to protect them from outside forces hell-bent on plundering their farms and territories. Training to help them embrace changing times and rapidly evolving technologies. But, most of all they want to know that you actually care about their wellbeing more than prancing in your fancy robes at Court like a peacock strutting around the barnyard.
Who can you learn from in order to right the ship? This lowly jester is delighted to have your ear, Sire. Might I ever so humbly remind his Lordship that:
Marie Antoinette taunted “Let them eat cake.”, right before she had a date with a certain razor that starts with the letter “G”. No Sire, I don’t mean Gillette to shave her Royal Legs silky smooth for your viewing pleasure.
King George III roared, “Peace of mind! I have no peace of mind. I have had no peace of mind since we lost America. Forests, old as the world itself, plains, strange delicate flowers, immense solitudes. And all nature new to art. All ours. Mine. Gone. A paradise lost.” Lost sire. Lost…
Of course, there are others, your Lordship. An entire feast of spoiled morsels garnish the dining table of history on what not to do. And yet, there is still time. A difference can be made. Changes can occur. Opportunities to demonstrate what type of leader you really are.
If not, then you will witness your paradise lost in the Franchise Revolutions and The Declaration of the Independents who have grown tired of just eating cake. Just getting by. History shall reveal your nakedness for the entire world to see.
Farewell oh king. Farewell.
Courtney Cooper says:
Farewell indeed. I am seeing that left and right with some of the biggies!
August 16, 2008 — 3:04 pm
Gary McNinch says:
Yes, Jess, I talked with a queen from the Blue and White Country yesterday, about to lose her castle. Times have changed, so we must sharpen our axes. Read and learn from history. List and Sell (and go forth and conquer.)
August 16, 2008 — 3:27 pm
Jessica Wynn Horton says:
@ Courtney Yes, but it isn’t just the big local names and big brands. Broker/Owners need to improve their offerings to their agents and empower them to really take care of the customer. Every man for themselves and me first isn’t the attitude needed in this industry. You’ve got to take care of your people.
@ Gary We need to improve and help our company improve. It’s time for focusing on getting things done through our people and not what can our people do for u$.
August 16, 2008 — 4:58 pm
Lane Bailey says:
Commented elsewhere…
August 16, 2008 — 7:41 pm
Jessica Wynn Horton says:
@ Mr. Bailey! :p
August 16, 2008 — 7:59 pm
laurie mindnich says:
Jessica, you’re going to get me hooked here. I am absolutely astonished that great real estate salespeople (who, by the way, in NY are often on a 50-50 split) don’t do exactly that. I’d rather have my own business chop off my own head- or NOT.
August 16, 2008 — 9:11 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
Jessica!
That was a work of art! I needed that laugh,,,,along with the serious point behind it this am. I am employed by the King (to teach Technology, ya know..grin)
Thanks!
Eric
August 17, 2008 — 3:42 am