Over Christmas, my family and I ventured across the pond for a vacation in Japan. This was our first trip to the country, and we were excited to experience the food and culture.
We spent a week traveling through Japan, visiting several cities and areas. The trip would leave me with a lasting impression and was a lesson to me how I can better serve my real estate clients.
Below are four observations I made on our trip that might help you, too.
1. Be attentive and present with your clients.
I noticed that most of the store employees in Japan were present and mindful of their interactions with their customers. Whether at a gas station or a restaurant, the employees were almost always smiling, especially when greeting patrons of their businesses. The behavior was calming and infectious.
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As agents, we deal with several files at one time, and it’s easy to forget that there are people and emotions behind each file we work on. Being on the receiving end of that type of service, it was eye-opening to recognize how it made me feel. I realized that my clients might not always get that same level of service that they deserve.
2. Give your work 100 percent.
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Going above and beyond to satisfy clients seemed to be the norm in Japan. The businesses we visited made sure that we received a good experience at their establishment.
Once I needed medicine for a headache, and the convenience store we visited did not have any. Rather than send me on my way without what I needed, the manager went to his office and brought back his own stash of headache medicine for me to try.
Real estate is a stressful for all parties involved, and when doing similar tasks every day, it’s easy to forget that what’s not important to you might be important to your clients At times, I have done what I can to get a file off of my desk when I could have done more for that client. Regardless of the circumstances, my clients deserve 100 percent of my efforts.
3. Take pride in your work
I noticed people had a sense of pride in their surroundings and the jobs that they were tasked with. From employees scrubbing tile grout in public restrooms to the extra care packaging and bagging purchases at a local shop, people had a great sense of pride in how their work and products were perceived.
As agents, we might be guilty of the feeling or attitude that a house or particular client may not be worth a certain level of attention. I realized my attitude is a reflection of my business. Again, clients deserve 100 percent of my efforts.
4. Respect others and your surroundings
Tokyo was full of people nearly all hours of the day and night, and it’s impossible to describe the feeling of how big the city is and how many people were always around.
Despite the crowds, the city was relatively quiet. There was not honking, yelling or complaining. People had a respect and awareness for those around them. The courtesy and consideration for other people was amazing.
Respect for our colleagues and clients is critical. We might not all have the same views or opinions, but they are all equally important and should be respected.
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I’m surprised at how eye-opening and affected I was by what I experienced in my travels. Not realizing what I would learn about myself and my own business on vacation, I’m excited I can hopefully better service my clients and colleagues. I’m also excited to visit Japan again.
Kellie Tinnin is a Real Estate Agent in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow Kellie on Twitter @KellieTinnin.