Change is good, if you let people know about it

August 13, 2008 |

Someone once said, “the only constant is change.” I guess this is true. Things are always changing, including business. As real estate agents, we are always out there looking for the next strategy, technique, or practice that will make our business better and improve the experience for our clients and customers.

Problem is, sometimes we get so anxious to change, that we forget that people who put us in the position to change (our clients and customers) might not be as eager to change as we are. That’s not to say that they wouldn’t welcome change, or that they don’t think that it is good, just that, well, not everyone likes surprises.

If you are going to make a change to the way you do business, or the way you organize your website, anything that involves your clients and customers, keep them in the loop. Let them know what is going on. Heck, it might even be a good idea to get their input on the change.

After all, the reason we change is to benefit not only ourselves, but our clients and customers as well. Don’t they deserve to know what is going on?

A real world example. . .

This was a lesson of which I was reminded when I went to my local grocery store, Food Lion. It has been in desperate need of renovation. Now, not only are they renovating the store, but they have completely reorganized the entire inventory. The problem is, there is no way of knowing where stuff has gone. There is no sign describing the changes to folks, no way of knowing what is done, and what is still being done. This is a very frequently traveled local grocery store. I, and most of the people I know, have been going to that store multiple times a week for years. Despite its inadequacies, it was comfortable. Now, it feels awkward and strange. I guess I’ll get used to it, but I think that Food Lion could have done a little bit better job letting people know what is going on. Maybe just a few temporary signs when you enter the store, describing the changes and why they are necessary, etc. That would be good, and it would make me feel a lot better about what is going on. Just a thought. . .

Posted by Daniel Rothamel | Filed Under Blog, Helpful Hints, Video Posts 

Comments

2 Responses to “Change is good, if you let people know about it”

  1. Jonathan Dalton on August 14th, 2008 9:38 pm

    Can I tell this story here? Why not …

    Two decades ago when I was 17 I was in need of a certain item at the local Safeway. Buying since items back in 1987, especially being a first such purchase, was not the most comfortable experience.

    Walk in to the store and, of course, the items no longer were located where they had been located since well before I even knew what they were or why I might want one. Spent 20-odd minutes checking every single aisle because I didn’t want to hear the question being asked over the store’s intercom.

    Good times.

    [Reply]

  2. Daniel Rothamel on August 14th, 2008 9:59 pm

    [Reply]

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