What Happened to Job Titles?

I remember when I could call a company and speak to a sales person, fly on a plane and be assisted by a stewardess and ask a secretary to help mail out letters. Today...not so much. Sales people are account executives, stewardesses are flight attendants and secretaries are executive assistants.

Seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for adding some spice to your title to make you and the customer feel better, but when does it stop? At what point are all job titles too inflated? Will we reach the level where all people are vice presidents, presidents, and engineers? Have we become so sensitive and PC that it's offensive to be called a sales guy?

The point of the job title is to allow others to understand who you are and what you do. If people at all companies are using the same generic spiced up titles, has the new title been diminished? Value has not been improved because you changed a title and respect will not be increased because your title makes you sound important.

If we have to inflate our job titles to generate a boost in confidence from the employee and the customer, could that be a sign that we have a much larger problem? Perhaps instead of working on the job title, we can focus on the person, the service, or the product. If you want to create a new job title, make it original.

Curt Fletcher aka The Likeability Guy, is a Real Estate Professional, Business Development Strategist, Published Author of the book, "How To Sell More Homes and Increase Your Income," Sales Trainer, and REALTOR with Atrium Realty Group in North Texas.

When is the best time to buy a house?

Truthfully, the best time to buy a house is when you are in need of something different. Your need doesn’t always mesh with interest rates, housing costs or other market conditions. While it is nice to receive perks such as an $8,000 dollar tax credit or a sub 5.00% interest rate that is not the major factor in a purchase decision.

Buying decisions are truly made based on emotion rather than facts and numbers. This is the reason people are not currently buying homes in droves. As far as interest rates, prices and perks, there truly has not been a better time to buy in recent memory. Home builders and Realtors alike are all pounding the same general message. They say,”don’t wait, buy now” and take advantage of all these great financial benefits.

I personally think our customers can see through the fog. People understand that with fewer homes being built and purchased, home builders and Realtors are pushing the over obvious message in an effort to create income and revenue. What this constant message preaching actually tells the customer is that you don’t care about their needs. They feel you are more concerned about making a buck, which actually makes people cynical of your motives.

What consumers really want has not changed just because there are different market conditions. Our customers still want to feel appreciated. They want to feel that you are helping them for selfless not selfish reasons. The truth is that our clients will always be willing to purchase a home when their true needs match up with your ability to help. When this happens with more frequency, consumers will once again enter the market in greater numbers.

My advice is to stop preaching the same message as everyone else about interest rates and tax credits. Be different. Focus on the client and center your questions and statements on your clients’ desires and changing needs. A Realtor becomes successful when they figure out how to help their client resolve the problems they have in their current situation. Forget about the market and all the other nonsense.

Curt Fletcher aka The Likeability Guy, is a Real Estate Professional, Business Development Strategist, Published Author of the book, "How To Sell More Homes and Increase Your Income," Sales Trainer, and REALTOR with Atrium Realty Group in North Texas.