Are you sedulously and asperitly practicing oscurantism? Are you persistently taking great care an effort to harshly and deliberately hinder the decimation of knowledge?
Do your clients trust you? Or do they prefer Uncle Charlie? Or maybe the TV "House Hunters?"
Are you a real estate "Expert" or a real estate "Professional?"
You know that expert and professional are not synonymous, don't you?
You know that experts are not necessarily professional.
You know that the most useful and trusted professionals are not necessarily experts.
I write in Correl Word Perfect so I started by looking up the two titles in it's dictionary.
"professional > ... a person having impressive competence in a particular activity."
You'll notice I left out the parts about "being part of a professional group" that's just plain wrong! You can be a member of a group with out being professional and you can be professional with out a group! I also left out the non-sense about "being paid" experts are paid, incompetents are paid, totally unskilled labor is paid. Being paid regardless of the amount is no measure of professionalism! Welfare mothers are paid are they professional and our mothers amateur?
"expert >noun a person who is very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular area."
I might have added "small" as in "skillful in a particular small area!" This is in contrast to a very general activity, defining the professional.
It use to be said, "an expert is anyone more than 50 miles from home with a briefcase!" After more than a decade traveling around the country with the old Farm and Land Institute, I think I understand that old definition. People 50 miles from home didn't know you weren't an expert, and if you are an expert it's safe to acknowledge you because you're probably not a competitor! Today the Internet has made us all competitors. So today experts really do need to know everything about an ever shrinking subject!
Experts work cheep! How can someone who may charge you several hundred dollars an hour be cheep? It's very simple you can make money on an expert's advice.*
Experts must know the answers!
Professionals must know the questions!
Professionals, real estate professionals coordinate the entire real estate process. To be a real estate professional is a matter of attitude, fortitude, tenacity and knowing the questions! It's not necessary to know the answers, it's necessary to know and ask all the questions! It's necessary to select and control the experts.
The professional's job is to protect his client and get the project done! The expert's job is to answer the questions ask.
It's possible to be both professional and an expert, but why limit yourself?
Experts will always be necessary. Necessary to the professionals! Professionals with broad knowledge are so much more useful! Professionals know there is always more than one way, if any one expert isn't available or up to the job there is always another way to get the information!
Professionals are trusted because they cite the experts!
Agents, who claim way to much "expert knowledge" in a board spectrum are doubted, and rightfully so!
Do you present yourself as a Professional or an Expert? Do your business cards and on-line profiles list you as an expert or even "Specializing" in every thing your license allows? If so, then don't except to be respected!
You are not specializing if you list every possible specialty! Such puffery leaves a bad taste in the clients mouth, like a dentists who was practicing proctology on the patient before you!
Experts are great! But, if you're going to become an expert you'll have to limit your area of expertise.
Professionals on the other hand can practice in all markets because they rely on experts for local details. Professionals can be trusted because they cite the appropriate experts.
Is it possible to be both? Of course, but why limit yourself?
Personally, I've been a professional fiduciary for 36 of the last 40 years. And the only expertise I claim is I'm the world's best expert on the opinions of William J Archambault Jr! On other subjects I know how to get the answers, I'm a real estate professional.
*Those oh so valuable experts go from cheep to outrageously expensive if ask an open ended question or the wrong question!
Bill
William J Archambault Jr
The Real Estate Investment Institute
wja@reii.org 832-259-7078 or 702-516-1569
From my past: GRI 1975, FLI 1974, Catalyst from a client 1974 an agent that makes things happen, REII, The Real Estate Investment Institute 1995.
©William J Archambault Jr ©The Real Estate Investment Institute ©REII
There now..all right now and then some. That post will make you think, give a lasting impression that you can not just read and walk away from. We are all "practicing", learing and should become humbled as a daily experience.
Andrew,
My "Akillie's Heal" I've never been humble, subdued when absolutely necessary, always respectful. but never humble.
Making you think is all I'm trying to do.
Bill
Do I sense a pedantic endeavor towards circumlocution ?
Ambage ? Periphrasis ? :-)
Well written. Thanks for posting.
David,
Those that know me well would say "I'm a man of few words." Or was that "I'm a man of a few to many words." It's a conundrum.
Thanks.
Bill
Bill - My favorite line from your writing is that you are the "world's best expert on the opinions!" Thanks for the edification.
Wendy,
We're all good at something!
Bill
Bill OK I need to read this again, so I guess I know what I will be doing in the morning now :)
George,
I shall a wait your considered opinion.
Bill
Bill, I have read the blog for a second time, and I am still not certain I understand it all, but it is a little clearer than yesterday. This might require a third reading.
I will one a couple of things, first the reason why being paid is in the definition of professional is probably because an athlete is definded as an amateur or professional as to whether he/she is paid or not.
And I would challenge you to the claim to the title of "world's best expert on the opinions!" :) :) :)
George,
I'll be glad to debate you on my opinions! Further, if I'm mistaken about my opinions I'll be sure to tell you! Trust me, have I lied to you before?
Like a polecat politician the day after a press conference, I'll explain any mistake you think heard were not what I said!
Bill