I found that a great way to escape the Texas heat in the summer is to go to the movies!
So, my husband headed to Tinsletown Plano this weekend to see The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
We marveled at the cinematography and computerized images on the XD-3D-Mega screen. So, why am I blogging about a movie; and what does it have to do with
being a commercial real estate broker, you ask? Plenty. I am not suggesting that we evolved from apes, but there were some traits displayed by these primates that got me scratching my head and wondering if maybe I could see a little bit of ‘monkey’ in my actions and attitudes as a broker….
Ape Truth #1:
Man not welcome in Ape village.
We are all a little territorial when it comes to our clients, right? I speak for myself when I say that I don’t like to share. And losing a tenant or landlord to my competition, is grounds for tribal expulsion. So, what’s a monkey to do? Ape must
stay in close contact to clients. Communication is the key. Regular and even frequent calling, emailing, dripping and lunching are critical to maintaining client relationships. Even if there is nothing positive or newsworthy to report, face time and talk time with clients will keep you in their village.
Ape Truth #2:
Younger Apes learn from Older Apes.
Yes, the junior brokers are watching the older brokers, so try not to act like a gorilla. That means younger apes are watching our work ethic, our integrity, our compassion and all those things that separate us from animals. And if I am not careful, they can pick up the bad, instead of the good. Monkey see, monkey do.
Ape Truth #3:
Ape dangerous with semi-automatic weapons.
When ape has spear, not too dangerous. When ape has machine gun, beware.
Yes, technology is our ally. So, I have to keep reminding myself to get more connected with CRM,
CoStar, Twitter, Facebook and other technology weapons. It will level the playing field against the competition.
Correction: battlefield.
Ape Truth #4:
Watch out for that Tree.
While swinging on the vine, Ape needs to keep head up and anticipate changes in the landscape. Don’t look down.
Look forward and around.
This goes for an assignment, a specific deal or even a client relationship. If we are always anticipating the unexpected, (changing trends in the
commercial real estate marketplace, in rental rates and concessions, in tenant-sizing, in governmental ordinances, etc.), then we are more likely to swing around the tree in front of us,
and not hit it.
Final comment is that this movie would not have been filmed in Texas. The setting is northern California. Texans are swinging on the vine, grabbing hold of what’s in front of them, and always looking forward and around. I guess that’s why Toyota is relocating from California to Plano. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Texas.
Melanie W. Hughes serves as Senior Vice President, Office Leasing. She currently has a portfolio of over 800,000 square feet. Corporate Office, 9400 NCX, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75231, Ph: 972-776-7046
