Dare to be different!"? I don't mean "dare to be bizarre" or "dare to be controversial." Different is only better when it starts with a common, understandable foundation.'From there, a differentiation in"?service quality, service type, knowledge, etc."?can make a huge"?impact with the public.'Here are a few ways that you may consider"?becoming different than your competitors:

1. Enhance your knowledge, credentials, and designations."? First, start with your basic qualifications."? You need to have"?met the"?standards"?that are commonly achieved by others in your market and at your level."? For example, if all the experienced real estate sales associates whom I identify as my competitors all have their GRI designations, then that is my starting point for designations."? Ask yourself, based upon your real estate specialty and the customer/client base to whom you provide your services, what other education and designations would help you stand out from the crowd"?? Do I sell luxury homes"?? Then perhaps I should pursue my ALHS (Accredited Luxury Home Specialist) designation.' Do I sell investment property to sophisticated investors"?? An MBA might be a great enhancement when I compete in this market!"?

2. Examine your customer service quality and quantity."? How much customer service do you deliver and how well do you deliver it"?? Do your customers and clients rave about the superior service that they are receiving from you"?? Or do they give anemic, lukewarm responses when asked about how you've done"?? If they are not absolutely signing your praises, it might be time to reevaluate what you are doing."? First, how much service are you delivering?"? Are you calling sellers once a week, even if you have nothing to report"?? Are you in regular communication with your buyer as the closing nears"?? Do you have a number of easy ways for buyers and sellers to contact you and are you constantly checking to see if they have done so"?? What about quality of the service experience that you offer?"? Is the information that you provide well-researched and correct"""Are the methods that you are using to communicate impressive and efficient? Are you professional in your appearance and manner"?? Can the customer or client always rely on what you have told them?

3."?Conduct your business as a business."? Often, licensees"?begin in the real estate business not understanding that"?they are in business."? Create a mission statement that reminds you and informs your clients and customers what"?your business values are and what your target market is."? Use solid management principles- both in terms of task and people- to guide your business."? Learn to read financial statements and to effectively apply the information that you've gained from them."? Create policy manuals, procedures, and forms as needed to keep your business organized and on track.'Make no mistake- your clients will appreciate your well-managed business and how positively it affects every aspect of your dealings with them.

Will a set of appropriate, impressive"?credentials and designations, combined with excellent service quality and quantity, supported by a well-managed business set you apart from your competition"?? You bet it will!

Make your resolution today to "dare to be different"!