The Sea of Opportunity by Deanna Adzima, Licensed Oregon Realtor with Century21 Gold Country Realty

"With every tide you witness ebb and flow. So it is with life, the ebb and flow of opportunities. Yet another opportunity is offered to you today."
- Sathya Sai Baba

As entrepreneurs, opportunities are what sustain us, our livelihoods, and our futures. Yet like agates on the beach, we sometimes fail to recognize them or make the effort required to harvest them. Each person we meet or interact with in the course of our daily lives presents us with the opportunity to either promote ourselves, gain new business, or cultivate existing business. Even if a particular person is not in the market for our products or services at that moment, they could be in the future or know someone that might be.

See Them - So, how do we take advantage of the daily opportunities that are offered to us? First, we must begin to see all of our connections with people as opportunities. These include, but are not limited to the following: Family members, friends, our hairdresser, the DMV clerk, and yes even the cashier at McDonald's. Don't assume that someone is NOT YOUR TYPE of client or wouldn't be interested in what you have to offer.

Prepare For Them - Then, prepare for those potential daily encounters. Keep your planner with you - or at the very least - a small notepad to jot down names, addresses and phone numbers.

Be ready to talk about your business at all times. Not only how you are doing, but how what you are doing fits into a bigger picture - be it the economy, health, the environment, you get the idea. My next-door neighbor has a knack for appearing out of nowhere usually at the exact moment that I'm hustling to bring in the garbage bins or when I'm covered with dirt after attacking weeds in my yard. Yet, when he asks me about my business I respond quickly, confidently and a positively about my current listings and our local real estate market.

The dictionary defines the word Opportunity as follows: A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances, A favorable or suitable occasion or time, or A chance for progress or advancement.

Connect with Them - You might encounter your next business opportunity (client) at the grocery store, the hair salon, or while picking up your clothes at the drycleaner's. Be ready to make a connection with potential clients whenever and wherever you are. Keep a healthy supply of business cards in your purse, your car, and at home. I even tuck them into my backpack when I go on a hike and keep a few in my mountain bike zipper bag. Offer a friendly smile, a confident introduction, and a firm handshake and your card. I'm not talking about harassing every person you meet in the course of your day. Your interaction shouldn't be forced or fake. Just be yourself.

Machiavelli said that "Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."  Perhaps the person whom you dread running into or talking to could be the very one to give you a business lead. Don't be afraid to ask them.

Follow Up With Them - Send a quick e-mail or handwritten card to people that you encounter during the day or at special events. Such as "Hi Mary, I really enjoyed seeing you at Art Walk on Friday. Let's get together soon!" Then, call to follow through. Oh, and by the way, always take advantage of the opportunity to simply say Thank You!

Don't dwell on the opportunity you missed today. The tide will come in again tomorrow. Be ready for it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Sponsors

Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner

Web Advertisements

Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner