The concept of gratitude is always appropriate – every day, all year – but since this is Thanksgiving month, it seems especially so these days. That said, the standard list – family, friends, health, etc. – can get a little repetitive. Dare I say, trite?
So, looking for a a different angle on this, a telling statistic emerged as I was doing my 2024 business plan last week.
In a planning session at the office, we were challenged to take a genealogical look at our business – trace the roots of every deal as far back in our lives as we could go.
It was an enlightening exercise.
I’ve had a few deals from chance encounters, but the roots of most go much, much deeper – like back to a friendship I made in graduate school, for example. Doing a little simple math revealed that 83% of my business over the past nine years has come from family, friends, referrals, and repeat clients.
So, aside from being grateful for all the usual things friends and family bring to the table – love and support when the chips are down, good times and lots of laughs, good food, good drinks, good travels, all the things that make life a joy – there’s this: they bring me business!
Thirty-three deals with people who were already my friends before we workedtogether. Five deals with family members. Thirty-one with clients referred by family and friends. And fifteen with repeat clients.
I’ve always tried to be a good friend, brother, cousin, realtor – so I know I’ve had something to do with this. But it’s really a tribute to these people. No one has to be a good friend. No one has to work with me a second, third, or fourth time. No one has to be loyal, honest and true-blue.
But these people are. They have been – for decades, some of them – and they always will be.
So, here’s a great big shout out to this outstanding crowd. I could not be more grateful for all of you!!
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?