Have you ever worked for, been on a team with, listed property for, negotiated a purchase for, or been married to someone who personally could never do wrong and always blamed you (and others) for any error or mis-step? Personally, I like to think of those folks as contra-role models. I never want to be like them. I make a lot of mistakes, and I do my best to learn from each one.
The January, 2009 Reader's Digest listed a memorable quote from General David Clark which puts a little geometry into dealing with others (and this translates into both sales and customer service): "When something goes off-track in your organization, immediately start searching for the source of the problem, in increasingly larger concentric circles, beginning at your own two feet."
In my opinion, one of the most interesting parts of any job that involves dealing directly with the public is the chance to pick up on figures of speech you may not have heard before.
Yesterday I met with a customer who's proving to be a great referral source, For privacy purposes, we'll call her Kate. Kate grew up in Belfast (Northern), Ireland and continued to live in Belfast until completing her MBA at Belfast University.
Kate's an attractive, energetic, personable, strong-minded, well-educated entrepreneur. She presently runs a Business Coaching service and works with several clients as CFO-for-hire. In the 22 years since emigrating (or is it immi-?) from Ireland to the US, Kate has diligently practiced speaking the King's English in such a way that none of her Irish brogue is noticeable in general conversation.
Yesterday I called on Kate hoping for a tour of her new office. During the visit she brought me up to date on the status of a negotiation for the purchase of commercial real estate in which she's representing a mutual customer as business advisor. At the close of the conversation, Kate said, "So, we're at swings 'n' roundabouts." Not wanting to appear ignorant, but out of utter confusion, I asked, "Is that like saying "Six of one, half-dozen of the other"? "No, silly", she replied. "It's. . . "
Challenge to AR members: Please respond to this post with the answer to what the phrase "We're at swings n' roundabouts" means!
Have you noticed that the market drops like a stone every time our new president opens his mouth in front of a microphone? Is it too much to ask that the prez just remain quiet & do his job for at least a week at a time? Maybe spend some time finding cabinet appointees who pay their taxes?
Democratic President FDR famously said "All we have to fear is fear itself." This latest rock-star president from the same political party wants us to be afraid of everything, with the ultimate goal of deriving all security from the government. Please allow yourself to be creeped out by his Monday statement, "The only entity in this nation which now has the resources to pull us out of this economic crisis is the federal government." Aside from the fact that such a statement flies in the face of the ideals of American ingenuity and national pride, President Obama neglected to acknowledge the source of those resources: You & me, via the IRS.
Though references to Nazi Germany are always over the top, we can not forget (nor let our customers, family, and friends forget) that, all the "ethnic cleansing" and government excess of pre-WWII Germany came about because the highly-charismatic candidate for the highest public office in the nation skillfully and shamelessly used Germany's precarious economic situation as his platform to power. It worked for him, but look at what it did to Germany. Am I suggesting a personal parallel between that leader and our current US President? Certainly not, but the economic circumstances are chillingly similar.
We learned yesterday that national healthcare was slipped into the Pelosi Pork-ulus bill, as intended by Tom Daschle, specifically referenced in the book he wrote. Contraception & Socialist medicine won't get our economy jump-started any more than will taxpayers funding a theme park in Podunk, USA.
No one has proposed real stimulus, such as Dave Ramsey's suggestion of a $20K tax credit for anyone buying a home, and a $10K tax credit to companies for each new employee hired. Quoting Dave, "There's a reason that such things have not been proposed. It's not because they wouldn't immediately jump-start the economy. It's because no one in government would be in control and wouldn't get to take credit for the positive results."
If you haven't written your congressmen & raised the roof yet, what are you waiting for?
My ideal customer is a business owner who scratches his head when asked, "Who's your personal banker?" If you don't know who your banker is, you don't have one. A good place to start is right here.
I've been a community banker for 22 years, specializing in commercial real estate lending for the past 6 years. I've spent a significant portion of my career in commercial and residential construction lending, with a "minor" in Acquisition & Development (A&D) lending. I know the north Metro Atlanta real estate market because I grew up here.
Financial Advisors recommend doing business with community banks, based on the high level of personal service we provide. In times of uncertainty in the US economy, it makes even more sense to do business with a community bank. Crescent Bank is a 20-year-old community bank serving five of the Southern Appalachian counties which form a downward-facing C (crescent") over Metro Atlanta (www.cherokeechamber.com). We are a proud member of SBA's Preferred Lender Program (www.sba.gov & http://sbdc.kennesaw.edu/). Atlanta suburbs served by Crescent Bank's 11 full-service offices include Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Marietta, Acworth, Ball Ground, Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, Waleska, Cartersville, Adairsville, Jasper, Marble Hill, Big Canoe, Dawsonville, and Cumming. Crescent Bank & Trust of Jasper, GA is The Bank That Knows You By Name.
Whether it was an old boss, Robert Kyosaki, Dale Carnegie, John Adams, Dave Ramsey, Clark Howard, or your grandmother, no mentor has ever advised anyone to find a good bank. The advice is, "Find a good banker." Following the "birds of a feather" principle, good bankers will always be found at well-run, customer-centric banks. Crescent Bank & Trust of Jasper, GA - www.crescentbank.com - is an exceptional bank.
The U.S. economy will soon thrive again. When the tide turns, those who've established strong business relationships with a community banker will be in the driver's seat for continued success (www.georgiabankers.com).
B.B., small business owner & entrepreneur; Jan 25, 2008: "I have not had the pleasure of using Clark for Commercial Real Estate Lending, simply because I have not purchased any commercial property. I can say from other dealings that I would never hesitate to work with Clark. His level of integrity, customer service, honesty and care for his customers and acquaintances is unmatched by anyone else I have seen in the banking industry. He is quite simply one of the best."
D.O., small business owner & entrepreneur; Feb 29, 2008: "It is my pleasure to have had the opportunity to be in several organizations with Clark and serve on committees with him. He is a natural leader, very casual, down to earth and easy to talk to. His in-depth financial knowledge and exceptional mentoring skills allow him to make complicated subjects easy to understand. He is an excellent speaker and excellent at referring high quality business professionals when he is asked questions that are not in his area of expertise. Once you meet Clark, you are proud to call him your friend."
C.C., attorney; April 17, 2008: "I have had several opportunities to work with Clark in closing loans for his clients. In each instance, Clark's clients were obviously very pleased with Clark, Clark's service level and Clark's loan products. Moreover, when preparing for the closings, Clark was always responsive to our requests for information and HE ANSWERS HIS PHONE!! I like that."
E.D., small business owner, entrepreneur, & public servant; Dec 9, 2008: "Clark Blackwell is a true professional . I have known Clark since 1988, and he has been my banker for many years . You can trust his judgement . Clark treats each of his customers as if they are his only customer. I've had the honor to be associated with him both personally and professionally ."
S.A., small business owner & entrepreneur; Jan 23, 2009: "Having been in business for twenty years, and having run other businesses for four years prior to that, I've had the pleasure (or not) of dealing with many banks and bankers during that time. Clark Blackwell far exceeds anyone I have dealt with to date. He is straight forward, honest and sincere. Clark has been responsible for me choosing to move both my business and personal accounts to Crescent Bank and I have also taken a commercial loan with Crescent Bank to purchase another shop which Clark handled and it all went perfectly. But most importantly Clark has always been available, when I call him he either answers or calls right back and whatever the problem it gets handled. Our business is growing and prospering in this slow time and I do not believe we would be doing this well without Clark's help."
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