Agents should dress for success

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Continued from page 2 cardiometabolic disease by 6 percent to 7 percent,” the group wrote in the study. If you want to try this with your family, make sure you have fruits and vegetables available at the table. Researchers found the extra time at the table was most effective with the evening meal rather than breakfast, when family members may not be as rushed.

Q and A

Q: How much fruit is too much?

A: Fruit is a key part of a healthy eating plan because fruits contain many nutrients that we need, from potassium to fiber to vitamin C and folate. A healthy diet that includes fruit has been found to reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. Fruit does contain natural sugars, but those natural sugars are processed differently than added sugars (found in sodas, desserts, energy drinks and ice cream) because of the fiber. It’s hard to get too much fruit in your diet. Most Americans don’t that I feel is suitable to wear them.

Business still dictates to a certain degree an acceptable dress code that will provide you with an optimistic and successful look in the eyes of your customers. A full 90 percent of the battle is to gain the acceptance of your clients and the need and want for them to like and continue to do business with you. In business people generally don’t get a second chance at a first impression, so dressing properly is the way that will provide and leave your clients with the best possible impression. This, in turn, can aid in the elevation of your potential future income.

I have seen agents with old, tired, and worn-out clothing that needs to be replaced and upgraded. Even their hair is not properly styled or at best combed and their beards are not trimmed. Don’t get me wrong, as these occurrences and instances aren’t the norm. Most agents are dressed well, especially the women, whose tastes and styles are usually impeccable. So without their shopping skills, our current economy would be even worse and really be in the pits!

It is really important to look in the mirror every day and ask yourself, “Would I buy from me if I were the client?” I hate to say this, but there are times when I have met some agents and noticed that their breath, let alone the way they were dressed, was truly unbecoming and repulsive and I had to take a step back or pivot to the side a bit so I wasn’t hit with the stale and absurdly foul air. I wanted to say something, but out of consideration and sympathy for all involved, I didn’t, but wanted to finish the showing ASAP!

I wondered whether they could have made a small effort to brush their hair and teeth, let alone floss on a regular basis. It never ceases to amaze me how there are business people who go out in the world so unprepared to meet their most important entities, their sellers, investors, purchasers, and renters without the foggiest thought of what they project or look like to others. Everyone needs to dress for success and learn to elevate their incomes in 2023 and beyond.

Just as a side note, we have a real estate sitcom that my good friend, professional comedian, and business associate and partner Rick Allen wrote based on my 42 years of real-life real estate experiences and research. We are in the process of gearing up to produce the show in the near future. It has an extremely hilarious character named “stinky Bob” as well as others who keep you laughing.