The By Referral Only program

Earlier this year my husband, Ross, and I took the time and opportunity to further our education. We traveled to Chicago to a three-day seminar where we discovered a truly unique group of people in our industry.

We have since traveled to Nashville for a follow-up one-day round table meeting to plot our 2002 business plan and have four more trips scheduled over the next 12 months in conjunction with this group.

We prioritize learning in all aspects of our lives. The most successful and happy people we know have the motivation to constantly improve rather than the more typical "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. So, we have continually looked for the best of the best to learn from.

Most programs in our profession tend to focus on what you can do to make big money, get where you want to go and be a super star. The By Referral Only program puts focus on being a "super servant" rather than a super star. In other words, the purpose of the teaching is to make us better at serving our clients.

Everything the seminar pointed out appealed to us immediately, probably because it focused on the principles by which we have always striven to govern our business -- by giving our clients and customers world-class service. They are then motivated to send us their friends, family and coworkers. We are thereby able to devote ourselves to our current clients rather than devoting an enormous amount of energy and resources to finding the next client.

One obvious advantage of associating with a group of highly successful professionals with your same principles is the affirmation. Let's face it, in a lot of professions the most ethical, service oriented, dedicated ones are often overshadowed by the more aggressive, horn blowing, self-serving types. It is assuring to meet and be encouraged by others who stick to their principles and are able to be highly successful year after year without compromising.

What makes the By Referral Only community worth the investment is not only the affirmation. Their systems, which are progressively perfected, enable us to provide our clients the service that we want. If we had to develop, perfect and implement the systems ourselves it would require hours away from clients, family and our real lives.

If every agent in our area became part of this organization, our job would ultimately be so much more enjoyable. Certainly the public would benefit too. The systems work for real estate, insurance and lending professionals. If you have any interest, do not hesitate to call. We are happy to help get you connected.

Cynthia deJournett Austin is the CFO of Team Austins Inc. and Realtor with RE/MAX Achievers in Cape Girardeau. www.teamaustins.com, email at cynthia@teamaustins.com or (573) 979-SOLD.