I recently sat down with Erin Ferguson to discuss her position as one of the top 1% of realtors. Being a top performer in any space should be recognized, but in realty, it is particularly impressive.
The failure rate for realtors in Calgary is daunting. Nearly 90% of all realtors will not make it to their 5th year and nearly 85% of all realtors that began in 2022 did not engage in a single transaction by the end of 2023.
At my consulting firm, I am fascinated and guided by the concept one of not many. As a 1 percenter, Erin certainly occupies the domain of being one of not many. She is literally in a space surrounded by a select few.
What can we learn from Erin and her distinguished position as one of the best realtors?
I asked Erin what she considered to be the most important factors to her success. "I think for me, if you meet me on the street, or you meet me representing you, I am the same person...super authentic. It's just me." On top of being authentic, she added "having integrity is the most important part. Our job doesn't have the best reputation...unfortunately that happens, but that is why I got into the business. My first two experiences with purchasing homes was not great...and it left me feeling kind of icky... and that I could do it better and that it would be with integrity."
Real estate is an industry where trust is critical but often missing. Along the same lines as insurance and mechanics, the consumer is often at a disadvantage with knowledge and prone to being taken advantage of. Erin conscientiously drew a line in the sand and established herself as a personable realtor based on a foundation of trust based relationships.
It could be argued that Erin, whether intentionally or accidentally, deliberately chose to be different. In a space short on trust, Erin built a business based on integrity and authenticity.
The key lesson is that Erin has built a business that stands out from the competition. Her business is differentiated. Whether it is her clever branding or relentless focus on building genuine relationships, Erin has meaningfully separated herself from the competition and as a result she has been recognized as an elite performer.
As a small business owner in any industry, you want to be a top 1% performer as well. At Inegma Consulting, I can be your consigliere and guide you on the path to becoming one of not many.
I would love to hear your story. Contact me directly ken@inegmaconsulting.com or 587.574.9521