You hit on something I’ve been thinking about a bit lately: what about the internet makes us more willing to help others?

Is it the visibility? Is it simply easier to help others on the web and SM?

Another question: Are we really being altruistic when doing so?

Great piece. Thanks.

Daria: Now take that *outside* the office!

Ken: Great minds think alike

Chris: ** bowing ** (thank you!)

I also give away all my “blogging” secrets when I speak.

Why?

I know 99% will never do them, they think they will, at the time but some never even start.

As I learned that there was this sort of “open source” movement online, I began to discover it offline too. Within my office, I began to ask questions of other agents and they gave me mountains of personal-experience-based information. The kind of stuff every new agent should know. Then I began to get it from agents outside my office. Two of my best sources for ideas, tips, hints, and new ways to solve old problems are “competitors” in my area. We’ve shared some pretty interesting pieces of information that only serves to benefit us all. How is this possible? By wanting the industry as a whole to be better for the consumer and knowing that there’s more than enough business for us. We know that if we stand out, we can be the best in town, and that can only lead one place – to more business for all of us…without cutting into each other’s bottom lines. I’d rather lose a client to one of them then to someone I don’t think would take good care of a client.

In fact, recently, after being told I was out of the running for a referral, I recommended my competition. Why? Because I still want that consumer to have the best experience they can have and I knew the agent I recommended would provide that. If you’re not going to work with me at least work with someone who will be great.