31 Dec A Mothers Unflinching Love.
A Mothers Unflinching Love.
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman - it had to be good.
Those are actors that no longer do movies just for the money.
"Air - Courting A Legend" is the Amazon original film of Nike's attempt to court Michael Jordan. At the time, a relatively unknown basketball rookie. I highly recommend watching. It's a film about the unbelievable game-changing partnership that revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture.
It's not about the player - Michael Jordan hardly gets a line in the script.
It's about the individuals around Michael that are simply trying to do the best for themselves and for Michael.
None more so than the character of Doloris Jordan, Michael's compassionate but strong-willed mother.
There's a lesson to be understood from the final 15 minutes of this film, as negotiations between Sonny Vaccaro of Nike and the Jordan family reach a conclusion.
Lessons that realtors/estate agents would do well to embrace.
Nike are selling the dream of immortality to the Jordan family. Adidas & Converse are selling the dream of money.
Nike are playing by the "rules" and negotiating hard in their attempt to court Michael Jordan - who considers them 3rd choice as a shoe brand.
Nike has matched the offers from Adidas and Converse but it's nowhere near a done-deal.
Until Dolores Jordan, played by the incomparable Viola Davis, makes the call to Sonny Vaccaro.
A call that has side-lined Michael's agent. A call that has Sonny Vaccaro on tender-hooks, wondering whether the Jordan family will accept Nike's offer.
"We are willing to accept the deal but with one minor provision. It's nothing. I assume its' omission from the terms was a clerical error. Michael will get a % of the revenue of each shoe that is sold bearing his name."
Not, very much not, how things were done at the time. As with real estate valuation, the highest offer often carries the deal.
But this was something entirely new. A player wanting a % of the sales. Shock, horror!!
Doloris continued:
" Every once in a while someone comes along who is extraordinary. It forces those reluctant to part with their wealth to do so; not out of charity but out of greed. Because they are so very special. And if they are that rare, that person demands to be treated according to their worth because they understand what they are worth..... A shoe is just a shoe until my son steps into it."
Right there is the problem facing pretty much every real estate agent.
They are not "rare" - in fact they are perceived as a commodity and priced accordingly.
They do not "understand what they are worth" because they compare themselves to every other agency. Incrementally "better" or "worse" but a comparison, nonetheless.
Doloris Jordan was not comparing her son, Michael, to any other basketball player, alive or dead.
She was shining a light on a rare talent. And demanding he be treated according to his worth. A mothers unflinching love.
Now I get that you might not value your worth as a realtor.
That you are satisfied with a fee just a little higher than your competition. That you risk losing the instruction if your fee is too high.
I'm not looking for those agents.
They lack arrogance. They don't have the courage to stand out. In the world of sport, they are often referred to as a "journeyman" pro.
I'm looking for potential.
Potential to become a game-changer. Potential to become immortal, in the world you inhabit.
You won't need vast experience. Michael Jordan was a rookie, never having set foot on a court as a professional, when this deal was inked.
But you will need the courage to stand out. Because it's not your competence or experience that is going to elevate your worth.
It is your character.
People get paid small money for what they do. They get big money for who they are.
Especially in real estate where trust is rare and BS is the order of the day.
Potential? Do you have it?
Enough to change the face of the industry?
Because that's what Michael Jordan's mother achieved.
Adding billions of dollars to every player's ability to increase earning potential.
Doloris went on to found several charities helping under-privileged children.
Michael Jordan was offered $250,000 a year in that first deal. His mother's belief in her son's worth allowed him to make a reported $400 million a year.
That's what a Mothers Unflinching Love can do.
Personal Brand will do the same. It will set you apart from the "ordinary".
It will attract those that consider no other agent - because you have that rare talent.
Trust your instincts.
It's just another home - until you step into it.
Here's how to reach me if you have the potential - Just Do It.
chris@andsothestorybegan.co.uk
Mob: (44) 07369251435
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Chris.
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