It’s been a while since I put pen to paper (figuratively speaking) but when I’m challenged, it’s my best way to rationalise what’s going through my mind when it’s troubled and hopefully, at the end, gives me some perspective and clarity. 

In short, welcome to my latest brain dump. Apologies in advance. It’s one of my ‘wordy’ ones.

What am I troubled by?.. Well… Lots. But here’s a start. There’s no argument that the current social challenges created by protracted lockdowns and reduced freedoms is taking its toll on most of us. And, clearly, it’s affecting some more than others.  

I want to be clear from the outset that my covid experience is not your covid experience. No judging or comparing by me here. I’m crystal clear that I’m one of the lucky ones. 

Yes, I’ve lost 90% of my speaking and MC work through the cancellation of events across the country. My consulting work is also running at 10% of its normal demand as people understandably cautiously navigate a new normal.  But I do have perspective.  

I haven’t lost my house or my car. I haven’t had to sack any staff, or rationalise any assets to stay alive. There is food on my table and beer in my fridge. 

I am still in possession of my sanity, although Tara would be happy to argue that point. I still have my health and plenty of opportunities to change my business model.  (You should check out my new Zoom room.) 

I live in a country where the governments I voted for (and also against) are doing what, in their minds, is their absolute best to fight for us all, against what is a constantly moving target, and I’m cheering them both on to do a job that I wouldn’t want in a lifetime. 

So, what’s the cause of my current troubled mind? 

Daily, I’m seeing social posts from some of my dearest friends turning darker. Conversations I’m having are less light with many people. It’s been a long 21 months.  People are getting tired. Their resilience is being challenged more than ever before and, sadly, cynicism is taking over.  

As a side comment: If you’re worried about the jab containing some kind of unknown poison, that’s totally your call. But, personally, I think we should be much more worried about the toxic effects of the cynicism that’s running rampant. If it’s allowed to infect us at its current rate, we’re gonna have bigger long term societal problems to face than a passing once-in-a-generation pandemic.  …..  But I digress.

Those who know me well will know me as an optimist.  I pride myself on being that ‘glass half full’ kinda guy. And if that glass ever starts to get even a little bit empty, I’m first to the bar to fill it up again.  Optimism and positivity are what keeps me sane. 

Sure, I know that sometimes the world is crappy and shift happens, but I absolutely believe that we are our own best motivators.   (For many years, it was my bank manager. But decades of bloody hard work eventually silenced him!)

But not only are we our own best motivators, it’s the things we say and do that also motivates others.  Lots of others. Both positively and negatively.   

Now, I’m not suggesting that we all run out and start posting motivational memes every Monday*. *In fact if I see you doing that, I’ll probably come over and tap you on the shoulder, fiercely. I draw a hard line at not posting Motivational Memes. Please keep those for your own vision board.      

What I am saying is that the message you send out socially or in person can have a really profound effect on your Tribe and beyond.  

Now before you accuse me of ‘pulling a Zuck’ and suggesting that what you say, do, and post should be censored.  I’m 100% not.   Knock yourself out, baby!  Post what you like. Have an opinion.  Don’t be a sheeple. (whatever TF that is)   

But please remember, what you, and if you’re in business, your people, say, do, and post has both direct and indirect consequences..They are the messages of their – and your – brand.

In 2011, I wrote a few pieces for a business I was involved in at the time. The pieces related to the commercial perils of some of our sales team sharing some very strong opinions online about the politics of the day.  Are you picking up what I’m putting down here? Eg:  “Rudd’s a Dud” “Rippof Rudd” “Kev the Clown”, etc etc.   Passionate? Yes. Good for business? No. 

Fast forward from 2011 to today. I’m now witnessing some of my colleagues share some incredibly strong opinion pieces relating to the current situations we’re all being challenged by in Oz. 

Comparisons of our current circumstances to Nazi and Jewish death trains. 

References to similarities between our lives and oppression and communism, and the Tiananmen Square Massacre.  

Today, I read a comparison that we’re all victims of domestic violence, being held hostage at home by an oppressive partner (i.e., the government).     

Clearly they’re not views I subscribe to, nor do I think most of us do..  But they are opinions or examples shared by colleagues, some who hold senior roles in our business world today, and frankly I’m amazed that their employers, as responsible community citizens, are actually OK with it, or blissfully unaware of it.

And seriously, i’m reading these posts at the same time I’m reading about our colleagues new ‘beamers, their impressive watch collections, or how they’’re killing it or crushing it by setting seemingly new street or suburb records almost every day.  

That certainly doesn’t sound like oppression or communism to me! 

In the pieces I wrote for our team in 2011, I reminded our people of the golden rules of not talking politics, sex, or religion online.  It seemed reasonable in 2011 to remind our team of those days that simple basic political numbers suggested that 50% of your audience would applaud and back-slap you for your witty humour or loud political opinion, and the other 50% of people would think you’re an absolute dick, and would take an oath on a stack of their favourite religious doctrines to never do business with you again. 

Now, those numbers may not worry you in slightest, and that’s totally cool. I’m not telling you what to do. In fact, Tara goes to great pains to remind me that we’re all wired differently, and I acknowledge, that at 61, I’m getting into that ‘grumpy old man’ territory.  

I’m just saying that there are consequences for actions, whether it’s 2011 or 2021. Whether it’s Politics, Sex, or Covid that you feel the need to share your passionate opinions, or wild conspiracy theories about, that’s 100% your right. To take that away would be genuine oppression or real censorship.  

Personally, I choose to share optimism.

I personally choose to leave a mark of positivity. Of course, I’d like to understand vaccines better, and the actions of governments of all persuasions over my 61 years has left me with a healthy dose of skepticism. But, on balance, I am prepared to give them my trust to look after the best interests of my community. They have families too, and none of us are getting out of here alive anyway. 

But I really only have one conclusion and message today. It’s simply this. Just as I have. Please, before you hit ‘Post’ on anything you share on social media, give some solid consideration to the value of what you’re sharing. Consider whether it adds to the current rampant toxicity, whether it’s valuable, and whether you want it to be a permanent record of ‘Brand You’ once all this fades. And it will. 

I just want to share a reminder that there’s a silent majority out here, as Sting would sing, “watching every move you make, every vow you break, every smile you fake, every claim you stake, they’ll be watching you.” 

What will they be seeing and remembering?  I know what I choose. 

Here’s my 5 take-aways from a week with the man, the myth, the legend!

1. Leadership

During our chats we spoke at length about the leadership mindset of the military that should be adopted in real estate franchises and business. Brad said, “Feed your troops. The last person to eat in the mess hall is the Leader”. Many here have much to learn in this space!

There is without doubt, a global leadership revolution going on. Eg: Brexit, Trump, etc. At all levels from politics to community, corporate to shareholders, franchisors to franchisees, institutes to members, and businesses to teams. In many cases, the leadership model is now being driven from the bottom up. Brad has just completed a survey of the real estate industry at all levels on the topic of ‘Leadership’ and is compiling a book on the topic of new Leadership in Real Estate I think it’ll be a fascinating read!

2. The need to embrace diversity

Brad’s simple thoughts on diversity struck a chord with me: “If there’s a man on his stage, then there must be a woman on stage” Now, he had MUCH MUCH more to say on embracing diversity, but when I look at so many Events in the property industry, there has been a long history of a strong bias towards what I once infamously called a ‘sausage fest’. Ie: Too many of us blokes on stage!

Brad continued to challenge that “if we continue to listen to the same old speakers and stick in the same old circles, we’ll only ever reinforce our own bias and learn nothing” . He noted if his recent events didn’t embrace diversity, we wouldn’t have heard and learned from 3 of the worlds leading scientists on climate change, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology, who happened to be transgender. We need to stretch our minds and be prepared to challenge our own bias. But that won’t happen without each of us embracing diversity.  

3. Old school still works

Brad shared a wonderful story of being set the task, by his ailing father from, his hospital bed, to find a Realtor to sell the family home. Brad, who had built a 100 million dollar tech company that helped consumers find real estate agents, spent 3 days researching the right Realtor to sell his Dad’s home. He met again with his Dad who asked, ‘”is the house on the market, Brad?’… Brad’s reply was “not yet, i’m a bit confused, Dad”…
His fathers reply was priceless…. He simply said:… “Brad, go home. Go to the fridge. On it you’ll find a magnet. Call that guy. He sells all the houses in our neighbourhood” A priceless reminder that tech can be cool. But that people with proven track records and simplicity are still at the forefront of what we do.

4. Having more cheques than bills

Brad’s wisdom on business and changing markets. He said.. “Don’t waste your cash in the good times”. “It will ensure you have plenty of cash to 5 times your business when others are in trouble”. “Always make sure you have more cheques than bills”.

5. The power of personal the recommendation

I’ve always been a huge proponent of the power of a personal recommendation. More and more we are being driven by the power of ‘Social Proof’ in our decision making. Eg: Tripadvisor – RateMy Agent etc.

But what Brad Inman had to say in the video below, blew my mind!

Brad Inman Peter Brewer Tara Christianson from Peter Brewer on Vimeo.

Why not join me in San Francisco for Inman 2018? Private message me for a cracking deal for my Australian and Kiwi colleagues!

(This is a parody Media Release issued without the consent or Knowledge of Virgin Media)

If the above media release was found to be true (which it’s not) what would your reaction be if you were a real estate agent in Australia or New Zealand?…

Is it time for Australian and Kiwi Real Estate Agents to lift their standards?

[ut_button color=”mid-blue” target=”_self” link=”http://thatpeterbrewer.com/contact” size=”large” ]Book Peter to Zoom In To Your Next Team Meeting[/ut_button]

Is that industry ripe for disintermediation similar to Uber and Taxis and Airbnb and the Hotels and accommodation industries?

Comment below.  

[ut_button color=”purple” target=”_self” link=”http://thatpeterbrewer.com/contact” size=”medium” title=”Book Peter To Speak” ]Book Peter To Speak On This Topic[/ut_button]

]]> https://thatpeterbrewer.com/2015/07/14/virgin-real-estate-australia-new-zealand/feed/ 4 https://thatpeterbrewer.com/2010/08/09/liberal-labour-greens-speedos-rangas-sex-party-2/ https://thatpeterbrewer.com/2010/08/09/liberal-labour-greens-speedos-rangas-sex-party-2/#respond Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:03:44 +0000 http://inlinemedia.biz/?p=497 With things heating up in the final weeks and the ultimate determination of the winner of the Federal Election and with the passion some of us have for politics I thought it worthwhile revisiting a previous post regarding you and your businesses need for a social media policy.

We need to be very cautious at what we say online. The News Polls tell us that near enough to 40 to 50% of Aussies are aligned in some way with a political party. With this in mind is it smart business for you to share your political views with your social networks?.. Do you know what their politics are?. Would sharing your views assist or impede any future relationship you or your team may have with them. The Fact is that you’re guaranteed of affecting (read damaging) your relationship with around 40 to 50% your social network if you get too passionate about your politics online.

Your business needs a Social Media Policy. Have you got one?… Like a hand in building one?…  Call me today! Peter Brewer 2.0 0417 630 962

Let me acknowledge that we live in a free country and I value our freedom and right to express our feelings. Let me just say “Time and Place”…

Having a social media policy and expectations around the things your team say online is also critical as social sites  develop more and the line between clients, customers and friends gets blurry. An example may be that you or one of your team may have a particular opinion about politics, religion or sexuality. It may be that in an online world their opinions should be kept to themselves or only shared with (VERY) close friends. It just may be that the person reading your Facebook post or Tweet may have a significant leaning in an entirely opposite direction. Sure, its important to have and respect freedom of speech, but lets be mindful of the line between what we say in a personal world and what we say in a business world… and what effect those shared public opinions may have on future business and ongoing relationships for us and our businesses.

I think you’ll find the video below helpful in developing a simple social media policy for you and your team.

Go ahead.. Visit the website now by clicking