Homemade

Over the holidays I was fortunate enough to enjoy well cooked food made by family members as well as dining out. Now it's a well known fact that homemade food typically is healthier(Less salt/sodium) AND it's less expensive. Don't get me wrong—I love an evening out, and it gives Kelly (my wife) a break, but the whole experience had me thinking about business. WHY do consumers work with strangers vs. established professionals in their world?

Dining Out Vs. Eating at Home

Dining out means things are faster but more expensive. You can sit back and relax while the stranger prepares your ready made meal. Preparing your own meal means researching the recipes, prepping the kitchen and following instructions to cook the dish. It requires a little more time and some effort but you save money and eat better.

Spending a little time to put in the work usually leads to better results IN any endeavor. Imagine if homeowners and business owners focused more on relationship building with professionals in a variety of industries as they did with leisure activities. Yes I know some do BUT like the bloated diet of most American families, consumers and small business are missing out.

Fast...Easy...Unwise

Fast food is easy to obtain and "Professional" services are now a click away. Search on google or social media and there is a host of social media saavy mercenaries ready to get to work. HOW much accountability is their or commitment to your best interest IF the professional is more dependent on a click than being held accountable for their work? Do you believe high net worth individuals are rendomly searching for professionals to work with?

Some companies offer ALL services under one roof. I've been to some 'all inclusive' resorts and while they did some thing great NOT all things set a hugh bar. Do you REALLY trust ONE company to manage ALL your assets and make all your financial decisions for you? If you do, you can stop reading.

Raise the Bar

Consider that established successful people have built long term relationships with their doctors, lawyers, business associates through private clubs, schools and boards they work on. You can either despise them OR understand WHY they do it. In my industry, it's not uncommon for the consumer to "trust" the realtors Loan officer. It amazes me the prioriy people put on the relationship with the house finder rather than an expert that understands finance.

With improving technology it's getting easier to find available properties NOW more than ever before. Obtaining customized financing options and being part of an integrous wealth building group - NOT so much. What if you could have a team of chefs preparing your every meal? Consider evaluating where you're at financially and addressing your needs by surrounding yourself with subject matter experts from a variety of industries.

In your life, you have no doubt met many people and built hundreds of relationships for a variety of different reasons. WHAT does your professional team look like? HOW often do you meet with them? WHO else in their circle do you colaborate with?

Preparing a "Homemade" team starts with the Right Ingredients

The key professionals you need are all around you on social media. They're on your friends list OR your friend's friends lists. Like a NEW chef, there will be trial and error. With a focus on engagement, careful scrutiny, and a clear understanding of your long-term relationship goals, you can begin to categorize the professionals your family will need and create a menu for excellence.

A Better 2025

Many have set 2025 resolutions to eat better, diet better, exercise more BUT how many people are committed to earning more income through building relationships? Eating smart is great but going deeper in personal relationships to develop business income offers higher rewards. Maybe a little bit of both.

WHY not host or participate in Group meets with business or personal friends to discuss? Plenty of free teleconferencing services AND committed professionals that care will make time...especially if they're looking to GROW their business. Also, if you're truly UP for growth you WANT to engage with NEW people with FRESH ideas OR contacts that have MORE experience than you.

Leaving the heavy lifting on your business strategy to others is lazy. In anything, you have to do more to get more. Be that home food preparer except apply the work to your business development. Just like homecooked meals are crafted with care, quality ingredients, and a personal touch, building a better business requires attention to detail, a focus on authenticity, and a commitment to nurturing meaningful connections.