People are usually more likely to praise "noble" professions such as teachers and doctors, or "sparkling" industries such as lawyers and finance, or groups with strong stories such as police and entrepreneurs. In previous works, the living conditions of intermediary practitioners are rarely described.
Until today, people generally have a labeled understanding of intermediaries, and what's more, they talk about the cognition that "intermediaries are liars". This prejudice stems from the fact that the living space of the intermediary lies in the poor interests of buyers and sellers, and one more person shares this cake, so the intermediary's work is actually very hard and thankless. In the fourth episode of "settling down", we saw a real estate agent who didn't abide by the spirit of the contract. After getting the customer, he kicked off the agent and signed the contract directly with the customer.
Intermediary is the medium and channel between buyers and sellers. In fact, all walks of life have intermediary companies. The existence of intermediary companies is conducive to the promotion and publicity of products in various industries, and can provide professional services and convenience for buyers and sellers. Just like traders and retailers, they connect the needs of buyers and wholesalers. They exist to bring convenience to people's lives, which is the market demand and understandable.
In episode 12 of "settling down", Fang, played by Sun Li, shows an old couple the house. From the first time they met, the old couple never said a good word. Although she opened an umbrella, opened the door and poured hot water for customers in Starbucks, she didn't get a thank you, and she was accused of "making too much money" many times.
Worst of all, after he got off the bus, he completely ignored the room behind him and slammed the door with the hand of the room, bleeding. Not only did he not apologize for his behavior, but he also complained that the room was too slow and delayed their time. Even for strangers, there should be some empathy, but for intermediaries who serve themselves, they think they can't go too far.
Because the room looks like brocade, the guests not only don't respect us, but also think that we won't hurt in their hearts. Although the picture is exaggerated, this emotional color is even worse in reality.
Service industry is difficult to do, and intermediary service is even more difficult to do. Guests always treat people who serve themselves as leeches who squeeze profits, and they can't realize that they are also making money by their own labor. All walks of life have their own living space. As long as they rely on their own labor and efforts to provide services to others and support themselves, they have a clear conscience.
Today's intermediary industry is different from that of ten years ago. I used to value first-hand information and earn the price difference of unequal information. However, if information becomes more and more transparent, it will naturally pay more attention to professionalism and service quality. As an intermediary, how to improve their professional value and self-awareness should also start from this aspect.
However, it is not unreasonable that intermediary companies often attract criticism and bad reviews. The intermediary industry is chaotic, and many unscrupulous intermediaries are mercenary and lack professional ethics. However, we have to say that it will cost a lot to reverse this situation, and it is far from enough to rely on the intermediary itself. What the intermediary can do is to match all kinds of supply and demand relations through his own specialty, so that customers can buy the most suitable products, but in the end, the most important thing is to improve product quality.
Although the story of "selling a house is selling happiness" is very warm, it is still too idealistic in reality. Even property and real estate agents are difficult to solve all customers' needs and problems, let alone intermediaries without the right to speak. Therefore, to enhance word of mouth requires the joint efforts of all stakeholders. At the same time, it also needs the standardization of business environment and the understanding and recognition of society.
But if you want to be a valuable intermediary, besides trying to be professional, it is more basic but more difficult to be a sincere and empathetic intermediary, not just driven by interests, saying insincere words and making money that makes your conscience feel guilty.
In fact, it is more difficult to do this, because the intermediary is the middle party, the living space is narrow, and the space for efforts is limited. Facing the reality, although it is difficult to have pure land, they still have to live, but they should choose carefully for defective products and never sell products that cannot be sold.
When I rented a house in Shenzhen, I also looked for a real estate agent. Obviously, they can help me find a more cost-effective house. I still remember that hot afternoon, a girl one year younger than me enthusiastically accompanied me to dark and saw more than a dozen houses. She is not glib, nor eager for quick success, and will not rush me to make a decision. I didn't make up my mind that night, and I was embarrassed to invite her to dinner, but she refused very professionally and naturally.
Although I have bad feelings, I know that she works hard and is sincere. Later, my friend said that my room was beautiful, but the landlord was a little pitted and would give me electricity and profit. But I don't blame the intermediary girl. Even if I look for it myself, I may not have the luck to meet a good landlord. I can't blame her for not agreeing.
When we met for the second time to sign the contract, she was ill and her voice was hoarse. Because I insisted on meeting the landlord before signing the contract, and she stayed with me late. Later, I occasionally think of that girl. That night, she said that she might change her job. Later, the work phone changed its owner. I think I fully understand what she didn't say.
Intermediaries have what they can't do, and there are many things they can't do. The essence of intermediary's work is to match the bridge. In order to achieve this goal, there will be some expectation gap in information communication. When you go deep into an industry, you will find that many laymen don't know how deep the water is. She can try not to lie, but she can't tell you the whole truth.
This is the helplessness of reality. Idealism and perfectionism can't be an intermediary, but we can make ourselves as decent and humble as possible through professionalism and morality.