A checklist for getting more leads
There I was, after an epic transatlantic trip, ready for a well-deserved rest, and totally unaware of the dramatic turn of events that lay ahead…
It all started early in the year 2000. I had a Y2K-related bonus burning a hole in my wallet and I was looking for some fun.
A few of my mates were off to Florida to learn how to fly. At the last minute, I made a spontaneous decision to join them - not to learn to fly, but just for some poolside chilling and some light drinking.
Little did I know what was to come.
I ended up on a different flight from my friends because, well, spontaneity has its price.
So, I spent six hours at Gatwick, flew to Atlanta, changed planes, and landed in Miami about 24 sleepless hours after I'd left home.
While my friends were comfortably ensconced in the hotel, I was at the wheel of a hire car, navigating across Florida, trying to find my way after a long day of travel.
The next day, still blinking away jet lag, I found myself at the flying school with my friends. And then it happened.
On a whim, I ended up booking a trial flying lesson - just to see what all the fuss was about.
That's when things took a turn.
One trial lesson and I was hooked.
What was supposed to be a chilled out holiday in the sun turned into an intensive course of flying lessons, three per day, and extending my stay by a week. All to get my pilot's licence before heading back to the UK.
Two things from that crazy flying journey have stuck with me.
The first is my maiden solo flight.
It was a symphony of nerves, excitement, and….
…a checklist.
Oh, the checklist! A lifeline in my hands.
Even though I was alone on the plane, I read it out loud, item after item.
When the wheels lifted off, I felt a surge of joy and gave a little whoop of excitement.
But the joy was quickly replaced by the sobering realisation that I was all alone and it was on me, and my trusty checklist, to land that lump of metal safely again.
The second vivid memory is of a hair-raising near-miss.
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I was given a straight-in approach for a landing. This confused me and I got the speeds all wrong.
I was coming in too fast, the ground rushing up to meet me.
I landed ok, but as soon as I touched the brakes, things started to go wrong.
The excess speed saw me skidding towards the side of the runway and the dense plane-destroying bushes beyond.
But here's where the magic of the checklist kicked in again.
Max throttle, yoke back, flaps up, slightly panicked radio call - all in order, all from the go-around checklist.
I was airborne again, disaster averted.
And despite this little setback, I did end up passing the final skills test on my last day, with fifty hours of flight time under my belt.
Now, within that story of how I impulsively learnt to fly, there’s a valuable business lesson - especially for anyone in financial services where attention to detail is so important.
In the same way that a checklist helped me as a pilot, it can also help you maintain a structured approach throughout your business.
From lead generation to client communications, a checklist ensures no vital aspect is overlooked. It becomes your trusted guide, providing peace of mind and ensuring a consistent level of excellence.
That’s why I use checklists in my business and it’s why I help my private coaching clients develop their own ones too.
One checklist that my clients find really useful is the one I’ve created for doing a website audit.
It lists all the things that you need to have on your website to make it easy to use and to turn it from a boring static brochure into a high-flying lead generation machine.
I normally only share it with my members and paying clients.
But if you come to the webinar I’m running this coming week, you’ll get a copy of it for free.
This is one of two gifts that I’m giving to everyone who attends this free marketing and lead generation training for mortgage brokers and IFAs.
To find out more about the webinar and reserve your seat:
>> CLICK HERE
It’s a one-hour in-depth session full of practical tips that will have you soaring to new heights of marketing excellence and landing more mortgage deals. 😀
See you there!
Let's get you that mortgage! - Experienced Mortgage Broker in East Sussex – Helping you and others like you with demystifying property finance - Equity Release, Over 50’s Mortgages, Remortgages, Bridging Loans
1yAh, the power of a story with social engagement or any presentation for that matter. I guess near death experience is always going to be a draw! Great post David, just need a pic of you with your executive jet now 😉