Andi Grant's Blog - Everyday Real Estate with a Twist

SURVIVING YOUR SERENGETI:  The Crocodile - A Lazy Opportunist or Brilliant Strategist?

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of reading the book "Surviving Your Serengeti" by Stefan Swanepoel after being presented with a sneak-peek of the first two chapters on ActiveRain.  This gem of a book was an easy and fast read about the instinctive habits of animals when presented with the challenges of survival in their natural habitat, and how often humans mimick the same types of behaviors during their own times of stress and challenge.  I was skeptical at first, but I have to admit Mr. Swanepoel painted a clear and vivid picture of where I was in terms of how I act and react when presented with my own survival challenges, business and otherwise. 

The book told of a relatable tale about an American couple facing what most Americans are now facing in these tough economic times; layoffs, the feelings of failure, and having to reinvent themselves.  For older working Americans, this can be extremely daunting.  However, after reading the book you soon realize that age, size and status in terms of survival in this "jungle" doesn't matter, but how having a strategy and creating opportunity does.

"Me, a low-lying, shifty-eyed creature lying in wait to devour it's next victim?  How can that be?"

After finishing the Surviving Your Serengeti book, I took the "What Animal Am I" quiz.  I was quite taken aback to find that I was the crocodile.  Me, a low-lying, shifty-eyed creature lying in wait to devour it's next victim?  How can that be?  Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm walking warm fuzzies personified.  But I, like many others, was failing to see the genius of the crocodile in relation to it's survival skills and instincts as detailed in the quiz results description by the author.

The crocodiles may not be the largest, fastest or have the status symbol of being named "king of the jungle" but they are smart and enterprising enough to place themselves in a position in or near the waterbanks and rivers, where opportunities will more than likely present themselves. Animals large and small are drawn nearer to it's position on a consistent basis.  I suspect it's because of this brilliant strategy that the crocodile is at the top of the food chain, taking down the fastest and largest of its competitors.  Many "Enduring wildebeests" and strategic "kings" have been dethrowned when facing these Serengeti equalizers. 

Any company or real estate agent right now that has a Facebook page or blog is demonstrating the same type behavior of the enterprising crocodile.  Their blogs and Facebook pages are an attempt to draw masses of consumers to their business. "Google Juice" allows any business, new or old an equal opportunity to quench the thirst of the thousands of consumers who are drawn to them in a need for their business product or services. Does that make the blog author or Facebook page owner lazy?  No, it makes them forward thinking, brilliant strategists smart enough to position themselves where their consumers are most likely to hang out.  

Do I still have a problem with being identified as a crocodile in Surviving Your Serengeti?  No, I wholeheartedly embrace it.  After all, it is a well-known fact that crocodiles have survived periods of mass extinction.  Andi Grant and her real estate business is here to stay, through feast or famine.  

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Looking for a winning strategy to help you buy or sell a home during this economic famine?  Do not hesitate to call Andi Grant at 310-508-4354. 

Crocodile and Africa photos courtesy of Creative Commons

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