Location, Location, Location?

More importantly, image, image, image.

I remember the first time we drove through Knoxville, several years ago. I was amazed at the cleanliness of the city and its surrounding areas. The freeway overpasses were freshly painted and graffiti-free. The roadsides were clean, mowed and weeded – nothing spectacular, just well maintained. A coworker recently mentioned that she got the same feeling when visiting Charlotte, NC.

Having again been in each of these cities within the last year, the impressions are still the same. Overall, neither has what I would define as “world class” architecture (yes, BillyBob, there are numerous individual structures that are truly exceptional in both areas). Both cities are nice, with a balance of historic and contemporary houses and buildings, and a whole lot in-between. The distinction, I think, is in how the properties, and the surrounding environment, are cared for.

Here in the Detroit area, there is also a balance – a huge cross section – of historic and new, and a whole lot in-between. The historical significance the area has had on the country’s industrial, economic, social and military efforts cannot be overstated. Yet sometimes it seems that we take our assets and treasures very much for granted.

And it’s not just Detroit that needs an image boost…

Need to give off a positive impression? Then clean up your act! Maintain what you’ve got to the best of your ability. It doesn’t have to be new and shiny to look like you really care.

Ever see someone driving a 10-year-old car or truck that looks like it hasn’t been washed in years? Maybe has rust spots, bad tires, stuff hanging from underneath? (Hey…sometime this happens. Tough winters. Low funds.) Regardless of why, most would agree that this is not conducive to a positive overall impression.

Now here’s the irony. If the same vehicle looks well-maintained –clean, minimal spots, nothing flopping around – then the impression is just the opposite. Very positive. People think that person understands the value of an asset, and are appreciative of the efforts taken to sustain it. The age of the asset makes very little difference.

There’s a gas station near my house that’s on the smallest lot imaginable. Tough to get in and out of. Every spring for as long as I can remember, the owner plants a well-designed display of flowers on the tiny corner. We’re not talking Disneyworld here, just colorful, tasteful and well maintained – as is the facility and the grounds. Know what? It’s one of the consistently busiest stations I’ve ever seen.

And I’ve often heard that there are statistics that prove that restaurants with messy bathrooms do extremely poorly versus their competitors, regardless of the menu, the food or the dining areas.

Coincidence? Don’t think so.

So, regardless if you have a Lamborghini or a Yaris, a mansion or a bungalow, the corner office or a tiny cubicle…take care of it! Keep it clean and well maintained. People DO notice, and image is often the key to success.