Simple but Powerful

The Power of a Smile and a Few Kind Words

By Nathaniel Rhine

I had the opportunity of attending a seminar about properties and real estate recently. The first portion of the seminar had concluded so I wanted to leave and go home. Instead, I returned to the conference area and attended another presentation. Moments before the presentation was to begin, a woman entered the area. We made eye contact and shared a brief but warm smile. She sat one row behind me. As she moved towards her seat, we exchanged a few kind words and another smile.

The presentation is over. The last two people to remain in the conference area were the lady whom smiles were shared with at the beginning of the presentation and myself. We were last, not because we were slow at getting up from our seats, or that we had nothing else better to do. Instead, were engaged in wonderful conversation, which all began with a smile and a few kind words.

Upon having small talk, we discovered that we had many things in common, the greatest one being that we both are interested in properties, real estate. She has always wanted to get into real estate, and only recently was she able to do. I have always wanted to be involved in real estate in Malaysia, but I held myself back due to fear of the unknown. Fear of not having enough knowledge about real estate.

As an architect, I know about buildings and how to design them, however, I have no experience on how to sell real estate. It was the fear factor that prevented me from diving into this exciting field of interest.

Almost two hours later, my new friend and I were still engrossed in conversation. We moved from the conference area, which was like an icebox, due to the air conditioning, to a much warmer venue, outside having a cup of tea. The more we talked the more we found that we had in common.

Since we are both risk takers, I took the risk of asking her personal questions as to how she got involved with real estate. She willingly informed of so much valuable information that I knew nothing about. It was an opportunity for me to see that I had a lot to learn about real estate. So did she. However, because we were able to connect, she offered to teach me whatever she knew about the business. She was willing to be my mentor! Can you imagine, here we are two strangers who began working towards a relationship to become friends with only two small but meaning things; a smile and a few kind words.

To seal the deal, as it were, we shook hands. She would be my mentor in real estate. Not only that, she has offered me a partnership on a real estate deal that she is currently working on. That was just icing on the cake. The fear I previously had prevented me from getting into real estate has been eradicated simply because someone whom I’ve met, has helped me to realize that one must attack fear with action, doing just the opposite of what fear wants one to do, nothing.

So today, go out smile and share a few kind words, and surely you will see the benefits in so many ways. Try it, you’d be surprise.

The Power of Small - Little Things Make all the Difference

By Nathaniel Rhine

Today we are told to think big and look at the bigger picture. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being ambitious. Unfortunately, we have lost the value of little things.

Have you had the opportunity to open a door for a woman and she said,”Thank you”? How did you feel? Have you ever been sick at home for a few days and an associate of yours gave you a call to see how you were doing? How did you feel? Those simple yet small gestures meant a great deal.

When it comes to our business, there’s no difference. A doctor wrote an article in a medical journal and it was later brought to his attention that the word medicine, which is the correct spelling, was spelled: m-e-d-e-c-i-n-e. What impression did the readers of that article have? Perhaps the reader would think twice before allowing that doctor to perform a surgery on him. Surely because of a small spelling mistake, the doctor’s potential patients may have lost trust and confidence in him.

If the doctor had taken an extra minute to proofread his article, he perhaps could have left a better impression on the readers. It only required a small amount of time and effort.

As an architect, I must pay close attention to every detail of my designs. It literally could mean someone’s life or death. A detail could be a small nut and bolt that may cost only a few cents each. However, if I failed to pay attention to such a detail, and omitted the nut and bolt, I could possibly jeopardize the safety of an occupant of that building.

At The Rhine Organization, we separate ourselves from other architecture firms by focusing on the details, no matter how big or small they may be. Our aim is to be the best at what we do, not the biggest or the best known. By being small and focused on the details, we are in a better position to satisfy our clients. When our clients are satisfied with our service they will proudly tell others about our firm. Ultimately, we will become better known.

Yes, at times we had to decline offers to design for potential clients. Not because we didn’t want to do it and didn’t think the projects were challenging enough. Rather, we had declined some offers because we felt we would be spreading ourselves too thin. If we were to have taken on additional projects that were too much for us to handle, we would be providing less quality service to our existing clients, which is both unprofessional and eventually unprofitable. We can not afford to lose our current clients who are valuable to our practice.

Therefore, by our firm being small, we are in a better position to do many other small things that do make a lot of difference.

In conclusion, the power of small things really does make all the difference. Today, everyone is sending emails and text messages because it’s convenient and fast. Very impersonal as well. However, to prove that small things do make a difference, why not spent a small amount of time and send a hand written letter thanking someone today. See the results. Whatever they are, let me know. Thank you for your time and have a great day ahead.

Being Unique

As architects we are a very unique group of people. Unique in a sense that we are very creative and that we have the abilities to create design solutions for those who are in need of our service. Great, but what's new? Everyone knew that. Yes, that's common knowledge, but the real question is what makes one architect better than the next architect?

Moreover, as architects, we all are somewhat good at drawing, drafting and / or sketching our ideas on paper. We are very visual people. Those in the building industry can clearly see that, but what sets on architect apart from another? The answer is very simple, the person him or herself. It is the actual person that makes an impression on the mind of a potential client as to which one of you stand out over another architect.

Yes, all architects have very similar skills and talents, but it is the actual personality of the architect that shines in the eyes of the potential client.

Some of the things I think sets one architect apart from another is one's punctuality or lack of it. Is he always on time for meetings? If he is to be late for whatever reason, does he call in to inform the client? Is he a man of his word? Does he say one thing and does another? Is he loyal? Does he speak bad of other architects, clients etc? How does he dress? Is his hair well groomed or not? The list goes on, however, as an architect, we should not only focus on our talents and skills. We should spend considerable amount of time and energy in making ourselves more " personable" as well as professional.

Malaysian International Shoe Exhibition 2010 @ Kuala Lumpur - Jimmy Choo - Part Two

A Jimmy Choo creation that sells for over $80, 000!

Another Jimmy Choo creation that sells for over $80,000!

Malaysian International Shoe Exhibition 2010 @ Kuala Lumpur - Jimmy Choo - Part One

On April 02, 2010, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Jimmy Choo, the world renown shoe designer for the stars throughout the world. Here is part one of a three part series of photographs. Enjoy.

Take a Minimalaist Approach to Architecture

As an architect, you have been picked from your organization's top technical talent. Your architecture is intended to guide and constrain. But not imposing your best ideas and lessons learned on designers and developers.

By trying to wield too much power and you will encounter resistance. Wield too little, and you make no contribution. The solution is to take a minimalist approach to architecture—sort out what your highest priority architectural requirements are, and then do the least you possibly can to achieve them! That is, you should keep your architecture decision set as small as possible, while ensuring that your key system priorities are met.

Minimalist Architecture - Simple and to the Point

Twitterville - Get on Board

I have just completed reading Twitterville- How Business Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods, by Shel Israel. It was and is a book that has encouraged me to open a Twitter account and use it for my businesses.

The whole ideal of using social media to promote my businesses was the furthest idea from my mind. I as well as millions of others have felt the same, thinking that social media is just that, a media to social and meeting people. But once you come to think about it, it’s that how business usually begins? In most cases business begins with a simple introduction of who you are. After that you talk about small issues like the weather, sports etc. As time goes on, you learn more about the person you recently met. Then eventually, there may be an opportunity to do business together. Nine times out of ten, that is the scenario.

After having read Twitterville, it has opened my eyes to view social media in a new light. Shel Israel helps the reader to see how social media, in particular, Twitter, has help numerous businesses, worldwide.

Make time and read this book. You will be glad you did. I am.