Sometimes, the best way to get on track to success is to go back to the basics.

I had the pleasure of spending three days with Teresa Hamilton & Team in Lafayette, Louisiana. This group of ladies is one of the most professional, caring, and committed teams I've had the pleasure of working with. They are regularly generating $30-$35 million in sales annually. They embody their tagline: "Tough. Smart. From the Heart."

So why on earth did they bring in a real estate consultant? Simply put, Teresa knows there's so much she can be doing, and she wanted an "impartial third party" to evaluate and make recommendations.

A few things became clear - first, I applaud them for exceptional customer service. Their clients are treated like family. Second, as is so often the case on these consults, we discovered several opportunities for growth simply by improving on the basics - implementing and enhancing systems, consistently prospecting, and identifying ways to leverage each talent on the team.

The third thing that happened is I'm no longer impartial. Laughing I feel very invested in the outcome of this team. They're wonderful people and they deserve to be successful. And, I believe after cruising the bayou yesterday afternoon and eating plenty of delicious crab, shrimp, and crawfish, I am now an honorary Cajun.