Are we suggesting that our customers move 'Half a World Away' or is this just John Lewis?!

Deck your halls folks. The John Lewis Christmas TV ad is out! The soundtrack is beautiful. The art direction stunning. The message? Is it clear?

Are they telling me that they can sell us telescopes powerful enough to see and interact with the man on the moon? That I'll never be happy in this old town of mine? That the world we have is not enough?

Do they want me to think that I need to live half a world away and therefore beyond my wildest dreams? That contrary to science, balloons can penetrate the earth's atmosphere?
What I wanted to do immediately was dig out the Oasis original, download it to my phone and then drift back melancholically to the damp stained halls of my student days! It didn't once cross my mind to start my Christmas shopping, or even to spare a thought for John Lewis!

There is a message here for all of us in the sales and lettings arena, and this was emphasised at the recent The Negotiator Conference...

We can't be half a world away. We've got to get close to our customers. Understand and align their expectations. Provide them with the customer service excellence that will help them to find and enjoy living in their home - wherever it is.

As an industry, we need to help our customers to 'stay in this city'. Make any town smell more pretty. We need to read those warning signs and make the changes that make any town home for the people who want to or need to live there.

Most people's dreams are very small. They dream to have the best home they can afford to buy or rent in the town or area they want to live. This shouldn't have to be half a world away and we should ensure that it isn't.

And so, back to the original train of thought, what are your thoughts on the John Lewis Christmas advertisement? I'd be interested to hear.

As an aside, I can't sign off without saying that John Lewis reached an all-time high in my opinion with its Tiny Dancer advert for its insurance products. I really do now believe that I can be a tiny dancer!

#ManOnTheMoon #JohnLewis #Oasis #sales #lettings #agents #Christmas2015