Technology: Bringing Real Estate Back To Its Roots

The internet has created an amazing dynamic not just in real estate, but sales in general.  There are those who are resistant to it and continually fight against it; then there are those who embrace it.

As far as I'm concerned, technology is bringing real estate (and business in general) back to its roots.  The roots of ALL business are the same (no matter what you're selling):  people helping people.   Period.

We humans have this uncanny knack for taking any simple concept and making it complicated, and over time we have done exactly that.  Now we're in a place where the consumer has more power over communication than ever before:  Do-not-call lists.  Spam filters.  Email blockers.  Voice mail.  Screening phone calls.  And I'm sure there's more.

The message from consumers is very simple:  WE DON'T KNOW YOU AND WE DON'T TRUST YOU.  YOU HAVE TO EARN OUR TRUST.

It's common human reaction to bristle and get defensive at a sentiment like that.  It's pretty harsh, but it's justified.  Reputations are earned.  There have been so many people over the years who have done such an abysmal job dealing with people in a sales environment,  that consumers feel they need to be 'protected.'   Think about what real estate trainers tell me on a weekly basis:  90% of every training group won't make it.  90%.

While this 90% is 'not making it,' their actions (or lack thereof) paint a negative picture of real estate professionals in general.  This makes it more difficult for any agent to 'get their foot in the door' with a potential new client.  This makes it difficult for any broker to assemble a team he/she can count on.  Pickin's are mighty slim. 

There's a great article on RISMedia by Scott Einbinder.  Please read it when you get the chance by clicking on either of the quotes below, which come directly from the article:

"...we are the only industry who trains our agents, yet institutes zero accountability to insure that the training is being implemented. Can you imagine doctors and lawyers who complete school, obtain their license, then go out and make their own rules or adhere to the policies when they want to?"

"Like I am sure many of you, we like markets like this where highly skilled agents and companies will thrive, and the “grunge” of the business will fall away. This market presents such a golden opportunity to those who “get it” to elevate their production to levels they could never have achieved in a hot market."

"You must truly reinvent not your business model but your thought process. The thought process of what we really do for people and where your value really is. How your value can be assessed by the consumer and how you take a level of accountability higher than ever before. Accountability is not a tag line but a way of living."

If your heart is not with helping people and learning to adapt to consumer-driven change (it's only just begun), technology will, as Gary Rossignol (Cincinnati professional) once told me, "leave you in the dust."

Technology is bringing business back to its roots...people helping people.

Accountability truly is a way of living.   

http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-02-04/learn-to-talk-the-talk-of-consumers