We've Come A Long Way!

The Cyber Professionals, a group of tech savvy Realtors met last week in Albuquerque, NM to share the latest real estate technology, marketing ideas and life situations. We are a 'by-invitation only' group who originated some 15+ years ago on the RE/MAX Compuserve Forum. At that time we were all RE/MAX agents, but over the years, members have made changes and we have expanded to inviting agents from other companies, though only one agent in a marketplace is allowed. By limiting to one agent in a market, ideas flow freely, without the fear of giving away secrets to the competition.

As I am a virtual assistant, you might be wondering how I became
a member of the Cyber Professionals. I actively sold real estate for 17 years before I opened my VA business and the members generously allowed me to continue my membership. I think it is important for a VA to be on the cutting edge of the industry. I want to be proactive in bringing new ideas to my clients, and not depend on them bringing ideas to me to implement. But I digress.

One of the interesting things about the meeting last week was how we have changed over the years. Years ago, we showed up with pen and paper and 40 copies of whatever it is we were going to share with the group. This meant dragging an extra box of materials on the plane with you and bringing even more materials home.

A few years later, one or two people might have a laptop computer to take notes. Last week, everyone in the room sat in front of a computer with a wireless Internet connection and information was either e-mailed to each other or passed around on thumb drives. Let me tell you, I would much rather carry around a thumb drive than a heavy carton of materials!

If you don't belong to such a group of agents, I encourage you to start one. It has been invaluable to my business, both as an agent and as a virtual assistant. The friendships that have formed over the years are also invaluable...I even met my husband on the RE/MAX Compuserve Forum. We are not just a technology group, we are a family who have supported each other through thick and thin.

Thank you Linda Davis, Les Sulgrove and Cindi DiCianni(all Active Rainers) for your tireless devotion to making our meetings possible. You are the BEST! And to all Cyber Pros...I love you guys!!