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Get a return on your technology investments

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Holler Law Firm

Yes, we all do our best to incorporate new technology into our business practices to stay ahead of the competition.  But, are you really getting the most out of the technology that you use?  Sure, there are the obvious benefits of technology: increased efficiency, increased organization, greater accessibility, etc.  Now, these are obvious to you but are they obvious benefits that your client (or potential clients) will recognize?  Not if you don't SELL YOUR CLIENT ON THE BENEFITS!!!!  Depending on the different technologies and programs you have implemented, the cost to you can be fairly high.  So, it makes sense to use this technology for more than its initial intended purpose.  Turn this technology into a marketing tool.  Here is a great example:

Our company assists Realtors with implementing technology into their business to assist them in processing transactions.  We start from the very beginning in not only educating these Realtors in using these systems, but in showing them how to use these systems to market it and themselves to clients.  It isn't enough for them to just use a program like SureClose to process their transactions.  We build in specific tasks to populate to showcase for their clients exactly how hard the agent is working to make their transaction a success.  We make sure that their client know how to log in to SureClose to feel connected and stay updated on the transaction.  Then we crank it up a notch.  We help them to incorporate screen shots of SureClose into their listing presentation to show off what an incredibly organized hi-tech agent they are. 

It can be as simple as this:  We have an agent that we work with that recently bought a tablet PC.  He always makes sure that he takes his tablet with him to meet with clients and that he has his clients sign any needed documentation on the tablet instead of paper.  When he got his tablet, he spent a few minutes designing and printing an adhesive overlay with his company's logo for the cover of his tablet.  Now, when he meets with his clients, not only are they impressed with his use of technology (consumers love signing digitally on tablet PCs), but they associate this technology with his company because of the logo.

My point is:  Don't limit yourself with your technology to just its immediate purpose for your internal business.  Always be on the look out for how you can use your technology as a marketing tool to get a good return on that investment.

Richard Dolbeare
Inactive - Wailuku, HI
Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

And don't buy technology just because others have it or because it's new and leading edge.  Make sure you have a plan for how you will use it to further your business!

Jun 27, 2007 03:53 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Use hardware and software to its fullest. So often we use only a small fraction of its capabilities - or leave it unopened on the shelf.
Jun 27, 2007 03:55 PM
Wayne and Lynda Gomillion
Real Living Hagan Realtors | Pinehurst ~ Southern Pines, NC - Pinehurst, NC
Great information... Thanks for the post!
Jun 27, 2007 03:58 PM
Beth Young
Holler Law Firm - Milford, CT
Been there, Done that...
Thank you for the support.  I see so many agents that have purchase the "latest gadget" and then never use it.  I actually had one agent that we work with that drove around with a tablet PC in the trunk of her car for A YEAR!!!!  I am not kidding.  Finally, I scheduled an appointment with her, sat her down, and MADE her use it.  She gave up the lease on her office space 6 months later and has been completely mobile ever since.  She thanks me often! ;-)
Jun 30, 2007 05:01 PM