It is hard to believe that it is already November. It just seems like I was working on figuring out what this year's New Year Resolutions will be. Halloween is over. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away.
Business wise, I've spent the last six weeks attending a business planning class hosted by our local Small Business Development Office. One part of business planning involves considering who your competition is and what they are doing. I've been trying to keep up with the news about Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Move/Realtor.com and a host of other young start up companies are doing. Drones, 3-D tours...... I've monitored RE/MAX and Reaolgy stocks. I've found myself amazed at how much has changed in the last 8 years or so. I've also found myself amazed at how much how much hasn't changed.
Think back to 2006:
In 2006, Realtor Magazine published a book "Broker to Broker - Management Lesson's from America's Most Successful Real Estate Companies" The book was edited by Robert Freedman. The quotes below are all from this book.
Chapter 8 discussed keeping associates attuned to safety. Unfortunately, I don't think much has changed here. Agents know they need exercise caution because of the "occupational hazards" we face. However, the Beverly Carter's tragedy highlights the fact that personal safety is an ongoing issue. (I read the suspect's wife, in the Beverly Carter case, was also arrested on murder charges. )
Chapter 9 discussed "Adapting to Life with Gen X." I'll disclose at this point, I'm part of Generation X. Since I've read alot about Millennials, understanding Millennials and working with Millennials, I found this chapter funny. They were saying almost the same thing about my generation as we are saying about the Millenials. The following comments were made about Gen X.
"Short on experience, long on drive."
"They don't like sharing old war stories....They want bite sized pieces of information and meetings that are short and concise."
"Xers are looking for "what's in it for me" to work at a company as well as a change to contribute."
"Take an interest in their "causes." This group has a high rate of volunteerism."
"Young practitioners --for the most part--also have the inherent ability of relating to customers in their age group." (Really???? I wonder why that might be?)
"Young buyers typically start their home search online and expect their real estate sales person to respond to them quickly...."
"Gen X brings new tech focus"
"It may be hard to visualize, but today's young recruits someday will be industry veterans.....for now they will continue to shape our industry with a new emphasis on technology and insight...."
"Don't micromanage these folks and stifle their creativity with "the way we've always done it."
Even though technology and social media are very different in 2014, I don't think much has changed to with Honestly, I don't think much has changed in this area either. Each of the tips above are excellent tips for working with our younger agents and clients.
Yet the biggest thing that hasn't changed: Residential real estate is still local and the agent is still needed.
As real estate agent's it is imperative that we strive to give our sellers and buyer the very best service possible.
Sondra
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