While preparing a talk for an event a few weeks ago, I asked a friend for some inspiration to draw from as I formulated my thoughts. She pointed me towards a framework of questioning made popular by Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffet. Instead of focusing attention on what we think is going to change in the next ten years, what if we thought about what’s going to stay the same?
When thinking about this question from the lens of what real estate agents must do to be successful over the next ten years, there are only two specialties they have to take seriously.
1. Marketing
the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.
2. Transaction Management
the collaboration between brokers, clients, and partners for origination, negotiation, signatures, deadlines, compliance, and storage of documents and milestones in service of closing sales.
So instead of speculating about how tomorrow will be different, here is a list of tech that agents need to get right today to excel at marketing and transaction management for another decade.
A. Hardware
Every agent must own a premium computer and telephone. It’s impossible to do this job correctly without a fast laptop and plenty of storage. The smartphone is like a Swiss Army knife that makes calls, sends messages, executes tasks, and networks to other devices.
B. Software
Make it a priority to learn various operating systems, browsers, and applications. Master the core workflow tools and experiment with new consumer products. The assembly line for today’s agent is publishing compelling content on the web and executing contracts completely on the fly.
C. Internet
A top cellular plan and ability to tether or connect to WiFi at home, in the office, and on the road is non-negotiable. Every device online at all times and fully charged. The internet is like super glue that connects hardware to software, businesses to consumers, and people to people.
“I’m not a techie…”
Becoming an expert in why marketing is effective and what transaction management requires is a timeless challenge for all real estate agents independent of the current trends in technology.
It’s just that a lack of comprehension of current trends in technology seems like a lack of strategy in creating a business that excels in communications and getting deals closed next decade.
Greg Fischer
Managing Broker
(720) 605-3325
