RIS Media Leadership Conference: An Industry in Transition
Fresh from a trip to New York to attend the RIS Media Leadership Conference last month, I was disappointed to see how little cohesiveness there seemed to be among industry leaders. Technology really seems to be throwing a curve ball into everyone’s marketing strategies. “Who Moved My Cheese” is a book that was published, what, 8 years ago? Is the industry really that far behind in accepting the inevitable? Let me share a quick story to illustrate what I mean.
The topic of one of the panel discussions I attended was how brokers can help their new agents become successful more quickly. On the panel were two new, very successful REALTORs® who had been in the business less than a year, along with a seasoned agent/broker who is now training new REALTORs®. The new REALTORs® both talked about how new technologies and being plugged-in to the internet through social networks, blogging, virtual tours, etc contributed to their success. They were encouraging brokers and agents to embrace the new frontier (so to speak) and gave wonderful examples of how they had been successful throughout the year.
The seasoned agent then got up and told them he didn’t mean to sound condescending, but he trains agents “the old fashioned way” because what really works is hitting the pavement and working hard. He proceeded to attack everything the newer agents stood for. Yet one of the newer agents had a phenomenal 41 transactions so far this year! That is working hard…just in a different way! I applaud the younger agents who were innovative, involved and responding to how the younger generation operates by providing them with the technologies and services they expect.
I am no spring chicken and definitely not an authority, but I have recognized the need for change in the real estate industry and have wondered why many brokers and agents are having such a hard time adjusting. I have children who are 26, 21 and 19, so my cheese has been moved many times…you just have to choose to find it!
