Why do I ask the question?My observations and experience have been that many agents see the internet as a threat to their livelihood vs. a powerful tool to not only keep them in the business, but elevate productivity and service delivery.

How can that be with the internet world we live and function in professionally and personally?

1. For many it’s a different way of doing business and most human beings don’t like change, especially the real estate agent species.
2. The inability to commit to a system and process for a sustained period of time.
3. Lack of direction, leadership, and understanding of the online experience at the Broker level.
4. Proof for the agent that a pleasurable online experience is what the consumer wants and actual results that can be realized.The proof is out there, are you presenting that data to your agents.

Let’s eliminate any thoughts of the internet pushing agents out of the business.

1. Technology can’t show a house
2. Technology can’t automatically write an offer with the specific items necessary for each individual contract or sale.
3. Technology can’t negotiate.
4. One question to ponder:Can technology build trust?

Here’s the good news, the consumer still needs you, but only if you have the following key pieces in place to support the personal side of the buying and selling process.

1. The consumer wants information NOW!!!Is your website the information portal for all real estate needs and community information for your marketplace?
2. Is your website “ego based” or is it “value exchange and informational based”?The consumer doesn’t care if you sold a Billion dollars of real estate, they want information they can use.
3. Do you have a lead capture mechanism on your website?Remember, the only way you will capture leads is if you have something of value the consumer is receiving in return for their information.
4. Do you have a lead incubation system?You can have all the leads in the world, but if you don’t have a follow-up system, you have leads and your competition with a follow-up system has sales.

Here’s the bottom-line.Technology is a lead generating, lead capturing, lead incubation and time management tool for your business.Technology is here to stay and so are you and your agents if you are consistent and committed to the process and a system the consumer is asking for.

For those that don’t commit to technology, you will be pushed out of the business by the choice that you make.

© 2008 The Real Estate Recruiters/The Real Recruiter

Jon Cheplak, ABR, GRI, CRS, CRB, CLHMS is the President and Founder of The Real Estate Recruiters, The Management and Recruiting Solutions Experts for the real estate industry and The Real Recruiter. He can be reached at 775-846-5748 or e-mail him at recruit@therealestaterecruiters.com. Visit his website at www.therealestaterecruiters.com or www.therealrecruiter.com

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