While on a short cruise last month I was thinking of a topic for As I see it from my desk.
Writer’s block again! Then we were invited to the captain’s meet and greet in the auditorium. He spoke about how cruising has changed in recent years and is much better…and bigger.
When his ship, the Majesty of the Seas, was launched in 1992 it was the largest of its class at 24,000 tons. Along with its sister ship, they were a sight to behold.
Now the newest ship that has been produced, The Oasis and its sister ship are double that size. It’s one of the reasons why the Panama Canal is digging a wider canal alongside the present channel, so that the new cruise ships and tankers can travel from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and on to other ports of call. The Panama Canal has the vision to make the major changes that will generate huge profits and accommodate the shipbuilders of the world.
It got me to thinking about the changes we’ve seen in our business that cause us to “widen” our thinking of how to do business.
QR codes, Twitter, Google, Facebook, webinars and online mandatory credit courses…that’s just a few things that we would never have dreamed of a few short years ago. When I was talking to some of our colleagues about the industry and how they should be adapting to the changes, I heard some startling responses. Many resist the changes but are still doing a fair business, but how much more would they do if they could adapt to just some of the changes?
I see youngsters coming into the business that are so tech savvy that it boggles my mind. They use Facebook, as an example, not only to touch base with friends and family but to promote themselves and their listings or their “wants and needs” with prospective buyers.
It’s true that direct mail, advertising, bench signs, billboards and the like are still proven marketing tools. But when I see the results that other new agents are getting from some of the newest technologies, I am truly impressed.
My wish for all of you is to embrace the new technology. Love it or lose out to others who will eventually capture a lion’s share of the marketplace, and along with it, some of yours as well.
Are you ready to make some changes in your real estate career? Or are you still struggling with the changes?
If you are, there’s always help available at your office, online or from the many courses available from your local board or independent providers.
Change while you can, or the new agents coming into the industry will bypass you before you know it. I said this in 2001 and am repeating it now. Embrace it lovingly and keep up with the modern systems your brokerage provides for you.
Good luck as we enter the exciting spring market.
Stan Albert, broker/manager, ABR, ASA at Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. can be reached for consultation at stanalb@rogers.com. Stan is now celebrating his 43rd year as an active real estate professional.
Stan Albert, ABR, ASA is a consultant with Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached for consultation by email. Stan is now celebrating his 45th year as an active real estate professional.
