As we near the end of the year it’s time to get the planning for next year underway.  For some of us, the planning is well underway.  But in any case, I wanted to bring something to your attention that may not be on your radar.

Your agents are being inundated with technology to an unprecedented degree.  In the past the technological changes came slowly and were relatively easy to manage.  The advent of computers, fax machines, voice mail, email and cell phones brought big changes to the way that we conducted our business, but the agents were able to grasp what was needed of them in order to use the new tools.  In some cases the existing technology or IT departments were able to bring the users up to speed.

Today we have technology rushing at us from all directions, including our local, state and national associations (CloudCMA, zipForm6 and RPR as examples).  We have companies like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and others in the cell phone business, each with different offerings.  We have Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest, all of which have clear advantages…if only someone could teach our agents the proper way to use them.  And let’s not forget the explosion of the tablet devices.

All of this technology can help your agents stream line their business and thereby allow them to do more transactions or at the very least serve the growing client base that expects your agents to be able to effectively use these tools.

The question that I have for you is simply this “What are you doing to help your agents master these tools?”

Maybe it’s time for a new position in your firm.  A position that combines training with IT savvy.  It’s not enough to just show them how to create accounts and log on, today they need to know how to find customers, stay in touch with them and manage listings and sales. I don’t know what you’d call it, but Director of Engagement might work.  The position requires skills in both real estate sales as well as real proficiency in all of the new hardware, software and social tools.

You can look for such a person to hire, or you could outsource it on a contract basis.  Either way you decide to go, it’s time to do it.  There aren’t that many people out there with the skill sets you need.

Get back to me if you wish, I’d be happy to talk with you about how I can help you get there.