Comments on: Grappling with Technology http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/ Tue, 26 May 2009 19:57:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Scott Sidman http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-270 Scott Sidman Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:26:18 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-270 I will echo and elaborate on John's point. As a provider of Web based technology solutions for the real estate market (operations focused,) I can tell you that much of what you say rings true. However, the biggest obstacle we see as a provider is not one of an inability to utilize technology, it is a lack of commitment to change operating practices. Technology implementation should be connected to specific goals and measurable results. Decisions to implement software solutions are often made without the management direction and discipline to assure changing old practices and require the use of the systems to achieve the desired result; efficiency, cost reduction, data collection, etc. Technology only works when their is a commitment to using it. I will echo and elaborate on John’s point. As a provider of Web based technology solutions for the real estate market (operations focused,) I can tell you that much of what you say rings true. However, the biggest obstacle we see as a provider is not one of an inability to utilize technology, it is a lack of commitment to change operating practices. Technology implementation should be connected to specific goals and measurable results. Decisions to implement software solutions are often made without the management direction and discipline to assure changing old practices and require the use of the systems to achieve the desired result; efficiency, cost reduction, data collection, etc. Technology only works when their is a commitment to using it.

]]> By: John Ahlberg http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-204 John Ahlberg Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:05:27 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-204 Running a technology support and management firm that deals with CRE clients gives me a unique perspective. Overall it seems that CRE firms embrace technology for the most part but to varying degrees. None of my clients are technology Neanderthal’s which is probably why they partner with us in the first place. The challenge comes for the users. Some use technology to their advantage while others do not use it much and it becomes a hindrance. Some brokers, for instance, will use all of the tools at their disposal and ask for more to get their deals done while others on the other end of the spectrum and only use email and have their Admin manually do the rest, all at the same firm. Running a technology support and management firm that deals with CRE clients gives me a unique perspective. Overall it seems that CRE firms embrace technology for the most part but to varying degrees. None of my clients are technology Neanderthal’s which is probably why they partner with us in the first place. The challenge comes for the users. Some use technology to their advantage while others do not use it much and it becomes a hindrance. Some brokers, for instance, will use all of the tools at their disposal and ask for more to get their deals done while others on the other end of the spectrum and only use email and have their Admin manually do the rest, all at the same firm.

]]> By: Dan Garcia http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-199 Dan Garcia Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:40:48 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-199 I agree with Mr. Brazeman. As a CRE agent coming from a residential background my first instinct is to search the various databases such as Loopnet, AIR and Costar, depending on what I am looking for. I can also find good properties on the residential MLS. Loopnet makes it easy for us to contact the listing broker by e-mail without picking up the phone. Through my title company I can e-mail blast agents my set-ups on my listings. I can even use create a free flyer or collateral material on Publisher, save it to my flash drive and send it to prospects and clients. In our office everyone has flash drives and everyone uses them for a myriad of different things. It baffles me why agents feel more comfortable with mailing a letter, rather than sending an e-mail. The old way wouldn't work if the client's sophistication level demand a high sense of urgency. I agree with Mr. Brazeman. As a CRE agent coming from a residential background my first instinct is to search the various databases such as Loopnet, AIR and Costar, depending on what I am looking for. I can also find good properties on the residential MLS. Loopnet makes it easy for us to contact the listing broker by e-mail without picking up the phone. Through my title company I can e-mail blast agents my set-ups on my listings. I can even use create a free flyer or collateral material on Publisher, save it to my flash drive and send it to prospects and clients. In our office everyone has flash drives and everyone uses them for a myriad of different things. It baffles me why agents feel more comfortable with mailing a letter, rather than sending an e-mail. The old way wouldn’t work if the client’s sophistication level demand a high sense of urgency.

]]> By: Erin http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-198 Erin Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:17:35 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-198 Cary, Sorry to disagree, but as an employee of a CRE firm, I can tell you that the actual CRE professionals do not want anything to do with the technology side. They hire people like me to do that. I go to presentations just because they are ill equipped to run a power point. I've never worked anywhere with so many young and yet technically inept professionals. And there is no motivation to improve this - no direct connection between dollars and technology as in other industries. Cary,
Sorry to disagree, but as an employee of a CRE firm, I can tell you that the actual CRE professionals do not want anything to do with the technology side. They hire people like me to do that. I go to presentations just because they are ill equipped to run a power point. I’ve never worked anywhere with so many young and yet technically inept professionals. And there is no motivation to improve this – no direct connection between dollars and technology as in other industries.

]]> By: Cary Brazeman http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-197 Cary Brazeman Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:36:42 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-197 Noreen, hi. I'd like to respectfully disagree with your conclusion. As we enter 2009, it's time to finally jettison the notion of CRE professionals as technologically deficient! Here's my evidence: + At LoopNet we're seeing brokers and agents list a greater share of their available property inventory online. The industry continues its migration to online marketing for a variety of reasons, including its cost-effectiveness and its reach. + More CRE transactions than ever before are initiated online. In the residential world it's north of 80%. In the CRE world it's not that high, but all evidence points to brokers and principals increasingly beginning their property searches online. + Increasingly we're seeing real estate companies, like The Shopping Center Group out of Atlanta, implement LoopNet's complete technology platform across their multi-state operation, streamlining and seamlessly linking Customer Relationship Management, Commission Tracking, Property and Listing Management, and Project Management applications online ... in addition to property marketing. So while the industry "used to be" technologically deficient, it is fast catching up! Cary Brazeman LoopNet.com Noreen, hi.

I’d like to respectfully disagree with your conclusion. As we enter 2009, it’s time to finally jettison the notion of CRE professionals as technologically deficient!

Here’s my evidence:

+ At LoopNet we’re seeing brokers and agents list a greater share of their available property inventory online. The industry continues its migration to online marketing for a variety of reasons, including its cost-effectiveness and its reach.

+ More CRE transactions than ever before are initiated online. In the residential world it’s north of 80%. In the CRE world it’s not that high, but all evidence points to brokers and principals increasingly beginning their property searches online.

+ Increasingly we’re seeing real estate companies, like The Shopping Center Group out of Atlanta, implement LoopNet’s complete technology platform across their multi-state operation, streamlining and seamlessly linking Customer Relationship Management, Commission Tracking, Property and Listing Management, and Project Management applications online … in addition to property marketing.

So while the industry “used to be” technologically deficient, it is fast catching up!

Cary Brazeman
LoopNet.com

]]> By: David Kell http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-196 David Kell Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:48:51 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-196 You have no idea how e-phobia affects professionals here in my area. The boondocks of northwestern PA still has at least one attorney with the most modern equipment he can handle, a touchmatic typewriter. That's it, no fax, let alone something digital. The local courthouse is using computer equipment that is at least ten years old, etc, etc. One of the Commissioners bought his own Blackberry and everyone had a hissy fit. The Sheriff still uses the "Rack" to force confessions, you would think he could at least up-grade to a waterboard system. Sorry I was on a roll. You have no idea how e-phobia affects professionals here in my area. The boondocks of northwestern PA still has at least one attorney with the most modern equipment he can handle, a touchmatic typewriter. That’s it, no fax, let alone something digital. The local courthouse is using computer equipment that is at least ten years old, etc, etc. One of the Commissioners bought his own Blackberry and everyone had a hissy fit. The Sheriff still uses the “Rack” to force confessions, you would think he could at least up-grade to a waterboard system. Sorry I was on a roll.

]]> By: Boston Broker http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-195 Boston Broker Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:43:29 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-195 Can you mail me a copy of this for senior management? Can you mail me a copy of this for senior management?

]]> By: Shawn http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-194 Shawn Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:32:08 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-194 I'm learning about commercial real estate and internet marketing at the same time, so I'm fully embracing technology. One question I have though(you may have already answered it) as far as ecommerce goes do you think it will eventually become even with or surpass in store sales in bigger stores like Home Depot and Sears for example? or what stores will be hardest hit? http://www.inexpensiveinvestinginflorida.com/ Thanks I’m learning about commercial real estate and internet marketing at the same time, so I’m fully embracing technology. One question I have though(you may have already answered it) as far as ecommerce goes do you think it will eventually become even with or surpass in store sales in bigger stores like Home Depot and Sears for example? or what stores will be hardest hit?

http://www.inexpensiveinvestinginflorida.com/

Thanks

]]> By: Safe Real Estate Info » Blog Archive » Grappling with Technology « Realty Bytes http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-193 Safe Real Estate Info » Blog Archive » Grappling with Technology « Realty Bytes Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:54:20 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-193 [...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onGrappling with Technology « Realty BytesHere’s a quick excerptThere’s reason to believe a lot of those technologically disabled work in commercial real estate. Back in 2000, Xavier Menendez, a senior manager with Deloitte & Touche, described commercial real estate as “probably the most … [...] [...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onGrappling with Technology « Realty BytesHere’s a quick excerptThere’s reason to believe a lot of those technologically disabled work in commercial real estate. Back in 2000, Xavier Menendez, a senior manager with Deloitte & Touche, described commercial real estate as “probably the most … [...]

]]> By: Finest Real Estate Info » Blog Archive » Grappling with Technology « Realty Bytes http://noreenseebacher.com/2008/12/14/noreen-seebacher-15/#comment-192 Finest Real Estate Info » Blog Archive » Grappling with Technology « Realty Bytes Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:11:32 +0000 http://globestrealtybytes.wordpress.com/?p=437#comment-192 [...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onGrappling with Technology « Realty BytesHere’s a quick excerptIn 2006, for instance, Dallas-based Ben Johnson wrote: In the rush to close more deals expeditiously, technology is finally playing an important role in streamlining the commercial real estate sales process nearly a decade after the … [...] [...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onGrappling with Technology « Realty BytesHere’s a quick excerptIn 2006, for instance, Dallas-based Ben Johnson wrote: In the rush to close more deals expeditiously, technology is finally playing an important role in streamlining the commercial real estate sales process nearly a decade after the … [...]

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