The Real Role of Technology in Real Estate… and Life!
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Last month I flew to Nashville for some meetings regarding our new podcasts. The car service to the airport had its own Wi-Fi. Staff in the terminal scanned my boarding pass straight from my phone. Onboard, I connected to inflight Wi-Fi like so many others around me. When I landed, my phone’s GPS guided me straight to the hotel in a city I’ve never set foot in before. The valet asked for my cell number, then handed me a ticket. “When you want your car, text the number on the card and it’ll be waiting for you.” Of course it will, I thought.
In eight hours, technology and I had encountered each other in many fascinating ways. But the fact remained:
I had used all of those devices and processes to get me to a face-to-face meeting. Why? Because it was live, interactive, explorative, collaborative and conversational. And that truly seems to be where we are at our best. We’re relational beings; we form communities, have families, and build cities so we can live in close proximity. We are connected to each other in a complex and sophisticated manner, picking up on cues, facial expressions, movements, and energy as we adjust accordingly. And while I love technology and enjoy all the speed and efficiency it brings, sitting down across from someone is unbeatable.
It’s the combination of technology and relationships that really make the world go round.
But of course it’s not an either/or situation today. It’s the combination of technology and relationships that really make the world go round. But tech’s purpose should be this—to help you. Help you succeed, help you forge deeper relationships, help you get more done in a quicker fashion. Technology allows you to spend more time with those you love, read a book, enjoy a glass of wine and a great view—whatever it is that represents the good life for you.
Technology will be a big part of some exciting innovations this year, like our new MarTech Trends™ Conference, or the launch of two brand new podcasts. But as always, we’ll be teaching people how to strengthen the connections they already have with customers who love working with them. Our Coaches will hold our Members accountable to “relational” goals they’ve set—how many times they’ll connect with clients through visits, lunches, letters, notes, calls and real honest to goodness “human” connectedness.
While it wasn’t a hardship to fly to the great city of Nashville, after a busy work travel schedule I wasn’t exactly scanning the airwaves for another cross-country trip. That said I know that one morning of conversations and meetings bridged a gap. It was invaluable and could have only happened face-to-face.
Now, I must wrap up this piece on my phone before uploading it to the File Transfer Protocol, emailing it to myself, and exporting it as a PDF to print wirelessly in the other room.
David
