Mike’s Rant!
August 14, 2007A few weeks ago I attended the Connect Conference in San Francisco. For those who aren’t aware, it’s a three day conference which focusses on technology and specifically real estate technology. There was a real host of technology ‘heavy weights’ presenting and on panels – Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com – most were either the CEO’s or one of the top 3 executives. Craig from craigslist.com also presented – he is one very ‘interesting’ guy! There were also many of the CEO’s of the major real estate groups as well as the CEO of NAR (the American real estate institute).
It was an amazing three days. I have always considered myself reasonably techno savvy – not a techno wizz, but in the upper half, well, at the end of the first day I just wanted to go upstairs to my hotel room and crawl under the duvey or doona, depending on which side of the Tasman you’re on, and hide and hope it all goes away! It wasn’t just what they were all talking about, although some of the new innovations, sites and software are amazing, but just as much how they are thinking. There is a seriously different world out there, and how that’s going to impact on us, how we live and our industry, is going to be dramatic over the next 10 years.
We’ve all heard and talked about the different generations – Silver Bullets, BB’s, X’s and Y’s – and what sort of impact the different needs and wants of the different generations is having on our industry, but the amazing thing about Connect was that while a clear majority of those on the leading edge of this technology growth were young, there was also a significant percentage who weren’t the stereo-typical Y Gen. This wave of techno change is gathering momentum across all generations, is clearly becoming a fundamental social shift, and that is what I believe will make things so different in the future.
Anyway, once I got over my initial shock, stopped shaking my head every 5 minutes, and attended the remaining two days, it really became very exciting, just where this could all head. So here I am, taking my first big step into Web 2.0 and Blogging! I’m not really sure how this all works exactly but I’m going to jump into it and see where it leads!
I hope you enjoy Mike’s Rant - let me know what you think!
Nice rant Mike. Yes it was a great conference and I am very impressed that you have started your first blog. Well played. JW
Mike, I can certainly see a flair for blogging here.
It is better than “Rant”……maybe “Views”
Cheers Gregg
Mike – good on you for blogging!
Like yourself I had the opportunity to attend Connect and came away incredibly motivated and excited about the new age in which we live – this is every bit as exciting as the classic dotcom era of the late nineties, the only difference being is that there are no ridiculous business models being touted around for millions of dollars. What there is is a rich environment of social interaction which now allows real estate agents to engage with audiences with content that is relevant.
People love to talk about where they live and how they live – a topic real estate agents have always been able to contribute to with good professional information and insight – now with web 2.0 technology they can turn this approach to their advantage as we heard from US realtors who by embracing this new social media can generate 95% of their leads online through a professional, respected and open format that adds value to clients.
The next few years are going to be a very exciting time in real estate, I am looking forward to bringing some of what I have learnt to the NZ market.
Thanks Alistair. It was great that you were there and able to take so much back to realestate.co.nz and the industry in NZ. It will be exciting!
Well done on courageously exploring exciting new frontiers.
Thanks Helen – this blogging is great!
Awesome stuff, thank you for your update and observations, most appreciated. I think we will all be shaking our head from side to side in the next few years. The techno future is very exciting. Keep me on your mail blog list please.
Hi Mike,
Not so much a rant but a great way to get an immediate thought across. So man people in this industry kill great thoughts by thinking them to death. This is a great opportunity to put all of those thoughts out there and see where they end up.
Cheers
Fletch
Mike
Well done. It has come to my attention that there are many talented people and families in the Real Estate Industry and they now have an opportunity to show that talent. They can visit people2view and have a great experience.
Go Mike, thats great leadership by you and I want a bloq now too. How do I get one? Wendy
Good stuff Mike – anything exciting happening with Mortgages or Insurance that you can bring back for me or tell me about on your Blogg site?! I have to speak at the NZMBA conference in early september and the topic is “Mortgages in 2020″ – so anything you can find or bring back for me would be greatly appreciated. take care & travel safely.
Hi Mike, Excellent oveview of Disney, keep Blogging!
Mike you are a legend,
I had no idea you knew how to Blog…..do you get chips with that?
Good on you mate keep those great ideas and study coming.
Cheers
Paul
Hi Mike
Good to hear from you and congrats on your blog site! We are also experimenting with blogs but passed that on to one of my managers! Guess I will have to put my golf clubs away and also get busy with Web 2.
Would love to hear a bit more about Disney and what you have been able to apply in Harcourts – would suspect that a key area is manager development.
Pse give my best to Irene and Paul.
Dave
Mikey,
Got it now. Made me think and made me wait but because it ws u I perservered. Great initiative mate. I’ll be interested in your post SJC blog. Bert
Bert, will let you know!
Dave, good to hear from you, will be posting more Disney comments, hope you enjoy! Go the All Blacks!
Paul, always chips available!
Good on you Mike!…my daughter has been hounding me about a blog for quite some time…I am rapidly running out of excuses. Like exercise, it’s just going to be something we simply have to do. Blog on!
Mike, keep the rants coming mate!!
Love the concept, see you Thursday.
Go Mikey Go!
12 months ago i never knew anyone had a second life.. let alone that there was a site making tons of money off people creating one..
today i found out about blogs.. which apparently my 10 year old niece already knew all about.. real scary thing is she’s now able to be a consumer in this new world..with my sisters credit card..
keep on being a visionary Mikey..
Walt.
Hey Mike,
Great outcome from San Fran, just think you should consider changing Rant to View!
well done
Tez
I absolutely love it! You’re a star!
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the “rant” Would love to learn more about the “blog” thing.
It appears we BB’s can still embrace the Y generation stuff. Great work!!!
Sue
Great to see you so “techno” savvy. You are leading the way… this is my first time to even look at a blog so thanks for the opportunity. Perhaps with time I may also blog.. however in the mean time I will enjoy yours. Keep on blogging!
First class Mike and well considered information and balanced consideration of confused markets, movements and comments all impacting on our real estate market. Great info for consultants to uplift and use in their dialogue with buyers and sellers.
you make a better MD than “shearer”, keep up the good work
Mike you’re a man of many talents, always pushing the envelop when it comes to new and exciting way to communicate your message, for a part time Aussie you’re a true visionary, keep it up as it’s a great and informative read.
You have impressed us all Mike. I have read all the comments. Bert has to get up to speed. I have not started my blog so you are very much the leader and role model. It was a bit longer than they suggested at the conference. From memory the recommended length was 2 paragrahs and a couple of hundred words at a time. But you have to start somewhere and people are obviously reading with interest. Cheers Lyn.
!085 hits Mike. Tha’s awesome. And your info is really interesting. We never get to talk to you about matters like your view on current markets and the need for Real Estate Institutes. Thanks. I’ve added you to my favourites. How long are you spending wroiting each Blog? Cheers Lyn.
Hi Lyn, thanks for that! I write one every time I am on a flight, so currently have two more ready to go up. I’m flying to Adelaide tomorrow, back Friday, so two more coming – take about 20 mins.
Mike, well put and thanks for showing the way
Hi Mike,
Every so often in life we do something for the first time! I wonder if I will always remeber you as the one that got me into my first Blog??
Seriously though this is a great idea and I will watch (and sometimes participate) with interest. I have learned so much about technology, websites, etc since I started Matrix and am keen to learn more going forward. The feedback from the Connect Conference is very valuable. Cheers Gary B.
Mike what an outstanding initiative. I particualrly like your “Blow the whistle” and “Inside the Disney corporation” articles. My Grandfather once told me doing what’s popular isn’t always right and doing what’s right isn’t always popular. when given these cirumstances, DO WHAT’S RIGHT everytime.Sound advice!
“Inside the magic kingdom” is one of the greatest books ever written on culture and the references to “Everyone Makes a Difference” within it is ‘must reading’ for every real estate office/company/Team.
Hi there Mike I’ve been monitoring your Blog’s since you initially set it up – I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to have your opinions voiced and to see the comments that come back. You have a great passion for your business and a great belief in yourself and I am enjoying reading your blogs with the messages they carry. Keep-em-coming .
Hi Nick, thanks for the feedback, I hope you continue to enjoy the rants!