Tech control of your business

During my 38 years working as an agent I learned to appreciate why many smaller agents are resistant to change; if you’re not a corporate, trying new ideas can seem risky. But I’m worried that the 80% of the industry who are small businesses are missing out on the new ideas coming out of the current growth in tech and online, and that too many small agents instead just put on their tin hats and fire well-rehearsed ripostes. Historically, agents have pandered to sellers and landlords – those that pay the bills. But the whip hand is with, and the demand from, buyers and tenants. My argument is that without the tech to reach and service the new generation of millennials, existing agents could well become invisible to them. Without the tech to reach and service the new generation of millennials, existing agents could well become invisible to them.” And it’s the larger agents – including the much-criticised Countrywide – that are moving to take advantage of new tech. No surprises there as they have the advantage of economies of scale, and the ability to swallow mistakes. Back in the noughties, this enabled the bigger and corporate agents to benefit…