So here's a great story Amy told me the other day, that's a perfect example of "who's in charge" of the technological changes happening to the real estate industry. The story comes from a manager in a group that Amy was coaching. The topic was: What's happening in your offices with technology?

The manager tells this story: During the office meeting last week, one of her agent's cell phones kept ringing. He'd hear the ring, grab the phone, flip it open and say, "Hello?" Nobody would be on the line. A few minutes later, the phone would ring again; he'd grab it and flip it open; Still no caller on the other end. This happens two more times. Finally, another agent becomes a little frustrated and asks to see the phone, thinking perhaps something is wrong. She looks down at the phone and says:

"You're not receiving a call. You're getting text messages from someone!"

So, it turns out, the agent was getting SMS/text messages from a client who wanted to arrange to make an offer on a property. And he thought the sound the phone was making was ringing for a call! He didn't even recognize that the phone could get messages; that it would make a sound; and most of all - that his client would do such a thing RATHER than call him.

And that's the story; simple. Technology change is going to happen TO YOU whether you like it or not; whether you're ready or not; whether you get it or not. And you can't change or stop it. Your clients know how to use text messaging (or who knows what else) and the phone you bought IS READY to do it.

The question is: Are you?

Thanks, Amy, for recounting that story for us. Life is so much better than fiction.

(c) 2007 Matthew Ferrara & Company. Visit our Website.