The Elephant in the Room

There is a huge pink elephant sitting in the room at every Broker/Manager technology training I have ever shared at or participated in. I see it very clearly but it seems like very few are willing to acknowledge its presence.

I am asked to present to and train Brokers and Managers on new ideas in real estate technology, website strategies, leads generation/management and using technology to recruit and close more transactions. All of this is tantalizing to me. I get jazzed-up thinking my audience will be just as excited. Once in a while that is true but most times I see the glazed eyes before I even start talking. As a proclaimed Geek, I understand that I must address every level of competence in the room. The problem is most people in leadership will not expose their true level of understanding of technology.

Heads nod and I see a few light bulbs turning on. But for the most part, you are faking it. You are sitting there wishing you were back at the office dictating notes so your assistant can type up the agenda for your upcoming weekly sales meeting. You aren't there because technology really interests you. You're not thinking "I can't wait to pull out my laptop and get to work." I would go so far as to say that some of you are hoping this whole technology thing will just go away and that you can at least survive until you are ready to retire.

You are not sitting in the room because you want to. You are sitting in the room because you feel like you have to. You feel like all the other brokers, managers and agents know more than you do. Most don't and it isn't a bad thing. I would wager that 90% of the people in the room feel just like you. That is why I prefer one-on-one training. It is much easier to make true progress when I can evaluate one person's personal skill and need.

I am not here to chastise, I know where my own pitfalls are. As an owner/operator, I hated reviewing sales files and I could never pretend to like it. I only did it when absolutely necessary. I would much rather play on my computer all day and come up with marketing and recruiting ideas. I put talented staff in place to make me look good. My talents lied elsewhere.