originally published May 19, 2008
Open minded, but not distracted
In this 2.0 versus 1.0 world of disruption, confusion, chaos, I want to lead my business forward. Even though I am a great agent, I must continue to find new ways of demonstrating my greatness to consumers both on and offline. I do not want to become caught up in a stereotype, nor do I want to become the far left, or far right fringe. I want to appeal to as many opportunities as possible, I want stand out in a sea of repetition, and most importantly I want to do it effectively, and efficiently- I am by all accounts “The 1.5 Agent.”
In my practice I will
- I will continue to educate myself on the Practice of Real Estate
- I will continue to provide the most effective means of buying and selling real estate
- I will continue to market in ways I have found to be most effective
- I will continue to challenge my own knowledge in technology and new media
- I will never forget my consumers and make them my priority
- I will study and learn new methods of communication
- I will continue to make communication my top priority
- I will employ new methods of communication while continuing older ones that work
- I will find new methods of delivering value content to my consumer
- I will build and develop more sincere ways of communicating my value and skills
- I will never be afraid to admit failure
- I will always share my successes
- I will continue to reach out to my community in social ways
- I will never allow technology to distract me from my consumer
- I will always vet new products for my consumers
- I will only use vendors that add value to my service offering
- I will always listen and be willing to try new ideas
- I will always be willing to share ideas
- I will ask my consumer what they think and feel
- I will listen to my consumer as a means to better my practice
- I will test the user experience often, and am willing to make changes that better serve
- I will not abandon standards and practices that have stood the test of time
- I will listen to the masses as means to look inward
- I will make the investments necessary to improve consumer experience
- I will improve my professional image
- I will not alienate my profession with destructive commentary
- I will speak up for the consumer in ways that are constructive and ethical
- I will continue to give thought before I speak
- I will actively involve myself in the conversation consumers wish to have
- I will find new ways of meeting the consumer
- I will mentor peers and recognize when it is I who needs to be mentored
- I will not be afraid to stand up to peer pressure
- I will be honest about my limitations
- I will be a champion of ethical standards
- I will continue to be pro-active in my community as well as my online communities
- I will do my personal best to elevate my piece of the real estate profession
- I will never build my success upon the failure of another’s business or reputation
My list is ever growing, expanding, adapting, and adjusting, I am the 1.5 Agent. I want to be the best agent, not the agent disruption says I should be. I am in a constant state of evaluation- I will repair only what is broken, strengthen what is weak, revitalize what is worn, and will always be openminded to change and the desires of my consumer- they are what matter most.
ines
May 19, 2008 at 11:12 am
here I stand with right hand raised, reading every point saying “I do” – it’s all about balance, is it not?
Benn Rosales
May 19, 2008 at 11:15 am
right up the middle.
Paula Henry
May 19, 2008 at 11:16 am
Benn – Excellent – this should be the Realtors Creed! Dugg!
Matthew Rathbun
May 19, 2008 at 11:32 am
This is the first “share it” I’ve done in months. I want to Benn, when I grow up… nah screw it; I don’t want to grow up.
The truly successful are going to learn from the previous generation’s successes and not discount the personal interaction that is required.
ines
May 19, 2008 at 11:44 am
So now looking at the graphic I have to add: Jeans with a nice shirt and shoes, maybe designer shades and you are good to go!
Missy Caulk
May 19, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Ben, I got on Digg IT.
Very good, I am digging it. I do believe we drop the things NOT working and those that are we add to it. I was just having a discussion with my daughter who is 18 today on what web 1.0 and 2.0 were.
Bill Lublin
May 20, 2008 at 4:29 am
Benn;
I loved this post, it only needs an apple pie to add a little fiber , and some ice cream (to satisfy my personal need for ice cream).
Its interesting that your post, and Johnathan Dalton’s circle back from the 2.0 electronic experience to recognize that we are in a human oriented, service business in which we help people realize the “American Dream” either by owning their own home, or by accumulating security and weath through the acquisition of real estate. (This is why the post needed only Apple pie, and not a flag – I brought my own).
Kristal Kraft
May 20, 2008 at 8:38 am
This is excellent stuff. How about making it into a wall poster so we can read it all the time?
It has been dug…
kk
Ken Smith
May 20, 2008 at 9:52 am
Mac does such a good job with their commercials….oh yeah and the post was great! So many good points, but one I wish every blogger followed first and foremost is:
“I will not alienate my profession with destructive commentary”
Brad Nix
May 22, 2008 at 10:39 am
Another top notch post Benn! Dugg it.
Sarah Fields
September 4, 2008 at 2:53 pm
So good, Benn! This is the first time I have run into the 1.5 concept..where have I been? This is a nice compromise. I think agents will appreciate such a reasonable level of required growth..Finally a spot right in the middle to help eliminate some of the same ‘ole excuses.
Karen Goodman
August 9, 2009 at 11:31 am
So many agents fall into the camp of either avoiding new technology ways of doing business or adopting every new thing. I think that the web 2.0 community needs to take to heart your statements:
– will repair only what is broken
– I will never allow technology to distract me from my consumer
– I will only use vendors that add value to my service offering
New isn’t always better. Finding the gems among all of the services available on the net that makes you better at your job is the key.
Paula Henry
August 9, 2009 at 11:48 am
Almost a year and a half later, this post is still relevant! Even with all the new technology, blending 1.0 and 2.0 is the key to success in this business.
Jeffrey Douglass
August 9, 2009 at 11:51 am
Benn, perhaps I missed your point, but why 1.5 instead of 2.0?
Your 37 points would and can apply to 2.0 REALTORS – in fact I think they would apply to successful agents.
Benn Rosales
August 9, 2009 at 11:59 am
Jeffrey, when originally posted just about everything you read was “you have to go 2.0” which scared a lot of folks, encouraged some to say to drop traditional methods of practice, and pretty much lead many down a one way course to dropping everything they’ve ever known to practice some sort of new real estate.
Our position then was no you do not have to abandon traditional to become modern and that it was more of a 1.5. Many of the most successful agents today only use radio and television as a means of reaching the public, and they’re still producing, but what is different is maybe they’ve polished the message and the look of their advertising, but needless to say, most were telling them to drop advertising traditionally all together or they would die on the vine.
The point of the post was to plot the goal, not dive in blindly because hype says you should.
Jeffrey Douglass
August 9, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Benn,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my comment and explain the idea behind the 1.5 Real Estate Agent.
I hear what you are saying, and understand there are those out there that advocate total change – not wise nor necessary to be successful in the future. However, I feel rather strongly that this paradigm shift our industry is in, will leave many behind that don’t change rather quickly.
I believe the 2.0 Agent is all about openness and sharing. How you get to that point, and what technology is used is not as important as moving from the old ways of the gatekeeper, to being transparent and providing open and honest content.
Face it, the industry is bloated with real estate agents and companies. As our markets adjust and stabilize, many of those Companies and Agents may find they have no desire to continue in the business – some are waiting for the return of the 1.0 days. Those days have passed forever.
Doomed are those agents that forget what works, decide that real estate is not a relationship based business, or develop a effective web presence. Education, experience,
trying to educate the consumer for the good of all is what the 2.0 agent is all about.
@mattdollinger wrote a very important post the other day – are you a real estate salesperson or an advisor. I think there is some pretty sound advice about where we need to be focusing our attention as an industry.
https://theyoufactor.com/2009/08/05/advising-the-face-of-real-estate-today/
I posted a reply to his article and would love to see more discussion around being an advisor vs. a salesperson.
Thanks Benn for this very thought provoking post, and you taking the time to reply to my question.
Cal Carter
August 9, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Nice post Benn!
I’m with Ines – “I do”!
Joe Loomer
August 10, 2009 at 8:40 am
Awesome Benn – agree with Paula and Krystal – put it on the wall !
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
Atlanta Real Estate
September 1, 2009 at 12:36 am
Solid!