2006 Tech Users Committee Report

Expand Your Horizons -- Be a Part of Your Future

Technology Users Forum 2006

By Dave Arthur, Chair
Tech Users Forum

The Vision of the Columbus Board of REALTORS® as established in the Strategic Framework developed in 2001 States:

"The Columbus Board of REALTORS® is the REALTORS® forum, a place where members can define best practice, build consensus and access the insight, information, and tools to succeed."

The Strategic Framework continues with the first two goals being:

1. "To be a pro-active force for change in the interests of REALTORS®." 
2. "To be a source of cutting edge information and education of professional trends, issues and best practice, invaluable to members in making sound business decisions for the future."

The Technology Users Forum was formulated with the mission to "Address the needs of the growing number of REALTORS® who are using the computer for their business." The forum was formed long before the advent of the Strategic Framework and the mission statement reflects the era of the late 1990's.

Fortunately the forum leadership during the past several years has shaped an evolution of the forum to now incorporate the vision and goals set out by the Strategic Framework of 2001.

The forum meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. January through November. All meetings are an open forum to which all CBR members who may have an interest in the topic(s) being presented are invited. During the year numerous topics of technology are explored, new technology trends are discussed and analyzed, and a Technology Fair Day (July 25, 2006) is presented for all members of the CBR to attend.

In January, monthly topics of discussion are determined for the year, and sub-committees are formed to conduct the necessary research, contact vendors or speakers, and plan a presentation to the forum. Those topics are then presented throughout the year, with each month addressing one of the items. In 2005 popular subjects were Website Development and Website Traffic & Search Engines, Contact Management Programs and Trends, Centralized Showing Systems, ePRO, Internet Marketing Tools, Franklin CountyAuditor, and a great TECH DAY with over 200 attendees.

In February, the Technology User's Forum presented two topics: "How to Get Your e-PRO Designation, and "The Client Listing Site." The e PRO designation is a NAR-approved course that is taken over the Internet. This valuable course not only teaches you about technology as it relates to real estate, but it connects you with other real estate professionals from all over the country to help you establish your business. For more information on the e-PRO designation, go to http://www.epronar.com.

"Client Listing Site" (CLS) offers Tempo users more functionality with prospecting. CLS creates custom "web sites" for prospects, and then emails a link to that website. On the website, the client is able to view the listings that match the search criteria in the custom search created by the agent. The client is able to select the listings they like, the listings they are unsure about, and the ones they reject outright. These choices are then reported to the agent so they can interact with their client about their choices. This gateway also allows agents to upload their photo to the website, which will be applied to all client custom sites in order to identify and personalize the sites for their clients. It will also create compliance with the Can Spam Act by allowing clients to opt-out of receiving emails from the agent.

To get more information on upcoming technological advances, join us for future Technology User meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month to expand your horizons!

Established topics for the following months will include:

• Computer Security (Chair: Milton Lustnauer, RE/MAX Premier Choice) (Panned for March 28, 2006 -- See CBR events Schedule for March) 
• Palm Pilots and Handheld Devices, GPS Systems, and Lockboxes (Chair: Jerry Butler, Coldwell Banker King Thompson) 
• Website Hosting and Integration with MLS (Chair: Steve Herb, Sell and Save Homes, LLC) ) 
• Meeting Client Expectations (Chair: Joni Orders, ERA Home Network) 
• Virtual Offices, Automated Feedback, UFAX (Chair: Maureen McCabe, HER Real Living) 
• Virtual Tours and other Marketing Options (Chair: TBA) 
• TECH DAY - July 25, 2006 (Co-Chairs: Trina Wiater, Sell and Save Homes, LLC and David Dikeman, Homestead Mortgage)

The Technology Committee of the 1990's has truly evolved into a broad based Technology Users Forum. It has become a place for agents to explore best practice and a place to gain insight, information and tools to succeed. Furthermore we are not afraid to explore new technology trends with the goal to have the practice(s) or technology incorporated into the framework of the CBR. In today's rapidly changing real estate environment it is key that all new technology be reviewed, discussed, and analyzed. The Technology Users Forum offers the perfect opportunity to "Expand Your Horizons" through new knowledge and to "Be a Part of Your Future" through committee participation.

Come -- Join us for any meeting. All are Welcome!