I shot this video on the way to work this morning to discuss a common thought that I’m having when attending events, watching my Twitter stream, or even working with my own agents:

The constant looking and researching, “what’s next?” and over-inundating of data we consume is actually paralyzing us as individuals.  Instead of actually putting something into action (or focusing on existing efforts that bring us business/engage our clients), our constant “shiny object syndrome” is actually hindering our success in business – or as implementers of actual actions.

Some quick thoughts below on this topic.  I would love to hear thoughts and/or discussions on this with examples that you have actually “implemented” or put into place.

Paralysis by Analysis – The story of Web 2.0 from Matthew Dollinger on Vimeo.

It’s not really the setup point that stressed me out, it was more the idea of sitting down and going over all of the programs, (Mozilla not IE), new sites available, (Facebook)?  What the hell?), and the general ideas of sharing and convergence. 

To those of us that have made our job, livelihood or passion around this modern day technology, most of this is pretty basic.  We look to Mashable or other sites to see how they have improved upon it or what the latest “plugin” is to take us to the next level.  But… what about the other 90% of the world?  What about the 40+ consumer that doesn’t get it or doesn’t think that social media is anything more than a way for high school kids to bitch about their teachers and share pictures? 

This weekend, when showing this information to my Mom and Dad, I realized a couple of things:

1.        It isn’t that they don’t WANT to learn about this information.  It’s more that they have probably tried to grasp something altogether new or foreign in the past, and don’t realize that today’s systems are setup for learning with ease.

2.        There is an ingrained FEAR learning something altogether new.  They have learned and changed throughout their lives and now, many of them, would like to simply enjoy or exist in the world that they have created.

3.        Many are UNSURE of what this type of technology can do for them.  When explained that they can catch up with old friends, see grandkids, and share pictures with people that haven’t seen in years… and do so a) easily and b) on THEIR schedule… they are extremely interested.

4.        They have to UNDERSTAND the idea of Web 2.0 and embrace it.  When showing my Mom YouTube and searching for Watercolor Painting, she was amazed to see that there were hundreds of tutorial videos for free from teachers across the world.

I wrote a post long ago entitled, “When does the map of Web 2.0 become Clouded?” where I talked about the fact that with all of the advancements that we are creating.  The overall question becomes, “In doing so are we simply further distancing ourselves from our clients?”  This is an incredibly glaring question that I think we all need to ask ourselves and one that has a very clear and simple answer.

Instead of simply innovating, we need to explain and educate our clients on how to use this technology and how it will in turn, benefit them.

By doing so, we will not only be closing the gap between the “get its” and the “don’t get its”, but also develop and innovate with the end user in mind.  This is true collaboration and something that many industries fail to do, spending millions of dollars in research and very little in client testing. 

So take a minute.  Call some people that might not be “up to speed” on some of the latest technology out there.  Share with them the hows and why’s to use it, and focus on the end benefits for them.  And while you’re at it, look up my Dad (Rex Dollinger – Bayfield, WI) on Facebook and ask him to be your friend… he’s new on there.

~ Matt Dollinger

I shiver almost every time someone mentions the phrase Web 2.0.  The catch phrase of the millenia, 2.0 refers to “the next step”, NEW, better than the original.  The “official” Wikipedia definition refers to Web 2.0 as, “a term describing a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users”.  (see article here)  So, what happens when our intricately laid plans of information sharing, creativity, and collaboration actually DISTANCE ourselves from our consumers instead of pulling us together for the sharing we so seek?

This is an issue that I often find myself smack dab in the middle of when talking with friends and others in the real estate community.  In an industry of “me too” and “ours is better” the question becomes; “In our quest to increase exposure to listings and target a finite consumer pool, are we appealing to our audience or distancing ourselves from them?”

My thoughts have always been focused (with real estate at least) around the following:

1. Enhance the overall customer experience
2. Provide more “usable” information than other sites/companies
3. Visual appeal and usability
4. Functionality

I was amazed when I witnessed the release of Chase Nation , a social networking site devoted to the Lake Tahoe/Reno, NV area.  It scores an 11 on the “Coolness” scale and set the tech community buzzing with its forward thinking and ingenuity.  Two months (roughly) after its release date, the network has a total of 350 members, (130 of them being Chase international Realtors, and I would guess another half being interested parties like myself).  I am assuming that the site, (unconfirmed), was assembled to provide area information, thoughts, opinions, etc. from the neighboring public – ultimately increasing the company’s exposure and increased potential buyer/seller traffic.  It remains to be seen if this idea catches on, but I am speculative. 

Even in Chicago, a city I know like the back of my hand and love, I could see this type of neighborhood network REALLY taking hold in maybe 4-5 areas with the right roll-out, marketing, and advertising.  (I have no idea about the roll out or advertising Chase International did for this project.)  But now, rather than wait for the general public to “catch up” to this technology, all the real estate tech blogs are exploring; What’s next?  What’s better than Chase Nation?  How can we surpass their tech-genius?  (One of our local real estate companies even tried their hand at creating a Second LIfe office and failed miserably.)

In my mind it all comes back to figuring out WHAT the consumer wants and WHAT the consumer is willing to use.  For the millions and millions of dollars that are annually spent in advertising budgets, statistics, and analyzing the behviors of consumers, my question always becomes; “Why not simply ask them?”  I encourage EVERYONE… whether in Real Estate or whatever business, to target your top 10 clients and ask them about their Psychographics.  Ask them why they worked with you, what they liked, what they didn’t, what websites they visit, what they think of yours, how you could improve it, etc…  Go to the source and listen… The #1 desire of all human beings is to be heard and understood.

Then, when you find what they want, desire, like, etc… then put 110% of your efforts into providing that to the nth degree and making their experience better.

(Part 2 to come – stats and figures)

Matt Dollinger

I’m a huge fan of branding and this is, yes, an example of furthering your business brand.  As quoted in the CNBC interview below, Paolo talks about surrounding yourself with beautiful things; a home, a car, or… yes… your Real Estate agent.

Enter supermodel/real estate agent Angelina Everhart.  This star of the runway has turned in her catwalk glamour for the glamorous life of an agent… and it seems that the my experiment is going well.

When viewing the video you will meet one of Angelina’s clients, Raymond Dowd who states that there IS a huge when seeing a piece of real estate with a supermodel.  “There’s a commitment to the highest quality of clientele and living,” Dowd states.  Ummm… ok.  Nice way to think on your feet Raymond rather than stating the obvious, which for me would be, “I’M WALKING AROUND NEW YORK WITH A SUPERMODEL DUDE!!!”

I digress…  but as funny and ludicrous as it may seem, I send props over to Paolo and Angelina both.  Luxury, Taste, and the finest things in life… they all makes up a lifestyle, and that’s something that they’re pitching.  Crazy but true… Way to embrace your “You Factor”!

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhe5yj2oF-E&hl=en&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

 Marc talks about this site in his latest post entitled, “Exodus from the bondage of 1.0 tradition”, and uses this site as an example of the future.  Read the entire post here http://www.1000wattblog.com/2008/04/chase-internati.html and prepare to be inspired. 

To quote Marc, I went and it was good.  It’s really an amazing mashup built on the Ning social networking platform that allows potential home buyers and sellers (and agents as well) to transpose themselves across the web and… dare I say… become almost 3 dimensional.  After playing around on the site for about an hour, I am a huge fan and think that this is more than a step in the right direction, but a leap forward we as Real Estate professionals should learn from and embrace.