Yes, I get RSS feeds on my Mac. And my iPod, too, for that matter. Heck, I think even my TOASTER can pick them up.

You can receive RSS in the Mac Mail application, but I prefer to subscribe to feeds in Safari.

What’s a Safari, you say? Why, it’s only the fastest web browser on the planet, on ANY platform. Available for the Windows, too!

FYI: Mac IS taking market share away from PC’s. Per Web metrics firm Net Applications:

“Mac market share jumped just under a half percent in November (2007) to 7.3 percent…sometime in 2008, Mac market share—and by that we mean growth, not installed base—will exceed 10 percent.”

Please note that the iPhone is considered a SEPARATE entity in these metrics, and is trending to overtake Linux ON ITS OWN before the end of 2008.

While that data is usage, sales figures from 2007 are even more telling. Per NPD:

“While the industry showed a 9 percent growth in unit sales, Apple sold 60 percent more than last year. In terms of revenue, the industry grew just a paltry 5 percent on its 9 percent gain in units while Apple’s revenue is up 67 percent. Notebook sales are up 64 percent of the industry’s 20 percent, reflecting the overall trend towards more mobile computing we’ve seen for a couple years now. But surprisingly, while the industry recorded a 5 percent decline in desktops, Apple posted an increase of 55 percent.”

People ARE switching to the Mac, which is why M$ finally started listening.

Allen Taylor

Thanks for your email, but I can’t say I agree with a word you write. First, let’s stop thinking that buyers agents are some sort of superhuman hero of real estate. Most consumers don’t use one, and those that do aren’t assured that the buyer’s agent knows anything more about a particular listing than the local postman. Why? Because they’re the “buyer’s” agent - and only a listing agent has spent the time learning bout all of the features and benefits of the home. Buyer’s agents (and subagents) may have stopped by on “broker caravan” for a tour and a doughnut, but there’s no way they really know anything other than a) what’s on the listing sheet and b) what their training in recoghnizing heating systems or counter tops could tell them.

But put all that aside for a moment: it’s ALL IRRELEVANT because getting a buyer into a home isn’t about the roof or heating system or back yard. It’s about the “deal” potential that the sellers have for accepting certain offers, conditions and finances. That’s why listing agents need to be there.

Additionally, this particular blog posting was suggesting that agents helping buyers might want to bring along some technology - like their PDAs and smartphones with internet access, so they can provide more information and more listing options to their buyers. I can’t see why you wouldn’t agree with that “future model” of real estate, and see how Lord and Taylor is showing REALTORS the way to satisfy consumers. REALTOR.com is not only a listing tool - it’s the absolute best selling tool because CONSUMERS are finding the homes they buy online, THEMSELVES 30% of the time. And only “through a REALTOR” 30% of the time. Consumers don’t need the buyer’s agent to show them homes more than 70% of the time - they are finding the home they purchase all by themselves, then just calling the agent in to process the offer and paperwork. Read the NAR Research on Home Buyers and Sellers and you’ll see that “showings” is not a service proposition for consumers most of the time. There are a few who still need it but 2 out of 3 consumers can are perfectlyfine without their agent taking them around in their cars.

So real-time access to REALTOR.COM (or any relevant inventory site) is as important to selling homes to buyers as it is to getting sellers to list with you. When you finally get a buyer in a car, or they come to your open house, you better be prepared with internet access to the inventory, neighborhood and finance information - just like Lord and Taylor salespeople are prepared to look up your shoe request, suggest alternatives and process your credit card all from their PDAs.

As for Cinderellas, I couldn’t agree with you more: But I wouldn’t say that the consumer was the Cinderalla. It’s the REALTORS who are still running around looking for silver bullets and glass shoes to help them become “sales princesses” without having to keep up with the times and get a Smartphone. That’s the real fairy tale - and unlike Lord and Taylor’s sales force - most REALTORS story doesn’t have a happy ending.

Thanks again!
-Mike
Twitter: @RealtorLefebvre
AIM: RealtorLefebvre
Skype: RealtorLefebvre

- M

That’s great news! It means you’re doing your job as a professional sales person and taking your role seriously. However, I’d bet you’d agree that you are the exception - by about 98% - rather than the rule, for having video tours on all of your listings.

Keep up the good work!
- M

I’ve had home video tours and community video tours on my website for almost three years, on every single listing - regardless of pricepoint.

Got a great story line for you Matt……

“Local real estate agent wins his sellers $21,000 with award winning real estate marketing video….later that day they get an offer on the home!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WFV3S44Y6g

Let’s grab lunch and discuss! I’ll give you a pass on the iPhone-hating post. : )

-Mike Lefebvre
TheUncommonAgent.com

Now this doesn’t happen every day, however, If you are willing to work smart and actually WORK and not let the media mis-information get in the way of doing business, Realtors can thrive in any market. This market offers a lot of opportunity, so get out there and do what you do best. SELL Real Estate.
Corinne

Thanks for your comment.

Sounds like your company is only partially implementing the total possibility of mobile technology - and as a result, holding back its agents! If your company is hosting their Microsoft Exchange “in house” they are probably spending way more money, maintenance and upkeep than they have to - AND they don’t/won’t foot the bill for a Blackberry server. That’s why they should outsource their Exchange ENTIRELY to someone like APPTIX or Sherweb. For $20/pp per month you get 3 Gigs of space, real-time synch and NO hardware/maintenance/administrative headaches. There’s usually NO WAY companies are doing it cheaper in-house, unless you have 10,000 agents or something….

… plus this approach would support ALL agents who have Windows-based Smartphones AND Blackberries because the cross-compatibility of outsourced companies is built into the accounts. If your company didn’t set the standards for Smartphone usage up front - and it doesn’t sound like they did, and just left you to choose the model you wanted, only to find out that you can’t sync and take advantage of it - then it should get out of the way altogether and let agents buy anything they feel is best, and support them with total compatibility with a hosted Exchange provider.

That’s the solution! Not buying a different phone, because at some point, someone else in your company will have a problem with Windows basde PDAs (or MLS will do something stupid and not be compatible with some kind of phone or something) and then there will be process to change again, etc. Just outsource it all and be compatible with all…

- Matthew

Check this out: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/05/survey-iphone-h.html

A recent survey conducted by Rubicon Consulting on the iPhone found that users “report very high levels of satisfaction” with the product. That’s not surprising considering almost half of the 460 survey-takers switched carriers just to use Apple’s popular smartphone. Oddly and more interestingly, the survey also found that 28 percent of iPhone users carry a second phone.

The survey found that most of those two-timers are having an affair with a Research in Motion BlackBerry. Why carry a second phone when you’ve already got “your life in your pocket”? Rubicon Consulting speculates that those carrying a companion device might be using it for features missing from the Jesus phone: For example, compatibility with Microsoft Exchange or a built-in keyboard.

—> READ THAT LAST SENTENCE!! “… or a built-in keyboard.”

… check the link for the rest of the story. And the study from Rubicon Consulting at http://rubiconconsulting.com/insight/whitepapers/2008/04/the-apple-iphone-is-easily.html

Thanks, WIRED!!

Giving consumers what they want is truly the key. In fact it always has but real estate for the next 100 years has the added benefit of posts like this, stats from NAR, and from CAR that show everyone where the next potential buyer or seller is. Now all we have to do is go to where they are.

The stats say it all.

JOey

Actually, I think some brokerages can survive in a “highly virtual” configuration. There are many sales organizations where the sales people work mostly from their homes, with all of their resources mobilized with laptops and cellular/wireless access. However, this is a very special breed of organization: You can’t just take people who have ordinarily worked in a “centralized” fashion and say, “Poof! You’re working from home!” because they may not have the skills, discipline or resources to be so self sufficient. Plus, management has to be specially trained and resourced to make remote organization work effectively.

This isn’t to say it can’t be done - even with a highly hybrid approach where the central office is greatly reduced in size and resources - no need for lots of desks and chairs - just conference room, training room, central resource room, etc., and a place for customers to visit (for those who still wish to…

It’s possible; but it takes serious planning, training and management to make it happen. Not every real estate agent or company today could pull it off; but tomorrow’s workers are more likely to handle this environment of interactivity and management. Especially if they grew up playing World of Warcraft - it’s the perfect parallel to the virtual “office.”

Be well.

First, thanks for taking the time to reply. I’m assuming it might even be your job - to search blogs for negative comments about DELL and then pop in some “marketing department” ready-to-go-refutation. Still, it’s a good sign that your company is paying attention to the cracks and chips in its public perception.

I think, however, you have missed my point: Poorly trained and performing people are what kills a brand. Your comments are mostly about “look at all our cool new stuff - laptops and servers and awards, wow!” And while you say that you’re training your tech support staff with new and innovative techniques, I’d have to suggest you have a long, long way to go. We called DELL for support last week; it was less than a satisfactory experience. And we even called to order a laptop - we were disconnected once, then spoke to two different people, neither of which could really tell us what the benefits or features of certain parts of the laptop were, or help us make an informed decision. One person contradicted what we were looking directly at on the website (regarding upgrade/downgrade with Windows Vista). So it was another example of talking to people who haven’t been trained in their products, don’t understand how to assess and satisfy customer needs, and who create an impression that your company would “rather” we serve ourselves online.

No company is perfect, and we’re all trying to improve our services and innovate. There will be bad calls and mistakes made; but I think it’s fairly certain to say that many companies have been sliding for years - “rusting” as I call it. And the fact that you recently had to pull Mr Dell himself out of retirement to stop the bleeding means that, yes, indeed, Dell was heading for the same junkyard as the Oldsmobile.

Don’t get me wrong; I hope you don’t end up there. But I’m not convinced your “new equipment” and just listening/learning from your customers is actually getting you anywhere.

And don’t take my word for it. Pick up your own phone and make 100 calls to your tech support or order processing lines. See for yourself how the experience goes. That’s your brand “in action” - one call at a time, every day.

Good luck!

As I read your article, a number of instances of neglect come to mind. In the technology sector, a key business decision to outsource support to foreign countries was made on the sole fact of costs. The neglect was with the consumer as your article implies. Didn’t anyone at these companies think that a language barrier was deficient level of customer service? Educated consumers have too many options nowadays and are more willing to take a chance with alternate brand for a better experience. The cost to acquire a previous customer who left a brand is double then to retain. Look at how much automakers spend in marketing to differentiate their brands and products from one another. Brand loyalty isn’t what it was 20 years ago. I just read that Honda fell for 3 to 9 on consumer satisfaction in the Wall Street Journal. A perennial power house in car sales usually with top marks for satisfaction is on the slide down.
Another example of neglecting loyal consumers takes place in the mobile communications industry. Verizon is a perfect example of company only interested in new subscribers. I was enjoyed my cellular phone service and didn’t mind paying extra for reliability, “can you hear me now?” But when I wanted to upgrade my phone and monthly plan, they made it too difficult and outrageously expensive. It was easy to take my phone number to another accommodating cellular provider. I gave up reliability and coverage area for ease of use with another carrier.
I understand the need for companies to be more competitive and reduce costs to stay profitable but if it is the expense of losing customer aren’t they defeating the purpose of why they are in business, for consumer to buy their products and increase sales for shareholder value.

Wow. That is an interesting perspective, for sure. However, to suggest that “brand wonders like Dell computer are disintegrating like rusty chrome bumpers” is really a bit over the top.

In fact our latest results hardly suggest we are being put out of business, but that we are getting our groove back as we had better-than-industry growth of commercial and consumer products and services.

Lets take a little more realistic look at Dell. We are a young 20+ year old company. No company ever experiences perfectly linear growth. So we hit some speed bumps, so to speak. Did we make some mistakes? Sure. Have we learned from that? You bet. Are we become a better and stronger company and brand because of it. I think so.

And our future is even stronger and better because of it too. Looking back is not what it is all about. Moving forward is what brands business and our customer relationships are about.

We have reinvigorated our product line with fresh design and personalization and more to come. Look at the Mike Ming designs; the colors; the crystal displays; the XPSOne considered its category leader and one to beat in its field, replacing Apple. Its why our XPS m1330 wins all kinds of awards for style, design, power and guts and so much more. Dont take my word for it, check out: http://www.dell.com/awards for more.

We have been listening and acting based on what our customers want on Dell’s Ideastorm. We have changed to offer new kinds and levels of tech support, based on what customers are telling us they want. We are training our tech support staff in new and innovative ways to enhance the customer experience . We are reaching out online to connect , listen and learn so that we do better every day….continuing to grow and improve.

Appreciate your perspective, but dont think you can in any way, shape or form equate Dell to a ‘74 Oldsmobile Delta 88 that no longer exists. Thats quite a reach on your part.

.

I agree to have a PDA that will help to respond clients’ need promptly is critical. Prospects search online constantly. If we don’t stay on top of what’s being offered, our clients won’t come to us. They can find all the information online.

Linda

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com

Susan Kishner

Great site with good straight to the point honest information. We really need to step back and look at our companies and I have gotten several great ideas to try from the opinions you have presented. Another winner!

So true! We are all trying to find the next superstar salesperson with out really seeing if they have sales experience. Great article!