Property Management
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Michael Russer: Putting People Over Technology
Without NAR "s blessing there will be no standard that means anything. We are going to set the standard and it won"t be easy. It gives the agents who can"t make the transition a graceful way out. It gives a benchmark, it gives them the standards. B.E.: When will this certification be available? M.R.: End of June. They put out a request for a proposal for vendors to create an online learning system. It will be a certification rather than a designation, but that is up to the NAR. They should announce the vendor to build this system by the end of June. B.E.: What about your work with ARELLO? M.R.: I look at what "s out there and try to make some sense out of it. I am interested in helping the entire industry make this transition. I don"t have a position on designated agency; right now, my focus is the Internet and its impact. With the impact of XML the sellers will pay the sellers agent and the buyer will pay the buyer"s agent. The unbundling of services due to XML will have an impact. That is why ARELLO needs to get strong, but they can"t force jurisdictions to do anything. They are an influencing body, not a governing body. They are trying to look at these issues from a broad and cross jurisdictional issues an they are asserting their leadership. B.E.: Isn"t it all about the Internet, because the Internet eliminates "jurisdictions?" M.R.: Interesting question. The Internet makes it stickier because of its cross jurisdictional capability. It is near the heart. Internet law is a brand new field. It is going to interesting. B.E.: How do you fit all this in with a home life? M.R.: I do the writing and the speaking. My wife helps me and she used to be on the road with me. I do have a virtual organization and people who work for me whom I have never met. The organization works very well. I don"t care where they are located. This is a topic I expect to speak about. A natural progression is the virtual team. The Internet allows you to get a lot done without being in an office. Career women are choosing to have a family and they have skill sets and the Internet is perfect for working at home. Distance doesn"t mean anything. You can get high-powered talent and not in your own locale. I have more time with my kids than most parents. I work out of my home. I have people all over the country handling the details, so I have more time. I get my kids up for school, get their breakfast and read "em a story at night. We used to have a nice office and I don"t miss it one bit. This is a lifestyle choice. B.E.: What is the message that you most want agents and management to get? MR.: That the Internet is like going from a water-breathing environment to an air environment and it is happening rapidly. The consumer I met on the plane validated this. Management and agents need to realize this. Agents can learn to use the Internet to strengthen their interpersonal skills. The Internet is all about the art of the thread of a relationship. Articles By Michael J. Russer: E-mail Newsletters, Your E-Ticket To Greater Online Profits How To Co-Brand Your Way To Web Success! How To Personalize Your Online Business With E-mail Merge Connected 2001: Technology Transforms the Real Estate IndustryPages: 1 [2]