Tag Archives: Stefan Swanepoel

A Look at Generations

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Source: Stefan Swanepoel

Stefan Swanepoel

Stefan Swanepoel

Each generation is unique – they react differently to and change what previous generations have done over time. With this understanding in mind, I find it valuable to not only appreciate where our own generation, and those generations before us, has come from, but also what to expect and how to work with the coming generations. Each generation approaches challenges differently and as a result, solutions are obtained differently. That is not to say that one solution is better than another, it is just to make note that if a generation younger than you, for example Generation Y or Z, (your future clients) has a problem – such as finding the right house – how are you going to help them? Will you solve their problem in the way they would expect you to solve it, and not in the way you would naturally solve it?

Each generation tends to favor a different a method of communication. For the Silent Generation it may have been hand-written letters or telephone calls. For Boomers, it may be pagers or cell phones. For Gen X it may be email or Social Media, and for Gen Y it may be text messaging. Each identifies a dominant vehicle. Therefore, reaching out to each generation often requires communication via their preferred platform, for example:

A Gen Y couple is looking to purchase a new home. Having had access to the Internet most of their lives, they decide to do research prior to connecting with an agent. After coming up with possible neighborhood choices, the couple opts for additional research by viewing YouTube videos and online virtual tours of homes for sale. Finding a few homes they like, they send a text message to three agents that have received good online ratings and reviews with an inquiry and contact details.

The first agent, a Boomer who prefers the telephone for communication, receives the text, but treats it like a phone call. The agent calls the couple a few hours later only to get voicemail, and in turn leaves a voice message.

The second agent, a Gen X’er and savvier than the first agent, prefers to use email. The agent sees the text message, uses Outlook and sends the couple an email template together with various attachments providing more information about the area within a few minutes.

The third agent, a Gen Y’er who understands the immediacy of texting, replies within a few seconds with a short cryptic message indicating they’re currently with a client, and points the couple to an interactive web page with the information they need.

Get the drift? What is your “digital body language?” Does your business cater to all generations? Check out the video down below to help illustrate the point. I have also included interesting facts regarding each generation below.

A List of Generations

Here is a breakdown of the births for the last century, its shows you the size of each generation. The Baby Boomers are the largest, with a total of 78 million in the yellow. Second place goes to Generation Y with roughly 73 million. After the graph we have some descriptions for each generation.

The G.I. Generation (1901-1924) – is the generation that includes the veterans who fought in World War II and who came of age during the Great Depression.

The Silent Generation (1925-1945) – born notably during the Great Depression (1929–1939) and World War II (1939–1945), The Silent Generation was raised to expect and ask for little. As such, this generation more readily accepts fate and hard work.

Baby Boomers (1946-1964) – are widely associated with privilege, as many grew up in a time of affluence. Collectively, Boomers are the healthiest, and wealthiest generation to date.

Generation X (1965-1976) – Growing up in a historical span of relative geopolitical peace for the US, this generation saw the inception of the home computer, the rise of video games, cable television and the Internet as a tool for social and commercial purposes.

Generation Y (1977-1994) – With the rise of instant communication technologies (email, texting, and IM) and social outlets (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) Gen Y has reputation for being somewhat peer-oriented and often finds comfort in virtual cyber-worlds.

Generation Z (1995-current) – Born after the fall of the Soviet Union and the dawn of the World Wide Web, Generation Z is considered to be Internet ready (requiring permanent access to the Internet) and device agnostic (not limited to the home computer or any particular device). Unlike previous generations, Gen Z focuses on being entirely individualistic, partially as a result having been raised with online social networks and Internet freedom.

When you take a look at the video below, think about our perceptions in the different age groups, much like we have just discussed.

About the Author

During the last fourteen years, nineteen-time author Stefan Swanepoel has widely become regarded as the leading researcher on the business and technology trends impacting the real estate industry. For more information on his annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report and the annual Swanepoel SOCIAL MEDIA Report visit www.RETrends.com.

Google on High Alert: New Strategy Changes the Rules

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Source: Stefan Swanepoel

Stefan Swanepoel

Stefan Swanepoel

Could a Social Media Web site be a threat to the dominance of the Google Search Engine? Facebook has introduced a new revolutionary shift in the evolution of the Internet with its announcement last week at the f8 developer conference of their soon-to-be-ubiquitous “Open Graph” initiative – a new form of “social links.”

The launch of this new platform allows Web sites to drive traffic from Facebook by including a “Like” or “Recommended” button on their pages.

Facebook’s Open Graph allows readers to like a topic or article, thereby sharing it with their Facebook friends and in some cases, creating a permanent link in their profile.

Will Like Replace Links?

It seems that the “Like” button could potentially become more popular than “Links” largely because the information shared is related to a specific user and carries with that their recommendation.

According to Zuckerberg billions of “Like” buttons will shortly be scattered all over the web. It is estimated that more than 50,000 Web sites have installed the new social plug-ins within the first week of the announcement.

One of those companies, ABCNews.com, reported a 250% jump in Facebook referral traffic since adding the plug-in only a week ago.

So overall the “Like” button seems to be great for creators of good content such as authors, publishers, top brands, etc. Good content can now be tagged, shared and indexed and the creators benefit from potentially a huge viral distribution.

Keeping them Honest

  • The obvious concern is of course that Facebook becomes the gatekeeper of millions of people’s preferences…lots of very valuable information in the hands of one company. This is even a larger concern as Wired magazine reported that Zuckerberg stated he doesn’t care about the privacy of Facebook users.
  • Facebook has also made a very strategic move to become a very dominant “traffic cop” that directs and shapes a significant chunk of all web traffic.
  • Google must be very concerned as this undermines their algorithm that uses links between sites to determine the order of their search results. If “Likes” becomes more popular than “Links” we could have a challenge for the leader board.
  • Staying in the race Microsoft this week announced “Messenger Connect.” Their version of “Your Internet ID’” they claim with be all your social profiles rolled into one. Never count Gates and company out.

    • For now Facebook has clearly strengthened their position as the #1 social media network. As a matter of fact they are surging forward as one of the largest repositories of personal information in the world.

    About the Author

    Nineteen-time author Stefan Swanepoel publishes the annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report and the annual Swanepoel SOCIAL MEDIA Report. His Reports are widely regarded as the leading research on the most important business and technology trends impacting the real estate industry. For more information visit www.RETrends.com

    Real Estate Newsmakers of the Year – 2009

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    Source: Stefan Swanepoel

    Every year as part of the new edition of the Swanepoel TRENDS Report the 160 page Report also looks back at the passing year and the people that made deadlines. We remember and salute them for their contribution during 2009. Orders placed for the 2010 edition before January 15th will be shipped on February 8th.

    Here are the Newsmakers of 2009:
     
    # 10 John Bearden

    John Bearden

    John Bearden

    As one of the most beloved executives of a national franchise, John’s sudden departure this year as President of GMAC Real Estate — shortly after the sale of the company to Canada-based Brookfield Residential Property Services — came somewhat as a surprise. Not because he has cited health reasons, but because his departure was rumored to be unpleasant. This after he had been largely responsible for salvaging the sinking franchise during difficult times when former parent General Motors Acceptance Corporation was less than excited about their subsidiary and much more concerned about their own mortgage woes. John, you did an outstanding job under difficult circumstances and we have no doubt that you will once again serve the industry in another important capacity. We salute you.
     
    #9 Marc Davison and Brian Boero

    Marc Davison

    Marc Davison

    Outside the box — way outside the box. If ever there was an “odd couple” in real estate these two are it. But just like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau these two are top notch in what they do and have created an exciting and dynamic consulting and speaking practice. Marc has an extensive career in advertising with companies like Young and Rubicam while Brian served for many years as President of Inman News.
     
    Brian Boero

    Brian Boero

    They both worked together at a company they owned called VREO, Inc. before joining forces again to create 1000WattConsulting. Today they are contributing to the re-engineering of the real estate industry through their consulting engagements.
     
    #8 Kevin Levent

    Kevin Levent

    Kevin Levent

    Metro Brokers was started with one office and a handful of sales associates in 1979 and by 2009 it was the world’s largest GMAC Real Estate franchise. Under the leadership of Kevin Levent, who became President and CEO in 1996, the company has grown to nearly 2,000 sales associates. It is, however, its departure as a franchise from GMAC under a legal cloud of disagreement and the move across in December 2009 to the newly re-launched and still relatively small national franchise Better Homes & Gardens, that makes Kevin one of the top 10 Newsmakers of the Year.
     
    #7 Harley E. Rouda, Jr.

    Harley E. Rouda, Jr

    Harley E. Rouda, Jr

    Many where surprised when we listed Harley and his wife Kaira as top 10 Newsmakers for the year 2007, but it had then and has now again proven to be accurate. Since then this couple has skillfully positioned and branded their regional real estate company — Real Living — to be the ideal acquisition company. In October 2009 that is exactly what happened when Canada-based Brookfield Residential Property Services acquired Real Living, converted its GMAC franchise to the Real Living brand and appointed Harley as the new President of the franchise division, which is estimated to have approximately 10,000 agents in the U.S. as a result of the merger and conversion.
     
    #6 Sherry Chris

    Sherry Chris

    Sherry Chris

    She may not be CEO of one of the country’s largest real estate franchises (yet), but Sherry is unquestionably the most visible one in the media. She is extremely active in the Social Media world of Facebook and Twitter and in attendance at an astounding number of real estate conventions and events. After skillfully climbing the ladder from Royal LePage to Real Living, to Prudential California and then to Coldwell Banker her accession as CEO of the relatively new re-launched Better Homes & Gardens franchise is nothing short of amazing.
     
    #5 David Stevens

    David Stevens

    David Stevens

    In late September 2009 the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that it had hired David Stevens, a former executive with Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac and Long & Foster as its first Chief Risk Officer. The FHA has not seen a technology upgrade or any staff increases in a decade and the appointment of a Chief Risk Officer is the first in its 74-year history. David has already taken steps to shore up the agency’s credit position. The future is promising.
     
    #4 Dale Ross and Marty Frame

    Dale Ross

    Dale Ross

    Dale and Marty are the two drivers that, over an 11 month period, cobbled together the highest profile merger of the year, one in which the National Association of Realtors® acquired ownership to a copy of the source code of Cyberhomes.
     
    Marty Frame

    Marty Frame

    This merger, together with a long-term agreement with LPS to provide extensive tax data, hosting and data aggregation services, makes it possible to form the core of RPR, The Realtor® Property Resource, a key part of the NAR’s Second Century Initiatives.
     
    #3 Andy Kaufmann

    Andy Kaufman

    Andy Kaufman

    Andy Kaufman, a Keller Williams agent in Berkeley, California and a regular AgentGenius.com writer, is credited for founding RE BarCamp. Started in August 2008 to coincide with Inman Connect, RE BarCamp events have exploded in popularity. This “un-convention” is an ad-hoc gathering of people (real estate professionals from different facets of the business) to share and learn in an open environment. It is a dynamic and intense event with discussions, demonstrations and interaction between the attendees. In 2009 RE BarCamps were held in 20 major cities across the country with one held in San Diego just before the NAR 2009 Convention, that pulled in over 500 participants.
     
    #2 Richard A. Smith

    Richard A. Smith

    Richard A. Smith

    Richard is best known as the president and chief executive officer of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services and the parent company for real estate franchise brands such as Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA Real Estate, Sotheby’s International Real Estate and Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate. However, in 2009 it was not well known that Richard tirelessly campaigned and lobbied in Washington to get the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit extended to April 2010. It was an extension that also included a $6,500 credit for qualified repeat homebuyers. Well done Richard, the industry thanks you for a job well done.
     
    #1 Dale Stinton

    Dale Stinton

    Dale Stinton

    Just three years into office and Dale has pulled the trigger to move forward on more bold and innovative projects than have been initiated in the previous 10 years combined. Many of his Second Century Initiatives were launched in 2009 and several are so large that they could individually have a significant and long-term impact on the entire residential real estate brokerage industry. The Realtors® Federal Credit Union started its first full year in operation and the Realtors® Property Resource, together with HouseLogic, was announced days before the annual National Association of Realtors® Convention in November. These are huge steps for the NAR and the industry.
     

    To reserve you advance copy of the 2010 Swanepoel TRENDS Report at the special pre-publication price visit www.RealEstateBooks.org today. This Report is widely regarded as the leading annual Report detailing the most important business, profitability and technology trends impacting the real estate industry.