The other day I was talking with a client, a successful consolidation project came up in the conversation, and they said something along the lines of, “You still do that? I hired someone else and they bleeped it up entirely.” That was my inspiration for this blog post.
Who Do I Help?
I still serve all the same types of organizations: MLS, association, franchise, and brokers.
What I Do NOT Do Is a Short List
- I no longer perform the annual MLS Satisfaction Survey. That report started off as very useful for the industry but at this point there are only a handful of vendors and they have similar satisfaction levels. During the last few years it came down to just a few respondents for one vendor to be perceived as “winning” and another “losing”. When I started the survey long ago, it was a useful tool for keeping vendors on their toes, but these days most MLS executives communicate so well – online and at events – that the survey was less needed toward this end.
- I no longer help with MLS Selection and technology request for proposals (RFP). This does not mean that I can’t help with MLS cooperation and consolidation, as I’ll describe below.
What I’m Up to These Days
Security Assessment. Some folks – MLSs, associations, brokers, and franchises – think this is most of what I do since it’s what I’m most famous for in the industry. My approach is very comprehensive, covering both the critical non-technical aspects of information security as well as the technical parts many people focus on. The approach is deeply rooted in having industry as well as security knowledge. I have an effective and usually collaborative process – focusing on employee education and empowerment. This results in my client having the knowledge to solve the security issues found and being able to monitor security on an ongoing basis. While it’s easy to just plug in and run security scans – a typical approach – the long-term result is so much better with the collaborative assessment process.
Strategic Planning. I’m mostly performing this service for MLSs, but also sometimes associations, and sometimes back-to-back for an association and its MLS. The first part of the planning process focuses on level-setting leadership about the current state of the organization, including external perspective via an industry trends update and internal metrics from survey results, followed by the classic SWOT exercise. The second part provides focus through a discussion that takes the group through mission / vision, strategies, and tactics. The result is a plan that doesn’t sit on a shelf, but rather one that can be executed, and progress tracked.
Survey. I perform internal surveys for MLSs and associations. It’s important to ask the right questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative information, and to use a properly balanced scale – for example a Likert scale. Sometimes when I am performing a strategic plan we will leverage an existing internal survey but sometimes there are too many unanswered questions to inform the planning process. Clients find that members “open up” to a third-party survey the way they may not for an internally performed one. Surveys are a valuable communication tool – in both directions.
Public Speaking. My passion for the industry comes through when I speak, and people care about what you’re saying when they know you care about them. I mostly speak about industry trends and information security. Sometimes the topic is more focused (e.g. iBuyers or Wire Fraud or Association / MLS Leadership). Generally, I can speak on whatever real estate industry subject my clients want.
MLS Cooperation / Consolidation. I don’t hide that I believe the future of MLS is more consolidated, and I have a successful process for bringing groups together in a timely and deliberate manner. I’ve represented both large MLSs and small MLSs in the process, and also helped groups of MLSs decide how to create a new future together that is a “win” for everyone involved. I’ve also worked for MLSs that decided that a particular consolidation was not for them – though I think that consolidation is good, clients know I’m not there to try to force them into an arrangement they decide is not in their best interest. I’ll collaborate with local attorneys, though I do prefer Mitch Skinner and his team.
Sometimes I get the question, “How can you provide the MLS consolidation service if you are employed by an MLS vendor?” The answer is simple: Selection of MLS or data share technology is a separate process that should only be engaged in once the group is aligned and/or the consolidated MLS is formed. It happens once my engagement is complete, and the decision will be made using whatever governance structure the consolidated MLS has decided to use. Even more importantly, even when I used to facilitate the decision, I never made the decision for a client.
IDX / VOW Compliance. Many MLSs do not have a thorough and consistent compliance program in place. I either help them put compliance processes in place – or perform compliance for them.
Product Strategy. I’m still helping technology companies plan their future products. As long as the company is not developing a competitive MLS, public records, data distribution, or security system to be sold nationwide, it’s usually okay.
The MLS Executive Workshop. The last few years, since the consulting company was acquired, have been some of the best years ever for the workshop. The work that goes into this event is incredible, and there’s still nothing like it – so focused and so intimate!
Internally
I’m working on all kinds of internal projects for my employer. Like my external work, these internal projects help make me smarter and each one helps me continue to grow professionally. I’m very excited about the value that the industry at large sees from the internal projects.
Contact Me!
Call me at 612-747-5976 if you want to talk about a future engagement or have other questions.