Our agents also have their own First Weber Agent app, which constantly lets the agent know about new listings, offers, etc., that meet specifications the agent has entered. Through this app, agents can literally complete an entire paperless transaction.
We also developed an online training platform, Catapult, for our agents, where they can learn to utilize all the different tools available to them at their own pace. There are over 200 training modules, some of which are presented by national speakers with the modules branded to First Weber.
First Weber provides our agents access to numerous email-card systems and a regularly scheduled, comprehensive newsletter, which automatically helps the agent stay in close contact with their clients and customers. We also have a search function, “My First Weber,” on our website that can be set up by either the agent or consumer. The program provides immediate notification of new listings that match the criteria.
We have spent an untold number of thousands of dollars to remain on the cutting edge of technology in order to better address the requirements of the new age of consumers to whom using the technology is a basic requirement.
MP: What are the biggest challenges currently facing your firm and its agents?
JI: Real estate consumers are only in the market, on average, every five to seven years. There are dynamic changes every year, especially in technology. The consumer is pushed and pulled in so many ways into thinking that purchasing real estate is simple. Re-educating them to the reality that they need a qualified REALTOR® to bring together the many pieces of a transaction—such as marketing, appraisal, inspection, financing, title and legal—is, and will be, a paramount task in future years.
MP: Where does the greatest opportunity for increased business lie?
JI: Probably our greatest opportunity lies within our continuing efforts to recruit new and experienced agents. Obviously, this increases our exposure in the marketplace and shows our commitment to providing the highest quality services to the buying and selling public. The best opportunity for increased business lies within our appealing to a new generation of consumer.
MP: How are you serving the needs of today’s more informed, more tech-savvy consumer?
JI: As we discussed earlier, we are meeting the needs of this new consumer by providing the best technological products available and having the most advanced online training on these products available 24/7 to all of our agents. By training and encouraging access to all of the tools we offer, agents are better able to serve the modern consumer. A First Weber agent can now complete an entire transaction without one piece of paper.
MP: How are you attracting and retaining top agents?
JI: As a result of our being the technology leader in the state, younger agents tend to gravitate toward our firm in order to utilize all we offer. In addition, we offer outstanding incentives, commission structure, training, managerial support and a well-known brand throughout the state. We also recognize that each region in which we operate has its own needs and personality.
First Weber provides a full-time attorney on staff for use by mangers and agents. He interacts with our agents routinely by not only answering questions and keeping them informed, but by representing them in consumer or regulatory issues. This is at no cost to the agent.
We also provide full-time tech trainers who conduct online and live webinars demonstrating how best to utilize all the tech products we offer. These webinars are also archived so that agents can access them on demand. First Weber maintains a full staff of IT techs who are available to work on the agents’ personal computer issues through First Weber’s own “Help Desk.”
MP: In your opinion, what is most critical to your firm’s success path forward?
JI: As we grow our numbers of young, tech-savvy agents, we will exponentially expand our client base and grow our business. We cannot afford to be stagnant in this constantly evolving environment. However, as we build this firm with technology, we can never forget that real estate is really about relationship building. So training and nurturing our entire staff to focus on the consumer, developing the very best in one-on-one, face-to-face human relationships, is critical. We truly are “The Human Side of Real Estate.”
MP: What’s in store for the future of your firm?
JI: We are very optimistic about First Weber’s future. With our emphasis on recruiting and training new agents with our online education programs, we can expect continued growth throughout the state. By providing the consumer with the best technology and the best trained and caring agents, we feel we can project a very bright future for First Weber.
For more information, visit www.firstweber.com.
