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Newsletter - Autumn Edition 2007
movewithus urge Agents to move with the times
16 October 2007
Traditionally a showcase for new ideas and innovations, the annual PCS Expo has grown to include all aspects of the industry.
The past year has seen many changes - new competitors, legislation changes and a shift in focus towards an increasingly computer literate market. The message at this year’s event is that companies have to evolve to survive.
Robin King and Ben Harris of movewithus will be hosting one of the coveted PCS seminars, lecturing on the need for successful Agents to “reinvent their service ahead of, and in response to, changes arising in the marketplace.” The company’s multi-focused approach to the business of property makes them ideally suited to give an objective overview of the most effective ways to combat emerging industry challenges.
Titled ‘The Fleet of Foot Agent’, the seminar urges agents to always be aware that changes in the industry may force them to re-evaluate their methods and market focus. An example is the introduction of Home Information Packs in August which tested consumer confidence in the industry. The businesses that coped best were those that were prepared for the changes – trained staff, clear marketing messages and the manpower to deal with the increased business.
New competitors on the property scene like tescopropertymarket.com are a sign that consumers are increasingly using the internet for their property needs. Customers rarely have the time to trawl through endless high street Agents. Convenience is paramount. They want their information fast – during a lunch break or in between tasks at work. Agents are being forced to develop online portals to showcase their properties to this rapidly growing market.
Not only do movewithus urge companies to be aware of changes, they encourage proactive forward planning. The projected rise in the cost of fuel and food during the next five years means that consumers will have less disposable income, meaning less property investment. Therefore, it is important to breed loyalty in customers early on by using persuasive yet gentle methods to engender trust. An example is using email to contact customers rather than phone calls, which some customers find too intrusive.
Businesses are starting to realise that flexibility is now as important as consistency. movewithus research has shown that Agents need to start focusing on the so-called ‘mass market of one’, where consumers are increasingly demanding a more personalized service, tailored to their specific needs.
The PCS Expo was originally conceived as a showcase for the most innovative technologies in the industry. In this tradition, movewithus will be launching their Online Office, My Grapevine and Chain Checker online services. These online services are designed to improve communications and promote transparency, allowing clients to interact and share their respective resources.
The PCS Expo is the most important event on the property calendar. This year’s show promises to be particularly interesting as players from throughout the industry share their reactions to the past year’s huge changes.
movewithus Director Robin King noted, “The PCS Expo is always an illuminating experience. It’s a great chance to learn how others have reacted to the past year’s events; who has succeeded and who has failed – and why. We hope that our seminar can help agents throughout the country to weather any storms that this volatile industry may, and often does, endure.”
