A tech test you can’t fail

You choose the tools.

by George Stephens   I once heard of a screening technique to help you decide whether to purchase new technology. Those of you who remember my "Realty Tech Talk" column might think I’m talking about a Web-based interactive decision tree or something equally sophisticated, but this tool is more straightforward. It’s called the Pencil Test, and it works like this: If you can use a pencil and paper to perform the same functions as quickly and accurately as those promised by a gadget or piece of software, don’t buy it.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not urging you to put your laptop on eBay and stock up on pencils. What I am saying–what I’ve always espoused– is that technology is not an end but a means. You can judge the value of any business tool by how effectively it assists you in delivering excellent and consistent service to your clients. It is up to each of us to study the marketplace, listen to the consumers we serve, and determine which tools will help us meet their expectations most effectively and efficiently.

For some REALTORS®, this kind of analysis might lead you to a significant investment in the fastest, smallest, most-mobile, cutting-edge technology. By contrast, I know highly successful agents and brokers who do just fine with little more than a cell phone and basic e-mail.

Our association provides technology tools for people in both camps. For example, ZipForm, the forms-management software included as part of our dues, provides a convenient way to electronically manage contracts and forms on your desktop or online. Some people, relying on the test described above, might prefer hardcopy blank forms to fill in by hand (though I would recommend a pen–not a pencil). Those folks can download blank copies of forms from TexasRealtors.com or even order them over the phone.

Likewise, members can access TAR’s legal manuals from TexasRealtors.com or can order paper copies. People comfortable browsing the Web have 24-7 access to frequently asked questions to the Legal Hotline, but there’s still the hotline itself, with a real lawyer on the other end of the telephone. Our e-mail newsletter, Texas REALTOR® Focus, brings news and tips right to the e-mail in-boxes of thousands of REALTORS®, but we haven’t scaled back our print magazine in order to do that.

So, no matter if you go for the high-tech, low-tech, or somewhere in between–we’ve got you covered. Me? I lean toward the cutting-edge stuff. But I keep a few pencils around, too, just in case.

Photo by Jerry Jones/JonesImages.com.

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