What we saw and what he saw. The Jobs Difference.

We saw an IBM PC and he saw a Mac.

We saw a Sony WalkMan and he saw an iPod.

We saw a Motorola Flip Phone he saw an iPhone.

We saw a smaller PC he saw an iPad.

What do you see now?  What would he have seen?  That's the difference between what's now and what's next.  That's what Steve Jobs did, what he stood for each and every day and it is what someone else will need to do now.

Make it you.

This example is really all about your future.  What do you see that could be something better as different?  Have the courage and just go for it. 

Be next.  Do it now.

You will be missed . . .

In Times of Change.

Sometimes it is the simplest of messages that have the most meaning.  Here is one I live by always and it has to do with the only constant I know in business - and it has to do with change.

In times of change - it might a good time to change.

As I look around the real estate brokerage industry, the mortgage industry and nearly every other part of the residential real estate business I find an astonishing and amazing lack of change.

The MLS? Still here and still the single most ineffective and inefficient business model of modern times.

The real estate franchise industry?  A model that was built on the ability for franchises to generate consumer traffic for real estate brokers that has been broken for years and in denial about the value of a brand.

The NAR?  A professional association that is fixated on doing business in residential real estate.  An incredible story of an intoxication with meddling in the broker's business that seemingly has no boundaries.

Others?

I don't know about you but change - and lots of it - always presents the most effective opportunity to achieve a competitive advantage to shift share of market.

Grab it, try something new and run to the finish line.  And in real estate, by the time you reach that finish line - based on the current rate of change in this industry - it is highly likely that you won't even by winded.

On your mark, get set, change.

    
     

More Than Just Another "Hyper-local Dream"

Just sharing an amazing story today of American free enterprise success from the New York Times today.

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DealBook

In a Twist, Google Reviews Zagat, and Decides to Bite

By MICHAEL J. DE LA MERCED, RON LIEBER and CLAIRE CAIN MILLER

The deal for the company behind the "highly popular" guides to restaurants and bars will make Zagat a cornerstone of Google's local content offerings.

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It is always refreshing to see more than thirty years of work pay-off and for the Zagat’s that dream has now come true.

In times when all the noise is about hyper-local everything and the value of that content is being assumed more than realized - there still is a lot of work to be done to actually secure hyper-local content about anything of value.

Zagat.  So very hyper-local that the need to say they were hyper-local - the need for the mention of the "buzz of hyper-local" -  didn't even enter into the news release - or likely even into the minds of Google!

The Zagat’s deployed a systematic and consistent approach way before hyper-local was even known or understood.  The rating effort they created surpassed even those that came before them at Mobile and AAA - and oh yes, even Yelp - and surpassed their collective ability to gather and authenticate meaningful opinions and ratings for restaurants, airlines and essentially anything.

Oh for the value of a validating Zagat sticker on the door, in a book and a good old fashioned plaque on the wall.  Just in case of course, you forgot to check your smart phone.

The Zagat’s are now in their early 70”s and they created something so attractive to 30’s something Larry Page and Sergey Brin that they paid $100 to 200MM for it.  

Sometimes doing things the old fashioned way even has promise and reward.  In a day and age of everything quick, fast and everything simply electronically mystical – this story is in so many ways - so refreshing.

Good for you Mr. and Mrs. Zagat!  Go directly to the bank, cause you have way passed Go.
 

A Jobs Well Done

With all the news related to Steve Jobs' resignation as the CEO of Apple, I had some thoughts.

It is the brand that makes the people or the people that make the brand?  Further, is it people or a person that makes a brand?

Could it be that the most valuable company in the Nation has been made by a single person?  Or was it more?

I once thought it was more, but recently I have changed my mind.  I think a brand without visible leadership is a name.  I compare Apple to American Airlines.  A clear leader versus what I consider to be a blur of lots of people making things happen.

Yes, Apple has lots of people too, but when I think of product, innovation, quality I think of Jobs and not the guy at the local Apple Store.

TECHNOLOGY

Steve Jobs Reshaped Industries

By DAVID POGUE

It's hard to imagine that we'll ever see another 15 years of blockbuster, culture-changing hits like the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad - from Apple or anyone else.

Somehow Apple was able to almost reincarnate Jobs' in each and every one of its employees.  An amazing feat if you think about it.  Each and every person I have interacted with at an Apple store seems to me to be a person that doesn't exist any where else in retail sales.  It's almost like Apple flew this massive group of aliens to Earth to serve mere consumers. 

Everyone one of them little Steve Jobs' clones walking around being Apple.  Not one of two of them - every one of them.

With all the debate about Apple's future success or failure without Jobs at the helm, if the new guy is able to embrace and fill the shoes of a very bold and cocky visionary who accepted nothing less than "follow this leader" the company will soar.

On the other hand if the company falls into the stale mold of a typical corporate structure of a constantly blurred vision governed by committee management Apple will eventually die a horrible death at the hands of another company with a strong, determined and focused leader.

So the conclusion I have made here?

Go out there and be passionate you.  Create a unique and different brand - starting with you and extending to many others.  Dump all the conventional wisdom and traditional thinking and kick it right out of current game into a new one!

Use Steve Jobs' legacy as an example, not as an exception. 

The best news is that it pays off in many ways and most importantly, it usually results in the creation of a more purposeful life.

And as for how this relates to reFreshing residential real estate?  We'll talk about that later.

Much More than Just a "Jobs"

I could not let one day go by without making mention of the departure of Steve Jobs from Apple.

It seems like only yesterday when a dark haired, energetic young man stood next to a cloaked box and then in a flash of fanfare revealed the NeXT computer.  Not as an Apple legend, but as a fired employee of Apple starting something new.

Then fast forward to yesterday's news and today's stories in the news.  In this case, in the New York Times.

TOP NEWS

Jobs Steps Down at Apple, Saying He Can't Meet Duties

By DAVID STREITFELD

Steven P. Jobs, who has cancer, made Apple one of the world's most valuable companies. Timothy D. Cook will take over as chief executive.

Steve Jobs the iconic leader of Apple without even so much as one mention of the failed NeXT venture.

I cannot recall a more incredible story of one man building a dream that was shared by so many and has literally changed so many ways we think and do things.  From taking the PC to the era of MAC, from the amazing Walkman to the astonishing iPod, from the Motorola flip phone to the incredible iPhone, and from the understanding of the value of portable technology evolved the game-changing iPad.

One man, many dreams and one determined focus.  He made dreams come true.  He produced what we all wanted.  He had little care for what others thought about him or his ideas.  He only imagined what the consumer would want, doubled that vision in terms of functionality and flexibility and simply delivered it.

More than all the devices, more than the value of the Apple company and more than the all fame and fortune I have to think this guy is simply extremely pleased with all he has accomplished thus far in his life.

Something I think we all could learn from in business - and in our lives.

You might have stepped down because you didn't believe you could meet your duties Steve but in my book - and in the rest of the world's book - you have far exceeded your duties and you are more than deserving of some time off.

Making More Waves

It seems everyday I read and hear more and more noise about the success or failure of RPR and other NAR-associated business ventures.

Here is the most recent comment submitted by Marilyn at the WAV Group.

http://waves.wavgroup.com/2011/08/22/rpr-the-solution-isnt-difficult/

When is NAR and the MLS industry going to get it?  It's not about whether or not the MLS is willing to measure and accept these offerings it is only about whether the broker will.

In the end and all compiled database noise aside, it is the broker's data and it is only the broker that should be considered in any value proposition or compensation for the data.

And oh yes, one more thing.  Despite the outdated structure and practices of the MLS's implied opt-out for everything, the broker needs to opt-in - not opt-out- of any data moving from the MLS database to a free enterprise venture.

That includes those ventures that are owned and operated by the NAR,  In fact, on second thought, that especially includes those entities.

If the NAR was more focused on being a true non-profit professional association rather than a profit-focused cash machine usually at the expense of the brokers, then much of this wouldn't be rich content for blogs such as this one.

Wait,  I have an idea. 

Why doesn't RPR pay for the enhanced showcase listing ads for the brokers on REALTOR.com in return for the right to use the broker's listing and sold data?  Then at least the consumer would be able to associate the NAR and all REALTORs with more than the need for the consumer to use the telephone to connect with a REALTOR on REALTOR.com.

Hey, it's a start.  At least the brokers would get something for the use of their data.  After all, I know of no MLS who is suggesting that a share of the revenue be made to the broker.

Overall, for the NAR / RPR to continue to make offers to compensate the MLS industry for assets they do not own is simply ludicrous.

As for the optimal fix for the problem.  Get out of the business of real estate NAR - its not really serving you well.

Move closed today at $1.41while Zillow held strong at $24.48.  There's a loud and clear message from Wall Street to be learned from here.

Is anyone really listening out there?