Now that the real estate industry is set to go in full motion with adapting to the new normal, it’s time for real estate agencies to start transitioning their teams for the remote work environment.
Real estate teams are adapting to the new normal and there are a variety of ways to embrace the remote work environment while staying productive and efficient at the same time.
Adaptive approaches to the new normal
Real estate agents have taken advantage of technology for the industry, such as virtual auctions, investment consultations, and property inspections.
With social distancing and other physical contact restrictions brought about by the pandemic, using video platforms such as FaceTime and Zoom to conduct 3D virtual tours with clients.
Getting on the same page
For real estate agent teams, calibrating your staff to have your unique 3D and video walkthrough process as your signature method could help promote your agency better.
Real estate agencies need to observe and monitor how their teams conduct these virtual calls and effectively coach their teams to improve their skills with these new methods.
It would be practical to invest in virtual staging software that highlights the property’s best features and other in-app capabilities that allow clients to make the most out of the property inspections.
Maintain and promote company culture
Preserve and practice a unique or special culture that has been working well and innovate on practices that can help inspire and motivate your team.
Training and capability-building
Seriously consider filling gaps in learning requirements for your teams, especially those that are relevant to the online and virtual work environment.
Due to COVID19 work relief efforts, several free training programs are made available online that cover topics on leadership, administration, and business skills- all designed to adhere to remote work and online environments.
Another opportunity is to encourage talented team members to learn new skills such as photography, which can be highly useful when designing your new digital marketing campaigns, as well as create new revenue streams and save costs at the same time.
Copywriting is also another skill that you can encourage a team member to pursue so it can be integrated in-house.
New team members need to be on-boarded by equipping them with vital communication and soft skills so they can effectively reflect the agency’s image with clients.
While it may take a bit more investments, conveyancing is another skill that can also be trained to select team members so the service can be conducted in-house and not need the service to be outsourced. It will also assure clients of an end-to-end value-added experience to help them sail smoothly through their property-buying journey.
Apply remote security measures
Privacy, security, and data protection are essential for remote work, so take advantage of endpoint-based data loss prevention (eDLP) solutions.
Establish a communication policy
To ensure a seamless and fluid communication exchange during meetings and conferences, it is always important to communicate firmly and effectively.
Always be mindful of what you want to say and communicate with your colleagues and teams, and avoid being carried away by your emotions. Take the time to think things through and anticipate scenarios that may arise as a result of what you intend to say and communicate.
Do not be hesitate to use compassionate words, helpful information, scientific facts, or firm yet humane responses to tough situations or decisions that may arise.
Maximize team collaboration tools
Maximizes time and productivity across remote teams and helps make managing your remote team with care. It makes remote work environments fun, exciting, and engaging.
Never forget that personal touch, it takes the edge off the stress and monotony.
Promote employee engagement and productivity boosters
Keep your commitments whether it’s a loyalty rewards program, newsletter, or competition it is important that you reach out to your teams and proactively inform them about engagement or incentive programs that you initiated.
Your team may need some morale-boosting so reminding them of your company’s mission and values are vital to keep them motivated and perform by thinking and planning out of the box.
Make them see that the new normal will bring about new and exciting challenges for them to benchmark their new ideas and concepts that could revolutionise the way you do business.
Help them understand that they can be advocates of change and they are capable of making a difference.
Promote mental health by advocating practices such as telehealth and therapy programs to help promote health and general well-being.
Transparency is important
Your team can feel better when they know the situation businesses are in and how they may be able to help. Remember that the economic situation has drastically changed and may have impacted a lot of businesses, but there are ways to adapt and devise innovative solutions to keep the business moving.
With advancements in technology, there’s just no limit to allowing them to help provide suggestions and solutions for the success of the real estate agency in the new normal.
Always stay connected
Now is not the best time to be isolated from your team or colleagues. Stay in touch and connected even when you have to do it online.
Many people are going through a lot of emotional and mental distress, and having someone to talk to or share ideas and goals can prove to be very helpful and productive for your business as well.
It can help you get more ideas and at the same time, they can provide you with useful insights that can help you personally and professionally, as well.