Assess Their Technology Skills
Real estate is in a class of its own when it comes to businesses, and it has a unique set of problems and requirements that technology can address. As such, real estate agents, brokers, and companies should stay up to date on the latest developments in tech and assess the skills of their team in order to help prospective and current clients benefit from the advances in technological tools. By having an adequate assessment of the technology skills of their personnel, these companies can better direct their own investments in upgrade or training, and equip their staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to continuing to provide a high level of service.
Identifying Tech Needs
The first step in assessing technology skills involves determining the types of technological competencies that employees need to possess in order to provide the best service. Real estate agents in particular are increasingly using technology to make their services more accessible and efficient; clients can often contact agents and perspectives effortlessly, access market information and request documents within seconds, and close deals with technology aiding in the background-all processes that require a good tech foundation.
Assessing Current Skill Levels
Once the needs of the business have been identified, it’s time to assess the staff. Employers should look for individuals who have a general understanding of technology-including an ability to use basic software, the aptitude to troubleshoot minor issues, and the capacity to learn new programs-as well as the capabilities necessary for their project management and IT departments.
For employees who don’t have a strong understanding of technology, employers should consider ways to help them enhance their skills. A basic knowledge of common software and tools is a must, but further training should be provided for specialized or complex tasks-this can include additional classroom classes, online tutorials, and discussion groups. Setting aside time for employees to work through material on their own and ask questions of more experienced colleagues may also be beneficial.
Establishing a Mentoring Program
A more thorough form of assessment can be achieved by establishing a mentoring program within the business-one that encourages more experienced staff members to mentor individuals who are new to the industry or who lack some of the skills necessary to complete their tasks. Mentoring programs not only reverse the learning process and increase the knowledge base of both the mentor and mentee, but they also foster a sense of ownership and commitment amongst each team member.
Rewarding Tech Competency
Finally, it’s important to reward competency in technology-both to inspire growth and challenge amongst the staff and to remind employees that the value of their tech skills makes a real contribution. Rewarding staff who go above and beyond with awards and recognition, additional development opportunities, and commendations from upper management can be invaluable; not only is this seen as an appreciation of their skill set, but it also serves as an incentive for others within the team to further develop and refine their own competency.
As such, assessing the technology skills of their personnel is a key action that real estate agents, brokers, and companies should take in order to continue to provide a high level of service to their clients. By identifying the tech needs of their business, assessing current skill sets, establishing a mentoring program, and rewarding competency in technology, these businesses can build stronger teams, equip them with the tools they need, and inspire growth and progress amongst their employees.
