We are often reminded that hindsight is 20/20 – a proverb that means “it is easy to understand something after it has already happened”, and how ironic that is since we are in the year 2020 and not sure we can fully comprehend all we are learning and what hindsight this will bring.
Reflecting back to six months ago, there were many of us that didn’t have much of a clue about what the rest of 2020 would look like and how we would have to adjust to a more virtual world. We’ve updated our ways of working, connecting with colleagues, socializing with friends, networking with those in our industry, or looking for a new job.
Microsoft suggested that we have seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in about five months. For example: MS Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet have become the new way to host networking sessions, work meetings, and “chats” with colleagues; Tele-med appointments became the norm for routine or non-911 emergency doctor appointments; curbside pickup at grocery stores and food to-go orders via online ordering became the new normal (they existed before but saw tremendous growth in number of users).
We also had to learn how to create engaging and interactive ways to connect solely through a screen. We are already Zoom fatigued and wondering how online meetings have zapped our energy so differently than in person. It turns out, looking at ourselves and trying to talk to a group is a lot for our brains to process.
The Atlantic shares a great article about why the Zoom social life might feel so draining, saying that “Attempting to translate your old social habits to Zoom or FaceTime is like going vegetarian and proceeding to glumly eat a diet of just tofurkey”. No offense to vegetarians, of course.
You could argue though, that we’ve all been interacting via screens for years with the dominance of social media channels – whether it was posting our thoughts in 140 characters on Twitter, or sharing photos and videos of our artisanal sandwiches/cute kid/pet pictures on Facebook. But this seems different. Times are different and we will not be going back soon.
In this interim, many people are trying to make the best of the situation and are figuring out ways to connect. We will always need human connection (and without the germs, even better).
What about our single friends? If they don’t have anyone in the house to already drive them crazy, then where can they go to meet new people and/or possibly love interests?
While many experts are trying to predict the outcomes of this global shift, it may be hard to know what will change permanently. We know many industries are experiencing major disruptions – online dating apps being one of them.
According to Digital Trends, Tinder still ranks as one of the top dating apps. However, now that people are sheltering in place and/or social distancing, there’s a new app taking over as a way to “meet” someone a little faster, while also allowing you to stay behind the screen, sans mask.
“Slide is a video dating app that changes your first-date frustrations into real connections and instant chemistry. Explore video profiles, go on first dates via Video Calls at your fingertips, and find that chemistry before dating IRL.”
So, while Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge play quarantine catch-up, Slide is stealing their market share.
How? With video.
Slide recognized the massive success of short-form video platforms like TikTok, and have translated it to dating. They focus on features like:
- “Vibe Check”, which gives you the option to video chat immediately after matching with someone to see if there’s chemistry. This will save you from long or misinterpreted text conversations and money you may have spent on that first date.
- A video-first approach that lets you see the real people behind the profiles so you can pass if they aren’t really who they say they are.
- AI-assisted creation of “future bae” profiles that help suggest your best matches and spare you extra swipes. If Netflix can find similar suggestions…
As of August 2020, the Department of Labor and Statistics estimates about 13.6 million people are currently unemployed and searching for a new j-o-b. Is it possible that some of these newer ways of connecting online could be included in how we network for a new job/career opportunity?
For example, instead of sending a connection or networking request on LinkedIn, what if we could send a quick video about our story, or what we’d love to learn from that person, or how we’d like to connect?
Would that create a faster, better, possibly more genuine connection?
This would seem worth exploring as many job connections are created by in-person networking or reaching real people vs. solely online applications, behind a screen. Some other formats that have seen increased use are Marco Polo for video chats (you don’t have to both be available at the same time) and FaceTime group calls.
It might be worth exploring how short-form video platforms could assist job seekers in networking, outreach, and connecting with others. These are just some ideas as we continue to watch this digital transformation unfold.
Robert C Stern
August 3, 2010 at 10:50 pm
WOW! I d o understand what you are talking about. I am in Northern Nj, and see this here too. I am sure it is all over the country this way. My opinion is that a lot of realtors do not educate the sellers in the correct manner needed. There are different ways of education in our industry. Some are taking these klistings in desperation and hoping they will get buyers out of it. Others may take it because they have no listings. I am a Realtor that keeps busy, but PRIDE is very important these days. Yes I said Pride. The reason I say it is because, we as an industry need to be genuine and take pride as professionals. Educate our clients in every facet that is needed. Show the clients how it is costing them on a monthly basis in these economic times. The clients are turning to us for guidance and we need to show the numbers,. (DOM, Absorbtion Rates, RECENT solds, etc.) It is important to do these things . Do I want a listing to sit there with hardly any interest and not sell with my sign sitting on it? NO WAY! that means to rest of that community that I did not do my job right!
I really wish Realtors would learn this. I am not saying all Realtors are like this. But it only takes a handful to start having future clients blaming us for the problems.
Renee Porsia
August 3, 2010 at 10:51 pm
I think that Realtors are definitely the cause of the problem. We are supposed to be the professionals and so we should know how to say no to a seller who is being unrealistic with the listing price. The problem is that Realtors are desperate to get business, any business even when they know that the listing won’t sell. I refuse to take an over priced listing.
Sheila Rasak
August 3, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Greg, as your subject line begged, I’ll answer the question (IMHO). We are both part of the problem and can be part of the solution. Let’s face facts here, not all agents are qualified to be placing values on property. Period. That being said, those who do have the knack will take a listing that’s over market for one reason only…they get free advertising. Get that name all over town and suddenly you’ve become the area expert. Personally, I’m on the business to turn over properties. Not service and hold my breath while hell freezes over.
A solution to those of us who care about reputation but still want to convince Mr. & Mrs. Seller they’ve made a poor decision in asking me to take their overpriced listing? I bring a price reduction contract to every listing presentation and show them from the start that while I’m committed, I still know my market and want to keep with their original goal of SELLING their property.
Charles Mackenzie-Hill
August 4, 2010 at 2:31 am
The thing is, if the sellers has a mortgage considerably larger than your recommended price, they will of, course, subject to time restraints have a bottom line and bulk at your suggestion. The banks maybe, have even imposed a bottom line, if the seller has no way of paying back the shortfall. Is it not normally true, that the longer the seller has had the property the greater the margin for a realistic listing price or better still priced to sell? Listing an investment is the on the other hand , is another set of rules altogether . In this climate, sell okay, upgrade well, to balance your books
Greg Cooper
August 4, 2010 at 7:39 am
Thanks all for your thoughts….clearly I was preaching to the choir here. The reality is we’re most all in some level of survival mode. We no longer have the luxury of taking business that won’t close because we have to spend our time productively to pay the bills. Realtors who take biz they cannot sell are hurting the market and I believe in some cases hastening their own professional demise.
Paula Henry
August 4, 2010 at 9:39 am
Greg –
It is often a fine line between what the seller can afford do to get the home ready for the market and what they can afford to sell for. It is our responsibility to assist them in realizing the true market value of their pink carpet, pickled oak cabinets and vinyl flooring. More often than not, they believe their home is special. When they place too high a value on their home, we have to consider their motivation and our time.
My experience suggests most sellers do not understand the benefit of a quick sale vs. the cost of too many days on market.
markbrian
August 4, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Yes we are both part of the problem and part of the solution. It is up to each one of us to be completely honest about what is realistic in this market. Maybe the continual push to improve the level of professionalism within our ranks will help with problems such as this. I hope it does anyway!
Market Leader
August 4, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Are Realtors part of the problem… or part of the solution? https://bit.ly/aYVmnT @agentgenius ^danae