1.  How can we reduce our operating expenses by working together?

2.  How well do our current services meet our customers’ business needs?

3.  How do our services compare with others in our market and across the country?

4.  What should we do to help our brokers and agents keep up with consumer demands and remain relevant?

And the most important question:

What is keeping you from answering these 4 questions?

The most frequent responses include:  not enough time, the politics,  our market is unique, the cost of the assessment, we don’t have overlapping market disorder, too many other priorities right now and our neighboring Associations / MLSs don’t want to work together.

A better answer to the last question might be  “a thorough and objective assessment of our market”. That’s precisely what the Effective MLS Market Solution program (EMMS) was created to do. What could be more important than answering these questions right now?  Ask your leadership or your brokers what they think and let us know since we are very interested in your input at this time.

It’s time for a fresh new approach to support the efforts of progressive MLSs’ that seek out the best ways to help their MLS customers serve consumers more effectively.

With EMMS, you will know:

-  The opportunities for improved service and decreased costs by working together

-  What your brokers value

-  Governance and technology solutions that closely align with your brokers’ business needs

-  A plan outline for how to proceed, if you choose to

If you are interested in learning more about participation requirements,  contact Brian Larson at blarson@larsonsobotka.com  (612) 424-8661 or Kevin McQueen at kevin@kevinmcqueen.com  (248) 374-1045.  NAR is sponsoring our professional fees and all you pay for is a portion of the travel costs. There are a limited number of programs available.

Kevin will be in Quebec City for AEI this weekend if you would like to discuss this in person one on one or with some of your neighboring Association / MLS Execs.  Call (248) 374-1045 to schedule some time to talk and answer your questions.

Here is the EMMS 2-page overview for a quick read

EMMS
The Effective MLS Market Solutions program will help MLS organizations by providing them with objective market analysis and identifying options for them to deliver more effective services to their brokers.  At the conclusion of the EMMS program, you’ll meet with our independent consultants and receive an MLS Market Report laying out the results.

This is a fresh new approach to addressing the challenges that many MLSs and their customers face in their markets.  We will gather and measure data provided by the MLSs and survey and interview brokers to understand their business objectives and identify “pain points” in the current environment.

We sought funding from NAR for the program to eliminate one common obstacle to progress, namely the cost of engaging skilled advisers.  With NAR’s sponsorship, we can reach more MLSs that want to make a difference and achieve measurable improvements much more quickly.  NAR is not seeking active involvement in the program.

We have a limited number of program / MLS groups and are actively seeking out only 6 ready markets at this time.  Each market will likely consist of 3 or more MLSs.  The MLSs will be required to share agreed upon information with us, commit to the process and pay a portion of the shared travel expenses for on-site visits by Brian or Kevin.

If you are interested in learning more about EMMS, please read the overview and contact

Brian Larson blarson@larsonsobotka.com (612) 442-8661 or Kevin McQueen kevin@kevinmcqueen.com (248) 374-1045 for more details.

Kevin McQueen presented some of his most current views on the future of MLS at the recent NYSAR Business meetings, held in Albany New York.   He built on one of the themes from Inman Connect NYC — Real-time Everything.   View Kevin’s presentation on this and other topics about the future of MLS including data standards, RPR, the new Cloud CMA and long-term strategic planning is dead as we know it.

Want some ideas on what to do next?   Call Kevin at (248) 374-1045 and let’s take a fresh look into your future together.

As a result  of their  Game Changer Initiative, the 4,100 members of the Montana Association of REALTORS^® (MAR) will be more informed and involved in issues that matter to them and the fifteen local Associations / Boards across the large diverse state of Montana. We will utilize the best available communications strategies, technology and infrastructure to:

-       Improve two-way communications of issues and information between MAR, the local Associations / Boards and their members, helping to keep them better informed so they can be more effective in their individual businesses.

-       Establish greater value in the eyes of their membership while strengthening MAR and the image of leadership.

-       Result in greater interest and involvement through member participation in leadership roles with the state and local Associations / Boards by making it easier for people to participate in meetings electronically and online.

-       Create a model for other local and state REALTOR^® Associations across the country.

The project is scheduled to launch before May and Kevin McQueen will report on progress at AEI (Quebec) and the Midyear Meetings in Washington DC.

We began by surveying the members across the state to get a better understanding of what was important to them.   29% of the members responded and we now know a lot about  their preferences for being communicated with.  65% of the members use text messaging and 53% use Facebook for business!  Surprising and useful information indeed.

If you are interested in learning more, contact Kevin McQueen at kevin@kevinmcqueen.com or (248) 374-1045

The License Agreement is pretty straight-forward and free of any real surprises, at least to the people I have talked with so far.  I would be very interested in talking with you about your take on it.  If you are the MLS Executive and have not already requested an MLS Enrollment Package, click here or for more information, click here for general information and FAQs via the RPR Blog.

Many have  been waiting for some of these details, in writing before starting to develop their position about RPR.  I believe that the License Agreement is the next step in that process.  Next I expect there will be some kind of terms of use and of course, the RPR application software itself, which I am anxious to review and write about.  The RPR application should be the most important part to the Realtor Members, while Board/MLS leadership and staff are considering the business relationship with RPR/NAR and the written agreements as well.

In summary, I recommend that you review the License Agreement and other written terms to follow about usage, public records, APIs and the RPR application, as you begin to develop the position and strategy for your organization.

What do you think?  Questions so far?

The first one is that in times of uncertainly, people are constantly looking for direction and answers. This is one of those times with great uncertainty about the economy, jobs, interest rates, the government’s role, RPR and more. All of these represent major game-changers that are currently in play. They are disrupting the status quo and making it more difficult than ever for leaders to predict the future. People are looking for direction right now and they are asking questions, listening, and seeking answers from everywhere, including the people on and off the stage at Inman this past week.

This is great news – that so many of the industry’s leaders would come out to learn, share stories and seek direction to help them invent their own futures. This is one of the things that makes our real estate industry so dynamic. It’s fun to be a part of it, especially right now. The future is full of opportunities.

Another contributing factor to the increased attention and involvement at industry events is the #RPR. The Realtors Property Resource is a big deal and it is causing people to think about their current business models and the products and services they currently offer. RPR has already resulted in some positive changes in direction, strategy and planning for the future – and the RPR hasn’t even launched yet.

Some of you may know that I was on the volunteer RPR Advisory Board for the past year and a half. This was a positive experience for me as I was given a unique opportunity to participate in a very small way in the development of this new initiative.  I’m passionate about giving back and making a difference in the industry. Once the RPR model was solidified and the contracts were signed with LPS, NAR announced the RPR in San Diego. Finally, the important discussions could begin with key stakeholders including NAR members and MLS leadership based on the proposed model.

Since NAR San Diego, I have been advising my clients to keep an open mind, ask a lot of questions of the people who have the answers and learn everything they can about RPR. Once they have the information they need, they should develop their own RPR strategies.

Last week, I resigned from the RPR Advisory Board because I want to continue to serve my clients by providing them with the most objective and productive advice and assistance as we focus forward together. Some people perceived that I was somehow conflicted in my role with RPR or that I was too close to RPR to be objective. My perspective was that I was uniquely qualified to assist my clients. Regardless, I resigned from the RPR Advisory Board to clear this up and better serve my clients and continue to grow my business. I left on very good terms and I wish the RPR leadership the best.

We are all anxious to review the terms of the RPR agreement and better understand all the details and the resulting value proposition in the coming weeks. There are a lot of outstanding questions and answers, which I will write about through my blog. Another good channel for information is the RPR blog for ongoing updates.

What do you think about all of this? What are your questions? I want to talk with you and assist in developing the RPR strategies and plans for your business and your future. Stay tuned!

I will begin regular blog posts about topics of interest to inform and create communities where we can all learn from each other.  This is a very exciting time in our industry and I am blessed to play a modest role.

Let me know what you think.  I’ll be in New York for Inman #ICNY this week, Wednesday – Saturday.

Let’s connect.

Here’s to an amazing 2010!

Be sure to attend at least one of the scheduled RPR info sessions in San Diego to learn more. Regardless of your initial views on RPR, you owe it to yourself to listen and learn as much as you can about it to understand how it might impact your association or business going forward.

Whatever your perspective, RPR is likely to be a most discussed topic this week and month.

I look forward to helping you navigate RPR.

RPR sessions in San Diego

Friday, November 13

• 9:00-11:00 AEC Forum
• 8:30-10:30 Member Information Services Forum
• 1:00-3:00 MLS Association Executives Meeting

Saturday, November 14

• 9:00-11:00 MLS Forum
• 1:00-3:00 Large Firms Directors Meeting