By: Betsy Bradley
Vail, CO

Betsy Bradley is a member of AREA, she can be reached at vailbetsy@aol.com 1-970-376-2555.

Keller Williams has recently spent a good bit of time and effort trying to understand the real impact and effect of high tech on the real estate business. We all know how important it is, just read Dana Harris’s commentary. But if the truth be known, one of the keys to building a strong real estate business is to build strong relationships based on good rapport and mutual trust. I ran across this short piece and thought you might enjoy it.

Melissa M. Garcia | Monday, January 27, 2014 | Community Associations Miscellaneous

Last week at the 2014 CAI Law Seminar, I had the pleasure of teaching with Jeffrey Kaman on the subject of maximizing technology for community associations. We discussed the benefits of technology, as well as the risks, proactive ways of addressing those risks and available protections. What was most interesting, however, was our discussion on the downsides of technology: Loss of personal touch, becoming too automated and overly dependent, carelessness, etc.

So this morning, as I was still pondering the lessons learned in that and the other classes presented, I came upon this timely blog by social media strategist Jarred Wilson, which provides us with the following 2014 challenge:

“Divorce your phone, your apps, your social-feeds, and engage in relationship with people that actually matter. Vow to spend significant time off your mobile-devices, unplugged, and instead get back to making personal relationships that will stand the test of time.”

As community association leaders we are always turning to technology for ways to be more efficient, accessible, flexible, and in general make the lives of our clients and business partners (and in turn our lives) easier. But we must not forget that smart phones, social media, texts and the like, should not replace the true encounters and relationships we create with people. Technology may make the connection, but it does not foster the people. The personal relationship is what is real, and what will last.

In AREA we are separated by distances that make it very difficult, outside of the annual retreat, to really get to know one another. So, wherever you are, pick up the phone and give me or another AREA member a call. Tell me what’s happening with you and I’ll share with you what’s happening with me. This could be the start of a great relationship!

Photo Credit: philcampbell via Compfight cc