The Best Birthday Present EVER!

Several years ago (2018) I was lambasted for saying in the media (and here) that??'Before COMPASS, Technology Was Barely Mentioned In Real Estate.' I pointed to the fact that the investment in technology in real estate had soared from $1.8 billion in 2015 to $12.6 billion, just two short years later in 2017. That's an increase of about 700%. Head's imploded! Agents - although mostly brokerage heads - were simply livid that I'd dare to point this out. Most agents working with antiquated?systems knew?exactly?what I was referring to! The vitriol, hatred and anger about this statement that spoke to how our profession had largely neglected tech advancement was deafening. I clearly stated that MANY?- not ALL - had largely ignored substantive technology investment. The anger towards COMPASS for daring to be a technology-fueled brokerage, for speaking about technology since Day 1 consistently, has been somewhat amusing at best.?

FLASH FORWARD: This past week on Inman, a headline made the leading story:??"Why Keller Williams is a TECH biz..."?Unlike the story that had been posted 4.5 years earlier, this headline elicited?barely a peep of push-back. While you may think I would be tempted to be outraged, gloat, comment?or berate this audacity, instead today I wish to CELEBRATE this contrasting, turnaround moment, possibly one of the greatest achievements of COMPASS in the 8.5 years I have been here. Today is my birthday, and there could be no better birthday present!

When I started at COMPASS in June 2014, I was not 'bought', unlike many seem to describe all of us here today. I was the one doing the buying. I bought into something - URBAN Compass - that had barely started. I bought into a vision of the future. I bought into helping grow a vision. When I did so, COMPASS' value was virtually zero in market terms. My biggest mission and dream - besides helping build a once-in-a-generation- company - was that somehow we could play an important role in 'inspiring' an entire industry to evolve, improve ethics and empathy, grow and be better....to become a respected PROFESSION. To drive this narrative and lead by example. It makes me truly happy to see a headline like this recent INMAN one - without all the hateful, angry pushback - and acts as an invaluable measurement?of how successful this mission has been, and how far we have come.....in less than 5 years. Almost every brokerage now speaks about technology BOLDLY!

So today I wish to celebrate the technological achievements of COMPASS and all those that contributed in getting it to where we are today: The superb tools like Collections, CMA, CRM, Likely to Sell, Business Tracker, Insights, Workspace, Marketing Center, Concierge, COMPASS Academy, etc, all beautifully housed under one roof and seamlessly interconnected and accessible from the palm of your hand anywhere in the world, are truly delivering the 'high tech' component?of the "High-Tech-High Touch" dream I had in June, 2014. And yes, to this day I continue to send out my daily 'low-tech' email memo to all in the COMPASS family - and anyone who subscribes - 365 days a year, before 8am EST, to keep us informed and connected, to drive culture and fuel ethics, and to showcase six beautiful COMPASS listings from around the US ranging in price from $250k to over $100 million. Luxury is the experience, not just a price-point!

Over the past 8-plus years the impact COMPASS has had on our entire profession via our focus on technology may be dwarfed by the impact of our graphics, marketing, wording ('collaboration', 'culture', etc were rarely used anywhere!)....and culture. And all of this is thanks to YOU. Yes, everyone has contributed to this either via the actual building, or the invaluable?instant feedback that is delivered?simply by shaking your phone?and entering a comment or suggestion. Did we revolutionize real estate? No! But we certainly helped drive and fuel its evolution, and continue to do so.

Do others have the tech and tools COMPASS has? I hope so. If not, I hope we continue to inspire all to continue being inspired by us for many decades to come.?Thanks to all of you for this, the best birthday present I could wish?for.

Now I am heading back to my mirror to evaluate the ravages of time.....?