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As I was walking the halls of the famous Fountainbleu Hotel, in Miami last week it struck me just how perfect a location it was for the 2023 iOi Summit. The hotel offers glimpses of what it once was – a popular playground for East Coast elites and celebrities like the Kennedys, Sinatra, and his Rat Pack buddies. Today, it’s a modern luxury hotel on par with any of the high-end places you’ll find on Miami Beach. There’s no more Rat Pack, but there’s still plenty of historic charm to be found even if the hotel is now a sleek glass and granite space on par with any of the finest spots on Miami Beach. It’s this intersection of the traditional and modern that offered an ideal setting for the crossroads between early-stage proptech and the practitioners who gathered in the ballroom at the Fountainbleu for NAR’s 2023 iOi Summit. It was an honor to be selected as a judge in the Pitch Battle, which offered a literal front-row seat to see eleven of the most impressive companies I’ve encountered this year. That event was the highlight of my experience at iOi Summit, but I wanted to take a minute and write this blog post to point out a few of the more memorable moments and observations, as well. The MLS Environment is shifting I had several meetings with my MLS executive friends on the subject of “what’s next for MLSs,” but even in the side room conversations with vendors and others in the consulting world, it became abundantly clear that MLSs are thinking WAY outside the usual confines of products and services. I’ve started to characterize this movement as a graduation from an MLS into something more closely resembling data services companies. That is, rather than simply being the warehouse for listing data, MLSs are making serious plans to become both proving grounds for the latest technology, but also purveyors of “property data”; an important distinction from the traditional “listing data.” This concept certainly isn’t new, but it’s suddenly a serious and immediate path of growth for those MLS leaders we’re talking to. The landscape for all of us is going to change While I’m not a fan of speculation around pending litigation, there’s more than a little evidence that legal issues surrounding our industry are likely going to come to some resolution soon. The exact nature of this resolution is where the speculation comes in, so I’ll avoid that. Only to say that the role of the MLS and its relationship to both its member broker and governing/regulatory bodies is going to move into uncharted territory. I find this possibility both a bit unsettling but also very exciting. The best of us will be forced to get better, think differently, adapt, and reinvent ourselves. The most attractive tech has something in common If you look at the results of the Pitch Battle, you may have seen what I saw almost immediately. The most impressive companies were offering cool tech, but the underlying aspects were giving the agents time. Putting the best tech in the hands of the best agents is something we should all be focused on. Ultimately, that’s going to be the insulation to weather any market or industry shift. Those that performed best at the Pitch Battle had this in their go-to-market strategies. That is, give the agent more time and you give them more deals. And finally, it’s inspiring to be among the best You don’t need me to tell you that you run faster when you’re in a race versus running alone. It’s interesting to note that the iOi Summit was a room for competitors. Tech companies, VCs, agents and brokers, even competing MLSs. That fact alone was deeply inspiring. We’re all together in this space to build something important and iOi brings all those interested into a single channel to direct energy toward a common set of values, even if it’s just for a few days. It’s truly inspiring to run alongside some of the best minds in the industry. To participate in the passion and dedication on display there makes us all want to be better and do something impactful. Thanks again to my friends at NAR for the opportunity. See you next year.
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Navigating the Changing Tides of Real Estate: Insights from the 2023 iOi Summit

To participate in the passion and dedication on display at the iOi Summit makes us all want to be better and do something impactful. 

Insights

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Even if you're a casual observer of the intersection between technology and real estate, you've probably had some exposure to NAR's REACH program. Since 2013, REACH program has been recruiting, counseling, and supporting young technology companies on their path to growth and prosperity in the real estate industry. Since its inception, REACH has gained tremendous momentum within the proptech community, particularly in the last 5 years. More recently, the people behind REACH have taken this show on the road in the form of REACH Labs, which offers up-and-coming proptech companies a way to meet and present to MLSs and practitioners in their own backyard. Cities like Miami, Chicago, Denver, and Austin have been early hosts of the REACH Labs concept. Back in June, my old friend Emily Chenevert, CEO of the Austin Board of REALTORS (and newly-rebranded Unlock MLS) introduced me to my new friend Christine Wren, Global Liaison at ABoR and UnlockMLS. Christine was putting together a REACH Labs event in Austin and asked for help identifying Austin-based companies. My work with Modern.Tech has resulted in a vast network of proptech companies (100+ at last count) so I was thrilled to be able to contribute to a program as respected and noteworthy as REACH. I immediately submitted my candidates for the pitch battle. For the uninitiated, a pitch battle is typically a live competition among participating companies, all on stage at an event. Each company is given a set time to pitch their product or service in front of an audience and/or panel of judges. Once all pitches are complete, the audience votes on which presentation was best overall. Christine wanted help finding four Austin-based companies to participate in her pitch battle and I had some great candidates in the Modern.Tech network of proptech companies. Fast forward a few weeks and the stage was set, so to speak. My friends Caleb Jones of Ink, William Schoeffler of Hitch, and Adi Pavlović of Newzip graciously agreed to participate and three of the four presenters for the event were in place. Freemodel was the fourth company and is definitely worth checking out, by the way. Great work, John Garner! The event itself, hosted at ABoR's offices, was really impressive. Christine and her staff have really perfected this entire process. The pitch battle (in the standing-room-only auditorium) went smoothly and I felt like each company represented exceptionally well. In the end, Caleb Jones took home the hardware, but honestly, I think the room was somewhat amazed by each of the products on display. Several people mentioned how surprising it was to have such talent and innovation taking place right there in Austin. Being my first REACH Labs event, I wasn't sure what to expect, but again, Emily and Christine certainly set the bar high for other MLSs interested in hosting their own Labs event. Congratulations again to Caleb for winning the pitch battle! I'm eager to help execute the next Labs pitch battle in Austin, or an MLS near you!
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Unlocking Innovation: Highlights from the REACH Labs Pitch Battle in Austin

Since 2013, REACH program has been recruiting, counseling, and supporting young technology companies on their path to growth in the real estate industry.

You can see it on their faces. A look of mild surprise, followed by a long, far-away stare into the distance. I’ve already encountered this phenomenon in plenty of board rooms, mostly during MLS Strategic Plan exercises, and it almost always happens when new and far-reaching ideas are being discussed.

It’s the look that says, “I think I’m being… disrupted.”
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Ah, the MLS Strategic Plan. For as long as I’ve been working in the industry, the MLS Strategic Plan has been the standard method of achieving long-term organizational goal-setting. The concept that an MLS must, on some annual or semi-annual schedule, bring in an outside facilitator to spend a few days speaking truth, building cohesion, saying difficult things, among a roomful of competing brokers who are volunteering their time for a higher good (despite all the politics and territorialism), remains a noble and timeless pursuit, taken on by a select group of brave people like me. The skilled strategist. The creative unifier. The hopelessly hopeful.
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You may have experienced some rough ones, so you may not think so, but I think MLS Strategic Plans are a blast. I humbly think my methods are pretty entertaining, and that makes it a really fun gig. I love the idea of bringing some wit and wisdom to a group of MLS leadership eager to learn how to grow and prosper in a shifting, modern strategic landscape.
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What could be more fun and rewarding than that?
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Well for one thing, the fact that for some people sitting in these rooms listening to me talk about technology, and business models, and trends, and so on, means the opposite of fun. In fact, for a small percentage of people working their way through an MLS Strategic Plan, it’s downright painful; a signal that, “things are going to be different and I’m going to have to adjust.”
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The thing is, any strategic planning exercise worth the effort will require an organization to go through some kind of operational adjustment for the sake of forward progress. Hiring an expert to run your MLS Strategic Plan is like taking your car to a mechanic. it doesn’t always result in an overhaul, but they’re going to find something to work on, and that isn’t always a good time for everyone involved.
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That brings us to the issue of Change versus Disruption.
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When you take your old iPhone to the Apple Store and trade it in for the newest model, that’s change. You’re prepared to stand in the store for an hour or so, backup your data, buy a new case, reinstall your apps, and probably reset a few passwords. No big deal. It’s a process you’re willing to go through (maybe even eager to go through) for the sake of a better overall experience. Because, hey, new phone!
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Disruption is when your old iPhone finally dies. You have to go to the crowded Apple store across town and stand there for an hour or so, backup your data, buy a new case, reinstall your apps, and probably reset a few passwords. Crap, new phone!
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See? Change is something you welcome. Disruption is something that happens to you. Change is a mild inconvenience that you choose. Disruption can seem like a crime perpetrated against you.
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It’s my belief that MLS Strategic Plans are most effective when everyone in the room realizes that this distinction between change and disruption exists, not only in the boardroom, but also in the everyday lives of the membership. It’s important to understand how people are impacted by shifts in their workflows, regardless of the intended outcome. Not all movement is as simple as stopping one thing in favor of another. Sometimes change is worth the disruption. Sometimes it isn’t.
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Have you ever wondered why so many MLSs are still using the same 3 or 4 software platforms for their listing search/add/edit? Because some of the membership will endure the transition and welcome the change to a newer more user-friendly platform, but a lot more will absolutely panic and surround the MLS office with pitchforks and torches because of the disruption.
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Change and disruption. Two very similar, but critically different concepts that are a part of the complexities that drive decision-making of any organization, not just MLSs.

Change vs. Disruption: The MLS Strategic Plan Dilemma

Understand the difference between change and disruption so that you can better navigate the complexities that drive your decision-making.

When undertaking a new software development initiative, the difference between success and failure boils down to two very simple things: the tools and the people. Too often, software developers make poor tech stack and system choices, while firms mistakenly hire the developers most conveniently available to them. In the following paragraphs, we outline exactly what it takes to optimize these two crucial pillars for your next project.&nbsp;

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Modern Tools and Technologies
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We've seen it happen all too often: software engineers build a platform using what they believe to be the best stack, using reasonable practices and tools. Tragically, in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, a developer busy programming inevitably loses touch with the latest advances in modern software development tools, practices, and frameworks. What was cutting-edge 5 years ago may be antiquated today, and the wrong choice in stack or system may double or triple the level of effort for a project unintentionally. Modern technologies enable faster and more efficient development cycles, enhance security, and ensure products can handle large amounts of data and traffic without experiencing downtime or performance issues. By building your applications over a modern infrastructure, you future-proof your products and ensure they can adapt to emerging trends and technologies yet to come. As our name itself suggests, this is pillar one at Modern.tech.
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Developers With Relevant Expertise
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When hiring a software development firm, the quality and capabilities of its developers are paramount. Developer quality and price are regrettably the end of most companies' evaluation criteria. At Modern.tech, we believe that's just the ante to be in the game. What truly matters most are finding developers who have a meaningful understanding of your product, business, and industry. Without this understanding, it's challenging to think critically or catch things that might be missed. That's why when we take on a project, our entire team commits to mastering the context of your product, company, and industry. Our current industry specializations have been developed through years of working with strategy and technology engagements with players big and small, and we bring this expertise into every new engagement.
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We combine modern tools and technologies with deep industry expertise, and in doing so drive technology initiatives toward success. We understand the importance of keeping up with the ever-changing digital landscape, and that's why our team invests in continuous learning and development to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies. We instill a culture of critical thought and professional mastery among our team, from our developers to our executives. Whether you're looking to enhance your existing digital infrastructure or build something new from scratch, we're here to help you achieve your digital goals.

The Winning Formula: 2 Pillars Driving Software Project Success

When undertaking a new software development initiative, the difference between success and failure boils down to two very simple things.

Dear valued clients and partners, I am thrilled to announce that our digital consultancy and software development firm, formerly known as Evolved Technologies, is now officially rebranded as Modern.tech. Our new name and visual identity reflect our commitment to create innovative solutions that help our clients stay competitive in today's rapidly changing technology landscape. We believe that modern technologies hold immense potential to transform the way organizations operate and interact with their customers. As Modern.tech, we are well-positioned to help clients leverage these technologies to drive growth and achieve their business goals. From our executives to our developers, we are constantly exploring new tools and techniques to stay at the forefront of innovation. Our software development expertise is well-established, and now we are excited to expand our services into strategic offerings that will allow us to leverage the expertise of our team and provide even more value to our clients. Our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service remains unchanged. We are proud of our track record of delivering successful projects and building long-lasting relationships with our clients, and we look forward to continuing to serve you as Modern.tech. Sincerely, Andrew Coca CEO, Modern.tech

Welcome to Modern.tech

A note from the CEO about the launch of the Modern.tech rebrand and the expanded suite of strategy and consulting services.

insights

Navigating the Changing Tides of Real Estate: Insights from the 2023 iOi Summit

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Unlocking Innovation: Highlights from the REACH Labs Pitch Battle in Austin

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Change vs. Disruption: The MLS Strategic Plan Dilemma

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The Winning Formula: 2 Pillars Driving Software Project Success

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Welcome to Modern.tech

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