CB Hearthside Goes Virtual

On Monday, Coldwell Banker Hearthside, REALTORS launched its first virtual office in Malvern, PA. The term "virtual" is a bit of a misnomer as the office is still there. They have a manager of course, an admin, plus all of the other great tools and services that CB Hearthside offers agents.

The main difference is that everything the agents do can be done online and anywhere - from forms to office meetings, listing presentations to one-on-one's with their manager. The word freedom always comes to mind when I am explaining this new office model. Agents can take floor time on their cell phone - from home, Starbucks or the beach. We are utilizing all sorts of cool Google tools -Calendar, Voice and Docs specifically - to make a lot of the everyday office functioning seamless. Don't feel like working remotely? No problem, the office is still there.

The agents have access to their manager, admin, corporate staff and more via the traditional methods - phone, email and text; but we also set them up with Skype accounts and webcams so they can instant message or video chat with us whenever the need arises. Not sure how to enhance your listing on Realtor.com? No problem - Skype me and I can share my screen and show you the steps. Want to see me in person? Check the Google calendar - I have lots of dates posted for office visits, along with Chris Beadling, Jamie Mancuso and of course your manager. We'll see you at the office (which is still there).

Office meetings will be a mix of in person and web-based to reach every one of our agents how they wish to be reached. We are using DimDim for our web meetings. Just like everyone learns differently, we realize that some agents will still want to come into the office. Not a problem! Come in anytime, use the equipment, say hello. The office is still there.

Execute a deal? Great! Pop over to the office (yep, still there) to scan your file as you always have and drop the deposit check into our pre-paid UPS envelopes then toss it into the UPS box as you are driving away ... ahhh freedom. Your admin will email you with anything that is missing and take it from there.

So what's so different? Not much really. We started using a lot of these super cool tools over the last few years and we know that agents are spending less and less time in the office. Going virtual in this market just made sense.

Did I mention that the office is still here?

Still curious? Check out Chris Beadling's video on "A Day in the Life of a Virtual Agent".