Zooming through the Pandemic
In the wake of this pandemic, understanding that we might have to live our lives differently hereon is the first step to surviving. The second step is figuring out how to keep our jobs secure and efficient.
For us working in Construction and Real Estate, this is quite a challenge as COVID 19 management measures have forced employees to work shorter hours and others working from home.
‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’
Perhaps the biggest consequence this year is the inevitable adaptation to technology as professionals and scholars seek to make the most of these difficult times. Online meetings are the new normal, with improved collaborative efforts being offered via the platforms’ team features in order to get the work done.
It is clear to see the impact technology has had over the years with different software, machines, and innovations that make our work easier. However, some sectors still hold on to past practices and traditional processes that are time-consuming with little adjustment done in terms of adopting new ways.
The Construction and Real estate sector in Kenya has made some significant changes tech-wise. We’ve seen the government introducing the Land Information Management System (LIMS) to eliminate fraud and enable digitization of processes at the lands ministry as well as the recently assented 2020 Business Laws Bill, which is set to facilitate the transition process of the lands registries from manual to digital, to enhance the real estate sector’s processes.
As a sector, we are yet to maximize the resources available if we desire to succeed. In order to stay afloat, businesses have now taken advantage of the online space. Whether it’s a website, an e-commerce platform, a social media page, or a combination of all three, getting your company online will make it easier to connect with current and potential customers as well as showcasing your products and services.
Here are some of the ways organizations can revolutionize the online space
1.Online education and resources (e-learning)
Aside from the theoretical aspect, the majority of the learning methods in Construction and Real Estate involve practicals and being on-site to grasp the concept. Now that scholars cannot access schools or active construction sites, videos on construction methods and site processes could be a great tool that would provide a lot of insights students without them having to be on-site.
Articles, blogs, journals, and reports on projects and professionals’ work lifestyles can also be made available not only to teach through experience but also to create a rich and diverse database of past practices that can be looked at in the future.
2. Online advertising
Most investors in the Real estate space often make purchases after they have viewed the said properties. With lock downs in place, real estate companies are struggling to meet set targets as few prospects are able to view properties.
The 2017 ‘Real Estate in a Digital Age’ survey conducted by National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the vast majority of potential home buyers are using the internet to find houses, with 99% of millennials (the largest group of home buyers) using websites to aid their search. NAR also found that of all respondents who used the internet in their search, 89% found photos to be beneficial, and 50% found virtual tours to be very useful.
Options like virtual 360 degrees house tours work well in terms of convenience and time and appeal to out-of-state buyers. Detailed attention should be given to online visual tools to attract more buyers who conduct most of their searches using phones and computers.
3. B2C Engagement
Engagement can be defined as a two-way conversation. In order for consumers to maintain trust and develop a relationship with your brand or business, online communication can be a powerful way to grab your audience’s attention.
There are vast and inexhaustible themes that Real Estate organizations can tap into and create webinars for their clients to entice new business and support existing clients. Various webinar platforms offer features that are ideal to present complex topics in understandable ways and enables hosts to create stunning visual presentations through the use of slides, images, and videos as opposed to when presented in text or voice only.
In order to boost your business online, consider how your business operates, and determine which technologies will benefit your organization in terms of saving time and increasing your bottom line. All in all, modern businesses must ensure that they are not left behind. An online presence is one of the most important investments that a business can make.
“There is only one way to survive and thrive when faced with circumstances out of our control and for which we are unprepared: ADAPT.”― Charles F Glassman
