Penny for Your Thoughts?

Here is your opportunity to weigh-in on the 2010 strategic direction of the MLSOK. The plan developed by your leadership is segmented into 4 key areas. The plan will be collated (it currently is on large white sheets of sticky paper) by a staff member and then presented to the MLSOK Board of Directors for final approval by vote at their next meeting in April. This is your opportunity to comment on the plan before it is finalized.

The 4 key areas are:

1. Working with other MLS to eliminate imaginary boundaries and eliminating the need to use several MLS's to do business in OK
2. Development of the Broker Support Unit (services and offerings)
3. Professional Development in MLS
4. Utilizing NAR offerings to improve the MLS website

Initiative #1 was a large component of last year's MLS strategic plan. An identified obstacle is that MLSOK cannot control how another Board of Directors will view sharing or consolidating services. This year we worked on means to overcome those obstacles. A perception that MLSOK Participants in areas outside of the city would not be served adequately was addressed both this year and last (Last year we implemented a lockbox share program with Midwest City and Edmond to distribute lockboxes locally). This year the MLS board will look into opening a storefront service center in the Norman area so the MLS Participants & subscribers in South OKC and Norman receive the same high level of in-person service that members on the Northside of the city access easily.

What may be helpful to the membership to understand why this has been so difficult, is that for many associations, the MLS is a primary revenue stream. Any loss in MLS participation would result in financial hardship. This is a difficult mind shift for many. If one looks at the success of the Edmond, Midwest City and El Reno boards, none of which have an MLS for income, it can be done. MLSOK for the last two years has worked hard to ensure that the MLS fees pay only for MLS services, products and administration - NOT association services. MLSOK and OKCMAR both are positioned to survive and thrive independently and to work within their own budgets. The foresight and vision of your MLS and OKCMAR boards is nothing short of outstanding. There is a possibility that RPR- the REALTORS Property Resource may replace the need for many independent MLS's. To learn all about RPR please click here....

Initiative #2 What support can we provide the brokers through MLS. The broker support unit is something new for 2010 that was designed last year. Some recent offerings from this unit is Data Checker and Profit Navigator (both tools) and the public-sided web site. While all are very wonderful tools there is still a need to support the brokerages. The focus this year is on developing reports (For FREE) that the broker can use to keep a pulse on the market (foreclosures and short sales reports, deomgraphics, crime statistics, neioghborhood specific data). Implementation of a virtual assistant program and offering at a charge to brokers using it. While Brokers would be charged for the service the charge would be significantly less than employing a staff person or outsourcing to other providers. Fully develop the support unit to provide marketing support at a small fee to the brokers and agents. The marketing support will be email newsletters customized to the agent/brokerage firm sent automatically to their sphere of influence or neighborhood. Also mailed flyers to a demographic area or sphere in 6 week cycles.

Initiative #3 will assist the MLS users in using the current product and services MLS offers. MLSOk will be launching "Announce My Listing" this March as was part of the 2009 plan however the focus this year is not to bring additional technology into the MLS but only to focus on training and awareness of existing products. The MLS subscribers need time to assimilate current offerings. Ensure that MLS training is independent of OKCMAR education. Ensure that MLS training is offered through multiple channels (live, webinars, video & written material).

Initiative #4 is to use House Logix and other NAR offerings to improve the MLS public sided website. This particular group had a difficult time viewing the MLS pubic sided site as a separate site and instead chose to focus on the OKCMAR website, which is not under the authority of the MLS body or board. In the end it was determined that a separate task force be appointed to work on the task of improving the MLS public sided site and to make recommendations to the OKCMAR board for improvement of the OKCMAR website.

Penny for your thoughts? Please use the comment link to provide your input.