CR Magazine – Autumn 2018

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
With fall upon us, the remaining weeks of 2018
will be fleeting. Autumn ushers in the start of a
new association year and marks the end of my
time as your president. This past year has been
one of great change, as well as immense opportunity — both at our
association and throughout our industry.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of moderating a panel of industry
disruptors. These companies challenge the status quo and are often
villainized for doing so. There is an innate knee-jerk reaction to discount
disruptors, disregard their work as irrelevant and double-down doubting
their ability to change us or our industry.
In doing so, we miss the point: the industry is evolving. We’ve seen
unmatched investment pouring into real estate technology. These so-called
disruptors see opportunity in addressing and alleviating the pain points in
a real estate transaction, with an emphasis on simplifying the process for
buyers and sellers. There is something we can all learn from this.
Invite Questioning. When we forget to question what we know, we
miss the point. Speak to current and past clients to better understand
their pain points. Adopt your business model to anticipate those needs
and provide a higher level of service. Ask more questions in your business,
with your clients and your vendors. Ask, “why?” If the answer is ever,
“because that’s how we’ve always done it,” you’ve found opportunity.
Explore. When we don’t stop to explore the unfamiliar, we miss out on opportunity. Read industry news — Inman Select
subscriptions are included with your Illinois REALTORS ® membership. Attend conferences and events: YPN breakfasts,
Member Outreach, national conferences and industry partner events. Look outside our industry to monitor trends. Best
case: you’ll learn something life changing. Worst case: you’ll be a great conversationalist over cocktails.
Embrace Change. Understand that the world is changing; it is easy to get left behind. Be an early adopter. Look for
systems that automate what you do so you can focus on relationship-building and high-level client service. Change is never
easy, but the journey is just as important as the destination.
It is time to look to the future. Our CEO, Michelle Mills Clement, is a force of nature. I am in awe of her talent, tenacity and
vision. She, incoming president Tommy Choi and our board of directors are committed to further evolving our association to
better serve the needs of all members.
Our relationships with our clients remain paramount, and our ability to leverage technology to provide a higher level of
service will be what defines us in the years to come. Question, explore and embrace change. In the words of the illustrious
University of Chicago professor Linda Ginzel, we all should strive to be “wiser, younger.”
I am grateful and honored to have served our association for this past year. Thank you for helping me to become “wiser, younger.”
Best,
REBECCA THOMSON
2017-2018 President
Chicago Association of REALTORS ®
4 Chicago REALTOR ® Magazine