Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna, IV, President of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, recently discussed how fear can be turned into action on the podcast “Real with MoxiWorks.” The host of the podcast series, MoxiWorks, is an enterprise-level brokerage software provider.
During the podcast, York Baur, CEO of MoxiWorks, and Hoby reviewed Howard Hanna’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation particularly focused on efforts to approach the crisis with “an opportunity perspective, rather than a fear perspective.”
Hoby also discussed the company’s growth into new markets over the years, and how important, relatively recent investments have helped the company prepare for “disruption” in a normal work day:
“We consciously made, about four years ago, we made a real effort on a technology stack. To build one out, to support where we thought the business was going with agents working more remotely, with agents wanting access to their iPad, their computer, their data. As I always say, tethered to the company from a branch but not having to be physically in the branch to do their work. We made that investment never foreseeing this day. It’s paying off leaps and bounds.”
In addition to discussing Howard Hanna’s technology platform, Hoby emphasized the importance of relationships and communication. From professional networks to coworkers to prospective sellers and buyers, technology has made connection possible, but is not at the core of connection and interaction:
“Something online said, we’re all in the same boat. But we’re not. We’re all in the same ocean, but you don’t know what somebody’s boat looks like. You don’t know where their stresses are, or where their mindset is. We’ve learned that communication has to come with that in mind, with that respect and love for each other.”
Finally, Hoby took time to analyze the future of Howard Hanna and the real estate industry. His key takeaway was that the industry will evolve, and it’s up to its leaders to drive the changes necessary to succeed along the way:
“Now is probably the best time for us to step back and look at what do we think the market looks like in the future? And have we invested in the right things?”
This episode of “Real with MoxiWorks” can be found at their website, and is free to listen to.
