Josh Davoren, the operations director at RE/MAX Australia, is responsible for overseeing a range of departments within his network, including marketing, training, and technology. Committed to staying ahead of the curve, he actively engages with proptech leaders and collaborates with providers offering cutting-edge software and platforms for RE/MAX.
Davoren believes that everyone involved in the network, from business owners to corporate staff, has a role to play in streamlining operations. In a recent episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents, he encouraged business owners to identify weaknesses in their agencies and explore how AI could be leveraged to automate backend tasks and improve overall efficiency. As an example, while chatbots are already common, the rapid advancement of audio technology suggests that voicebots could be the next frontier.
Davoren suggested that the evolution of AI might not only focus on outbound prospecting calls, but also on inbound calls from both rental and sales inquiries. By leveraging a robust database, AI could potentially handle up to 80% of incoming calls, addressing standard sales inquiries from listings and common rental questions from tenants.
Davoren stressed the importance of giving voicebot users the option to connect with a human agent at any time during the inquiry process. He also expressed interest in exploring video generation and translation tools. By immersing himself in these technologies, Davoren aims to facilitate informed discussions within his group.
Changing Mindsets to Propel Agencies Forward
Davoren is a strong advocate for technology and AI, stating in a recent REB article that agents seeking success in real estate must be open to innovative thinking as part of their strategic planning. He argued that leveraging AI to strengthen client relationships and gain data-driven insights would benefit both agents and the industry as a whole
In the Secrets of the Top 100 Agents podcast, Davoren discussed how a tech-savvy mindset could create new opportunities for traditional real estate professionals. He described “buttoned down” agents as those who are willing to adapt and evolve by introducing new processes.
Moreover, he suggested that agents who currently sell 50 properties a year should aim for 100 as their new benchmark for success. Davoren believes that teams will need to handle increased volume to thrive in the competitive landscape, leading to better agents and teams capturing a larger share of the market.
Davoren emphasized that the increased volume of business can be seen as either a threat or an opportunity to become a major player in the market. He urged agents to keep up with emerging technologies by engaging with content that provides insights on AI and forming their own educated viewpoints. He also recommended being cautious when choosing tools for their businesses.
In conclusion, Davoren stressed the importance of curiosity. Embracing new ideas and recognizing mistakes allows businesses to adapt swiftly. When team members are empowered to make decisions, it cultivates a culture of innovation. Ultimately, maintaining curiosity and flexibility will be essential for navigating upcoming changes.
