Business Tips #8 - “Integration Of The Front And Back Office”

ARE YOU WASTING VALUABLE TIME DOING DUPLICATE ENTRY?
Entering duplicate information into multiple data bases is a waste of time and is costly. Integrate the front and back ends of your operation by having your back office accounting information automatically feed information to your front office and vice versa.

How many times have you terminated an agent only to learn that they are still on your web-site two weeks later. The integration of information means A TASK DONE ONCE IS DONE EVERYWHERE! When a new agent is added to your office, they immediately should appear everywhere in your company, web-site, extranets, and back office.

Examples of information that should be integrated throughout your systems are as follows:

• Agent roster information including, name, address, contact phone #’s, email addresses, agent photo, branch location, and much more.
• MLS integration from the front office into your back office software
• Automated lead integration from the front office into the back office accounting software giving you the ability to track web-leads, referrals and office walk-in’s all the way through close.
• Online showing solution allowing your admin staff access to schedule showings from any computer with internet access. Includes auto emails confirming showings and well as requesting showing feedback.
• Agent expense reports and commission history statements.
• Company documents
• Event registration and meeting announcements

Not only does integration make your office run more efficiently, you also LOOK MORE PROFESSIONAL TO YOUR AGENTS. Information they need can be at their fingertips, not only allowing them to run their own businesses more efficiently but also making you a critical component of their operation.

Communication of information to your agents, whether it be company documents that they need to conduct business, financial information, or notices of upcoming events, SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WHEN THEY NEED IT!