Local Broker's Commitment to Technology
Paved With A REALTOR e-PRO^® Foundation

(San Diego, CA March 17, 2005) - How important is it to have tech-savvy agents in your office? Judging from the results being obtained by Park Company GMAC -- with offices in Fargo, ND, and Detroit Lakes, MN -- it is very important.

Early last year, the office ran a series of "tests" regarding a variety of technology related issues including a determination of how quickly agents were responding to e-mail inquiries. The results were an eye-opener for Broker Kris Sheridan.

"After years of encouraging agents to utilize technology to improve their business," Sheridan said, "we decided it was time to take action and provide real incentives for our agents to take advantage of technology education. We made a commitment to use the REALTOR e-PRO certification program as the cornerstone of our effort."

In order to encourage agents to complete the e-PRO course, the company agreed to a $100 scholarship for each agent that enrolled in the program, according to Shari Veil, Director of Marketing Services. In addition, all agents who enrolled in the certification course were entered into a drawing with one winner getting a full tuition and another receiving a free digital camera to use in their new technology business plan. Park Company also paid the full tuition for eight staff members to take the course and assist the agents when they had questions regarding technology.

Sheridan said that the results have been almost immediate and substantial.

"After a great deal of dedication and determination, we are proud to say that we have 49 newly certified e-PRO agents and staff members with several others in progress," Sheridan said. "These individuals are now leaders in our company: they are the first to answer e-mails, they are the first to suggest additions to our website, and they are among the first in the office to have personalized web pages.

"Through the support and encouragement of Park Company and the in-depth training offered through the e-PRO certification program, our agents are better able to assist technologically advanced customers, enhance their communication skills, improve their marketing efforts, and build their business," she added.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade®. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

Saul Klein, President of InternetCrusade, praised the Park Company for its efforts to create a sales force of highly educated, tech-savvy agents. "Everyone benefits when an office makes a commitment to provide agents with the technology tools they need to be successful in today's highly competitive marketplace. Consumers benefit by working with agents who can give them the information they want, when they want it. Agents benefit by using systems that improve productivity and increase sales. And the office benefits by streamlining the buying and selling process -- increasing transactions and revenue -- while lowering the cost of doing business."

The exclusive REALTOR e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.

For more information, contact Rich Hudson at (619) 283-7302 or e-mail him at Rich@InternetCrusade.com.