And a Facebook Group.Daniel has his thoughts, Michael at FBS and the guys at real/diaBlog.Ben is the first person from any Realtor association we are members of (we’re members of NAR, VAR and NVAR) to ask for our feedback and thoughts on any subject whatsoever…. I for one look forward to continuing the conversation on and off-line.What follows is Part One of an interview I did with Ben:What prompted Scott/VAR to hire you?Only Scott could answer that definitively, but from our conversations, I think he senses that the landscape of the real estate industry and association membership is changing…. I was very happy in my role as member relations director for the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA), but VAR presented an opportunity to rapidly step up my work in new media and the social web right here in Richmond, so after just a few conversations with Scott, it very quickly became obvious that this was the right job in the right place at the right time.What are some of the tools you will be using to communicate with members?Well, so far I’ve used LinkedIn, facebook, instant messenger, Skype, chat widgets that REALTORS have installed on their web sites, and the telephone…. I’m also intrigued by white label internet browser toolbars and similar technologies like thin desktop alert applications (think along the lines of Southwest Airlines’ alert application, called Ding).What excites you about this new position?I have been doing social web and new media work in a limited way for VSCPA and in a volunteer role for a long time.
Date Archives September 2007
And you wonder why transit hasn’t gained traction in the Charlottesville area?
From WINA:CTS buses are idle for the rest of the Labor Day weekendThose who normally rely on Charlottesville Transit Service to get around the city and Albemarle’s urban ring will need to make other arrangements between now and Tuesday morning. CTS Spokeswoman Tamika Harris says the buses and trolleys will be idle Sunday and Monday in honor of Labor Day. CTS will be running its regular routes shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday.And from today’s Daily Progress:Halfway through her journey, Mary rested her head against the bus window, stared at the cars whizzing by on U.S. 29 and sighed.It had been nearly three hours since she left her house off Preston Avenue, and an equal amount of time would pass before she returned home.All this for two measly errands – a doctor’s appointment and a trip to Rio Hill shopping center…. An entire day spent navigating Charlottesville’s public transportation system.