Chicago Agent Managing Editor Stephanie Sims.

It’s becoming more apparent that “tried and true” strategies may become obsolete the more technology changes. What used to work regularly for agents might not be as effective anymore, especially when it comes to lead generation, technology and communicating with clients – technology will continue to constantly change, but your clientele may be changing, too, and that may shift how you work for them.

To help you stay at the forefront of changing trends and efficient ways to work in real estate, we interviewed top agents, loan officers and coaches, including Brian Buffini of Buffini & Company, about how agents could incorporate simple yet profit-changing strategies into their business. Some strategies are ones you’ve probably heard before – create a communications plan and keep in touch with current and past clients, for example – but in addition to strategies agents believe they’ve heard before, there are new strategies agents should now incorporate. For example, there are new CRMs agents should get acquainted with, and since business is all about the client, agents should figure out how their clients want to be communicated with and cater to these clients, not communicate how they want to communicate.

Buffini has obviously made a name for himself in real estate, and he listed the steps he believes are necessary for any agent to achieve top producer status one day. This includes mastering three categories: habits, attitude and skills. “The fundamentals are the same today as they were 20 years ago,” he says in our cover story. “That’s why (it’s important to) develop the habits, attitude and skills of a peak producer.”

Do you have other thoughts about Buffini’s and our other professionals’ strategies? Email me and let me know how you strategize for success: stephanie@chicago.staging312.com.