Learning how to raise capital for your business idea is often difficult for many otherwise very capable would be entrepreneurs. Raising finance, be it from a bank, a venture capital firm or a business angel, has a lot to do with being able to sell your business idea, and less about how good that idea actually is. The best business idea can get nowhere if you cannot convince your prospective investors of its potential as an investment and your ability as a business owner of making it a success. You should keep the following key points in mind when trying to raise capital for your new business idea.Prepare a business planWriting a business plan is often a lot of work and distracts you from doing what you want to do, which is running your business. But you won’t get any funding without a solid written business plan. Telling an investor or your bank contact that they should give you money because you had a great idea is just not going to cut it. A business plan will explain exactly what you plan on doing with that money, why you need it and real numbers proving your business idea potential. Among other things, you’ll need to be able to prove that you know your audience and the size of the market you plan on targeting, your marketing plans, your expected cashflow for the first few years and how will you deal with risks such as another competitor entering the market. If you are unsure about how to write a good business plan you can also hire a consultant to help you prepare it, but make sure you know exactly what’s in it, since the consultant won’t be with you when talking to the potential investors.Practice your pitchLooking for investment is like selling your business idea to somebody who knows a lot about what makes a good, profitable business. While a good business plan is the basis for your pitch, you will still need to deliver it the right way. It’s worth investigating your potential investors, and adapting your pitch to that information. For example, a bank is often conservative and would be more interested in you showcasing how your business idea is a safe bet and has a solid base, without extravagant expenses or high risk taking. However, an investor with an existing portfolio of cutting edge technological business may be more interested in listening to how your business is highly innovative and will use the money to create the next big thing online. Do not go into any meeting with your investors without researching all you can about them and their style, since they will have no doubt researched you to see if you, as a person and a businessman, are likely to succeed.Plan for threats and weaknessesRemember when at job interviews people asked you to name your weak points? Your investors are going to do exactly the same about your business idea. While it’s clear that you wouldn’t be asking for investment if you didn’t believe your business idea has a high potential for success, you should also be aware of what things could make it fail, and be able to plan for it. Do not say “Nothing can go wrong, I have everything covered” because at best you’ll get a reality check from the investors about the many things you had not considered, before politely being shown the door. Being secure of yourself is great, but realism is highly appreciated in business.Know your USPWhat makes your business idea unique, and so makes people choose you over anybody else to buy from? Your unique selling point, or USP, will be key to your marketing strategy since it’s the reason why people will buy from you. A generic business with no unique selling point is not likely to make venture investors interested, because if anybody can do it, it’s probably not going to be very profitable. Investors want a high return on investment, and that means that your business should grow and not just be good enough for you to make a living. On the other hand, a bank may be less demanding with your uniqueness, as long as you are using a proven business model on a niche that has room for new players, but a bank knows that they’ll get their payment through your loan interest so they are satisfied with you just breaking even and paying your loan.Show that you the right person to lead your businessThis is another challenging issue when trying to get finance, and a question that few investors will ask you directly so you need to show it by your actions and your sales pitch. Some people are great at having ideas, but are very bad at making those ideas into a real business and managing the day to day of said business. As a business owner, you’ll need many skills that aren’t directly related to your business core idea. Even if you are technically the best developer in the world, and the person who can best implement your idea, you may not be the right person to actually manage it and many investors will notice that unfavourably. Make sure you come across as a savvy businessperson, and not just a great inventor or a proficient salesman.

Way back in 1971, C.P. Snow wrote about technology in the New York Times. He said, “Technology… is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other.”Many dealers are voicing that sentiment these days. Far too few have done anything about it. Some have learned to use computer software with skill. They use the apps on iPhones, iPads, and Blackberries. They have created an effective Web site. They use Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn for social networking. For others, these are merely words and technologies that test their ability to conduct both business and their private lives. Dealers, already feeling the brunt of the two-plus year recession and massive changes in the car industry, are becoming increasingly concerned about their ability to not only keep up, but to even remain in the playing field.Why should dealers bother with such things? Isn’t the old way good enough? Nope!Customers who always shopped on the lot are now shopping on the Internet before they take a step toward a dealership. They’ve researched every model in their price range and with the features they want. They’ve read a dozen articles about how to get the best deal. They’ve become more savvy than many sales people hired by dealerships; they know their credit score; they know where they can find the best price on insurance, window tinting, undercoating, you name it. Everything once sold to them by a finance officer from the menu is for sale on the Internet.Are you one of the dealerships where handwringing has become a daily pastime? Have you taken a close look at your bottom line? Have you noticed what would happen to your finance portfolio if you removed your sub-vent rated and nonprime customers? Have the numbers of your prime-financing customers dwindled to an all-time low? Perhaps you haven’t seen the drop in your captive financing yet, but beware, it’s coming just as surely as the first snowstorm.Snow was right, back in 1971! The Internet can either become a beacon for drawing in more satisfied customers to your dealership and vastly increase your bottom line, or it can stab you in the back. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy. How?Statistics show that 80% of car customers go online before they make the decision to buy and before they come to your dealership. What are they researching? Brands, models, features and, most of all, prices. Most of all, prices. The majority of Americans in today’s economy are deeply concerned about their budget. They have a fixed amount to spend on a car payment and all the other expenses involved in owning it. The vehicle they choose must fit within that fixed figure. They cannot afford to buy on whim or to make a careless mistake. They won’t take the chance of being bamboozled into buying things they don’t want, don’t need, and can’t afford by a fast-talking sales or finance mangerWhere do these savvy customers get their information? One of their first sources is Edmunds, the friendly consumer-shopping guide. Edmunds has never been and still isn’t the dealer’s friend. Edmunds does whatever is necessary to achieve the sale on vehicles and products from the Internet shopper… and then refers these buyer to specific retailers to obtain a fee! Banks. Finance companies. Insurance companies. You name it.Don’t let them get a strangle hold on your customers! If you haven’t already checked this article on Edmunds.com, perhaps you should do so right now!Confessions of an Auto Finance Manager In the Back Rooms of America’s Car Dealerships By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor and Nick JamesIntroduction”Congratulations, you’re getting a great deal!” the car salesman says, pumping your hand. “Let’s sign the paperwork and you’ll be on your way in your new car!”At first you’re relieved – the negotiating is over. But then the salesman walks you down a back hallway to a stark, cramped office with “Finance and Insurance” on the door. Inside, a man in a suit sits behind the desk. He greets you with a faint smile on his face. An hour later you walk out in a daze: The whole deal was reworked, your monthly payment soared and you bought products you didn’t really want.What happened to your great deal?You just got hit by the “F&I Man,” also called the finance officer. He waits in the back of every dealership for unsuspecting customers so he can increase the profit for the dealership and boost his commission.In this four-part series, written by veteran auto finance manager Nick James, you will learn the F&I man’s tricks and how to avoid them. When you’re done, you’ll be ready to safely navigate this crucial part of the car buying process, and the F&I man will never work his “magic” on you again.- The Editors at Edmunds.comAre you still ushering your customers into the office of your “F&I Man”? No? You have a Web site? You update it once a month? You have a tech-savvy employee who checks your e-mail messages every morning? BUT… how would you answer these questions?When your potential customers come to your Web site, what resources do you have available to steer them away from online financing? Do you have a quick reference guide for their buying the vehicle that fits their budget and your financing terms? Is the information presented in a complete, forthright and friendly manner? Does it enlist confidence and trust? Will readers feel they’d get a no-nonsense financing deal from you?If these online customers make a call to ask a few questions, does your finance manager answer them, or resort to the former game of “I can only reveal those options when you come in for an interview”? Does he or she become discouraged by the process of reviewing transactions over the phone? Does your Internet manager have direct access to your finance manager at all times; avoid posting rates and product pricing on your Web site; work well with your sales and finance departments? Have you utilized the I-chat technology now readily available to instantly answer your customers’ finance questions? How many phone calls to your finance department go unanswered on a daily basis? How are online customer calls being handled in your F&I office?Reducing your finance penetration will not only effect the overall performance of your dealership, but will negatively effective your reinsurance investment. If your customers are financing with someone else, they could also be buying their other products. Take a long and serious look at the insurance products you sell, the agent who works with you, and the changes that must be made to keep you competitive with the technology available to all your customers. You must remain competitive in products offered, their quality, and their prices. Should you be considering a new partner?What new and creative processes are you providing your current and potential customers within your Web site? Have you considered presenting your menu as a virtual finance manager? Do you have WebEx with a preloaded menu available for review with your customers whether they are onsite in your finance office or sitting in the comfort of their home? Why not?An upfront sales approach is the best way to reestablish a thriving business in today’s technological world. Teenagers and college students are facile in the use of every conceivable tool involving the information highway. They are your future customers. They will find Edmunds and every comparable site and use the information to their advantage. Provide them with a dozen reasons to buy their vehicle and products from your dealership. Ensure them that financing their dream car with you is the only sensible choice.Although computer use and Internet technology has been around for several decades, it has taken a giant leap in recent years as more and more consumers realize they can save themselves time and money by letting their fingers do the walking. Another great American journalist, Sydney J. Harris, who wrote for the Chicago Daily News and later the Chicago Sun-Times, died in the late 80s; but, he was savvy about where technology would take us. He said, “The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.”We’ve reached that point. Where in the world is your finance penetration? It’s time to find out! Do it… today.

Does a trip to the bank thrill you? Do you love it when payday comes and you can successfully manage your money? You may be interested in getting your financial degree. You can get your online finance education with just a few simple clicks of the mouse. You no longer have to go down to the campus and stand in line and register for classes. You do not need to attend orientation at the college or get into your cold vehicle in the winter time just to make it to class on time. If you have children at home you no longer need to leave them at a sitters’ house so you can go to college. You can be home with them while you are going to college at the same time.There are several colleges that offer online finance education. You can graduate with an associate degree in about two years or go on to get your bachelors degree in four years. You learn at your own pace, everyone does and when you take courses online you can learn at your own pace. Although there is a schedule to follow on courses online you will still be able to attend school when it is convenient for you. It may be after the kids go to bed, after dinner, before everyone gets up in the mornings, and so one. The perfect time to go to college really depends on you.Registration for online finance education is done completely online so you never have to leave your home to go to the college. You can choose whether you want to be a full time or part time college student. You can even qualify for grants and loans to help pay for your college.Before choosing a college you may want to make sure that you verify that the college is accredited. If you want your online finance education to count you will need to make sure that the college is accredited. If you are just taking the classes because you want to then you won’t need to verify this. There are several ways to check to see if a college is accredited but they should display this information in easy access on their website.Going back to school may seem overwhelming but you will find that it is going to be the best decision you have ever made. Working full time, raising your family, and going to college; you are living the dream.

Pharmacy technician schools prepare you to be a pharmacy tech – a position that introduces you to an array of health care possibilities. So says Ed Mowbray, Inventory Coordinator for Shore Memorial Hospital (Somers Point, NJ). His title actually reflects a climb from pharmacy technician to lead pharmacy technician and finally to inventory coordinator, a position he’s held for nearly seven years. But, he says, it was earning his pharmacy technician certification via the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination administered by The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board about a year and a half ago that helped increase his salary.”Being certified is important because it keeps you updated on what’s going on in the field. Most conferences have physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in attendance so everyone is on the same page,” explains the 40-year-old pharmacy tech.Not only did certification result in a pay raise for Mowbray, but for those currently exploring pharmacy technician schools, being formally educated will help with job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-2007, although most pharmacy technicians jobs offer informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification.Formal pharmacy technician programs provided at pharmacy technician schools and certification emphasize the technician’s interest in and dedication to the work, says the BLS. Students can earn a diploma, a pharmacy technician certification, or an associate degree, depending on the program. Mowbray says he breezed through the pharmacy technician certification exam because of his years of experience, however, those starting out may want to consider pharmacy technician schools from the get-go since today’s job opportunities demand more training.So what is a pharmacy technician anyway?Pharmacy technicians basically assist licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. “We are one part of the three-part check before medication goes to the patient,” says Mowbray, explaining that pharmacy techs, pharmacists, and nurses each check that an order matches the medicine dispensed to the correct patient.In a retail pharmacy, pharmacy technicians play a similar role that may include verifying information on a prescription, preparing the paperwork or computerized data for that prescription, and preparing the medication. Once the prescription is filled, notes the BLS, technicians price and file the prescription, which must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient.A presciption for learningBeyond preparing you for certification exams, pharmacy technician programs get you ready for the health care field. And once you’ve secured a job, says Mowbray, you’ll get an insider’s view of various medical professions — perfect if you’re still unsure of which health care field you want to explore. “Some people will work as a pharmacy technician before [pharmacy] school to decide if pharmacy is what they want to do,” he says. “Or they do this to pay the bills while in nursing school or X-ray tech school. It’s a good place to be because you get to see the whole overall view of the hospital and choose where you want to be.”Of course, you just may realize that being a pharmacy technician is perfect for you. “It’s very fulfilling know that you’re helping others,” says Mowbray, “especially if you take pride in what you do.”

With every food we buy, whether processed or not, it is imperative to know what you are or what you’ll be eating – meaning the nutritional value that you get from your meal. Food or dining is not simply a form of entertainment or filling one’s stomach; it’s also about caring for your health and physique.For sure you have heard or read of Quinoa, the super food, many times already; or even if this is your first time. I’m sure you’re still excited and curious to know what it contains that people are branding it super food and mother of all grains. In this article, you’ll learn of not only the nutritional value in 1 serving of Quinoa (1 cup = 170 to 185 g), but also some of the real value (benefits) you get from Quinoa Nutritional Value based on a 2000 calorie diet.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Calories (185.5 kcal)Calorie is the main source of energy that you get from the food you eat. 6 calories is enough to sustain your skeletal muscles and bones and brain’s activities throughout the day! If you eat 1 serving of Quinoa in every meal of the day, you are already sustaining your body the energy it needs to function all day long.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Total Fat (4g)This makes Quinoa really interesting for weight losers. Of course, you cannot escape from taking in fats, forever. In fact you should not totally avoid them because they are needed for body maintenance – brain development in children, and growth support and energy. Fats are also for soft skin and shiny hair. Not to mention, fats are also needed by the body when producing hormones.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Cholesterol (0mg)Oh yes, you’re seeing it right. 1 cup of Quinoa does not contain cholesterol. Cholesterol is like fat in terms of health benefits. But don’t fret you already have the fats you need, you won’t need additional which will come from cholesterol.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Sodium (13mg)Nutritionists and doctors advise us to take 1500mg or less sodium a day. So hurray! You can eat 3 servings of Quinoa (1 for each meal) a day together with another one of your favorite dish, without consuming so much sodium (just make sure the other dishes you’re pairing Quinoa with contains 500mg of sodium each).Quinoa Nutritional Value – Carbohydrates (29g)Carbohydrates from Quinoa are good carbs. They are slow releasing, making your craving for junk foods lower. In a 2000 calorie diet, you should be taking in 250g of carbohydrates. In one cup of Quinoa, you are almost getting the right proportion of carbohydrates per calories your body needs. The level of carbohydrates is also ideal for diabetics in correcting the level of their blood sugars.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Protein (8g)Each day, you’ll need around 40-50g of protein. The good thing about protein from Quinoa is that it has a balanced composition of all the essential amino acids that are needed by the body to alleviate diseases and disorders. It is known to combat anxiety, control ADD in both the adultQuinoa Nutritional Value – Calcium (66mg)2500mg of calcium a day is safe, as per scientists and doctors. No one has overdosed in calcium yet, in fact, most of us are calcium deficient. But nonetheless, we don’t need this much calcium. Eight ounce glasses of milk per day, then you are already getting enough calcium. 1 ounce of milk contains about 35mg of calcium. This means you are already getting almost double the amount of calcium in an ounce of milk when you eat 1 cup of Quinoa. Hmm, talk about healthy!Quinoa Nutritional Value – Iron (3.93mg)Iron is the chief component of our red blood cells. It is necessary for producing hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the one that carries oxygen throughout our body. The amount of iron that a pre-menopausal woman needs is 18mg. A post-menopausal woman needs 8mg, same with men; breastfeeding women need 1 more mg; pregnant women need a lot of iron (27mg)! If you eat Quinoa, you are already sure you have 1/6 or 1/3 the iron you need.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Vitamin E (1.2mg)Vitamin E is very abundant in grains and green leafy vegetables; and just a trivia, Quinoa is a quasi-grain. It is really a vegetable, just like spinach. We need at least 15mg of Vitamin E a day. Vitamin E protects us from harmful free radicals because it is an antioxidant. Quinoa already makes sure you get a dose of some Vitamin E already.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Zinc (2mg)Usually, zinc is found in meats, and not in grains. Imagine eating a grain that already provides you with zinc, that’s something rare. Zinc provides stronger immunity, helps heal wounds faster and promotes good eyesight when you age. The usual amount of zinc that a person needs is 15mg daily.Quinoa Nutritional Value – Fiber (2.51g)Ok, you already know Quinoa is not really a grain. But who cares? It contains fiber anyway. You need around 15-30 grams per day. Fiber is the nutrition that is helping our body increase bowel movement – making you burn those fats faster and easier. Another trivia is that fiber lowers women’s risk of developing breast cancer by a huge percent.

Earning a degree focused in nutrition can have many potential career paths other than becoming a nutritionist. There are six main types of nutrition paths to choose from, including teaching nutrition, public health nutrition, nutrition consulting, clinical nutrition, food science, and food service management. Most nutrition jobs should fall within one of these categories.A degree in nutrition could help individuals land employment as a public health official, dietetic consultant, school food service director, quality control manager, food distributor, or wellness coordinator. Individuals may be employed through health maintenance organizations, school systems, food manufactures, wellness centers, and exercise and fitness centers. Government agencies also have the potential to employ those with degrees in nutrition. Some of the government agencies could include Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, SNAP- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Department of Health, and U.S. Public Health Services.While earning a college degree, individuals will most likely be required to study a wide range of courses to gain a well-rounded education. Students could be expected to take courses related to nutrition, consisting of anatomy and physiology, introduction to food science, sociology, bacteriology, chemistry, and biochemistry. By completing an internship, individuals are able to gain hands on experience in the nutrition field before committing to a job or while still in school. Internships can serve as a great way to determine where your interests are, and if obtaining a career in this field is a good fit.It is important for individuals wanting to succeed in a career in nutrition to possess skills such as organization and planning, strong verbal and written communication, proficient math skills for weights and measures, and interest in the well-being and health of others. To be successful working in nutrition, individuals may be required to advise patients in practicing good nutrition, monitoring diet modifications, and assessing health plans. Those with a degree in nutrition should also be able to monitor food safety conditions and create menus for specific dietary needs.Depending on your place of employment and job description, individuals with a nutrition degree may be asked to create visuals aids and nutrition manuals that could be useful in teaching. Companies dealing with food service may hire nutrition graduates to create meal plans, ensure food safety, or develop new food products. Salary potential can depend on more than the actual job, but also education level, years of experience, and location of employment.

Demanding consumers”Internet buyers tend to be better informed on market conditions and better prepared to act on the home they want when they start working with a realtor. Luckily for realtors, these changes don’t necessarily hurt, as long as they are able to adjust to the new relationship and realize that the new-style buyers value speed and efficiency over guidance when finding a home.”- E-marketer, Internet Home Buyers Changing the House RulesThanks to the Internet and other technological innovations, more real estate information is freely available than ever before. As a result, consumers are demanding new choices, improved services, faster transactions and lower prices. According to a recent NAR survey, the number of sellers stating that they didn’t want to pay a sales commission fee rose from 46 percent in 2003 to 61 percent in 2004. In 2004, 23 percent of Florida home sellers opted to sell independently without an agent, up from 14 percent in 2003 and nearly double the 14 percent national average, according to Planet Realtor.And Web-enabled consumers are demanding a high digital IQ when working with real estate professionals. In addition to being well-versed on their own industry-specific technology, real estate professionals now are expected to utilize laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants and global positioning systems to keep pace with Internet buyers and sellers.Downward pressure”If consumers are going to do their own home-shopping online, they expect to save some money, just as they would for using the self-service lane. That’s why they are susceptible to online discount brokers and the new affinity companies that are promoting lower commissions if only the consumers will use their agents. These business models promote the idea to consumers that they ought to be paying less money in commissions.”Realty Times Columnist Blanche EvansTraditional real estate commissions, typically around six percent of a home’s selling price, are facing downward pressure from consumers and competition. Some consumers claim traditional real estate commissions don’t reflect:- Today’s home prices. Years ago, when median-priced homes sold for $25,000, real estate commissions were typically five percent, or $1,250. Today, with South Florida median home prices around $300,000, the cost of a six percent full-service real estate commission becomes $18,000. Some brokers even charge additional fees to cover administrative costs. When you consider that today’s average homeowner sells a home every five to seven years, real estate commissions can dramatically impact your personal savings and net worth.- Owner equity. When selling properties, most homeowners calculate the cost of selling as a portion of sales price, though the commissions are paid out of owner equity. (Equity is the difference between the value of your property and amount of mortgages owed.) Consider this example: You decide to sell a property for $250,000 in which you hold 10 percent equity, or $25,000. After paying a six percent commission of $15,000, you are left with $10,000 before any applicable closing costs. In this example, the $15,000 commission is six percent of the selling price, but 60 percent of the $25,000 equity.- Services performed. Under today’s commission structure, selling a $100,000 house at six percent typically costs $6,000, while selling a $500,000 house costs $30,000. Does selling the more expensive home really require five times more effort? Your cost is the same whether the agent spends one hour or 100 hours marketing your home. This is one reason many real estate consumers find fee-for-service real estate so appealing.
Developing alternatives”Consumers want what they want, when they want it and will gravitate to the most cost-effective source to obtain it. Why? Because our “one-size-fits-all” approach to working with sellers and buyers is archaic and won’t allow consumers to access various segments of help they need in a timely fashion. That’s why .com Web start-ups are finding a receptive audience in real estate consumers and why for-sale-by-owners are burgeoning.”Julie Garton-Good, Author of “Real Estate a la Carte: Selecting the Services You Need, Paying What They’re Worth”Until recently, you have had few practical alternatives to the traditional full-service, full-commission real estate transaction with a broker. Most sellers paid a single commission fee for a full range of real estate services, whether they needed them or not. Now traditional real estate agencies face the challenge of identifying new services that have value to today’s sophisticated online and empowered consumers.One result is an “unbundling” of traditional one-size-fits-all real estate services for consumers who want more control over real estate transactions and their associated costs. If you’re willing to take on some tasks traditionally performed by agents and brokers, you could receive lower transaction costs. You might benefit from the following emerging alternatives:Fee-for-services”Consumers want assistance from real estate professionals, but don’t want to pay for it in the form of traditional commissions,” says a la Carte real estate Pioneer Julie Garton-Good. Garton-Good has been preaching the fee-for-services gospel for more than 20 years. As the name implies, you can choose which tasks you feel comfortable performing and hire qualified real estate professionals to do the rest. Many traditional real estate brokerages are beginning to offer a more menu-based service plan. For example, you may not mind listing your home and holding open houses, but you may want assistance with contracts and closings.One-stop shoppingIn response to dwindling margins and the rising costs of technology and lead generation, some real estate companies are attempting to combine traditional and Web-based services to provide consumers a single source for all their real estate needs. One-stop shopping sites generally provide or partner with lenders, insurers, title companies, real estate attorneys and others to facilitate all aspects of buying and selling. In addition, some sites are adding home-improvement and related services to stay in touch with consumers between buying and selling transactions.Web-based discountersAlthough many Web-based real estate companies flamed out in the dotcom era, scores of new companies have emerged to take their place. By offering targeted services such as flat-fee MLS listings, buyer rebates and AVM tools, these sites are appealing to independent buyers and sellers who prefer to take a more active role in transactions. In addition to listings, some sites also offer how-to articles and advice for those who choose to go it alone.
Tradition + technology + turbulence = opportunitiesSo, given the trends, changes and ongoing industry evolution, what can independent buyers, sellers and investors expect in this new era of real estate?o The Web and other technologies will continue to evolve and transform the $1.3 trillion real-estate industry. Technology will continue to reduce the time, expense and complexity of manual processes, and increasingly sophisticated search and valuation tools will play a more strategic role.o Free and low-cost real estate resources will continue to be available and even multiply on the Web. In real estate, knowledge truly is power. Consumers will try to use their power to gain more control of the real estate process and subsequently expect to be compensated in the form of reduced and fee-for-service commissions.o The role of traditional real estate brokerages will evolve as Web-enabled consumers become more knowledgeable. This likely will trigger some restructuring and consolidation of traditional brokerages, but will also drive the development of innovative new practices targeting online and empowered consumers. Real estate professionals will focus more on promoting their local knowledge and industry expertise, while consumers will perform some buying and selling tasks on their own.o Traditional real estate commissions and profitability levels will continue to face downward pressure from various sources. The future will be profitable for brokerages that are able to extend their core expertise of neighborhood and industry knowledge into flexible new consumer-centric offerings.o The traditional high-touch, full-service real estate agency is evolving, not disappearing. Real estate professionals who provide exceptional service and value to their customers will always be in demand.You now can find more real estate knowledge, tools and resources on the Web than ever before, enabling you to buy and sell with increased confidence. For real estate professionals, reinventing the industry means making hard decisions, changing processes and managing new opportunities. But for consumers, reinvention in real estate is a winner, hands-down.Learn more at http://www.homekeys.net