Focus Magazine of SWFL Cheers To Your Style

REdefining Real Estate … and the Region By Bill Schiller From an unconventional office setting in Southwest Florida, a collaboration between computer geeks and real estate agents has been a catalyst for the creation of technology solutions now transitioning throughout America’s real estate industry. This same team is the originator of a new initiative designed to deliver more recognition (and more business) to technology firms throughout the region. On any given day of the week, Coconut Point Mall in Estero is host to thousands of customers who come to peruse and purchase offerings from the more than 140 leading brand name stores, fashionable boutiques and fine restaurants amassed among 1.2 million square-feet of retail operations. Most are oblivious to a corridor of executive offices located along a perimeter of the mall’s posh Fashion Drive. It is here, within one such obscured suite found just across from some of that delicately transparent attire Victoria touts as “secret” and above the wardrobe deemed proper by Boston Proper, the principals of three autonomous technology firms are focused on their work. That may not be immediately evident given this cadre’s casual dress in sandals, shorts and t-shirts, not to mention the constant streaming of classic and alternative rock music which pervades their workspace, but make no mistake, these entrepreneurs are very serious when it comes to their respective enterprises. Their youth and exuberance may likewise obfuscate the fact that these fellows are seasoned experts in their fields and the very source of a spectacular array of technology solutions increasingly sought out by real estate brokers, agents and professionals of other industries. To fully account of that compels consideration of the services and leadership emerging from each company. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a network of more than 500 premier real estate firms representing 120,000 sales associates in some 50 countries; regionally, that network includes real estate dynamos like John R. Wood of Naples, Sarasota Sensation Michael Saunders & Company and numerous others. Testimonial Tree has, however, branched out to serve trade associations, chambers of commerce and companies in a variety of other industries beyond real estate. In the way of testimonies on Testimonial Tree, consider remarks provided by Gulfshore Insurance Director of Brand Management Crystal Hoover, who says, “We know there is no greater lead generation tool then a referral from a trusted source,” she says. “The insurance industry is very competitive, and for that reason, it’s very important to showcase our agency strengths. We anticipate this tool doing just that, and are very excited about our partnership with Testimonial Tree.” Meet Jason Dolle, President of Testimony Tree; Lu Doan, “Chief Problem Solver” of Agent Shield Technologies; and Ryan Tremblay, the Chief Technology Officer and visionary behind REfindly. Testifiably Talented Testimonial Tree specializes in software that allows client testimonies to be captured and conveyed through a solution that conveniently integrates with websites and social media platforms. Dolle (who is also a Realtor®) says, “Imagine your happy, loyal customers telling their friends about you through a positive review while linking to your website … it helps drive new traffic to your website and helps generate more sales.” Testimonial Tree is the exclusive testimonial/ review system engaged by institutions such as 9 8 FOCUS of SWFL 2014 Ryan Tremblay

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