Rob Hahn

Managing Partner of 7DS Associates, and the grand poobah of this here blog. Once called "a revolutionary in a really nice suit", people often wonder what I do for a living because I have the temerity to not talk about my clients and my work for clients. Suffice to say that I do strategy work for some of the largest organizations and companies in real estate, as well as some of the smallest startups and agent teams, but usually only on projects that interest me with big implications for reforming this wonderful, crazy, lovable yet frustrating real estate industry of ours.

Zillow's Newspaper Gambit: A Possible Parallel

by

Eric Blackwell of Bloodhound picks up on this story that Zillow has entered into a relationship with a number of newspapers and asks a series of pointed questions. The comments section has some hot and heavy action going on therein, and it makes for an entertaining read. I saw this deal cross the news earlier … Read more

Zillow’s Newspaper Gambit: A Possible Parallel

by

Eric Blackwell of Bloodhound picks up on this story that Zillow has entered into a relationship with a number of newspapers and asks a series of pointed questions. The comments section has some hot and heavy action going on therein, and it makes for an entertaining read. I saw this deal cross the news earlier … Read more

Speaking of Ogilvy…

by

I’ve referenced David Ogilvy, the founder of Ogilvy & Mather, a number of times.  His book, Confessions of an Advertising Man, is one of the wittiest and yet most influential books I have read.  I recently ran across a webpage of “Ogilvyisms” — sayings and quotes from David Ogilvy — that I found absolutely fascinating.  … Read more

Zipvo Revisited: Zipvoplatinum, Business Models, and a Q&A

by

Greg Afarian of Zipvo.com was kind enough to alert me in the comments section of my original post on Zipvo that they are about to announce Zipvo Platinum: I wanted to get back to you about our “incredibly flawed business model”. We are revealing http://zipvoplatinum.com/ after MANY months of production. We have kept ZIPVO Platinum … Read more

Zipvo Revisited: Zipvoplatinum, Business Models, and a Q&A

by

Greg Afarian of Zipvo.com was kind enough to alert me in the comments section of my original post on Zipvo that they are about to announce Zipvo Platinum: I wanted to get back to you about our “incredibly flawed business model”. We are revealing http://zipvoplatinum.com/ after MANY months of production. We have kept ZIPVO Platinum … Read more

Discounting, Brand, and Real Estate

by

At the recent RISMedia Leadership conference, I walked around listening to the conversation, attending the sessions, and talking to people.  Not suprisingly, the market was very much on people’s minds, and a number of people were talking about pressure on commissions. That pressure is nothing new, of course.  Discount brokerages have come and gone and … Read more

Coaching and Managing: On Gen-X

by

I love that Wendy Forsythe, VP of Broker Services for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, often blogs on Gen-X and Gen-Y issues in real estate. I suspect that Wendy and I are both Gen-Xers, and if you searched our past photographs, I’m sure there will be a few blackmail-worthy examples involving neon clothing, Z-Cavaricci’s, … Read more