fbpx

Business as Unusual – Compass Points

Andy Ziffer

The present: “My business model is balanced between consulting buyers and sellers, as well as diversified between condos, townhomes, single-family resales and new construction; not all our eggs are in one basket. I had transactions in the pipeline previous to the pandemic, however, the volume of traffic has slowed. As my firm, Compass, is technology-based, the adjustments to accommodate buyers and sellers digitally and remotely has been effortless. I’ve taken advantage of personal virtual showings by walking buyers through a home, and sharing details down to the construction of cabinets and drawers.”

The future: “Prior to the pandemic, the market already had shifted to technology. For example, buyers and sellers have estimated property values with historical information at their fingertips. Digital signatures have become commonplace. During the pandemic, buyers and sellers have been further engaged in technology via screen-sharing and virtual meetings. My business will continue to evolve with the highest level of technology while never sacrificing the personal attention I extend to my clientele.” (compass.com/agents/andrew-ziffer)

Dondi Hopkins

The present: “We are a very hyperlocal and community-oriented team that loves face-to-face interactions at local events. We were scheduled to participate in a Plantation family movie night and food truck events in March and April; the events were all canceled. As we continue to work from home until further notice, we had to strategize and figure out how to continue being connected to our community. We have built Facebook groups to connect small business owners and mutually support each other. We have another team member building a hockey mom’s group as an avenue to bring the South Florida hockey community together. We have also increased our digital footprint in order to stay in front of people while they search the web and the different social media platforms.”

The future: “We will continue to work to increase our members on the different Facebook groups we manage and utilize this platform to help others connect by organizing in-person events. Organic reach on Facebook is in decline; Facebook will be shifting its emphasis to groups, therefore, we will continue to adapt to the times in order to provide as much value as possible to our community.” (thehopkinsteam.com)

Peter Barkin & Mark Gilman

The present:No one is ever truly ready for life changes as we are going through, but we have been ahead of the curve for some time, using the latest technology to market and communicate with our buyers, sellers and vendors. Selling real estate is a people business no matter what anyone says. We had adapted to social media, FaceTime, WhatsApp and Zoom conference calls long before it was fashionable.”

The future: “Our major adjustment has been our day-to-day safety practices and how we conduct ourselves. Working from home, we rely more on virtual showings and virtual closings. Still, even though we continue with new advances, there is nothing like picking up the telephone, reaching out to someone and having an old-fashioned conversation. Moving forward, we will be more aware of how we interact and the consistency of communication. We will be educating and assisting our clients on the latest technology to assist them in buying and selling a home.” (barkingilman.com)

You May Also Like
Clamor Grows for More PPP
September 9, 2020
Heroes of the Pandemic
September 8, 2020
Business as usual
September 4, 2020
Business as usual
August 21, 2020
Miami-Dade Reacts to Spike

Two days after Florida reported a single-day record of 11,458 cases of COVID-19, and hours after the Department of Health confirmed more than 6,300 new cases (bringing the state’s total

Read More
COVID-19 stats slow reopening in South Florida

The rate of positive test results for COVID-19 is down statewide, but up in South Florida, according to state figures for last week. The worst South Florida results were in

Read More
Xtreme Action Park reopens

Xtreme Action Park has reopened and welcomed over 250 guests on its first day after receiving permission from Broward County officials to open go karting, roller skating and food and

Read More
State’s COVID-19 statistics still bear watching

By Kevin Gale As Florida’s economy continues to open up, there are concerns about an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases and percentage of positive test results. For example,

Read More
Other Posts
App helps with reopening of workplaces

As South Florida workplaces reopen, SFBW held a timely “Virtual Connect” interview with John Bernot, chief medical officer of Bravado Health. The West Palm Beach company has developed an app

Read More
Help for Palm Beach County businesses

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners on May 15 approved the CARES Restart Business Grants Program to accelerate the reopening of businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. The $60

Read More
Miami Beach votes to reopen beach, hotels

One of the biggest tourism engines in South Florida, Miami Beach, is planning to let its beach and hotels reopen on June 1, pending county approval. The commission approved the

Read More
Patients worried about dental office safety

Dentists offices have reopened in Florida with many patients catching up on delayed and/or rescheduled appointments, but they are also worrying about safety. A study commissioned by the North American

Read More

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.