As a regular reader of this site I wanted to share with you the announcement I am making today.
As of the 1st December I will be taking up a new role at Trade Me Property as Head of Product. Working with a great team of product managers and developers, I will be applying my skills and passion to driving the on-going development of the technical platform for Trade Me Property across all device types.
I have huge respect for Trade Me and look forward enormously to working with a highly competent, skilled and passionate team within one of New Zealand’s foremost digital businesses. Trade Me Property has already established itself as the leading digit platform for real estate and has a wonderful opportunity to deliver an ever richer and more valuable level of services to homeowners and real estate professionals and I look forward to contributing to this in the coming years.
This move may come as a surprise to some, but not to others. For me it feels like a very natural fit. I have spent over eight years working within the burgeoning industry of property portals, running Realestate.co.nz as well as commenting, reporting and analysing this global industry through Property Portal Watch.
One common thread of the past 8 years; and in fact the vast majority of my career has been a passion for consumer solutions in product marketing. I have over the years held many roles in product marketing, across differing companies and industries. For me the digital platform of property portals is the place where I can best exercise my skills and passion combining this experience and skill with my passion for real estate. So where better to exercise that, than with the leading property portal in New Zealand - Trade Me Property.
I sense that in New Zealand we are at a watershed in the development of property portals. The past year has seen some skirmishes between the leading players. An outcome of which is likely to see greater competition to partner with the real estate industry to enable the transformative power of the digital revolution within this industry. These skirmishes will in my opinion likely pale into insignificance compared to the focus that needs and will be applied to the development and innovation in the coming years in services and support to both consumers and industry partners alike. Something I am naturally excited to be a part of contributing to.
I have enjoyed building and running Properazzi over the past 2 years. I have been able to share my thoughts, express ideas and analyse the property market. I have at times been outspoken and challenging. I have taken these positions and written and commented where I think there is opportunity for improvement in the real estate process and where efficiency could bring about enhanced experiences and business outcomes.
As a reader of some of these articles, I think you for your time and interest. If you have commented, then I appreciate that level of participation. This has been fun!
Alistair