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Game of Homes: Winning in a Tech-Driven Market with Simon Whale
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Hold onto your helmets, Vikings — in this latest voyage across the turbulent seas of property, technology and business, Kristjan Byfield welcomes a true industry legend (or should we say lovable rogue?): Simon Whale, known for his time at Reapit, his antics with Kerfuffle, and for generally causing "productive chaos" in the world of PropTech and estate agency.
In this epic chat, Kristjan and Simon dive deep into the fast-evolving landscape of property technology and what it really means for modern estate and letting agents. No corporate spin here — just honest, practical insight (and plenty of laughs) from two people who have seen the good, the bad, and the occasionally ridiculous side of agency tech.
Together, they explore:
- How "PropTech fatigue" crept into the industry — and why it’s finally turning into real, usable solutions.
- The evolution of the agent’s role: why technology should be your crew not your captain.
- The harsh truth about CRM systems, integrations, and why agencies must demand more from their suppliers.
- Why COVID was a brutal but necessary accelerator for technological change in agency operations.
- How AI is reshaping agency life — from marketing and lead gen to operational workflows — and why ignoring it could sink your business faster than you think.
- The myth of "people buy from people" — and why that phrase, while still true, needs a serious 2025 upgrade.
- Why customer experience (for clients and your staff) must now sit at the heart of agency business models.
- How small, independent agencies can (and should) outmaneuver the big corporates by being faster, smarter, and more adaptive with tech.
Simon also shares his candid (and very funny) stories about building Kerfuffle, life after selling Reapit, and why he believes the future of PropTech must focus less on flashy features and more on actual business outcomes.
In classic Viking Chats fashion, the conversation is unfiltered, irreverent and packed full of golden nuggets — whether you're a small indie agent, a growing network, or a corporate giant, you'll leave with fresh ideas (and maybe a few uncomfortable truths) about how you need to adapt your business for the years ahead.
Plus:
- Why building tech with agents, not for agents, is the only way forward.
- The importance of "getting your ship in order" before adopting new tech.
- How to turn grumpy customers and hesitant staff into your strongest advocates.
- Why many agencies fail at onboarding new systems — and the simple fixes that could save you thousands.
- A peek into the weird and wonderful world of early-stage PropTech innovation — and the dangers of buying into the hype too soon.
If you're serious about building a future-proof, profitable, and enjoyable business, this episode is your compass.
Whether you’re sailing calm waters or battling 10-foot waves, Kristjan and Simon give you the map, the mindset, and a few battle scars to help you chart your next move.
Set sail with us — this is one journey you don't want to miss.
⚓🎙️
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