Why does the property industry need Next Property AG?
To create favourable framework conditions that enable industry players to operate as independently and self-determinedly as possible in a digital world without becoming a pawn in the hands of dominant companies.
What is Next Property AG’s vision and how do you achieve it?
We are committed to fair competition in the Swiss property industry on behalf of our shareholders. This includes the monitoring and risk assessment of technological developments and co-determination in the design of customer interfaces as well as the processing and monetisation of data generated by our shareholders in their day-to-day business.
To realise this vision, we primarily need industry players who are willing to invest in their entrepreneurial future and share the idea that effective alliances are needed to have a say in a digital world. This is not about short-term success, but about ensuring that the provision of professional real estate services as we know them today remains attractive in the future.
Doreal estate agents and managers have to fear for their business model?
If we look at developments outside the real estate industry, digitalisation is undoubtedly leading to radical changes to long-established business models. In other words, digitalisation offers new opportunities to meet the current needs of employees, employers and customers. This realisation is not new, but we are finding that the maturity of the development is now such that the changes are increasingly being felt by companies in the property industry. Companies that adapt to the dynamics of the digital world need not worry about their business model.
How can the property industry prepare for the challenges of the digital future?
It has become clear that even large established industry players are too small to play a significant role in the digital developments of an industry. We therefore recommend that property companies join forces in a powerful interest group such as Next Property AG in order to work together for favourable framework conditions.
Is there an example of this?
A current example of this is the promotion of the property marketplace newhome, which adheres to agreed industry principles and in which the more than 500 Next Property AG shareholders are indirectly involved. Together, early or exclusive advertisements and targeted marketing campaigns are used to ensure that newhome becomes a regionally competitive marketplace alternative for professionally marketed properties. We recommend “newhome first”.
