Ramon Ray had an informative and engaging conversation with Laverne Cox, the visionary CEO of Evergreen Investments. Laverne shared profound insights on the transformative role of technology in the real estate sector. Her company, committed to making homeownership more accessible and financially sensible, leverages cutting-edge tools like Zoho to revolutionize the real estate landscape.

You can watch the entire interview on our YouTube channel.

Pioneering Affordable Homeownership

Evergreen Investments isn’t your typical real estate firm. Under Cox’s leadership, the company approaches homeownership not just as a transaction but as a lifelong investment. They integrate investment principles into the purchasing process, ensuring homeowners start creating wealth from day one. Their unique model is designed to help homeowners retain their wealth, avoiding the common pitfall of sinking money into endless property improvements without real returns.

Cox explained how Evergreen uses five core disciplines—property management, risk management, legal, and financial planning—to empower homeowners. This holistic approach enables clients to not only buy homes but also manage them as valuable assets, foreseeing potential expenses and planning for them from the outset.

Integrating Zoho to Business Operations

The conversation an exciting turn when Cox discussed the integration of Zoho into her business operations. Initially, Evergreen Investments faced significant challenges with off-the-shelf products that failed to meet their needs, leading to what Cox humorously referred to as a “$60,000 mistake.” The switch to Zoho was a game-changer, allowing them to move away from inefficient Excel spreadsheets and streamline their operations.

Zoho’s suite, including Zoho People, Zoho Learn, and Zoho Projects, revolutionized the way Evergreen managed its employee and customer experiences. These tools helped reduce the time spent on administrative tasks, shifting the focus to enhancing customer service and operational efficiency.

One of the standout features for Evergreen has been the ability to develop custom solutions through Zoho Creator. This platform enabled them to automate complex processes that previously took days to complete, reducing them to hours and even minutes. This capability not only improved operational efficiency but also significantly enhanced customer satisfaction by speeding up response times.

Read: Automation is the Secret Weapon for Growing Companies

Empowering Small Businesses with Technology

Cox passionately spoke about the critical role of technology in scaling small businesses. She pointed out that many small enterprises struggle with fragmented systems that create data silos and disconnects between different aspects of their business. Furthermore, small businesses can overcome these challenges by adopting integrated systems like Zoho, ensuring a cohesive and efficient operation that can grow with their aspirations.

She encouraged small business owners still reliant on manual systems or basic tools like Excel to consider the leap to more sophisticated technologies. Cox emphasized that understanding and addressing the broader business challenges through technology can dramatically improve both the customer and employee experience, leading to greater business success and scalability.

Read: How To Adapt to the Future of Work with Zoho

Final Thoughts

Cox reiterated the importance of viewing real estate investment as accessible to anyone with a stake in their living situation. Whether renting or owning, she argues, individuals have the opportunity to transform their payments into investments, contributing to long-term financial freedom. Evergreen Investments, with the aid of Zoho’s robust toolkit, is poised to continue its mission of transforming the real estate market by empowering homeowners and investors alike. Moreover, Laverne Cox’s insights at Zoholics highlight a future where technology and real estate intersect to create more value and opportunities for everyone involved.

By harnessing the power of platforms like Zoho, companies like Evergreen Investments are not only managing properties but are also shaping the future of homeownership. Cox’s vision and practical applications of technology serve as a blueprint for other small businesses aiming to elevate their operations and impact in their industries.

Read more: How To Adapt to the Future of Work with Zoho