Spotlight on Conveyancing
BIG INTERVIEW WITH
SCOTT BOZINIS
CEO of InfoTrack 1. How did you come to be CEO of InfoTrack? I studied technology and began with InfoTrack as chief technology officer seven years ago. The role was well-suited given my parents were land title officers, so the foundations were already set. The opportunity to replicate the success of Australia in the UK was too good to turn down which is why I took the CEO role here when it was offered to me.
2. What void are you filling in the UK conveyancing market? Conveyancers no longer need a search provider, they need a service provider who will challenge the normal working processes and truly evolve them. At present, they often visit up to 6 or 7 different websites for pre and post completion. By doing so, they are also regularly rekeying information which can lead to mistakes. Our platform incorporates all these tasks which means that long winded forms such as AP1’s and SDLT’s are pre-populated, thus reducing errors and increasing speed. This is a concept that has not been offered before in the UK, and we are disrupting the market to provide technology that adapts to the conveyancer and their needs.
3. You’ve experienced impressive growth in your first year in the UK market, what is the secret to your rapidly expanding client base? InfoTrack are a young technology business focussed on innovation. We understand conveyancers want to improve efficiency within their business and they’ve long sought solutions to alleviate the arduous processes and forms behind conveyancing. The technology we provide to our users is simple and, just as importantly, enjoyable to use as it consolidates the process into a single platform making the tasks easier. Having grown from zero to over 300 active clients in just under 12 months cannot be put down to luck – it’s a direct result of providing technology that conveyancers need.
4. You talk a lot about technology as being “enjoyable”, should that apply to law firms? Absolutely. Staff in law firms are now demanding the same quality of technology they use in their personal lives. They’ve been using that technology for more than a decade and many are managing their lives almost entirely via a tablet or a phone. Why should that be any different in the workplace? They expect the beginning, middle and end of the conveyancing process to be consolidated using simple, smart technology – especially when they are using it every single day.
5. How could the property buying process (residential and commercial) be improved? The reality is we know the home buying process is unlikely to change any time soon, even if the Department of Business Innovation and Skills is currently issuing a ‘call for evidence’. As conveyancers are busy with day-to-day conveyancing tasks, it’s difficult for them to find time to analyse how to better service their clients. We recognise it’s important to give our users this time back so they are better equipped to turn their focus to relationship building and managing home buyer expectations of what’s involved in the process.
6. What role does price pay in the legal market? How are consumers choosing their legal provider? Actually, research finds that 54% per cent of home buyers obtain just one quote to proceed with a conveyancer, and a further 39% obtain two or three quotes, so we know it’s essential to provide quotes quickly. Responding to potential clients as swiftly as possible is crucial here, as is ensuring they feel the process is transparent and clearly communicated throughout – that way price is negligible when buying a home, provided they have a good experience. To support conveyancers, InfoTrack has an inbuilt Quoting Tool that allows conveyancers to instantly generate a quote with ease, including all relevant fees giving them a competitive edge in the market.
7. What makes InfoTrack a great place to work? Passion, determination and focus. I actively encourage staff to be an integral part in building the company, rather than simply working for the company. Staff are trusted and we work in an environment with transparency across company information. We also work hard to ensure that staff are in a happy workplace with freedom and flexibility, which generates a great culture. We’re a young, relaxed business with an open plan office allowing departments to interact and understand the business across all levels. Having a team of motivated innovators means we are agile and allows us to continually adapt.
8. What does the next year look like? It’s an interesting question further to the UK’s decision to leave Europe. The housing market is likely to be a little turbulent for a while, which will potentially impact the volume of instructions. If this is the case, it will be a tough year which means it’s very important for conveyancers to be using enjoyable technology that helps them conduct instructions – from beginning to end. Those conveyancers who are efficient and understand the importance of technology to help them deliver will be able to ride out the storm. We’ll continue to evolve the market with a range of new products and services that will challenge the whole landscape of traditional conveyancing practices.
Hampshire Legal
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