Building a Strong Tech Culture & Transforming Real Estate

In our latest podcast episode, we dive into the tech culture transformation at Keller Williams with Chris Synan, a key figure in driving innovation at the company. With years of experience in leading large teams and managing complex system overhauls at industry giants like Dell, AMD, CA Technologies, and General Motors, Chris offers invaluable insights on how technology and culture can intertwine to foster groundbreaking change. Here's a recap of his journey at Keller Williams and the lessons learned along the way.
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A Vision for Change Amid Crisis

When Chris Synan joined Keller Williams just before the COVID-19 lockdown, the company faced significant challenges in adapting its technology to meet rapidly changing market demands. Like many other businesses, Keller Williams found itself burdened by tech debt, slow release cycles, and a rigid system that stifled innovation. However, Chris and his team were determined to not just weather the storm but to transform the business into a more agile, data-driven, and innovative organization.

“We’ve really transformed in so many ways” Chris reflects, highlighting how the company has evolved since he joined.
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From Pain to Progress: The Key Transformation

In the early days of the transformation, Keller Williams managed only one or two releases per quarter—a stark contrast to their new, rapid deployment capabilities. The ability to ship new features with the click of a button was a game-changer, not just for the tech team but for the entire business.

As Chris explains, "The confidence in knowing that we could release that rapidly was such a massive shift." It’s a sentiment that resonates across many industries: the ability to act quickly, take risks, and iterate faster is often the key to staying competitive.
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One of the turning points came when business leaders asked the tech team to slow down their releases, a request that was initially surprising. "That just killed me" Chris laughs, adding that it felt like a major milestone. This sudden shift demonstrated how far the team had come in terms of predictability and execution speed.
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The Culture of Trust

The success of Keller Williams’ innovation and transformation wasn’t just about the technology—it was about trust. Chris attributes much of the success to the strong relationships and transparency within the team. He emphasizes that it’s essential for leadership to trust their teams to take risks, even when it means slowing down to build a more solid foundation.
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"Sometimes, to go faster, you have to start by going slower.", says Chris. By taking the time to clean house and streamline processes, the team was able to build the infrastructure needed to scale quickly. This level of trust—between leaders and team members, as well as between departments—was key to the success of their overhaul.
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As Chris points out, not every organization is equipped to foster this level of collaboration. Without that trust, the transformation might not have been possible.

You can learn more about how Flutter can transform engineering team culture here. 
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The Power of Leadership

One of the critical lessons Chris shares is the importance of leadership in driving change. For any company facing similar challenges—slow tech deployment, high tech debt, and frustration from business leaders—the advice is clear: start with leadership commitment.
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“Leadership has to be the first to commit to excellence”, Chris advises. The willingness to take risks, especially when it comes to making bold decisions like overhauling core systems, is crucial. But it also requires clear communication, trust, and a well-thought-out plan.
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The work done at Keller Williams wasn’t just about solving technical challenges; it was about resetting the company’s culture. "We’re opening the doors, we’re ready" says Chris. Now, instead of being constrained by old systems, the business is embracing new ideas and innovations, creating new growth opportunities.

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For more insights on creating transformative business value through innovative strategies, explore our webinar on maximizing your business value with Flutter.
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Perhaps the most rewarding part of this transformation for Chris has been watching his team rise to the challenge. He speaks passionately about the joy of seeing team members grow, take risks, and become leaders in their own right.
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“You believe in people, you tell them, 'I believe in you. I think you're a superstar. I want to give you everything you need'" Chris says, emphasizing the importance of empowering others to succeed. When employees feel supported and trusted, they can go on to achieve remarkable things—whether they started as skeptics or not.

The journey at Keller Williams proves that when leadership invests in their team and fosters a culture of trust and empowerment, the results can be transformational.
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Tools Are Important, But Culture Drives Success

In technology, tools like React Native or Flutter often dominate conversations. While these tools do matter, Chris emphasizes that it’s the underlying culture that truly drives success.
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“Tools matter, but what matters more is leadership culture, trust, and the ability to stick with it when you make the choice” Chris explains. The technology is just a part of the equation; how an organization uses it and the people behind the tools ultimately determine the success of a transformation.
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The Future of Keller Williams

Looking ahead, Chris sees exciting opportunities for Keller Williams. The company is no longer playing catch-up; instead, it’s embracing the entrepreneurial spirit that was previously stifled by tech debt and slow processes. “Bring it on” Chris says, looking forward to the challenges and innovations that lie ahead.
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As the organization continues to scale, the team at Keller Williams is ready to take on new opportunities and continue driving growth with the same agility and confidence that have defined their recent transformation.
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Want to Learn More?

To dive deeper into Keller Williams' transformative journey, go listen to our complete podcast episode “Transforming Real Estate Through Cutting-Edge Tech” and take notes on key insights you can now apply to your business.