SetSchedule is a digital platform that is taking the real estate industry by storm. It uses the latest technology behind a mobile app to connect real estate customers with a professional who can best serve them. This leads to benefits on the consumer and industry sides of the equation.

The company has seen staggering growth since it began with co-founders Udi Dorner and Roy Dekel in 2014. It now has over 100 employees working to provide an advanced yet easy-to-use technological solution for real estate shoppers and professionals. Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Udi Dorner has been at the helm since the very beginning and is helping to shape the direction of this burgeoning tech startup.

"SetSchedule would not be where it is today without my partner and co-founder Udi Dorner," said Dekel. "I've never met someone so collaborative and innovative, and I'm grateful every day that we have the opportunity to make an impact together through our work."

We interviewed Dorner to better understand the company's roots and where it's headed. We also wanted to learn more about his background and how he's helped to shape the successful startup.

Where did the vision for SetSchedule come from?

SetSchedule really became an idea developed with our CEO Roy Dekel, when Roy and I started to discuss our business backgrounds. My background in technology solutions, married with his background in real estate, and finance, which led us on a natural progression to merge technology and innovation. Through our late night discussions, we realized that we were on to an idea that can really be a benefit to the community at large, and once we realized this, we were both 100% all-in.

How has SetSchedule changed the traditional business model in real estate?

Real Estate like many industries has continued to change with the times. I realize that many say that real estate is slow to adapt to technologies but I do not agree. Real estate is a client-focused business, and realtors adapt to changes based on customer needs. The customers more often than not set the pace for the real estate agents. Right now, it has become obvious that their clients are best served by incorporating ways to better serve them and to meet them where they are, which right now is the internet, in an app, via text, etc. SetSchedule has not changed the mindSET of putting the client first. Instead, we support the ability of the real estate agent or professional, to service their clients with the greatest efficiencies to work with them on their level and help them to provide the best service possible.

Has your role with the company changed at all over time?

Yes, of course. We all make changes and adjustments to ensure the best possible outcome for our employees, the company, and our customers. SetSchedule has experienced tremendous growth, and change is required to accommodate that growth, enhance the client experience, and increase product offerings, but regardless of my role, our original goal to provide the latest cutting edge technologies to real estate professionals, and our vision to create a better way to do business, have remained unchanged.

How has your background influenced your leadership style?

As a native-born American, I have had a unique opportunity to grow up in Israel and to serve in the Israeli army. Straddling two cultures has provided me a unique perspective of work ethic, and opportunity, which absolutely bleeds into my leadership, my expectations, and the way that I guide and mentor. As long as you put in the time and the work, I will work with you, I will help you, I will guide you, and do everything in my power to ensure your success, but If you do not put the work in, you do not deserve my time, and there is nothing I can do for you. At the end of the day, you have to be smart enough to recognize the opportunity in front of you and have the work ethic to take advantage of the experience to grow professionally.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I am a techie at heart and love the latest gadgets. I play video games, I salsa dance, and I spend time with my wife and two kids, my real passion in life.

How do you foster a culture of innovation?

Innovation is around you, always. I am wired to think, how can I do this better? How can I do this faster? Is there a better way? These are the questions that ignite the thoughts to innovate here at SetSchedule. In order to duplicate this culture, you have to teach your staff to view the world as a project. There is always room for improvement, and no matter how smart someone is, bringing in another mind to provide insight and feedback can open up a whole new world view.

What has the COVID-19 crisis meant for SetSchedule?

The COVID crises hasn't changed the focus or goal of SetSchedule. We continue to grow, while maintaining social distance, additional sanitation throughout the day, and individual precautions like temperature checks. We are in the process of creating more innovative tools for our clients and have product specials to help professionals continue to work both safely and virtually with SetSchedule.

What are you most excited about for SetSchedule's future?

We have some new tools coming out in the very near future, which will be very innovative in the real estate space. I am excited to see how this will be received and used, and I am excited to continue to innovate and provide quality tools to our community of home shoppers and real estate professionals.