Well I have been focused in the last four weeks in selling properties and Guess what we have four properties SSTC and two new instructions for the New Year. Its been amazing and an eye opener, I have watched my Estate Agency neighbours for 6 years and wondered how I could ever be as pro-active as them !!!. I often wonder why we are prepared to accept poor Customer service in many areas of our life's but this may be why opportunities get created for more caring companies.
Its clear we are in a honeymoon period with this new side of the business but avenues are opening up for us to ensure that the business really grows in 2014. It really feels exciting and I am genuinely looking forward to next year.
We lost our negotiator Samantha recently which was sad as she is a very genuine person who I wish all the very best for. However we managed to recruit a possible future star for the business a young let called Henry who starts with is on the 2nd of January. Now the recruitment industry is something that really does frustrate me, we advertised the job with 3 agencies and ended up getting Henry from Facebook.
As the business winds down for Xmas thoughts turn to social event etc and I don't mind admitting that I am participating in Murder Mystery evening on Boxing Night playing the part of some geezer called Dickie Charles !!. I am left wondering why I agree to these things
That's it for now, have a great Xmas and Happy New Year.
Saturday 21 December 2013
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Its December!
Yes, I am back again for another go at this blogging stuff, covering the latest in the Letting Industry, trying to grow a Letting agency and recent education !!
As many of you know I have a fabulous wife ( Jan ) who has lectured me on the subject of planning, target setting and objectives for the business and why it is required. There has been times when I felt she has been working in partnership with Martin & Co's Head office statistical Guru John Coupe. However this October I finally decided to have a go at this planning stuff and attended an ARLA course on the subject WOW the lights have gone on !! - Heard this phrase mentioned so many times and surprisingly it was understood straight away "Marginal Gains" "Marginal Gains" "Marginal Gains" "Marginal Gains" at first I was wondering what the coach Dave Brailsford knew about lettings.
I have been planning changes and implementing small changes for the last two weeks and already we have started to benefit financially. I need to bring it all together for 2014 and during this process looking forward to visiting one of Martin & Co's leading Franchisees in Gloucester Mr Peter Grieve. I do think there is some great business experience in our Network.
We started Sales in August and it never really got going, I would admit that it was due to the success of lettings and a poor understanding of the Sales process. However Great News, Sales could be the best decision Martin & Co Head office have made for my business in 7 years. No Sales yet but we now offer a service that covers all options for a landlord selling and an investor purchasing. I completed a viewing last night on an apartment and the Investor left taking our details for all his future properties, its great getting a half an hour to sell my company.
Big subject in the last week is the requirement for Letting Agents to display fees, this could turn into a serious rant as it really does not feel clear what we are supposed to do. A really good friend was listening to a debate on Radio 4 on this subject which prompted the question "Sean, who represents Letting Agents" well after much thought on this subject and consideration on how to answer I said " ARLA, NAEA, NALS, NFOPP and possibly RICS. If we had one body governing and regulating Lettings surely we would present a more professional image and possibly a better understanding with our clients.
Finally thought for the week on the business front, I spend a lot of time reading and looking for the Magic Secret to successful management from running a business to managing people and I am beginning to think there isn't one..... Might come back on this subject next time
Quick update on stopping running, not sure I know how to after 26 years of trying to stay fit and running marathons.
Thank you for reading this and if you want to comment please do...
As many of you know I have a fabulous wife ( Jan ) who has lectured me on the subject of planning, target setting and objectives for the business and why it is required. There has been times when I felt she has been working in partnership with Martin & Co's Head office statistical Guru John Coupe. However this October I finally decided to have a go at this planning stuff and attended an ARLA course on the subject WOW the lights have gone on !! - Heard this phrase mentioned so many times and surprisingly it was understood straight away "Marginal Gains" "Marginal Gains" "Marginal Gains" "Marginal Gains" at first I was wondering what the coach Dave Brailsford knew about lettings.
I have been planning changes and implementing small changes for the last two weeks and already we have started to benefit financially. I need to bring it all together for 2014 and during this process looking forward to visiting one of Martin & Co's leading Franchisees in Gloucester Mr Peter Grieve. I do think there is some great business experience in our Network.
We started Sales in August and it never really got going, I would admit that it was due to the success of lettings and a poor understanding of the Sales process. However Great News, Sales could be the best decision Martin & Co Head office have made for my business in 7 years. No Sales yet but we now offer a service that covers all options for a landlord selling and an investor purchasing. I completed a viewing last night on an apartment and the Investor left taking our details for all his future properties, its great getting a half an hour to sell my company.
Big subject in the last week is the requirement for Letting Agents to display fees, this could turn into a serious rant as it really does not feel clear what we are supposed to do. A really good friend was listening to a debate on Radio 4 on this subject which prompted the question "Sean, who represents Letting Agents" well after much thought on this subject and consideration on how to answer I said " ARLA, NAEA, NALS, NFOPP and possibly RICS. If we had one body governing and regulating Lettings surely we would present a more professional image and possibly a better understanding with our clients.
Finally thought for the week on the business front, I spend a lot of time reading and looking for the Magic Secret to successful management from running a business to managing people and I am beginning to think there isn't one..... Might come back on this subject next time
Quick update on stopping running, not sure I know how to after 26 years of trying to stay fit and running marathons.
Thank you for reading this and if you want to comment please do...
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