What’s one system or tool that has made the biggest difference in your productivity?
One tool that is very crucial is a CRM. Having a CRM allows you to effectively and efficiently communicate with your clients and leads. A CRM also helps keep track of client needs, allows you to take notes on specific clients, and most importantly, gives you a higher chance of being able to complete transactions successfully with a high level of client satisfaction.
What role has mentorship played in your success?
Mentorship is very important, and has translated into the training opportunities and communications channels available through Initia.
I think it’s important to recognize that although traditional mentorship might work for some, it can be very helpful to engage in communications that allow you to learn from many members of your professional community. At Initia, we have communications channels that are very active on a daily basis, where agents ask questions to one another, and there they help one another and learn from one another.
I wish I had this collaborative mentorship opportunity when I first entered the industry, but I am glad to see how our brokerage members now support and learn from one another.
What’s your advice for agents who are struggling to find a sense of community?
Communicate! In order to engage with colleagues and find a sense of community with them, it’s important to participate in things like brokerage training sessions, annual events, and in the brokerage communications channels. If you don’t do this, you won’t be able to be a member of this community and learn from your colleagues.
Why does being part of a collaborative network like INITIA matter in today’s real estate landscape?
This is extremely important. The real estate profession sometimes has a bad reputation, with some associates in the industry lacking a level of professionalism that many expect. Real estate is an industry that is very competitive, and some agents take this to mean that they cannot support their colleagues.
At Initia, we encourage a collaborative atmosphere, where agents are encouraged to share and learn through our communications channels. Given certain restrictions set by real estate associations around public advertising, open communication within the brokerage also creates opportunities for sharing of listings within the brokerage communications channels, and opportunities for completing off-market deals with your brokerage colleagues.
As a broker, how do you approach mentoring agents, and what do you believe makes a great mentor in real estate?
When I started in real estate, brokerage support was limited. With that in mind, I now take the time to ensure that all agents, whether experienced or novice, are comfortable with everything as they get started with Initia. Everyone has my cell number, and associates are encouraged to contact me with questions, and send me forms for review for as long as they need to understand everything. There are also lots of brokerage resources that are available to supplement the assistance I provide. These resources include things like forms checklists, forms tutorial videos, recordings of training sessions, and much more.
In terms of what makes a great mentor, I think knowledge is important, but patience and professionalism are key. It takes time to mentor and nurture agents, and mentorship should instill a high level of professionalism in the agent being guided.
