The Ray White New Zealand Group Business Owners came together at the Hilton Hotel in Queenstown to continue to develop the Ray White Strategy, which has been designed for implementation over a five year period. The Symposium was set on the key questions of how the Group is now aligning to the Strategy, how we redefine and understand the capability of Ray White through the business owners and to ensure that each of the customer values are understood through our strategic statement.
Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, opened this years’ Symposium reviewing the last 12 months and acknowledging the success of the Group and discussing the way the Group will present its outcomes over the next three year period.
Peter Camphin of Ray White Australia held a session on how Next Talent, Future Leaders, partnerships and mergers all form the process for successful succession planning in a real estate business. Peter presented case studies around risk and also showed how succession can be a key to growth and can add value to the future of all real estate offices. The session was complemented by a panel discussion comprising Michelle Greer from Ray White Timaru and Megan Jaffe from Ray White Remuera.
Customer satisfaction plays an important role in meeting expectations and in the last we months the Group has introduced an extensive customer satisfaction process. Chris Pescott from Customer Monitor presented on the complete view of the transaction and how customers rely on expectations being fulfilled and the greatest benefit to a business is word of mouth through meeting and exceeding customer expectation.
Graham Crews, who is known to many in the industry, delivered on the all encompassing subject of compliance. Graham described how efficiency in compliance can lead the way to a successful business in today’s regulated environment. He also spoke on using compliance to the benefit of best practice, which engages both the sales team and the client.
Ray White marketing continues to be defined by excellence delivered through our business owners. Ensuring a concise message in the area of successful marketing and how individuals are trying to achieve a best outcome was behind the presentation of Cheryl Hayes, New Zealand Marketing Executive. Cheryl presented on the balance between the agency, agent and the property.
Professional indemnity provides to ensure that any unintentional outcomes are covered for our clients and the agency business. Marsh presented on the integration of professional indemnity insurance in the business of today and introduced the 2015 panel of insurers who are available to Ray White Group members.
National Sales Manager for Loan Market, Brian Greer, headlined day two of the symposium. Brian discussed the changing market conditions in finance and how integration between agency and finance was becoming a link which the client continues to embrace.
Having leading industry technology is the responsibility of Ray White. Adam Campbell, who is the director of MyDesktop, and Keith Ashkettle, head of Ray White New Zealand Technology, presented on the innovations that continue to be embraced through the use of technology and how Ray White has allowed the involvement of applications to be applied to greater enhance the efficiency of all Ray White members and in turn clients.
The keynote speaker presentation was an incredible story by John Anderson (pictured above with Ray White CEO, Carey Smith), who developed a simple idea into a worldwide business known as Contiki Holidays. John spoke of his development of the business model over the past 20 years and how Contiki Holidays had welcomed over 3 million young people, including over 450,000 New Zealanders. John’s story was inspirational and one of the highlights of the Business Owners Symposium.
Financial benchmarking has been introduced to our groups members during the past 12 months. Ray White Group Finance Director, Luke Richardson, presented the benchmarking model and spoke of the value of understanding the risks and rewards in agency and how better planning for financial success can be achieved through the use of benchmarking.
Zac Snelling, who is the New Zealand Business Performance Manager for Property Management, presented on the Group’s leading market position in the property management business throughout New Zealand. With over 15,000 properties being managed by Ray White, the value for property management and the direction of property management services for better outcomes is one of the core beliefs for the Ray White Group.
The Ray White Business Owners Symposium is one of the key success stories of the Ray White Group. Over the past number of years the Group’s Strategy has developed and continues to take shape through until the end of 2016. As part of the Group’s capability, the Strategy Statement being: Ray White demonstrates leadership through our primary customers decision making based on honesty and integrity. Our core family values respect all stakeholders. We have pride in our membership, with recognition and trust being our collective strength.