COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS

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COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS episodes

  • Courageous Conversations: How Anna Neelagama became the industry’s greatest advocate, and why she has single licensing, the PM skills shortage and sector recognition firmly in her sights

    [powerpress]

    After two years in the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, Anna Neelagama discusses how far the industry has come, the major challenges that lie ahead, and how the REIA intends to address them.

    When Anna Neelagama took on the position of REIA CEO, little did she realise a pandemic would promptly see her plunged into unchartered real estate waters.

    Closed borders, rental moratoriums and social distancing all saw the industry in the spotlight while both sales agents and property managers were grappling with constantly shifting legislation and the very real challenge of trying to secure a roof over people’s heads.

    In this Courageous Conversation, Anna discusses her real estate baptism of fire and how she went from someone with no inside experience of the industry to advocating the sector’s needs on the national stage.

    She talks about how, in the wake of Covid, the exodus of property managers has emerged as the single biggest challenge facing the industry and what the REIA is doing to assist.

    Anna also looks at the age-old issue of a single rule book for agents across the country, noting this is an issue dating back to the REIA’s inception almost a century ago.

    But now, 100 years later, she explains the REIA is finally making progress, and offers an insight into exactly how that’s being achieved, and why it’s not been as simple as many might believe.

    Anna also examines how the industry can showcase the critical role agents and property managers play and why people need to appreciate that buying or selling property ranks alongside all the major life milestones.

    She shares what she has been surprised to learn since taking on the sector’s top job, and looks at why she remains inspired to be the industry’s most passionate advocate.

    “The reality is we have made an extraordinary amount of progress. The institutes themselves are very much on the same page when it comes to standards of training, of licensing and of on-the-job compliance. So the industry leads with that regard. The regulators simply haven’t caught up. And what we’d like is for state and federal governments to come to the party and meet us there” – Anna Neelagama.

    Leanne and Anna also discuss:
    • Why Anna wanted to advocate for the real estate industry and how she embraced the role of REIA CEO through an immersive process that culminated in a 100-day plan.
    • Why having no experience inside the industry proved an advantage and how it helped Anna identify industry opportunity.
    • What the REIA has accomplished in the two years since she took on the role, and how they are helping address issues like single-licensing and the skill shortage in property management.
    • Why the exodus of skilled property managers is the single biggest issue facing the industry and how PMs should be recognized for bearing the brunt of enforcing legislation during a pandemic
    • How the REIA is working towards single licensing and why it’s been an issue on the industry body’s agenda for almost a century, but is now close to coming to fruition.  
    • How single licensing will work and why it’s a lot like driver’s licences, which are standardised via national technology.
    • Why the real estate industry is setting the bar when it comes to good practice and proactive initiatives, but the government now needs to come to the party.
    • Why real estate professionals and the job they do needs to be better promoted to the public and how the REIA intends to tackle this in the future.

    And much, much more…

    Links and resources mentioned
    • Real Estate Institute of Australia
    • Cathy Baker -Belle Property

    Anna Neelagama on Elite Agent

    • The road ahead for REIA: Anna Neelagama
    • REIA announce new CEO, Anna Neelagama

    Connect with Anna

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE 

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Anna Neelagama became the industry’s greatest advocate, and why she has single licensing, the PM skills shortage and sector recognition firmly in her sights appeared first on Elite Agent.

    26 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Nigel O’Neil uses servant leadership to engage his team, change culture, and improve business results

    [powerpress]

    Having led some two of the industry’s best known real estate groups to success, it might come as a surprise to hear Barry Plant Chief Executive Officer Nigel O’Neil say he was a ‘terrible leader’ when he first started out as a business turnaround expert more than 20 years ago.

    But he states he was. Although he loved improving businesses, it wasn’t until he drew on emotional intelligence and embraced a ‘servant leadership’ style that he found the ability to bring people together and have them accept change.

    Drawing on his extensive experience in finance and banking, Nigel has now helped businesses in a range of industries improve their processes and procedures, find their unique culture, and improve their results.

    In this Courageous Conversation, Nigel shares his journey from chartered accountant to real estate CEO, discussing why the industry is unique but, at its core, still the same as any other business.

    He discusses the importance of measuring customer satisfaction, why it all comes back to process and procedure, and how to engage your team so your company culture attracts talent and retains it.

    Nigel also looks at some of the biggest challenges ahead for the industry, and how leaders can prepare for them now.

    He discusses client feedback, and why it’s critical to service-based business like real estate but is not just about seeking reviews and testimonials.

    Noting leadership is a privilege, he also offers a thought provoking insight into the leadership style that has seen people change industries to remain part of his team.

    “To me, being a servant to the team means I’m here to develop the business. I’m here to help them develop as people. So, it’s a simple mantra that if something goes wrong, it’s on me, and if something goes well, it’s them…” – Nigel O’Neil

    Leanne and Nigel also discuss:
    • What surprised Nigel the most when he came into the real estate industry, and why the emotion makes it different to any other industry.         
    • How Nigel went from growing up on a farm to accountant, business turnaround expert and highly regarded real estate leader.
    • The key moments that defined him as a leader and helped him formulate his servant leadership style.
    • Why great leadership is all about looking in the mirror when something goes wrong and out the window to thank your team when things go right.
    • What Nigel believes real estate business operators should measure, and why the whole industry is based on process and procedure.
    • How he believes real estate businesses can improve their operation by focusing on customer service across both property management and sales, and why the two should never be viewed in isolation.
    • Why leadership is a privilege where the mistakes need to be owned by the person at the helm.     
    • How he identifies blindspots in a business and why they provide a critical insight into training opportunities.
    • How the industry should address labour and talent shortages that will become increasingly obvious in the period ahead.
    • Why there’s no point recruiting people into a bad culture, and how leaders can shift that culture to see their team more engaged.

    Plus much, much more…

    Links and resources mentioned:
    • Fresh eye from the corporate guy: Nigel O’Neil
    • Nigel O’Neil: Servant leadership and why you need to ditch the ego
    • The perfect hybrid: a tech savvy agent who listens
    • Nigel O’Neil takes top Barry Plant job with clear vision for the future
    • Who comes first: The customer or your team?

    Connect with Nigel

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on
    • Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE  

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Nigel O’Neil uses servant leadership to engage his team, change culture, and improve business results appeared first on Elite Agent.

    34 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Laura Valenti stepped up to tackle domestic violence in the face of a changing property management sector

    [powerpress]

    When it comes to domestic violence, there are few people with as much access to what happens behind closed doors as a property manager.

    After all, what other professions have the right to regularly enter a home, assess its condition and get a feel for what’s happening behind the scenes?

    That’s why Solutions Property Management owner Laura Valenti believes real estate professionals have an opportunity and an obligation to make a real difference.

    This stance, and the initiatives she has put in place as a result, saw Laura named the Most Influential Woman in the Property Market at the REA awards in 2020.

    In the time since, Laura has been developing a two-pronged approach to ensure the property management industry steps up to help survivors of domestic and family violence.

    In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Laura shares an insight into how real estate can play a role in recognising domestic and family violence, and helping its survivors.

    She shares the easy steps agencies can take to ensure the issue is on their radar, that their staff know what to do, and how they can help survivors access the help they need to re-establish their lives.

    With no experience of domestic violence personally, Laura explains the issue is far more common than many would believe and the past two years have shone a spotlight on just how prevalent the problem is.

    And that’s just one of the issues that came to light for the property management sector during Covid.

    In a wide-ranging podcast, Laura also discusses the personal toll Covid-19 has taken on business leaders, and how the property management industry has altered in the period since.

    She touches on the stress many PMs have endured, the mass exodus from the industry, and also looks at how the property management industry has changed permanently as a result.

    “Housing is just intrinsically entwined with helping people get out of a DFV situation, because if there was a place to go to, then that’s the first step. They leave, have a safe place and then start to get all of the things they need – the counselling, the connection to legal services – so that they can start to rebuild their lives. But you can’t have any of that if you don’t have a safe place to stay.” Laura Valenti.

    Laura and Leanne also discuss
    • The clear signs of domestic violence and what property managers and other real estate professionals can do to assist.
    • How to educate your team about the signs of domestic and family violence and why it’s incumbent upon every member of the industry to take note.
    • Why domestic violence is a problem that affects far more people than many would expect, and how the real estate industry needs to take a two-pronged approach to address it.
    • How Laura and her team navigated the challenges of Covid, and why the toll it took on property managers and business leaders is just beginning to be recognised.
    • Why the industry is changing as a result of the past two years, and the trends that will remain long after the memory of a pandemic has faded.
    • How Laura’s approach to staffing has had to shift and why the traditional portfolio manager is a role that could soon fade into obsolescence.
    • Where the property management industry is headed to from here, and why it’s so challenging for experts to predict what will happen next.
    • How, as a leader, Laura is altering her business model to cater to shifts in the industry to stabilise then grow.
    • Why now is the time to over-service your clients and bring them with you on the changed property management journey.

    Plus much, much more.

    Links and resources mentioned
    • Real Estate Institute of Queensland
    • REIQ’s Domestic and Family Violence toolkit
    • SafeHome Alliance
    • AREAs winners 2020

    Connect with Laura

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    This episode of Courageous Conversations contains sensitive subject matter regarding mental health and potentially confronting or triggering topics. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health or anything mentioned in this episode triggers you, please remember that help is available 24 hours a day from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Laura Valenti stepped up to tackle domestic violence in the face of a changing property management sector appeared first on Elite Agent.

    29 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Kathryn Ford turned illness into empowerment and why your mind is the most important real estate you will ever manage

    [powerpress]

    What one thing would you change in your life right now which would make the greatest difference to your future?

    That’s the key question empowerment expert and celebrity consultant Kathryn Ford asks each client she works with as she seeks to help women design their ‘incredible next chapter’.

    It’s an approach that is based on Kathryn’s own life experience of turning tragedy into triumph and is the successful concept that saw her found the Excellence Institute in 2013.

    In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Kathryn shares her insight into the mind-body connection and how she used it to overcome a series of personal challenges, including a rare disease, a devastating misdiagnosis, and a toxic marriage that ultimately saw her husband draw a gun on her.

    Kathryn notes people often can’t identify what’s holding them back, but chances are there is one defining element that has flow-on effects to everything else.

    Whether it’s work that affects your relationships, relationships that impact health, or health that impacts work, those three elements of life can’t be viewed in isolation, she explains.

    Instead, you need to find the key and focus on the person as a whole, and when you do, there’s an opportunity to take a ‘quantum leap’ towards true happiness.

    In a conversation that offers a fascinating insight into mindset, self-awareness and the art of unlocking success, Kathryn shares her story of overcoming adversity and the tools she used to turn her own life around while also assisting others.

    “The results in your life that you would love are there. It’s just a matter of learning how to focus,” – Kathryn Ford.

    Leanne and Kathryn also discuss:
    • How Kathryn managed a devastating multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis and used mind-body theory to effectively redesign her life.
    • Why a toxic relationship has wide ranging effects that extend far beyond your emotional wellbeing, and how to recognise the impacts and rebuild.
    • The questions you should ask yourself if your life feels lacking or happiness seems beyond your grasp, and why one key issue can help unlock the three life areas of health, work and love.
    • Why your mind is the most important real estate you will ever manage, and how to shake off the paradigms of the sub-conscious, release them, and shift your thinking.
    • How to alleviate stress and unhappiness by consistently asking yourself one simple, but critical question.
    • Why we get what we focus on and how to change the view by noticing where your attention lies.
    • Where to start if you’re looking to find joy, peace and empowerment in all areas of life.
    • The business stress management tools which apply to every profession and can help you get out of the fight and flight mindset which has dire impacts on your health.

    And much, much more

    Links and resources mentioned

    Connect with Kathryn

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on
    • Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE  

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Kathryn Ford turned illness into empowerment and why your mind is the most important real estate you will ever manage appeared first on Elite Agent.

    26 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Rebecca Wiener McGregor blends hypnosis, mindfulness and breathing to create a master wellbeing mindset

    [powerpress]

    Rebecca Wiener McGregor is widely regarded as one of the best hypnotists and money mindset mentors in the US. Renowned for her spiritual practice and gratitude meditation, she has empowered the lives of thousands of people to achieve their vision and purpose. 

    But as this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington reveals, it’s not an easy road to achieve the transformation, it’s a physical, mental and spiritual journey that in time will create certainty, clarity, and emotional freedom in your life.

    In this deeply personal podcast, Rebecca reveals how she blends hypnosis, mindfulness and breathing, to create clarity of personal and business values.

    She shares the thought process that has allowed her to push through the darkest of times to come out stronger and more empowered than ever. 

    With her Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), along with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Rebecca offers essential tips on self-care, finding the positive, and seeking out the space and support you need when times get tough.

    She offers an insight into how mentoring has allowed her clients to emerge stronger, more resilient and with more exciting plans for their businesses ahead.

    Rebecca also takes the time to share her expert advice on how to focus on a life without negative judgement but finding the balance to create a lifestyle that feels you, not like you think you should feel. 

    “When you get into that practice of practising gratitude, where you’re writing down what you’re grateful for, what happens is that your brain starts to look for more good in your life. All the time. I have goosebumps right now because when I started practising gratitude, it saved my emotional life” – Rebecca Wiener McGregor

    Rebecca and Leanne also discuss
    • Why it’s essential to clarify how much time you want to work and how much money you want to make to create your ideal work/life balance
    • Why self-care is essential and how to ensure you take the time out and space you need with the right people around you when things get tough
    • How to visualise your personal and business values to achieve your short and long term goals
    • Why it’s important to slow down occasionally in order to speed up and the things people need to do to ensure they meet their goals
    • How to re-embrace the joy of your professional career and convey that to your clients
    • How to open your creative channels to abundance and become the most successful version of yourself
    • The steps to build a dream life and business by your own standards and values

    And much, much more 

    Links and resources mentioned

    Connect with Rebecca

    • Website
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Rebecca Wiener McGregor blends hypnosis, mindfulness and breathing to create a master wellbeing mindset appeared first on Elite Agent.

    21 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Kylie Maxwell embraced unexpected leadership, bounced back from burnout, and built a sought-after business

    [powerpress]

    When successful agency owners Kylie Maxwell and her husband Jason sold their business in Queanbeyan, New South Wales last year, many in the industry were surprised.

    After all, here was a couple at the top of their game, with a highly successful LJ Hooker office, an enviable market share and a renowned reputation in the industry.

    But as Kylie explains, it was an opportunity too good to pass up and one they weren’t sure would present itself again in a couple of years’ time.

    It also provided the opportunity to explore other areas of the industry that Kylie was passionate about.

    In this episode of Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington, Kylie offers an insight into the thinking behind the sale, how it was a proposal that came out of the blue, and why they were fortunate to have a business that was sale-ready, despite no intentions to sell.

    She explains the role good processes and procedures play when it comes to property management, why every agency owner should audit their business annually, and why the systems they had in place allowed them to seize the unexpected opportunity.

    Kylie also reflects on a 30-year career in the industry, including a brush with burnout that many will relate to.

    She discusses the challenge of being a leader and a people pleaser, and the changes she made to her leadership style in order to better manage her time, her energy, and the work/life balance.

    In a podcast that’s part business best-practice, part property management masterclass, and part lessons in leadership, Kylie offers a wealth of tips, some stellar advice based on experience and a truly personal insight into why she is rightly regarded as one of the best real estate practitioners in the industry.

    “If you have a business and it is in your five-year plan to sell your rent roll, don’t wait until you’re tired of it and you’ve run it into the ground. Do it while you’re still actively working in it, and you’re vibrant and it’s got a good reputation and you’ve got a good asset to sell,” Kylie Maxwell

    Kylie and Leanne also discuss:
    • How Kylie and Jason created a sale-ready business where they could seize on unexpected opportunity.
    • Why every agency director should know exactly what’s going on in their property management department, and audit their business each year.
    • How Kylie and Jason came to the decision to sell, and why it was the perfect opportunity to give back to an industry where they have enjoyed success.
    • Why Kylie was an accidental leader, who decided to stop winging it and start owning it, and what she did to improve her leadership skills.
    • How Kylie got to a point of burnout by taking on too much at work, being all things to all people, and what she did to step back and create a better work/life balance.
    • Why Kylie’s changed leadership perspective actually empowered her team and allowed her business to operate more effectively.
    • How Kylie improved her leadership skills and why she believes every leader should always be learning.
    • What Kylie believes needs to change in the property management sector, and why the industry needs to reimagine the way PMs are brought into a business.
    • What Kylie’s up to now and how it caters to her commitment to give back to real estate.

    And much, much more…

    Links and resources mentioned:
    • Real+
    • Jason Maxwell
    • White Rhino Property

    Kylie on Elite Agent

    • Big changes afoot in Queanbeyan real estate sector
    • Women to the front: Real estate industry leaders share their secrets of success
    • If it were Day 1 in real estate again… what would you do differently?
    • What I learned as a self taught leader: Kylie Maxwell
    • Kylie Maxwell: The Wisdom of Hindsight
    • Kylie Maxwell: Challenge Accepted

    Connect with Kylie

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Kylie Maxwell embraced unexpected leadership, bounced back from burnout, and built a sought-after business appeared first on Elite Agent.

    31 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Nicole White brought her events business back from the brink and why music can be the key to both team building and wellness

    [powerpress]

    While the real estate industry might have stood at a precipice of unknowns during Covid-19, the entertainment and events sector was forced into total freefall.

    Events dried up, entertainment was off the cards, and every corporate gathering was cancelled.

    So what do you do when your entire industry collapses? Well you pivot, and pivot again, in the hope one of those pirouettes pays off.

    That’s exactly the situation Nicole White and her company Rock and Roll Team Building found themselves in over the past two years.

    But in the face of extreme adversity and a landscape of business fear, she and business partner Ciaran Gribbin of INXS didn’t give up.

    Instead, they used their love of music and their background in team building to help businesses and individuals manage the mental uncertainty and anxiety of a pandemic.

    In this episode of Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington, Nicole discusses how creating and experiencing music can help bring people together and foster wellbeing.

    She shares the highs and lows of working in the entertainment industry over the past couple of years, including navigating the heartbreak of watching events dry up and finding the successful business she had built was on the brink of closure.

    Nicole also offers an insight into how sound therapy and music alleviate stress and how the creation of music can bring a corporate team together in a whole new way.

    “One of the main tools that music therapists use in their work is actually songwriting. So being able to work with someone who’s experienced trauma or who is experiencing depression and anxiety, or has had a tough time in life, allowing them to articulate that through songs – through writing, putting words to music – is a really powerful therapy tool,” Nicole White.

    Leanne and Nicole also discuss:
    • How Nicole turned a music career into a highly successful team building business sought after by corporations in Australia and the US.
    • Why music and its creation can allow even the most reserved of corporate teams to come together, drop their inhibitions and engage.
    • How breathing, music and sound can offer the calm that your team needs in a highly unpredictable world.
    • What the music and events industry experienced during Covid lockdowns, and how they came together to find strength and resilience.
    • Why business leaders need to continue to ask their team how they are and actively listen to the response to ensure their wellbeing.
    • How you can use music and sound to start your day in a way that’s more relaxed, yet still feel ready to take on the world.
    • Why providing employees with tools and information allows them to better manage their mental health and wellbeing.
    • How sound therapy and music can raise the energy of the workplace and create a brighter, happier calmer team environment.
    • Plus much, much more
    Links and resources mentioned
    • Rock and Roll Team Building
    • Vibrate Your Mind
    • Frank Fitzpatrick
    • Breath – James Nestor

    Connect with Nicole

    • LinkedIn

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on
    • Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE 

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Nicole White brought her events business back from the brink and why music can be the key to both team building and wellness appeared first on Elite Agent.

    24 min
  • Courageous Conversations: How Virginia Brookes went from burnout to balance, and the benefits it offered her business

    [powerpress]

    It’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day activity of being in real estate that you can overlook other areas of your life.

    In a market like the present that’s particularly the case, where agents and property managers find themselves making one more deal, one more phone call, sending one more email and soon realise they’re working seven days a week.

    That was exactly the position real estate recruitment expert Virginia Brookes found herself in back in 2020.

    After a tough couple of years, the industry had only just bounced back and as a business owner she was working relentlessly when the first wave of Covid saw 95 per cent of her business evaporate overnight.

    She was exhausted before the strain of lockdowns even began.

    What she did next helped her regain her perspective, prioritise her family, and allowed her to say yes to her dreams.

    In a Courageous Conversation that is all about regaining the work/life balance, Virginia talks about the importance of getting your priorities right, of taking time out when you need to, of saying yes to experiences and no to never-ending work demands.

    She shares the lessons she learned by taking time out from her business, along with the benefits it provided her personally, and the tough decisions it helped her make.

    Virginia also offers an insight into the strategies she uses now to ensure she doesn’t fall back into workaholic habits.

    Through the lens of a recruitment expert, Virginia then talks about the mass exodus of property managers from the real estate industry, and gives her tips on how agencies can help retain staff, assure them of their value and set them up for the period ahead.

    “Something else has got to sometimes take priority other than work. Because as a business owner, you just get entrenched and you get obsessed and you always want to do better, and you forget some of the stuff that is going to be there one day after business.” Virginia Brookes.

    Leanne Pilkington and Virginia also discuss:
    • Why Virginia knew she needed a break from business and how she found the time and the courage to take it.
    • The benefits that an extended break provided in terms of business perspective, family connection and Virginia’s personal wellbeing.
    • How that break allowed her to make important life changing decisions and more meaningful conversations.
    • Why it’s critical to stop putting things off and start saying yes to positive life choices outside of work, and how that helps you become a more well-rounded person.
    • The strategies Virginia has since put in place to ensure she doesn’t let work take over her life again.
    • How focusing on things beyond work improved Virginia’s business, lifestyle and general wellbeing.
    • Why agencies should be paying attention to the health and wellbeing of their property managers at the moment, and the strategies they can put in place to retain talent.
    • How great leadership and an effective team thrives on ownership, acceptance and responsibility.

    And much, much more…

    Links and resources mentioned
    • Resolver Recruitment
    • Real Estate Institute of Australia

    Connect with Virginia

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on
    • Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE 

    The post Courageous Conversations: How Virginia Brookes went from burnout to balance, and the benefits it offered her business appeared first on Elite Agent.

    18 min
  • Courageous Conversations: Lara Moro on finding your niche, knowing your worth, and stepping outside your comfort zone

    [powerpress]

    After starting in off-the-plan sales aged 21, Lara Moro has enjoyed a highly rewarding and successful 30-year career in real estate that unites her expertise in marketing and sales.

    Along the way, she has worked with some of the country’s best known hi-rise developers.

    But that doesn’t mean it was an easy or quick decision to start her own business. Instead, Lara explains it was a long time coming, despite her friends consistently urging her to back herself and take the leap.

    Now, that leap is well and truly paying off. Just two years after launching her own brand, Lara has been named among 15 property experts to watch by the Australian Business Journal.

    Working with developers and buyers, Lara specialises in assisting developers market and sell their project. She also works with buyers to help them make the right decision when it comes to purchasing an apartment.

    Looking back, Lara reflects the buyers’ advocate role in the apartment space was a gap in the market that needed filling, allowing downsizers, property hunters and investors to make educated choices.

    In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Lara talks about creating a career that unites her extensive sales and marketing experience with a commitment to mentoring others.

    She shares an insight into what finally prompted her to start her own brand, including the unique services she offers.

    Lara also discusses how she came to be in project marketing and sales, and why it was a career she was destined for since she was a child.

    In a podcast that’s all about finding your niche, embracing your skills and picking the moment to take the leap required, Lara also talks about dealing with the negative voice in your head and the strategies she uses to make tough decisions.

    “For years, I said I’m going to work for myself. And then I would work for a developer and work as a channel manager or in their sales and marketing team…but then I just thought, no, enough’s enough.

    “It’s been a great experience to work with some of Melbourne’s best developers. I just feel that now I can offer my expertise and be a lot more impartial.” Lara Moro

    This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 
    Leanne and Lara also discuss:
    • How Lara fell in love with real estate and construction at a young age
    • Why she quickly found her feet in project sales, and used a range of additional skills to her advantage
    • How those skills translated to the hi-rise project space and allowed her to work with some of Australia’s best developers
    • What finally prompted Lara to step into her own business, and how a pandemic gave her the time and perspective she needed
    • The two-pronged approach that Lara takes which sees her help both developers and buyers, and why she loves the idea of mentoring
    • Why Lara describes herself as a real estate matchmaker who helps people make the right decisions for their lifestyle
    • How Lara came to be named one of 15 property professionals to watch by the Australian Business Journal
    • The strategies Lara uses to make tough decisions and why her first priority is to take the personal out of it and consider things from a different perspective

    And much, much more…

    Links and resources mentioned
    • Prima Pearl Tower, Melbourne
    • Australian Business Journal – 15 property experts to watch in 2021

    Connect with Lara

    • Website
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE 

    The post Courageous Conversations: Lara Moro on finding your niche, knowing your worth, and stepping outside your comfort zone appeared first on Elite Agent.

    27 min
  • Courageous Conversations: Sherrie Storor on why the show must go on and how agents can achieve success without the hustle and grind

    [powerpress]

    Sherrie Storor is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the industry. Renowned for her can-do attitude and positive mindset, she has worked hard, achieved success as an agent, lost it all then reinvented herself to emerge as a sought-after real estate coach.

    But as this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington reveals, behind that bright, smiling demeanour is a personal struggle that Sherrie has been navigating for the past couple of years.

    And it’s forced someone who views herself as an ‘agent of change’ to accept a situation she may not be able to alter.

    In this deeply personal podcast, Sherrie reveals the hidden struggle she has been grappling with and how it has affected her personally and professionally.

    She shares the thought process that has allowed her to push through, despite riding an emotional rollercoaster that vacillates between hope and loss.

    With her new-found perspective, Sherrie offers essential tips on self-care, finding the positive, and seeking out the space and support you need when times get tough.

    She offers an insight into what this experience has taught her and how it has allowed her to emerge stronger, more resilient and with exciting plans for her business ahead.

    Sherrie also takes the time to share her expert advice on where agents should be focusing in the year ahead, why real estate should shake off the mantra of ‘hustle and grind’, and how industry professionals can achieve a work-life balance.

    “There is something about pushing through and the show must go on. And really, you know, honestly, one of the big things that I have noticed in working with agents and high-performers and high-performing business owners, is that they also have this skill too. They are able to be completely broken, receive the most tragic and terrible news and go into a listing presentation within the next hour.” Sherrie Storor

    This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 
    Sherrie and Leanne also discuss
    • Why self-care is essential and how to ensure you take the time out and space you need with the right people around you when things get tough
    • What agents should be doing right now to level up for 2022, and why this year is not about the mantra of ‘hustle and grind’
    • Why industry professionals looking to enjoy a life outside of real estate need to get ‘really good at their job’ and tips on where they should start
    • How to re-embrace the joy of a real estate career and convey that to your market
    • Why agents need to engage on social media, how they can incorporate it into their processes, and what they need to do to
    • How to build a celebrity profile and then convert it into meaningful relationships with clients
    • Why it’s important to slow down occasionally in order to speed up and the things agents need to do to ensure they meet their goals
    • What Sherrie is up to next and the courses that have allowed agents to double and triple their income, with some even increasing it five-fold

    And much, much more  

    Links and resources mentioned
    • Courageous Conversations Episode 2
    • Million Dollar Agent
    • Real Women in Real Estate

    Sherrie on Elite Agent

    • How these agents quadrupled their earnings
    • Levelling up: How to grow from real estate agent to million dollar agent
    • Six great mastermind insights
    • Sherrie Storor’s mastermind clients finished EOFY having their best sales year ever

    Connect with Sherrie

    • Website
    • LinkedIn

    Connect with Leanne

    • Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
    • Laing + Simmons
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RWIRE 

    The post Courageous Conversations: Sherrie Storor on why the show must go on and how agents can achieve success without the hustle and grind appeared first on Elite Agent.

    26 min

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