Thought Leaders – Real Estate Re-imagined (formerly The Elevate Podcast)

Sabri Suby is a serial entrepreneur who runs one of Australia’s fastest growing end-to-end digital marketing agencies King Kong. Having originally founded the company in 2014 from his bedroom, in under five years he has successfully built a blue chip clientele, many of them in the real estate industry. Having just released a book “Sell like Crazy,” Sabri joins us on the podcast to talk all things digital marketing in real estate – with some great tips – for staying in touch with customers in a slower market. Today, you’ll discover Sabri’s go to tactics for digital marketing including some tips to take your engagement and open rate through the roof. “Email is the biggest driver for me in my business. So it drives more revenue for my business than all of my other advertising channels combined” – Sabri Suby Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER Some topics that were discussed include: How Sabri went from his bedroom to creating a 14 million dollar business Why ‘selfish marketing’ is out Why you should be doubling down on email marketing Getting personal in your email marketing How to get consumers to raise their hand to say “Yes, I am in the market” The four per cent of your activities that result in 64 per cent of the output Audit your time, increase your revenue When to use Facebook and when to use Google advertising Giving consumers what they want when they want it Contact Sabri Suby King Kong Sabri on LinkedIn References & links mentioned Sell like Crazy – (Sabri’s book) Subscribe and Review The Elevate Podcast Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of the Elevate Podcast! If the information shared in these weekly conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review, which will help us continue to deliver the best content we can to help business owners and real estate professionals just like you! To subscribe on iTunes, click here. To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.

“Leadership can be hard and sometimes it can feel quite lonely as a new leader… But you don’t always need to know the answer or be the one making all the decisions.” In this week’s edition of The Leadership Diaries, our special guest is Head of Connectnow, Melanie Laing.Melanie (Mel) boasts an impressive resume as a leader, having held senior roles AGL and HSBC – and learned from one of the best in Jack Welch during her time at GE. In this episode, she, of course, gave Sam the scoop on some of Connectnow’s exciting new developments. But in addition to that Mel also gave us a very frank and honest account of how she balances a senior leadership role in a big corporate while balancing her other important leadership role as a Mum. In this podcast we cover: What Mel’s career has looked like to date. The biggest focus for Connectnow at the moment What consumers want Why process makes perfect Balancing a demanding leadership role with the needs of a family Lessons learned from an extensive career as a leader. Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest:Melanie Laing SHOW NOTES / LINKS 02:11  Getting to know Melanie Laing and her role at Connectnow03:46  Digital transformation and why it’s the biggest focus for Connectnow at the moment05:41  Lessons learned from working under Jack Welch at GE THE LEADERSHIP DIARIES07:00  What the New Zealand gymnastics squad taught Melanie about leadership08:55  Hectic – the morning routine of a working mum with a young family09:54  The secret to departmentalising family responsibilities while holding a high-powered corporate position10:33  What Mel learned from her Dad and his leadership12:16  Taking a page out of Jacinda Ardern’s book13:16  Why ‘tenacity’ is the quality Mel reveres most in a leader14:16  Leave your ego at the door14:53  How do you wow your customers?15:48  Leading by example – nurturing strong leadership skills starts at home16:43  Why Mel thinks ‘follow your passion’ is the worst piece of advice she often hears.

“A lot of real estate agents operate from home… You could have a very adequate protection mechanism in the office but if you haven’t got that same level of protection at home, that’s where e-mails can be hacked.” In this week’s edition of the Elevate podcast, Samantha McLean sat down with InfoTrack General Manager of Product and Innovation, Lee Bailie. Real Estate professionals are a target for cybercriminals due to the value of the transactions involved. But while there are some sizeable risks, there are also ways to differentiate your agency and secure more listings if you get it right. In this podcast we cover: Cyber threats facing the real estate industry The avatar of a hacker Three examples of everyday agents getting scammed, and lessons learned What is Securexchange and how can it keep you safe Demystifying electronic transactions. Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guests:Lee Bailie SHOW NOTES / LINKS 02:33  The biggest cyber threats facing real estate businesses right now04:01   Lee explains how easy it can be for emails to be hacked05:03   How sophistication of hackers has reached a new level06:39  Three cases of everyday real estate agents being scammed and lessons learned09:14  The recourse if someone were to infiltrate an agent’s emails and a buyer or seller is robbed of a large sum of money 10:38  What is Securexchange and what does it do?15:21  How Securexchange can speed up the process of completing a transaction16:21  What about property management?16:54  Lee gives us the scoop on some of the new things InfoTrack are working on21:46  Demystifying the legality of electronic signatures23:11  Lee’s take-home message.   ABOUT SECUREXCHANGE Securexchange is a complimentary, protected website which allows agents and buyers to communicate and arrange deposit transfers in a safe environment, speeding up the process of buying and selling homes as a result. Sign up for your free account here.

“All the buyers and sellers in the market at the moment are the most informed buyers in the history of real estate and the most informed sellers in the history of real estate… What you’ve got to do when the market is like this is be creative and transparent.” In this week’s edition of The Leadership Diaries, Samantha McLean sat down with First National Byron Bay Principal Chris Hanley OAM. Chris had just come back from New Zealand soon after the Christchurch attacks and in this podcast Chris talks about what’s happening with the RISE conference, the 80/20 rule in real estate, effective delegation and how you might plan for a crisis in your business should one occur. For tickets to RISE visit riseconference.com.au. All proceeds will go to the victims of the Christchurch attacks and their families. In this podcast we cover: The RISE Conference Staying at the top in the current market Chris’ predictions for the next 12 months Lessons learned from past cycles Chris’ number one lesson for listeners. Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest: Chris Hanley SHOW NOTES / LINKS 03:28  The recent attacks in Christchurch and what compelled Chris to organize the RISE Conference05:29  The secret to staying a top office given the current market conditions06:49  Preparing for the next 12 months08:49  What to remember when things get tough10:24  Why you need to tell the truth to be successful in this market12:32  Where leaders can help young sales people in this market14:01  Advice for people having conversations with buyers15:25  If the economy were to correct based on interest rates or the election… Here’s what Chris would do18:06  How you might maximise the current market opportunity – why Chris believes good offices will gain market share. THE LEADERSHIP DIARIES20:19  Chris’ first job selling papers and the ‘assumptive’ close21:19  What Chris does to get himself in the right mindset in the morning22:01  What has inspired Chris in his leadership journey and where great ideas come from in his business23:37  Why Chris asks candidates what they learned from their mother in the job interview24:20  What is ‘sisu’, and why is it important for leaders25:48  Why culture is ‘caught not taught’26:31  The worst advice Chris has ever heard given to new people in the industry27:21  There is a prosperous, profitable and happy way to work in a hard market.

“If you’re a good agent or a good person doing your very best in your industry, just record that… It’s not hard to create content when you’re the content all day, every day.” In this week’s edition of the Elevate podcast, Samantha McLean catches up with the boys from Agency Central, Adam Bryant and Bobby Reynolds. Adam and Bobby share their real estate journey so far, how they have built their digital brand from scratch, and how they have built a successful podcast and why authenticity matters more than perfection. In this podcast we cover: How the boys found themselves in real estate The birth of Agency Central Building a social media presence Creative prospecting both online and offline The future for Agency Central. Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guests: Adam Bryant and Bobby Reynolds SHOW NOTES / LINKS 02:10  Meet Adam and Bobby03:12  Personal trainers, ‘beer pong’ and transferable skills05:06  The birth of Agency Central and how having creative freedom has inspired growth07:17  Going out on their own – what was it like?07:40  How getting to know the community face to face was key to building the brand09:17  When you have no database, what do you do?11:01  Agency Central’s three social media tenets – education, entertainment and social proof13:07  The power of vulnerability and the power of authenticity13:51  Behind The Suits – why Adam and Bobby started a podcast for consumers interested in real estate, and how it’s different to other real estate podcasts out there16:21  Becoming a media company and why you can’t let perfection stop progress18:00  Where the content ideas come from and how you can create content without even trying21.46  How Adam and Bobby have built authority with the podcast23:17  What’s next for Agency Central?  

“I look at ‘connecting’ as about meeting other people and being in the same room as greatness… I think there is an opportunity in that physical and energetic space to change your life.” In this week’s edition of the Elevate podcast, it’s a warm welcome back to John McGrath. Samantha McLean caught up with John to talk about this year’s AREC conference, winning in the current market, the future and what’s changed since he wrote the classic You Inc. back in 2003. In this podcast we cover: The number one skill all agents need to have right now AREC 2019 and who not to miss Initiating courageous conversations The future of real estate John’s take home message Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest: John McGrath SHOW NOTES / LINKS 02:00   A review of the last 12 months04:05  The number one skill all agents need to have right now06:50  John’s view of the role of the agent07:22  The theme for AREC 201909:45  Why disease of “when” will hold you back10:20  This current market is a gift10:41  Barbara Corcoran’s story13:09  James Clear and the science of success14:24  How to have courageous conversations15:50  Every vendor deserves to hear the truth16:14  When will John speak at AREC again?16:44  Technology in real estate is now a non-negotiable18:53  Real estate is a simple product19:47  The consumer of the future22:40  A look back at You Inc and the habits you needed to turbocharge your business in 2003 vs now24:55  John’s take home message. NB – if you would like to see a short video that John McGrath did for our Transform class of 2019, join our new community.  

“I’m an absolute optimist and the one message I would love to leave for everybody is … stay the course, we are in this together. My view is that we have a symbiotic relationship with our customers both REA and agents and together I think we’re going to succeed long past this cycle has become history.” In this week’s special edition of The Leadership Diaries, Samantha McLean sat down exclusively with REA Group’s CEO, Owen Wilson. With the industry at a cross-roads of market forces and disruption from other players, Owen shares his immediate goals for REA Group, where he sees the opportunities for growth in the industry and what the future might look like. He also shares some of his best advice for leaders and aspiring leaders. In this podcast we cover: Owen’s journey to the CEO position challenges and opportunities for the industry the value of the customer experience and the role of technology lessons on leadership the future of the real estate industry Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest: Owen Wilson SHOW NOTES / LINKS 01:47  Getting to know Owen, the new CEO of REA Group03:40  Owen’s proudest achievements at REA so far04:36  Owen’s goals for the year06:14  Challenges and opportunities facing the industry now and in the future07:54  Where Owen sees REA’s role in the industry moving forward09:29  The new benefits of hyperlocal in today’s market THE LEADERSHIP DIARIES10:07  Owen’s first job, selling lemons and mowing lawns11:21  Owen’s hour of power12:08  Tips on time management and productivity13:54  The power of the consumer experience14:46  People who have inspired Owen15:57  Why Feedback is a gift16:35  Staying up to speed in an evolving industry18:01  Owen’s personal leadership style and his advice to first time leaders19:14  What leadership at home looks like19:39  The future of real estate21:05  The one thing he’d like you to remember.

“When the buying urge strikes and you have someone who’s decided they’re going to do something, you don’t want a time gap. Giving someone the ability to act on that urge when they have it is extraordinarily powerful, and gets even more powerful in a market that tightens up.” In this week’s edition of the Elevate podcast, Samantha McLean catches up AREAs 2018 Award Winner for Game Changer of the Year David Stewart. David is both an agent and business owner with more than 20 years experience as well as the brains behind Market Buy, an online offer management system that is making it as easy for consumers to buy houses  – just like they’re buying their groceries! On my last trip to Melbourne, I sought out David to find out more about the product, how it’s helping agents in a tighter market and what’s on the innovation radar for the future. In this podcast we cover: what Market Buy is and how to use it how it can help agents in a tightening market allowing consumers to ‘bid’ on property when they want to (day or night!) how Market Buy is different to auction, and how David works with auctioneers in his own business the future of Market Buy Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest: David Stewart SHOW NOTES / LINKS 01:50  Getting to know Dave  and the inspiration behind Market Buy04:41  A quick rundown of Market Buy and how to use it07:33  An anecdote about a buyer purchasing a property while shopping for groceries thanks to Market Buy08:48  Keeping everyone in the loop without thousands of phone calls09:42  Placing an offer for a home at 2:30am (or how Market Buy may have saved a relationship!)10:24  When the buying urge strikes…11:24  How Market Buy can help agents in a tightening market12:46  Creating a sense of urgency13:35  How Market Buy operates within the framework of the auction system14:57  Agencies creating their own branding around the Market Buy tool17:01  Dave’s recommendation on how to use the product19:17  Integrating with other software20:29  The real superpower behind Market Buy and why it’s been praised so widely22:34  The future for Market Buy24:55  How to get in contact with Dave. Notes: David Stewart is also a Transform/19 coach (he will be going deeper into some of these topics during our 30 day challenge. To find out more about that click here.

“We’re looking to support property managers and the industry to have a voice in rethinking what customisation might look like and what a new rental experience might look like…” In this week’s edition of the Elevate podcast, realestate.com.au’s General Manager of Rent, Kul Singh joins Samantha McLean to analyse landlord habits that may surprise you, share his tips on how you can stand out as the go-to property manager of choice and he also gave us an exclusive look into The Real Ideas Prize. realestate.com.au’s groundbreaking new competition that aims to re imagine the rental experience with $100,000 in prizes up for grabs! In this podcast we cover: trends in the rent space how to stand out as the PM of choice customisation and giving landlords a choice in service levels The Real Ideas Prize what’s coming up in the rental space for realestate.com.au Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest: Kul Singh SHOW NOTES / LINKS 01:45   Getting to know Kul Singh02:20   Peaks and trends in the rental market04:29   What landlords really want06:13   Is it all about fees?08:08   Customisation and choice in the rent space10:23   The Real Ideas Prize14:25   Entry dates and a top tip from one of the Prize judges15:34   What’s on the horizon in the rental space for realestate.com.au  

“You’ll find that it’s all about content that agents, that are doing a lot of deals, are actually using in the marketplace. We don’t have these polished speakers that are going to try and have a tear come out of your eye. These people here are going to tell you what they do, how they do it, when they do it, why they do it…” In this week’s edition of the Elevate podcast as part of our series, The Leadership Diaries, Samantha McLean meets with real estate coach Tom Panos about AREC 2019. The two-day extravaganza is not far away and as host of this year’s event, we welcomed Tom into the studio to give us the inside scoop of what you can expect from the event happening on the Gold Coast. As you’ll hear in this episode, you won’t want to miss getting yourself to AREC 2019. Our premium subscribers are getting $410 off their tickets, and you can be one of them. Join here. ​​ In this podcast we cover: what the best agents around the world are doing effective social media use the AREC 2019 speaker line up how to get the most out of this year’s event Tom’s leadership tips. Want more from this episode? Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber JOIN COMMUNITY (FREE!) BECOME A SUBSCRIBER To subscribe on iTunes, click here.To subscribe on Stitcher, click here.Episode host: Samantha McLeanSpecial guest: Tom Panos SHOW NOTES / LINKS 02:04   What the best agents in the world are doing03:08   The 80/ 20 rule and how to apply it to today’s market04:44   Changes in the industry during Tom’s 31 years in real estate06:17   The big divide and effective social media use08:10   What good agents are doing on auction day10:25   Who took look out for at AREC 2019  including James Clear who wrote the book Atomic Habits18:44   Why change is hard and what to do about it22:05   Systems drive people’s lives whether you like it or not. THE LEADERSHIP DIARIES23:25  Tom’s magical first job24:48   Where he’s at right now in life25:24   Why as a leader you get what you tolerate26:11   Life lessons and black swan moments27:32   The worst leadership advice Tom’s ever heard28:13   A final message from Tom.