All brokers want to know the answer to this age-old question: What makes one broker better than the next? If you ask us, it all boils down to something we like to call the broker’s rhythm. So the follow-up question is usually, “what is the broker’s rhythm?”
Is it their process?
The way they provide support to clients?
Could it be their knowledge and experience?
What about how they manage lead flow?
Or perhaps, they’re skilled at identifying the right prospective clients?
We’re not trying to be facetious, but there isn’t one simple answer — it could be many things! So, how can you choose the right areas to focus on and put your best broker foot forward? In this post, we’ll share our top three tips for finding your rhythm as a broker.
Before we dive in, It’s worth pointing out that finding your rhythm isn’t exclusive to brokers — these tips are helpful for bankers and loan writers, too! So, what is ‘your rhythm?’ We like to think of it as your daily routines, mindset, and behaviours that influence how you operate as a broker.
We want you to find a rhythm that comes as easy to you as breathing and powers your business growth. So start by looking at your daily routine; how do you work best? Choose when you will do administrative tasks, respond to calls and emails, or meet with prospective clients. Sticking to a consistent routine will help you manage your time, prevent burnout, and shape your rhythm.
Lead flow and relationship building are at the core of success in the mortgage broking industry. Whether talking about clients or other industry professionals, making new contacts, building trust and nurturing these relationships are essential parts of your broker rhythm.
Regardless of how you build these connections; networking events, social media, word-of-mouth, or email marketing, to name a few — the key is staying consistent. It’s not a one-time effort; it requires ongoing attention and effort. In doing so, you’ll create a network of trusted contacts and referral sources to keep bringing in more business.
From culture and recruitment tools to online calculators and third-party aggregators, technology has transformed our industry! We’ve chatted with countless guests on the LVR Podcast about leveraging tech to remove pain points and make it easier than ever to find your rhythm as a broker.
Now, it’s important to note that relying only on tech is not the answer. We, brokers, must remain proactive and engaged in the process and not take a backseat. The key is choosing the right technology that can streamline processes, enhance the client experience, and improve efficiency — blending the best of tech with a human touch is the perfect solution.
When you find your rhythm, you will find yourself; this is where the magic happens! Here is where you’ll find yourself on the metaphorical dancefloor instead of merely watching from the balcony.
“But what if I have two left feet?” you might say; our advice is to dance anyway and keep dancing until you feel comfortable. There’s wisdom in the saying, “dance like no one is watching,” after all.
Finding success means understanding who you are as a broker, what drives you and what makes you stand out. By discovering your broker rhythm, you can align your actions and decisions. Remember, people buy the broker, not the product. Your clients want a genuine, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic broker rather than someone simply going through the motions.
Say, wouldn’t it feel good if every part of your business hummed along smoothly? That your energy was spent on the things that make a difference to your business and attract your ideal clients to you? It’s possible! Ask us about our Proventus Program and discover your rhythm and beat.[vc_wp_text]
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Cybercrime has risen by 13% since 2019 and shows no sign of slowing down, so it’s time to get in the know about protecting your brokerage from cyber attacks.
Did you know that cyber attacks can cost your brokerage more than just money? They also threaten your intellectual property and put your clients’ data at risk, shattering client trust and damaging your brand’s reputation. Cyber attacks are no joke, so let’s take a look at some of the most common ones to look out for and how to safeguard yourself from them.
Phishing is the bane of the cyber world and can come in all shapes and forms, not just emails. Unfortunately, some messages are so well-written that they can be tricky to spot, but here are a few red flags to look out for:
You’ve likely heard the term ‘malware’ before, but what is it? In a nutshell, it’s malicious software used to sneak into your digital device and wreak havoc. Malware (sometimes referred to as a ‘bug’ or ‘virus’) can get into your device through dodgy email attachments, untrustworthy websites, or suspicious software downloads. The good news is that you can protect your brokerage by using anti-malware software and keeping your systems and software up to date with the latest security updates!
It’s also best to stay vigilant about the types of email attachments and websites you open from untrusted sources — you never know when a cybercriminal could be lurking.
Another typical cyber attack is ransomware, a virus that holds your files hostage by encrypting them and demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. Unfortunately, even if a cyber attack victim pays the ransom, that doesn’t guarantee that the attackers will provide the decryption key.
It’s best not to negotiate with criminals. Instead, protect your brokerage from ransomware attacks by keeping up with security updates and avoiding dodgy software, websites, and email attachments.
The bottom line is that no business is immune to cyber attacks, and chances are that your brokerage will encounter one at some stage — so it’s best to be prepared! Cyber protection insurance is designed to help protect you from the financial impact of computer hacking or a data breach (one less thing you need to worry about).
Think about the impact a cyber attack would have on your brokerage; you might need to close your business for a period of time while IT consultants recover and back up your data and upgrade your antivirus software — this would cause you to lose revenue. Or maybe a client is so upset they threaten to sue; you want to be covered. Cyber protection insurance helps you recover some of the costs and even claim damages to help get your brokerage through this difficult time.
Cyber attacks are inevitable in our digital world, so it’s best to be prepared. Take the time to get your team cyber attack savvy and make sure you have a solid plan in place to keep your brokerage safe. Remember to keep on top of security software updates (we know they take forever to install, but they’re worth it!), use antivirus software, and back up your files.
Be proactive with a cyber protection insurance plan by chatting with our friends at Matos Insurance Services — they’ll help you find a policy that suits your brokerage’s needs should you come under attack.
Listen up, brokers! Gifting is like a secret weapon for boosting client loyalty. When done right, it’s a surefire way to improve client relationships, show goodwill, lift your brand perception, and remind your clients that you care about them.
But not all gifts tick the box, and there are some major gifting faux pas you’re going to want to avoid. So, before you start swiping the business credit card, be sure to read our successful client gifting tips below.
A quick reminder that gifts aren’t about buying loyalty; they’re not a transaction. This isn’t the moment to market to your clients (or prospective clients) by covering a gift in your branding.
When choosing gifts that delight and provide your clients with genuine value, remember the golden rule: keep it clean (nothing in poor taste), keep it beautiful (lean into aesthetics), and keep it real (tangible is best).
“Keep it clean, keep it beautiful, keep it real.” — Ruan Burger.
Timing is everything. We recommend gifting when it’s least expected, like on a client’s anniversary with you, on their birthday, or perhaps for a major milestone. Choosing the right time adds that extra layer of magic and surprise, reinforcing to your client that you care about them outside of just doing business with them.
You know your clients best, so try to choose gifts that appeal to their individual interests. Say one client is a big foodie — a voucher for a new restaurant would go a long way. Or perhaps, they’re a golfing fanatic; how about some new personalised golf balls to make them stand out on the course?
Don’t be fooled; bigger isn’t always better. A small gift can be just as impactful as a big expensive one — it’s the thought that counts! If you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve added a few foolproof gifts that are always guaranteed to be a hit:
Now that you’ve chosen the right gift, it’s time to go the extra mile and add a personal touch. In our digital world, packed with emails and text messages, a personalised, hand-written note is the best way to show thoughtfulness and cut through the noise. We love the idea of including a hand-written message to make clients feel extra special and share extra context about why they’re receiving the gift.
While we’re on the topic of personalisation, we encourage you to spend the extra money to have your gift hand-delivered by a courier (ideally to your client’s workplace). Of course, this is a little self-indulgent, but having your clients open a thoughtful gift in front of their colleagues is great publicity for your brokerage — it’s a win-win.
Don’t make gifting a once-off, include it in your annual budget and look for opportunities to give regularly. Now, we’re not saying you need to shower your clients with gifts constantly — that would make you look a little desperate. Rather, we encourage you to find moments to sprinkle gifts throughout the year to show your appreciation to clients as they continue to work with you.
In short, gifts can be a powerful tool for boosting client loyalty (when done right)! We recommend giving thoughtful, personalised gifts that align with your client’s interests or values at a time that will surprise and delight them.
Gifting can help you to build stronger relationships and positive brand associations while keeping your clients coming back for more. At its core, gifting is about reminding clients they’re important to you and that you appreciate their business — it’s not a transaction but a value exchange. [vc_wp_text]
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No, that’s not a typo; 50 milliseconds (or 0.05 seconds) is all it takes — now that’s quick!
First impressions matter; if your brokerage website isn’t up to scratch, it could cost you new business. Below, we’ll break down four key factors you must consider when giving your brokerage website a makeover this new year.
Here’s the good news: more consumers are choosing to work with businesses that care about social impact. According to data from Sprout Social, 70% of consumers believe it’s essential for brands to stand behind social and political issues.
Why? Because 66% of those consumers believe brands have the power to make a real impact, and we agree. So, if your brokerage stands behind a worthy cause, your website is the perfect place to promote it. We’re living in the era of the ‘conscious consumer’, and people want to partner with brands focused on doing good, so don’t be afraid to draw attention to your cause.
Is the copy on your brokerage website relevant and engaging, or is it a total snoozefest? Does it speak to your target audience, reflect your brand personality, and concisely highlight your value? If you’re not answering these questions with a resounding ‘yes,’ then it’s time to revamp your website copy!
Great copy is about more than just pretty words; it’s about writing words that effectively communicate your brokerage’s offerings to your target audience. While striking a balance between storytelling and informational, your copy should also include relevant keywords to help boost your website’s SEO. Not sure that you’re up to the job? You might like to consider hiring a copywriter who’s skilled in turning your copy vision into a reality.
A quick refresher on branding: your brand is a summary of your business’ identity, or as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos likes to say, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
“Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” — Jeff Bezos
Just as your brokerage website should sound like you, it also needs to look like you. Does your brokerage website tell a cohesive story about your business and its values, or does it feel a little disconnected from your brokerage vision?
Here are a few key brand elements to review when giving your website a makeover:
Your contact page is one of your brokerage website's most valuable (and most-visited) pages, and it deserves to be treated as such. In terms of best practices, we’ve listed a few handy rules to make sure that you’re providing a simple, straightforward solution below:
In short, keep it simple and don’t make visitors jump through hoops to contact you. Be sure to provide an array of communication options so that people can feel comfortable in taking that next step to engage with your brokerage.
Alright, brokers, it’s over to you; let’s get that website makeover underway. Your brokerage website is essential to your marketing strategy and gaining new business in 2023, so make sure you give it the attention it deserves.
Are you looking for more tips on getting your new year off on the right foot? Check out our previous post on creating a sustainable routine for your brokerage.[vc_wp_text]
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Here are a few hard truths: around 81% of New Year’s Resolutions fail. Eight times out of 10, you’re more likely to fall back into old habits, and most people give up on new routines.
Why? Because change is hard.
We’re not saying this to demotivate or discourage you — quite the opposite. Our goal is to arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to form new habits and, more importantly, make sure they stick in this new year!
Whether you’re a broker or brokerage owner, keep reading to get our best tips on creating a sustainable routine in 2023.
For a new habit to become part of your routine, you must commit to it for at least 60 days, so it needs to be realistic and achievable — two things that we often forget when creating new routines but are essential for sustainability.
If you’re reading this and are starting to second-guess whether the goals you’ve set are a little overzealous, here are some new routine red flags to look out for:
Now that you know what to avoid when creating new routines, let’s get stuck into the good stuff. Keep reading (or jump ahead) for our tips on creating sustainable routines for brokers and brokerage owners.
It’s unsustainable and frankly unrealistic to expect 100% per cent of yourself every day — especially if you haven’t mastered your energy management. That’s why we advise our brokers to choose their ‘fighting days’.
We love a battle metaphor, but these days are when brokers commit to bringing their A-game each week. Start by choosing one or two days each week to be completely in the zone, distraction-free, and ready to kick some serious goals.
Does your new routine include spending more time with prospective clients? Then you’ll need to set realistic expectations to protect your time. We suggest comparing your ‘work with’ hours to your ‘work for’ hours to determine how much time you’re willing to spend with a prospect before billing them for your time.
Whether you decide it’s 45 minutes or an hour, set a time and stick to it at all costs. Of course, we encourage you to pour as much value as possible into your prospects during that time so that you can step back guilt-free and leave the ball in their court.
Nailing your elevator pitch is like gaining a superpower. You become unstoppable, and your potential for building connections is infinite. When you’re out in the world, say doing the weekly grocery shop or school pick-up, think ‘Carpe Diem’ (seize the day, or at least the opportunity). You never know who you’re talking to; after all, they could be a potential client.
We’re in the business of legacies. We’re changing lives. — Ruan Burger
People make your business go round, so look after them. Begin with your staff; check in with them regularly so you know how to set them up for success. Next, your clients. How can you better support and nurture them this year? What changes can you make to your customer success routines to enhance these relationships? Finally, your referrers; how will you thank them for their continued support?
As a brokerage owner, you have a vision for your business. You know where you are and where you’d like to go — but does your team? It goes without saying that your vision isn’t supposed to only live inside your head; it needs to be shared and stored somewhere accessible for everyone to review regularly.
From here, you’re able to provide a brokerage strategy to your staff, which is essentially a roadmap to success. To do this, we recommended reverse-engineering your vision. Take a look at our recent post on goal setting for more ideas on how to achieve success.
We encourage you to be generous with your knowledge and experience; this will help to inspire and get the best results from your team. Looking for more? The Broker Journal™ is your go-to guide for daily, weekly and monthly business growth. Filled with industry insights, activity sheets and handy tips, you’ll be equipped to create better routines, behaviours and outcomes for your business this year.[vc_wp_text]
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The bottom line: 2023 won’t be ‘business as usual,’ brokers will need to adjust their strategies to grow and achieve success. So, how can you get ready? We’re so glad you asked. In this post, we’ll show you five easy steps to set goals for your brokerage.
Every broker has a number they’d like to hit, be it financial or client count, but where does that number come from? Did they just conjure it out of thin air, or is it realistic and carefully determined?
Take a moment to reflect on where your business is currently at — is your broker number achievable? Of course, we want you to shoot for the stars, but if your goal isn’t realistic, it’s a surefire way to get discouraged and abandon your plans.
If you’re reading this thinking that your broker number might be more rooted in a dream than reality, it’s time to re-evaluate! But first, you’ll need to reverse-engineer that number to make sure it’s a SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goal and set yourself up for success.
Here’s a quick guide to setting a realistic broker number using the SMART goals method: “I want to gain 20 new clients by 30 July 2023.”
‘Busy’ is a word thrown around often these days, usually to describe intense periods of productivity. But, if you ask us, we’d say ‘active’ is a better word. Busy implies that you’ve got a lot on your place, you’re trying to keep multiple balls in the air, and you can’t focus on one task at a time.
Active, on the other hand, suggests that you know your limits, that you’re willing to ‘run so far’ and know which tasks will help you succeed. So when setting goals for your brokerage this year, get into an active mindset to hone in on the tasks that will help you achieve your goals.
We predict that 2023 will separate the great brokers from the mediocre ones. We’re entering a challenging environment, so we urge you to prioritise your clients! Let’s take a quick refresher course on the four pillars of client engagement:
Lead flow is the lifeblood of your business — are you maximising your opportunities? Pay special attention to leads that could be hiding in plain sight. Look beyond social media and email marketing to real-life interactions in 2023.
Have you made it easy for people to connect with you? Are you actively trying to build connections with clients and prospective leads? Review your current connection strategy and look for opportunities to improve.
We’ve seen a lot of tech solutions this year that are making brokers' lives a whole lot easier. Maybe you’re bogged down with administrative tasks, or you’re struggling to attract the right people to your team — there’s tech for that! Invest in the right solutions to streamline your processes.
Focus on maintaining relationships with your past clients, so they become loyal, raving fans! Build your review strategy by asking for testimonials from those you delivered excellent outcomes for — it doesn’t need to be awkward; chances are they’ll only be too happy to sing your praises.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure that you’re equipped to manage all of these pillars, never fear! Simply make it a goal to hire a coach so that you have the support you need to prioritise and achieve each of these pillars and kick your goals.
As we all know, time is the one commodity we can’t get enough of, so protecting yours is essential. Work out how much time you dedicate to prospective clients and how valuable that time is.
Remember, meeting with a client — even if they decide not to work with you — is never a waste! You’re building connections that can lead to referrals down the line, so it’s important to make sure you can give each prospect the time they deserve without spreading yourself thin.
Setting goals in 2023 isn’t just about your brokerage; it’s also about what you’d like to achieve in your family life. If 2022 wasn’t quite the work-life balance you had hoped for, now is the time to set some goals to improve.
We don’t try to hide how important we think the family plan is in this industry! As a broker, our work can be all-consuming, and your best chance at success depends on a supportive family. Below are just a few ideas you might like to consider:
Are you ready to set (and kick) goals in 2023? If you need a hand getting started or prioritising goals for your brokerage, we’re here to help. We’ll put you on the right growth program to help you have a successful year. [vc_wp_text]
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Now’s the time to review your broker strategy and choose which areas are a top priority — but where to start? For all the busy brokers out there who aren’t sure where to start, we’ve put together three tips to focus on this new year.
New leads are the lifeblood of your brokerage; it’s as simple as that. We believe focusing on your lead flow should be in your top three business priorities for 2023. Prospective leads are everywhere — you just need to know where to look.
Sure, you’ve covered your online bases through social media and email marketing but have you spotted the leads that could be hiding in plain sight? It’s easy to forget that the conversations and interactions we have in our daily lives — say, at the grocery store or school pick-up — are packed with potential.
Remember, any of these connections could lead to a word-of-mouth referral, so make sure you always keep your broker hat on and communicate with kindness and authenticity at every opportunity. People talk, so give them only good things to say about you.
An elevator pitch is an absolute must-have for your brokerage. It’s the perfect one-liner to tell potential clients (both online and in-person) what you do and why you’re better than the competition.
If you ask us, the best elevator pitches don’t use flashy words or complicated industry jargon. Instead, they’re concise and get to the point quickly. Let’s take a look at Apple’s 30-second elevator pitch on buying a Mac computer as an example:
“Easy to learn. Astoundingly powerful. And designed to let you work, play, and create in ways you never imagined. It’s the computer that comes packed with apps that are ready to go right out of the box. Free, regular software updates keep things up to date and running smoothly. And if you already have an iPhone, it feels familiar from the moment you turn it on.”
See? It’s that simple!
If you need a hand getting started, try answering these three questions to create the perfect elevator pitch for your brokerage:
This year, we encourage you to focus on making it easy for people to connect with you and to build your connections. Why? Because you will be creating advocates for yourself. The fact of the matter is that once people trust you, they’ll sell you to their network.
Did you know that a whopping 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their purchasing decisions? This isn’t an overly surprising statistic given our own buying behaviours. Think about your last investment or purchase — did you check the reviews? We bet you did.
Don’t be afraid to ask clients you’ve worked with if they saw value in your services; if it was worth their time, we have a hunch they’ll say ‘yes’. From here, your next move is to build your credibility by asking for a testimonial.
Getting into the ‘new year groove’ is all about creating a routine that helps you feel focused and energised. But, of course, sticking to a new routine is half the battle — that’s why we’ve done the hard work for you (you’re welcome).
The Broker Journal™ is your go-to guide for daily, weekly and monthly business growth. Packed with industry insights, activity sheets, and handy tips, you’ll be equipped to create better routines, behaviours, and outcomes for your business[vc_wp_text]
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If you’re vigorously nodding ‘yes’, don’t panic; ‘end-of-the-year fatigue’ is a legitimate phenomenon that tends to sneak up on all of us. After months of putting in the hard yards, it’s perfectly normal — if not expected — to hit a bit of a slump before the holidays; but we’re here to cheer you on to the finish line.
Take this time to reignite your spark, hone your broker strategy, and finish the year with a bang! Of course, we’re here to give you a hand, so we asked our founder, Ruan, to share a few nuggets of wisdom for staying motivated until the end of the year — here’s what he had to say.
We’re ‘glass half full’ people here at Success & Broker, though we bet you already knew. We believe that a positive mindset is a broker’s single best asset, not just before the holidays but all year round. So if you’re feeling a little disconnected and, dare we say, discontent right now, ask yourself what you love about your job.
What gets you excited and out of bed in the morning? Why did you decide to get into the broker business to begin with? Are you energised by building client relationships, or perhaps you love the adrenaline rush of delivering exceptional outcomes? Regain your passion by remembering your ‘why’. After all, the way you end this year could be the way you start next year, so keep your business (and your mindset) in gear!
The way you end this year could be the way you start next year.
Reminder: this month is not a ‘throw-away’ — it counts. Now is the time to focus on your broker strategy and realign with your vision. If you could do this year over, what would you change? While it’s true that we can’t change the past, we can always influence our future, so what would that look like for you?
We recommend making a list of your wins and losses (although we like to call them ‘learnings’) this year so that you can make the next even bigger and better! Carving out time for end-of-the-year reflections and strategy planning is a surefire way to recharge your batteries and get excited for what’s ahead.
Some brokers like to take it one step further and book a State of Play strategy session with us this time of the year. In these sessions, we deep dive into your existing strategy and business vision, and tackle growth and development. Feel free to get in touch if you think you’d benefit from a session.
We can’t change the past, but we can always influence our future.
The countdown is on; you’re so close to that well-deserved break!
Give yourself permission to start getting excited about your impending time off — you’ve earned it. Think about how you plan to spend time with your nearest and dearest these holidays; will you organise outings or stay in?
Why not get into the festive spirit, however that might look for you? Whether you’re all about blaring Christmas carols into your headphones, setting up an advent calendar, or decorating your office space, having fun with the ‘silly season’ can make your final days at work all the more enjoyable.
In just a few short weeks, this year will be done and dusted; we know that you have the grit and endurance to make this time count and finish the year proud. If you’re looking for more motivation tips heading into the new year, check out our previous post: How to Stay Motivated In A Challenging Market. Here, we cover self and client motivation and maintaining a healthy mindset. [vc_wp_text]
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If you’re unsure where to start — we’ve got you covered. Our tips will help you take care of general housekeeping, prioritise family time, manage working over the break, and alleviate any pesky, unnecessary vacation guilt.
Let’s go!
Before your brain switches into ‘holiday mode’, we highly recommend taking care of your brokerage’s practical considerations. Are you tempted to leave this task until the final hour? Trust us, it’s a recipe for disaster!
Think about it; many of our day-to-day operations are automated or are performed on auto-pilot, so we don’t give them much thought. Typically, that’s a brilliant, time-saving thing, but we can forget simple (but essential) details when stepping away for a break.
We recommend writing a Christmas closure checklist so that you can take a break with confidence. We’ve jotted down a few tasks below to get you started.
An end-of-year wrap-up email is a perfect way to connect with your clients before closing for Christmas. You can share client highlights, business wins, or tips for the year ahead. Of course, this is also an excellent opportunity to remind your clients that you’ll be stepping away for a break and when they can expect your return.
This is a common culprit around the holidays; just because your current clients are in the know about your holiday plans, that doesn’t mean prospective ones are. Don’t forget to update your brokerage’s trading hours on your website, Google, social media — and anywhere else they’re listed!
Is there anything more frustrating than sending multiple emails and receiving zero replies? You’d be surprised how many people forget to set up an email office reminder. We get it – you’re eager to kick-start the holidays, but don’t forget this important step! Include a friendly message that details when people can expect to hear from you — it’s all about managing expectations.
Finally, just because you’re taking a break doesn’t mean that your blog or social media channels have to. In fact, keeping your brokerage front of mind throughout the holidays is important for brand awareness and bringing in new business. Be sure to leverage content channels or third-party platforms to schedule your content marketing over the holidays.
One of our favourite ways to prepare for Christmas closure is by taking stock of the year that was. What did we set out to achieve? Did we do it? How can we make next year even bigger and better?
Think of this as your New Year’s resolution prelude.
Before you can set new goals, you need to reflect on your brokerage journey and decide where you’d like to go — personally and professionally. At Success & Broker, we’re big fans of an ‘always learning, always growing’ mindset and have enjoyed working with many like-minded brokers this year in our Proventus Program and The Broker Bootcamp. Check out our services if you’re considering ramping up your broker skills in the new year.
Okay, if you decide that you really have to work in some capacity over the holidays, you need a game plan — we call this a ‘fighting day.’ This is the day (or days) that you get in the zone and tackle whatever it is that you need to do efficiently. Rather than working ‘here and there’ over multiple days, on ‘fighting days’, you bring your A-game, commit, and get it done.
We’ve written in detail on the blog about the family plan and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to avoid broker burnout; that’s why fighting days matter. If it’s not a fighting day, you are 100% committed — both mentally and physically — to your family.
We encourage you to use this time to check in with your family, organise outings, and gather with your loved ones. Recharging your batteries by doing the things you love with the people you love is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success next year.
We wish we didn’t need to say this, but sometimes a reminder is necessary for our ‘hustle culture’ society. You’re entitled to a holiday, and it’s not something you should feel guilty about. Remember, most businesses will take a break this time of year — even banks will be working with a skeleton crew.
You’re not missing out or slacking off by taking time out; in fact, studies show that extended leave from work is critical for your long-term health and productivity! Those who take holidays have lower stress, less risk of heart attacks, a better outlook on life and more motivation to tackle goals — need we go on?
Alright, folks, it’s time to start preparing your brokerage for Christmas closure! We hope you feel empowered to set yourself up for a successful end-of-year wind-down; if you have more tips, we’d love to hear from you. But for now, we’ll leave you with the key takeaways from this post:
You’ve probably heard of a little something called the Great Resignation — also known as the ‘Big Quit’ or the ‘Great Shuffle.’ It’s a post-pandemic phenomenon that has seen record numbers of employees voluntarily resign from their jobs in the last year.
It’s a big deal.
In Australia alone, one million people have quit their jobs, and 44% of workers say they are searching for a new job. These are record numbers that the world has not seen in over a decade — so why the shift? The pandemic has been an eye-opener in many ways, causing us to rethink our careers and the role that work plays in our lives.
Now that the dust has settled, we are searching for meaning and purpose. We want to know that what we do matters and that we are a part of a workplace culture that aligns with our values. Any business on the hunt for new talent will need to keep this front of mind if they hope to attract the best!
In this post, we will explore how workplace culture can play a key role in boosting your brokerage’s recruitment efforts.
While some industries — such as healthcare and hospitality — have been hit harder by the Great Resignation, mortgage broking hasn’t gone unscathed. For many businesses, this is the first time they’ve experienced this kind of reshuffle, and we’ve reached a pivotal moment. So how will you stand out in a job seeker’s market? If you ask us, it all comes down to culture.
Look at any job advertisement, and you will notice that everyone says workplace culture is essential, but few reflect accordingly — go figure! The issue is that ‘culture’ is a difficult term to nail down; we all have different ideas of what it is and how it should look in action.
At Success & Broker, we believe that good standards build a good workplace culture. For us, that means everyone shows up, shares knowledge, and commits. Clearly defining our norms and striving to meet our standards creates an excellent platform for building a positive and healthy workplace culture.
Without understanding and promoting culture, your recruitment efforts are going to struggle. People seek to be happy in life and the workplace, so for us, it’s important to make sure that all staff know what happiness is for the business — this is especially important for recruitment.
“It's important to make sure that all staff know what happiness is for the business.”
The bottom line? Finding the right people for the right role is just the beginning. Retaining excellent team members, improving the culture and investing in your team’s learning and development are some of the goals you should be looking to achieve.
In episode 24 of the LVR Podcast, we spoke to special guest Paul Findlay — CEO and Founder of REACH Ecosystems, about the struggles of attraction and retention in the broker business. The goal is to build a team that loves what they do and adds value to your business daily, but finding the right people isn’t always a walk in the park.
Enter REACH: an automated and data-led capability and culture platform that is designed to help you find the right person for the job — not just from a skills perspective but in terms of culture fit, too!
While REACH offers a host of handy platform features, one that really caught our attention is culture surveys. This tool can gather a tonne of feedback on how engaged and content the team are feeling within their roles and toward the business. We know REACH will be a game-changer for our industry. That is why we are excited to be working closely with Paul and the team as we enter the next phase of growth at Success & Broker.
Another key way to boost your recruitment efforts is through database recruitment — have you heard of it? It’s exactly what it sounds like: leveraging your list of contacts to search for a new hire. Personally, we can not think of a better way to recruit. In fact, many of our clients have tested it out and say they are now reaping the rewards.
So, why does this method of recruitment work so well? We think it’s because trust is a two-way street, and database recruitment reinforces that by communicating to your tribe (the people who know and trust your business), you trust them to help find your next stellar team member.
Not only will your clients feel respected and proud to be included in your recruitment journey, but it’s also a handy way to communicate that your business is growing — a message that tends to be best shared when wrapped up in another.
Are you looking for ways to improve your workplace culture and improve your recruitment prospects? Explore our Proventus coaching program to learn how you can build customised strategies and tactics, create a future-proof business plan, and diversify your offerings.
