- “As the team at One Agency heads into the annual holiday season we reflect on another record-breaking year of growth both in New Zealand and Australia, which in itself is reason for celebration,” says John Stewart, Head of Australasian Membership. “What is even more gratifying is to have witnessed the individual growth of existing members’ businesses for what in in many markets has been a very challenging year.”
2016 has seen more franchise offices and leading agents from major brands joining One Agency in larger numbers than at any stage in the disruptor’s eight year history. “This is a direct reflection of the strong foundation of the brand, simplicity of operation, outstanding marketing collateral and above all, a business model that is unmatched in leaving more gross income in the hands of the business owner,” he says.
“The latter trend is still gathering pace as the year draws to an end, with many newcomers commenting on a desire to manage their own destiny and, if indeed, as pundits suggest, their market is going to slow in the coming year, they will need to seek a larger share of sale income.”
For existing One Agency members, 2016 saw the bedding down of a new state-of-the-art website, branding collateral updates and range expansion, additional print material templates, engagement with major off-shore websites and enhanced levels of support from industry suppliers and service providers. In addition the brand has seen a simplification of promotional item purchasing and at the end of November, the group’s first International Awards Dinner in Sydney, enjoyed by over 150 guests and industry sponsors from both sides of the Tasman.
For prospective members, 2016 saw quicker access to more detailed brand and business model information delivered through the launch of a private information site along with the digital delivery of membership details.
Throughout the year, One Agency engaged with more agents, property managers and real estate business owners via press releases and new member introductions on the widely read REB On-line industry site, augmented later in the year with New Zealand site, Property Noise.
“We are so busy responding to enquiry that there’s been absolutely no time to chase new members, as most other brands must do to keep their businesses growing,” says Mr.Stewart.
“There are choices aplenty out there for aspiring real estate business owners, but the model developed by Paul and Annie Davies, almost a decade ago, continues to strike such a chord with aspirants that we are the fastest growing network in Australasia,” he says.
“That said, we’re not hung up on numbers, but are absolutely focused on keeping the model pure and ensure that our members receive outstanding branding and advertising collateral, access to leading tools and above all, are fiscally sound, irrespective of market conditions,” says Mr.Stewart. “Paul is renowned across both countries for this simple but telling line; ‘In a real estate office, as in any business, it’s not what you make, it’s what you retain that matters!’ and we live by that mantra in every decision we make on behalf of our members.”
“As Founder and CEO, Paul Davies regularly reminds us, the better the weekly, monthly and annual results our members enjoy, when coupled with simplicity of operation, will inevitably result in a sustainable, stable network. What that means for us at a corporate level is that we can focus our energies on developing even more outstanding tools and marketing material, along with welcoming more new members,” he added.
A direct result of that focus was the inclusion of One Agency in the 2016 BRW Fast 100 list, recognising the company as one of the 100 fastest growing businesses in Australia.
John Stewart believes that 2017 is already showing signs of becoming yet another record year of growth for One Agency.
