Your Team is Your Family: Scaling a Team of Happy, Productive Agents

TL;DR

Jeff and Liz Johnson share insights on building a successful real estate team.

Transcript

hey welcome back to the team builder show today it is my privilege to talk to liz and jeff johnson their team up in toronto had a monster 2021 251 closed transactions 254 million dollars in volume so you can probably figure out the average sales price and they've got 22 agents and nine teammates on their business team today what i want to unpack is... Read More

Key Insights

• Jeff and Liz Johnson have built a successful real estate team in Toronto with 22 agents and 9 support staff, emphasizing a family-like culture.
• Their previous entrepreneurial experiences in different industries contributed to their understanding of business systems and scalability.
• Hiring the right administrative staff was crucial for their growth, allowing them to focus on sales and client relationships.
• They believe in empowering their agents by providing comprehensive training and support, including personalized 90-day plans.
• A client care specialist plays a key role in maintaining strong relationships with past clients, contributing to repeat business and referrals.
• Their marketing manager handles social media, video content, and direct mail, significantly enhancing their brand presence.
• Creating a positive team culture with regular bonding activities and open communication has been essential for low turnover.
• Looking forward, they aim to expand their operations with additional offices and possibly explore opportunities in the U.S.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the key roles in Jeff and Liz Johnson's real estate team?

The key roles in their team include 22 sales agents and 9 support staff, which consist of a client care specialist, marketing manager, office manager, junior and senior admin, and sales and training managers. These roles are designed to support the agents and enhance their productivity and client service.

Q: How do Jeff and Liz Johnson maintain low turnover in their team?

They maintain low turnover by treating their team as family, providing comprehensive training and support, and creating a positive culture with regular bonding activities. They also focus on personalized 90-day plans for each agent, ensuring that their goals are aligned and supported.

Q: What role does the client care specialist play in their team?

The client care specialist maintains strong relationships with past clients by making regular check-in calls, organizing gestures like sending flowers, and ensuring client satisfaction. This role is crucial for generating repeat business and referrals, contributing to the team's overall success.

Q: How does the marketing manager contribute to the team's success?

The marketing manager handles social media, video content, and direct mail campaigns, significantly enhancing the team's brand presence. They also work on email campaigns for internet leads and recruiting, contributing to the team's growth and visibility in the market.

Q: What are Jeff and Liz Johnson's future plans for their real estate team?

Their future plans include expanding their operations to reach 1,000 units, establishing additional offices, and exploring opportunities in the U.S. They aim to maintain their family-like culture while scaling the business to new heights.

Q: How do Jeff and Liz Johnson support their agents' growth and development?

They support their agents by providing personalized 90-day plans, regular training sessions, and mentoring. They focus on empowering agents with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed while removing obstacles that could hinder their productivity.

Q: What is the significance of having a separate office space for their team?

Having a separate office space has allowed them to create a dedicated environment for their team, fostering a sense of ownership and community. It provides the necessary facilities for training, meetings, and social activities, enhancing the team's cohesion and effectiveness.

Q: What challenges did Jeff and Liz face in building their team, and how did they overcome them?

One challenge was hiring the right administrative staff, which they overcame by finding a rock star assistant who significantly improved their operations. They also faced hesitations about spending on marketing roles, but hiring a marketing manager proved to be a game-changer for their brand presence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jeff and Liz Johnson have created a successful real estate team in Toronto by treating their team as family, resulting in low turnover. They emphasize the importance of hiring the right administrative staff and empowering agents with training and support.

• Their previous entrepreneurial experiences have contributed to their understanding of business systems and scalability, allowing them to build a team of 22 agents and 9 support staff. A client care specialist plays a key role in maintaining strong client relationships.

• The Johnsons plan to expand their operations, with goals of reaching 1,000 units and establishing additional offices. They focus on creating a positive team culture with regular bonding activities and open communication.