After being with RealNet Holdings for nearly nine years, I joined Remax Southern Africa at the beginning of August 2015. During my years at RealNet as well as at RE/MAX I have continuously proven my exceptional sales, business development and client relations skills by successfully managing the performance and activities of the RealNet and RE/MAX franchises, as well as establishing and growing new franchises nationwide. As an industry expert I presented monthly workshops at the South African Franchise Warehouse, as well as advising prospective franchisees at the annual Franchise Association of South Africa. Since joining RE/MAX I also became responsible for presenting the initial management training to all new Franchisees and Managers nationally. I believe that the foundation of success lies in building solid business relationships, in motivating and empowering people to reach their full potential and to create balanced team dynamics.

I am responsible for expanding the national franchise network and all activities related to the franchise sales, start-up and revenue growth of new as well as existing franchises. With franchise sales, my duties include identifying of suitable prospective franchisees, conducting of sales pitches, presentations and follow-up meetings with prospective franchisees, negotiating of joining fees, developing and signing of franchise agreements and providing continuous support and advice to start-up operations to ensure profit growth and sustainability.Revenue or market share growth include planning and forecasting business growth and risk management, marketing of franchise services, implementing public relations and strategic communication initiatives as well as the provision of strategic direction for brand and franchise developmentThe skills I developed during this time was to be proactive in responding to changing market dynamics in challenging economic conditions and the ability to quickly adapt strategies to the current environment and regional needs.

My role broadly consisted of providing general advice and support to our franchise offices and franchisees in the Gauteng, Free State and Northern Cape regions as well as to ensure the profitability of each region. With regards to the franchise offices, my duties included providing strategic business advice to the franchises on operational standards, territory management as well as facilitating the HR and recruitment process for the appointment of new agents. On a regional level, I was also responsible for presenting training sessions to all new and existing agents, hosting and coordinating of all regional award events etc, as well as securing sponsorship for these events. The skills I developed during these six years included franchise sales, training and development, personal and professional leadership, events management as well as Human Resource Development (HRD) as well as Financial Planning, Management and Analysis (FPM&A)

I completed the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) certificate in 2003 and started at Flora Estates in January 2004, where I very quickly learned all aspects of the real estate industry. I realised that my biggest strength and skills lay in cultivating the sales process through relationship management – both for the client and for the agents in the sales team.After working at Flora Estates for only ten months the owner of the company made me acting manager for all agents while she was out of the office for two months. I joined Dumon Properties during June 2005, where I was primarily responsible for the sales of new residential developments. My duties included planning and executing of marketing strategies to secure interest in the developments This incorporates off-plan marketing as well as advising clients on the layout and design of building plans.The skills I developed during this time was matching client needs and expectations to products, sales pitching as well as the ability to sell off-plan developments.

I learned a wide range of business skills while managing our family farm and a team of 20 farm practitioners for approximately five years. My duties included planning and directing all aspects of farming operations and equipment, preparing farming reports, documentation and managing records, implementing modern production techniques and providing training to the farm practitioners as well as evaluating the environmental effects of farming activities and employing methods to minimise risk.

This position entailed strengthening relationships with media outlets in line with achieving the strategic goals of the organisation. My duties mainly included developing and maintaining close media relations, media monitoring, coordinating and supervising media events as well as developing communication material including press releases, fact sheets and media briefing notes The skills I developed during this time were public relations, events management, and corporate communication policies and procedures.