10 Keys to Setting up Your Real Estate Team
There are so many sayings proving the importance of teamwork: “strength in numbers” or “divide and conquer,” even “two heads are better than one.” They make good points. No matter how good you are as an individual, you could always be even better with a really good team at your side. In real estate, a strong team is essential to growing your business and increasing the number of deals you are able to close.
1. Figure out what Kind of Team you Want
The first step to building a team that works for you is to really think about what you want in a team. Have a clear picture of the types of people you want on your team, how you want it structured, and what roles people will have before you jump into hiring. Know your brand so that you can find people who fit into that brand. That way it’s easier to find the perfect people to complete your vision for a perfect team.
2. Hire as the Need Arises
Once you start recruiting members for your team, don’t feel like you have to hire twenty people at once. Start small and build as the need arises. This way, growth happens organically and you will not end up with too many people trying to do too few jobs. It also helps you avoid having to train, get to know, and pay a bunch of new people at once.
3. Have Strategies in Place Before you Hire
When a new member joins your team, you should be able to explain exactly how and when and why you do things. Effective marketing will help potential employees gain an understanding of who you are as a company before they even interview, so make sure you are considering that. This will help to avoid confusion and ensure that the addition of more people runs smoothly. It also maintains your control as the leader because you set the expectations and determine how things are done on your team.
4. Embrace Personality Tests
Hiring people can be overwhelming, and sometimes first impressions are deceiving. Utilizing personality tests takes some of the guesswork out of hiring. Figure out the type of personality that would work best with your team, and eliminate those who might clash with your own personality. Technology makes this easy, just email candidates the link! The DISC profile test is a great tool for determining the strengths and weaknesses of a potential team member and whether or not they are naturally suited to real estate. (Add dialogue that we can hyperlink to our DISC profile article. DISC article will need to be posted prior to this one.)
5. Hire People who Supplement your Strengths
We all have a unique set of skills and strengths, and with them come weaknesses as well. Hiring people who excel in areas in which you might not be as strong will increase the overall strength of your team. Doing so makes it easier to divide the work that needs to be done and make sure the best person is completing each task.
6. Build a Set Method for Hiring and Maintaining your Team
Over time, make sure to keep track of how and who you hire, and whether or not those people work out for your team in the long run. Eventually, you should be able to determine the best methods for hiring, and how to keep people on your team. This will save you time and energy in the long run, and ensure that you are choosing the people who will best fit your business.
7. Learn to Delegate
Once your team is established, use them. It’s easy to fall into the habit of doing everything to maintain control and know that things are getting done correctly, but if you have followed all the steps to hiring a good team, there is no need to stress about giving over some of the duties required to run your business. Sharing responsibilities and especially smaller tasks will allow you more time to work on big picture ideas to elevate your business to the next level.
8. Make a Business Plan that Fits your Team
When your team starts bringing in leads and growing your business, be prepared with a plan to keep everyone organized and focused to ensure that your business management plan runs smoothly. Figure out the strengths of your team and create a business plan that emphasizes those strengths, and optimizes opportunities for your team to continue to grow and prosper.
9. Help your Team Grow with a Lead System
Having more people can become confusing, so do everything in your power to help them, and you stay organized by utilizing a lead system. This will keep track of all your lead generation and help you generate more. There are plenty of options for lead systems out there, so do some research and find one that works for you. The important thing is that it keeps your team organized.
10. Build Relationships not just Systems
Although all the above information on putting systems in place to ensure that your team is organized and efficient is important, the number one thing to remember is that the success of your real estate team is all about the people. Never forget that the relationships you build with your team will carry you through all and any issues you might face with systems and technology. At the end of the day, your team is only as strong as the people committed to being on it.
