BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMPETITORS

RAPIDLY growing Helensvale real estate company Finesse Property is building partnerships with competitors to provide a positive approach to customer service.

Founder Shane Evans (pictured) has held talks with other real estate agencies on expanding Finesse Property through partnerships. He is looking for at least three agents who can work from Ormeau, Pacific Pines, Brisbane or even remotely from Adelaide.

“They have to be fully licensed, selfmotivated, able to run a business, creative, a goal-setter, disciplined and have a fire in the belly,” says Evans.

Prospective partners should be prepared to harness some old fashioned business logic and the criterion also includes having good business ethics.

“God plays a significant part in my life. I need people who are happy to walk away from business, if it isn’t the morally right thing to do,” says Evans.

Evans believes trust is one of his strengths and it keeps customers coming back.

“We helped an elderly, unwell and stressed couple looking to sell. The over and above knowledge we provided them through emails helped them understand the market,” he says.

“We backed their decisions with facts instead of sales jargon. They liked my conviction and honest approach – and keep calling me as their trusted advisor since I’m a man of my word.”

Finesse has sold 26 properties, including a 4ha home at the foothills of Mt Tamborine in Upper Coomera.

Although there was initially very little interest, Evans successfully applied marketing techniques to close a competitive bid between 30 parties worth almost $800,000.

“We got creative with the photo selection, making it a feature property in print and on the internet,” he says.

“The wow factor in marketing involves having clear and concise copy that provides a sense of desire and ownership. It’s got to clear away the negative and leave very little room for objection.”

Evans says his secret to customer satisfaction is showing he wants people to be ‘heard and served’.

“I believe in marketing and training myself to be approachable. I have made selling or buying very comfortable for people, even though it can be a stressful and nerveracking process,” he says.

Finesse is predicting 40 per cent revenue growth for FY 2012.

----------

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR FINALIST
Shane Evans
Finesse Property/Finesse Enterprises
PROPERTY
Age: 38
Business Est: 2010
Staff: 12
Growth: 100 per cent
Turnover: $8.1 million