Network & Industry News

UPSKILLING: Investor Relations Managers ‘Feel the Energy’

Our Investor Relations Managers have been feeling the energy as IR Days roll out across Australia. 

Designed to support the improvement of skills, wellbeing and work/life balance for ALL our hard-working property managers, the events have been met with enormous enthusiasm and engagement. 

In addition to social gatherings that help build connections, an exceptional line-up of speakers addressed SA/NT and WA property managers about changing customer expectations, personal safety, self-defence, dealing with domestic violence, wellbeing and mindset, useful belief, insurance, operational best practice, government policy, and how to achieve greater productivity through less ‘busy-ness’. 

Experts included:

• Nathan Brett, Real Estate Dynamics
• Trish Rogers, Real Mastery
• Ray Ellis, FN CEO
• Felicity Paciocco, Relationships Australia
• Fiona Blaney, Real+
• Toni Powell, Workplace Wellbeing
• Rebecca Clow, BD By Design
• Chris Helder, International keynote speaker
• Paul Newell, WA Government
• Mark Boulton, Arakan Martial Arts

Underscoring First National’s strong relations with the industry peak body and local institute, REIA President, Hayden Groves and REIWA CEO, Cath Hart showed their support at our Western Australia IR Day.

‘It was a truly fabulous day and a real credit to the network. ‘Feel the energy’ was exactly the right slogan for the day.  Each speaker bought quality, relevant content to the table in a thoroughly engaging and energetic way, loved by our whole team and the time flew by!’

Susan Britcher

FN Riggall (Prospect, SA)  

'John Riggall's property management team had a good team meeting post the IR Day re everything discussed. Then, a few days later a tenant called who had a domestic violence situation going on and needed to change property locks etc. Rather than it being a “work/job to do” the team were in the mindset of “how can we help”. '

Trent Godfrey

SA/NT Business Growth Manager

‘Nathan Brett from Real Estate Dynamics was refreshingly entertaining, informative and, for me, confirmation that I am on the right track in the way that I build and maintain my relationships with my clients. He was enthusiastic and positive, and this very much resonates with my goals in providing excellent customer service. I loved attending the dinner on Tuesday night, it was so much fun. There was laughter and banter, and people genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. We were able to welcome Elly from Alice Springs who I think by the end of it felt very much a part of the First National family. The impromptu quiz to find out information we didn’t know about each other was hilarious; who knew Deb drove a dump truck?’

Kelly Pengilly

FN Burton Groves (Tea Tree Gully, SA)

‘Thank you so much for an interesting and informative day. There was nothing that was not of value and it is always good to have input from peers as well as presenters. I particularly enjoyed the presentations by Shannon from Honan Insurance Brokers and Felicity from Relationships Victoria.’

Karen Parkin

FN Burton Groves (Tea Tree Gully, SA)

‘Time just flew away without getting bored and I actually grasped a lot of new things. It was quite motivating and enriching.’

Ruchi Sareen

FN Lewis Prior (Warradale, SA)

‘We all want to thank you so much for allowing us to attend the IR Day on Friday. It was such a well organised and informative day, and a fun evening to finish it off. We’re all so grateful for the effort and expense you both went to for all of us to be there.’

Kathryn State

FN Kalgoorlie (WA)

‘I loved Fiona, I really took in what she said about slowing down and not running at such a high level.’

Rebecca Kolatowisc

FN Kalgoorlie (WA)

‘I found the drug detection part interesting, especially learning the percentage rates of residue left behind etc., and that its more the labs that can become the issue. Learning about the cleaning costs and what it really only needs, versus what some companies are out there quoting and implying the house needs total gutting, when not really the case.’

Amy Dole

FN Kalgoorlie (WA)

‘What I saw and heard at the Adelaide IR Day was very consistent and also VERY RARE.  It’s only once before that I’ve been with a team who were so ‘over the moon’ positive about the way their company is led, the way everyone relates and the care people have for each other. There was kindness on display at every point. There was enthusiasm not only for the job but for each other, there was patting others on the back.Everyone, without exception (that I talked to) mentioned the relationships they treasure at FN, and the people.  Respect for you and how you lead was repeatedly mentioned. I also heard the term ‘family’ mentioned often. I was also GOBSMACKED the CEO and senior Board members turned up to a small regional meeting - that speaks volumes - I have never seen that before.’

Toni Powell

Motivational Keynote Speaker

UPSKILLING: Powerful insights at QLD Sales Power Up 2

Queensland’s sales agents flocked to our Sales Power Up 2 day at Sofitel Brisbane, where they heard from another powerful array of industry leaders and expert trainers. 

They received Macquarie Bank’s insights on what’s driving the Queensland and national economy, getting paid what you’re worth, eliminating ups and downs to set sales on a consistently upward path, creating engaging prospecting materials, knowing what to say and when, making a bigger impression with your personal brand, getting more out of ChatGPT, and handling vendor objections about the auction process.

Experts included:

• Martin Lakos, Macquarie Bank 
• James Williams, JW Coaching
• Ray Ellis, FN CEO
• Jonathan Clover, FN Genesis (Mt Hawthorn, WA)
• Tara Christianson, REA Group
• Stephen Toms, The Toms
• David Holmes, Holmes Auctions

'Thanks again for another great event!  I found all the presentations to be very relevant even from a regional perspective.  Was definitely worth the travelling.'

Kate Craig

FN Mackay, Sarina & Nebo 

'It was a great session. We gained a lot out of it. For me personally, the AI section however the sessions were all great, with really useful information.'

Kerry Horn

FN Banora Point (QLD)

'I really enjoyed Tara’s session and was just disappointed our marketing team could not make it. I look forward to revising the info when it gets sent to us. New ideas and new knowledge are always very motivating.'

Kara Mallory

FN Property Solutions (Elanora, QLD) 

PODCAST: Managing landlord expectations

In the latest Our Fabric Podcast, Lee Woodward interviews Nathan Pensini. 

Nathan leads a team of twelve people managing 1500 properties. In this episode he shares with us some of the agency's innovative ways to manage client expectations including a quirky landlord colour coding system, using video text messaging, a reverse engineering e-mail marketing strategy and more. 

Click the image to listen.

Home Away From Home Competition Winners

Congratulations to our Home Away From Home competition winners. You've each won a $100 FN Shop voucher:

• FN Action Realty Ipswich
• FN Auddino
• FN Biloela
• FN Bundaberg
• FN Burton Groves
• FN Cairns Central
• FN Caloundra
• FN Candappa
• FN Finning
• FN Hollett & Lawrence
• FN Lakra
• FN Lifestyle
• FN Mudgee
• FN Murwillumbah
• FN Oran Park
• FN Silverskye
• FN Tamworth
• FN Waters& Carpenter

MEMBERSHIP: Chairman and CEO Luncheons

Plenty of First National staff took advantage of the opportunity to attend recent Chairman and CEO lunches in Adelaide and Perth. 

These lunches really shine a light on the difference between our collaborative network and the approach of our competitors. 

First National encourages all of its agents, property managers, owners and administrators to seize the chance to meet your State Chair, the National Chairman and CEO as well. We want you to participate, ask questions, make connections, and better understand all of the benefits the network can provide you. 

Register for your upcoming Chairman and CEO Lunch now:

NEW ZEALAND: Working with our Kiwi colleagues

Australian Chairman, Rob Westwood and network CEO, Ray Ellis attended the New Zealand’s September Board meeting to continue the good work being done to draw both arms of our Australasian network closer. 

Head of Growth AU & NZ Matthew Harvey, also in attendance, took the opportunity to deliver an auction training webinar from Auckland’s head office at Royal Oak.

OPPORTUNITY: Stop competitors from stealing your listings

Tomorrow, don’t miss our Performance Partner Zenu’s webinar on how to stop competitors from stealing your listings. 

Mark and Evan will explain how to get the best from your customer database, plus you’ll hear about Zenu’s new mapping and prospecting tools. Register here…

 UPSKILLING: Doing more of less, better!

Founding director of Harcourts Solutions and Leadership Development Partner at Ray White, Martin Millard delivered VIC/TAS sales agents another huge day of learnings, specifically demonstrating the actions and processes that turned a $300,000 GCI agent into a $3 million dollar agent in three years. 

He also showed the structure needed to add over $1 million dollars in fees to two agents who had over 15 years of experience, increasing their hourly rates by $250. 

UPSKILLING: Supporting beginners and the experienced

Kasey Lawrence’s VIC/TAS training in Melbourne focused on the support new entrants to property management need, but also provided tips for experienced property managers looking to expand their skill set and knowledge base.

‘The girls from our office loved the training day. We found the presentation very informative, relevant and Casey to be engaging. Also, the food was very good too. Great presenter and great venue. Well done to all the organisers.’

Anthea Hamilton 

FN TSFN (Bendigo, Vic)

‘She was very good, lots of ‘back to basics’ information. I had a range of staff with different experience attend and they all came away with something from it. Well done.’

Allison Holzer 

FN Neilson Partners (Narre Warren, Vic)

‘Kasey’s Session was excellent. She covered a large range of PM topics and the info was relevant to our workplace.’

Suzy Candappa 

FN Candappa (Drouin, Vic)

Victorian Government 7.5% Airbnb Tax & Housing Statement

The Victorian Government has announced a raft of measures concerning short term accommodation and affordability initiatives.

First National issued an Information Express update summarising the key elements of the policy package.

Subsequently, the Andrews Government issued a more details document.

Download a copy of the full package here.