Planning is the first step to success. In the following interview, RealtyONEGroup COO Simon Chen offers insight on the importance of planning, implementing an authentic office culture, and bolstering connections.
Simon Chen
Chief Operating Officer
RealtyONEGroup
Irvine, Calif.
Region served: Nationwide
Years in business: 11
Number of offices: 70+
Number of agents: 8,000+
Best time management tip: Take a few minutes at the end of each day to identify top priorities for the next day.
Most effective way to motivate agents: Help them build out their personal business plan for success.
Key to staying profitable: If you need to do something repeatedly, automate it.
Can’t live without tech tool: My mobile phone
RealtyONEGroup was recently ranked among the top real estate companies in America. How do you differentiate yourself within the markets you serve?
First and foremost, the No. 1 thing that sets us apart is our “coolture.” If you visit any of our offices, it’s a tangible feeling of cooperation, innovation and fun among our agents, brokers and clients. In addition to coolture, the 6C’s for Success at RealtyONEGroup include care, coaching, connect, community and commissions.
To what do you attribute the firm’s recent growth?
We’ve had great success with our company offices located in California, Nevada and Arizona, so we’re leveraging those best practices, resources and technology tools to rapidly grow our franchise office network. We’re currently in 17 states, with plans to expand throughout the United States and into international markets, as well.
You made a career switch to RealtyONEGroup from an online company. How does it feel to be back in a brick-and-mortar real estate enterprise?
It feels great. As a former broker/owner, it became apparent that the one-to-one connection between the agent and client is missing due to the proliferation of online real estate portals. At RealtyONEGroup, we not only emphasize that connection, we view it as the most important thing we do every day.
Can you talk about a few of the unique aspects inherent in RealtyONEGroup’s corporate culture?
It goes beyond just having fun and feeling like an extended family. We also want to make sure we have a lasting, positive impact on our local community. For example, at our recent ONE Summit conference in Las Vegas, RealtyONEGroup not only donated $30,000 to The Shade Tree, we spent the day volunteering at the local shelter, a place for women, children and their pets who have been victims of domestic abuse. It was a very rewarding experience for everyone and is something we do annually on our company anniversary.
For more information, visit www.realtyonegroup.com.
