Joining Sam this week is AJ’s Operation Manager Edward who shares the key to setting focused, annual priorities that will drive your agency forward. Whether it's brand enhancement or team performance, align these annual goals with actionable quarterly priorities and break your projects into manageable milestones, ensuring clear ownership and defined success metrics.

With tips on pacing, structured team-building activities, and the power of small, focused projects, this episode is full of advice for keeping your team motivated and on track.

Plus, get an exclusive glimpse into Ashdown Jones’ systematic approach to training, from CPD to the innovative ECHO training program. Understand the balance between long-term planning and the necessity of flexible adjustments due to immediate challenges, showcasing the team's approach to strategic reviews and transparent decision-making.

Tune in to transform your agency’s planning process and IGNITE your estate agency’s success.

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of AshdownJones in Windermere on this unique and FREE day! Book your spot here: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR Phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Engage with ambitious agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Consistent financial management is essential for sustaining a successful estate agency.

➡️ Focus on setting clear, annual priorities and breaking them into manageable quarterly goals.

➡️ Emphasise team-building activities and small, focused projects to foster collaboration and achieve larger goals.

Some great moments:

✅ “Many employees might not think about company finances as their own.”

✅ “Have three top-level priorities for the year, written in one to three words.”

✅ “Projects need clear ownership, milestones, and success metrics to avoid overwhelm and ensure progress.”

In this episode, we take you through an exhilarating year-end review of 2024, sharing the highs, lows and lessons from the industry. Learn how focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) can drive your agency’s success, and discover the importance of maintaining team morale even in challenging times.

Sam and Phil discuss disciplined goal setting and the role of Agile Planning in achieving consistent growth. Hear about how Ashdown Jones not only hit but exceeded their targets, despite a tough market.

Plus, get an exclusive look at how becoming part of the AJ Mastermind program can revolutionise your business.

This episode is brimming with advice and insights to elevate your estate agency’s profile and performance. Tune in to get inspired and IGNITE your agency’s growth!

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of Ashdown Jones in Windermere on this unique and FREE day! Book your spot here www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Engage with ambitious agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Maintaining focus on KPIs and team morale can significantly impact your agency's success.

➡️ Strategic planning and disciplined goal setting are fundamental for hitting and exceeding targets.

➡️ High-value home market penetration requires a roadmap and the right team in place.

Some great moments:

✅ “The New Year period is when other agents don't really know what to do. This is the period where you can add that extra percentage of market share.”

✅ “We've turned a negative beginning of the year to a positive, where the team felt stronger and clearer about their roles and KPIs.”

✅ “There should be a committed capital amount required to set up an agency, ensuring those entering are genuinely prepared and have a plan in place.”

Sam is joined by entrepreneur and business mentor Chris Ducker to discuss transforming your business through the power of relationships, effective delegation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Discover why nurturing long-term professional relationships is vital for sustained success and how staying within your "zone of genius" can turbocharge your growth. Chris shares his wisdom on successful delegation, empowering your team, and systemizing your operations to avoid burnout.

You can find out more about Chris, his books, events or read his blog at chrisducker.com

Plus, get an exclusive invite to an Ashdown Jones event at AJHQ, designed to elevate your estate agency with proven strategies and insights. This episode is brimming with actionable advice to IGNITE your agency’s growth.

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of Ashdown Jones in Windermere on this unique and FREE day! Book your spot here: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Engage with ambitious agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Cultivating long-term relationships can significantly boost your estate agency’s success and growth.

➡️ Staying within your "zone of genius" and effectively delegating tasks is essential for sustained business growth.

➡️ Implementing a healthy work-life balance positively impacts personal well-being and professional endurance.

Some great moments:

✅ “People are inherently good, despite the negativity in the world. Building genuine relationships is key to long-term success.”

✅ “Starting small with policies like taking Fridays off or delegating spending decisions can lead to remarkable transformation in managing your time.”

✅ “Attending events outside your industry can offer fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that you can apply to your estate agency.”

December is a critical month for estate agency owners. Join Sam and Phil as they explore the importance of a well-timed Boxing Day launch, capturing market momentum through collective listings, and the art of engaging your team during the festive season.

Learn about structured campaigns like the "12 Days of Christmas," and understand how selecting the right local partners can transform your brand’s visibility and engagement.

Discover the rewards of non-traditional incentives and creative team activities for the festive period. From Secret Santa to personalised meetings, and even transforming your office into a festive wonderland, we’ve got you covered on how to maintain team morale and motivation.

Get insights on how to set realistic financial incentives and manage expectations, drawing lessons from the challenges faced in previous years. Phil and Sam candidly discuss their favourite lead-generation strategies, and how to keep your office vibrant and motivated post-holidays.

This episode is packed with a wealth of ideas to help you not only survive but thrive in the final month of the year. Tune in to set your agency up for a flourishing New Year.

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of AshdownJones in Windermere on this unique and FREE day! Book your spot here www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Engage with ambitious agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ The importance of well-timed sales campaigns to capture market momentum during the festive season.

➡️ Leveraging creative team incentives to maintain motivation and morale.

➡️ Structured campaigns and local partnerships can significantly boost brand visibility and engagement.

Some great moments:

✅ “The Boxing Day launch is about collectively putting homes on the market to create a micro-market that drives buyer engagement.”

✅ “We’ve found that including fun and personalized team activities around Christmas boosts morale and makes our office a happier place.”

✅ “Structured campaigns like our '12 Days of Christmas' help us remain visible and engage the community, which is crucial for generating leads and supporting local businesses.”

Don't miss out on these valuable insights to transform and IGNITE your agency this December!

James Cocker joins Sam for a debate on the use of social media versus traditional platforms like Rightmove to boost property sales and build your brand.

Find out why James believes in the power of social media marketing for estate agency owners, while Sam emphasises the proven returns from traditional direct mail and property platforms. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can be used to create engaging content that builds trust and brand affinity, but are they useful platforms to generate property sales? Sam and James also discuss the cost-effectiveness of various strategies.

Tune in to transform your estate agency’s marketing strategy, whether you lean towards social media innovation or prefer the reliability of traditional methods.

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of Ashdown Jones in Windermere on this unique and FREE day! Book your spot here www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR Phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Engage with ambitious agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Is it possible or advisable to drop Rightmove in favour of Social Media marketing?

➡️ Social media can create an audience and an affinity for your agency or brand

➡️ Will clients continue to engage with your social media once they have bought their dream home?

Some great moments:

✅ “I haven't seen any successful Facebook paid ad campaigns for valuations in 15 years of working with agents with their socials”

✅ “We pay 2% of our turnover to Rightmove per year for unlimited buyers across the world. To me that is just a no brainer”

✅ “I don't think that the property is the product, I think the brand and the team are the product”

Sam is joined by AJ Mastermind’s Client Executive, Emma Heath for this episode and they delve into the core principles that make an estate agency truly remarkable. Learn how curiosity and questions can spark deeper connections and understand the delicate balance of building rapport without letting ego steer the conversation.

Gain insights on delivering a world-class customer experience with empathy and avoid generic, insensitive practices.

Explore how Ashdown Jones uses training to refine agency communication to ensure professionalism and personalisation and understand the importance of humility and collaboration within the workplace to tackle challenges collectively.

Key principles like "We do what we say we'll do" underscore the significance of trust and reliability in client relationships.

Find out why it is important to avoid negative language and gossip, and how positive language can foster team cohesion and client satisfaction. Sam shares AJ Mastermind’s guiding principles, encapsulated by green "always" and red "never" disciplines, to underline their commitment to integrity.

We have actionable advice on:

• Handling client challenges with empathy.
• The impact of unsolicited advice versus solicited advice.
• The benefits of mastermind memberships and transitioning to high-end agencies.

Tune in, take notes, and transform your business practices to deliver unparalleled experiences and stand out from the rest.

When you’re ready, here are ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Experience a behind-the-scenes day at AshdownJones HQ in Windermere for FREE! Secure your spot at www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events
2. Listen to more illuminating episodes:
   https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Engage with ambitious estate agency owners and foster growth in your business by joining our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

Don’t hesitate to ask your questions to Sam or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk or phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Explore upcoming events and more at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Balancing rapport-building and ego in client interactions is crucial.

➡️ Trust builds gradually from consistent reliability and transparent communication.

➡️ Unsolicited advice is best received when permission is sought first.

Notable moments:

✅ “Building trust is like piling up pebbles. It’s done gradually but can be lost all at once.”

✅ “We steer clear of negative gossip to keep our team environment positive.”

✅ “Delivering good news in person helps maintain clear, effective communication and shows clients they’re a priority.”

Embrace these principles to ensure your independent estate agency not only competes but excels in delivering exceptional client experiences.

Are we over-styling homes in our quest to deliver the perfect look? In this episode of Ignite Your Estate Agency we discuss home styling with a focus on balance, efficiency, and truly showcasing a property’s unique charm.

Learn why photographic documentation is critical for maintaining client trust and the importance of aligning with client preferences to avoid unnecessary conflicts. This episode will guide you on how to effectively use home styling to sell a house and a lifestyle, without the pitfalls of intrusive or excessive styling and provides actionable tips to make your photoshoots quicker and more cost-effective.

Sam tells us why it is important to stop over-styling, where adding too many personal touches can cloud the home's actual potential, with cautionary tales about the uneasy balance between effective styling and preserving homeowner comfort.

To simplify the art of effective home styling, Sam introduces her eight golden rules, including:

• “Style the shot, not the room”: Focus on what the camera will capture.
• “Enhance by simplifying”: Remove minimal items to highlight room features.
• “Consider the main features”: Pay attention to key elements like windows and fireplaces.

You can read Sam’s blog on this subject here: https://www.samashdown.co.uk/over-styling-homes/

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of Ashdown Jones in Windermere on this unique and FREE day! Book your spot here www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk

Engage with ambitious estate agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions, please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at: www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Key Takeaways:

➡️ Photographic Documentation: Essential to return clients' items to their original places after a photoshoot, ensuring their comfort and trust.

➡️ Client Preferences: Always be considerate of client desires to maintain positive relationships.

➡️ Purpose of Styling: Style to sell the lifestyle a house offers, not to change the house itself.

Great Moments:

✅ “Taking before shots is crucial for returning clients' items to their original places after a photoshoot.”

✅ "The aim is to conduct quicker and more cost-effective photoshoots, potentially reducing the time required from six to four or even two hours."

✅ "The quality of the items used in styling reflects the brand image, so decisions should be made mindfully.”

Discover the importance of assertiveness training and how it can transform your interactions with clients and colleagues. Unlock the secrets to becoming a confident estate agent without crossing the line into aggression!

We give you techniques to maintain composure using body language, and communication styles that project confidence, ensuring you command respect and reassure clients. Learn from our hands-on experiences and training sessions that highlight the delicate balance between appearing strong-willed yet approachable.

From managing high-status client perceptions to the subtle art of leveraging your physical presence in the office, understand why assertiveness is essential for agency growth and how to foster these skills within your team.

We want to cultivate a culture of confidence and assertive leadership and this episode promises to provide actionable strategies to empower you and your team, transforming how you interact with clients and run your agency. Tune in to elevate your professionalism and IGNITE your agency's potential.

Here’s the book that Sam mentioned in the podcast:

The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charisma-Myth-Master-Personal-Magnetism/dp/0670922870

When you’re ready here are 3 ways we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

1. Come see behind the scenes of Ashdown Jones in Windermere on our unique and FREE day! Book your spot here www.ajmastermind.co.uk/btsday
2. Listen to another episode: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast
3. Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Ask your questions to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Engage with ambitious agency owners and grow your business by visiting our private Mastermind Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

If you have any questions please get in touch. Also, make sure you check out our upcoming events at www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Confidence and assertiveness can transform an estate agent from uncertain to commanding and trustworthy.

➡️ Balancing assertiveness is crucial to manage perceptions and interactions, especially with high-status clients.

➡️ Developing assertiveness is a gradual process involving self-awareness, training, and consistent practice.

Some great moments:

✅ “Confidence in delivery and demeanour is crucial, even beyond credentials or appearance.”

✅ “We emphasise the significance of physical presence and how one’s office setup can influence perceptions of status.”

✅ “Taking a moment to respond, slowing down the conversation, and lowering voice pitch can significantly improve assertiveness.”