Breaking Property News 08/10/24
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Agency membership body reveals the top three pillars to success
The Guild of Property Professionals has announced the results of a recent customer survey conducted with their network of independent agents. The survey was designed to uncover which tools and services Members found the most useful, allowing The Guild to identify the ‘hero’ products that are making the greatest impact within its community.
The results revealed that compliance advice and support, along with The Guild’s Compliance Toolbox, are the most valued services among Members. Other top-rated services included market analysis and planning, as well as The Guild’s Learning Platform, The Guild Referral System, The Associate Training Scheme, Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance, Life Magazine and Ezine, and the Digital Hub.
Iain McKenzie, CEO of The Guild, commented on the findings: “Understanding what our Members value most is vital in ensuring that we continue to provide the right tools and services to support their success. It is no surprise that compliance advice and support, in particular, has emerged as a hero product, as well as market analysis and planning. The property industry is constantly evolving, and the burden of navigating complex regulations and legislation is a significant challenge for agents. At The Guild, we are proud to offer the expertise and resources that allow our Members to meet these challenges confidently.”
Interestingly, while compliance services are now the most valued, they were not the primary reasons agents originally joined The Guild. When asked about their initial motivations for becoming Members, respondents cited the opportunity to be part of a network of other independent agents, the prestige and exclusivity associated with Guild status, and the market differentiation that membership provides. Support and camaraderie within the network, access to buyers nationwide, and the ability to broaden business networks were also highlighted as key factors.
“What really stands out is how our Members evolve their appreciation of the support The Guild offers over time. While many join us for our market-leading network and exclusive positioning, it’s evident that the tools we provide become indispensable as they navigate the daily challenges of the industry,” McKenzie adds.
When asked what differentiates The Guild from other networks, Members emphasised the quality of communication and support from Guild staff, the compliance services, and the publications created for agents. The Guild’s London office and referral system were also mentioned as significant value drivers. Survey respondents expressed high satisfaction with the level of engagement from The Guild, with comments highlighting “fantastic support and knowledge,” “regular communication and engagement,” and “clear, timely, and relevant guidance.”
In conclusion, McKenzie says: “Our focus remains on ensuring that our Members have the tools they need to thrive, whether that’s through compliance support, market exposure, or continuous learning. We are dedicated to evolving our offering to help them face the ever-changing property landscape.”
As the property sector faces challenges such as securing new instructions, managing stock, and staying ahead of compliance and legislation changes, The Guild of Property Professionals remains committed to providing the services and support that independent agents need to succeed.
The Guild is a network of the best independent estate agents from across the UK. The Guild is a sign of professional excellence that agents can use to differentiate themselves from their competitors and assure clients that they will act with knowledge and integrity to achieve results, the three core values of The Guild. To allow agents to perform a superior service, The Guild offers marketing, business and technology services to its members.
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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