Page 3 - TYSON PROPERTIES: 20 YEARS AND COUNTING

(... continued) Properties achieves,” van der
Spuy continues.
BUILDING ON THE BRAND PILLARS
When it comes to technology,
According to van der Spuy, the he acknowledges that Tyson
new tagline – Expect more. Let’s Properties is putting in place
talk – is both an internal and an extensive back-end technology
external call to action: “We’re and artificial intelligence (AI).
telling people out there, buyers,
sellers, tenants, landlords, to The latest tech conversation
expect more from their agency is AI, which the group has
or agent. There’s a general call to again embraced: “A lot of it will
action to expect more from your involve the back end of property
life, to challenge yourself as a marketing, making things more
person, and a lot of that starts at efficient, more intuitive. AI
the home in which you choose to seems daunting because people
live in and the location in which do not understand it as well as
you choose to be. For agents, it they could and should. In real
is a call to be the best they can estate, people need to see this
be, too. as a helping hand to speed up
things, improving efficiency and
“We are also saying you even matching buyers and sellers
can expect more from Tyson Tyson Properties stands on “This brand refresh is about and aims to understand the through processing data.”
Properties as a whole. Right five brand pillars. Pillar one is positive engagement. I’ve been needs of their clients, whether
from the early days in 2005, elevated service excellence, pillar creating brand work for the they be the buyer, or the seller. Van der Spuy concludes that
the group’s slogan was two is a people centric culture, real estate industry for many It’s about always really engaging although AI will help brands like
‘Communication gets results. pillar three is innovation that years and seen some real estate with them and understanding Tyson Properties do business
Let’s talk’. What we are now delivers, followed by premium, agencies deliver successfully what they want, rather than just better, quicker and more
saying is expect more from your yet approachable, and then, on their brand promises where going through the motions of the efficiently, it cannot replace
life and expect more from your lastly, national strength, but others have not. Tyson Properties sale process. It’s about delving doing business creatively or the
agency or agent.” local expertise. promises clear communication, deeper, which I believe Tyson personal touch. 

BUILDING LOYALTY AND REFERRALS

LEE ELLIS

ur company emphasises offered by the group: “We are led At the end of the day, it is always
establishing long- term by experienced leaders who invest the on-the-ground advice to
“Oclient relationships and in people and innovation. Tyson sellers and buyers that counts
reputation. Agents can build Properties is constantly evolving the most. This can extend
sustainable careers based on trust to meet market demands and our from recommending small
and referrals. We empower our agents’ needs,” he points out. improvements such as paint
agents to run their own businesses He believes that Tyson Properties touch-ups, minor repairs and
within the brand framework provides agents with a perfect outdoor cleanups to home staging
benefiting from our corporate blend of independence, premium advice and suggesting sellers
support. In fact, clients often refer declutter, depersonalise and style
to Tyson agents as ‘trusted advisors’ brand association, ongoing their homes for broader appeal.
rather than sales agents – building support and growth opportunities. Chris Tyson and Craig Rimmer, who is one of Tyson’s founding agents still with
loyalty and referrals,” explains Lee “It is ideal if you want a career “Buyer feedback after viewings the company after 20 years.
Ellis, director of Tyson Properties where you can build long term and show days provides insight
from potential buyers and allows
KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. wealth, enjoy working in a positive for any necessary adjustments. BUILT ON VALUES, DRIVEN
environment and continuously
Ellis is a shareholder in a vibrant develop your skills.”
network of branches in both What has changed over the Local market expertise is key as BY PEOPLE
KZN, Gauteng – and Helderberg years are the market dynamics our agents know what potential
a far cry from his first meeting with issues like location, correct buyers in the area are looking for
with company founder Chris pricing and sustainability and can highlight selling points CRAIG RIMMER
Tyson in 2006 to sign his first now top of mind. “We use a such as schools, lifestyle facilities
franchise agreement. “Tyson comparative marketing analysis or possible investment potential,” yson Properties is not your moving into management, Craig
Properties as a company retains Ellis adds. run-of-the-mill company says offers a very grounded perspective
an entrepreneurial edge,” he says. report in order to determine a
realistic selling price. We also He notes that, in South Africa, T Craig Rimmer, one of the on the company’s ethos: “It’s
Ellis is proud of the transparency believe in strategic marketing,” the importance of energy founding agents. about respect for your own
and fair commission structures he explains. efficiency, smart technology and For him, this is a company driven colleagues. It’s about working
off grid capabilities is becoming by solid values and anchored together as a team, looking after
increasingly relevant. by people who care: “In my 20 people – not only your clients,
“Load shedding remains years, I’ve never even considered but your fellow agents.”
a concerning factor for wavering. The company is very The team spirit that he values
homeowners, linked to much there to help agents to be in the office, extends beyond
escalating electricity tariffs. the best they can be. There’s a it, too. “We try and do other
Often upper end buyers are personal feel, a family feel within things together that are not
the business. Our slogan from the
increasingly expecting energy beginning was: ‘Communication just business driven – whether
efficient features, homes with Achieves Results,’ and that’s it’s helping schools in need or
inverters and solar panels are something that’s been integral social activities.”
now selling faster,” he explains. to being part of the Tyson group. CRAIG’S FIRST CHAPTER
Smart technology appeal is You’ve got to keep communicating
currently high on the agenda with your clients, with your Craig’s journey with company
with professionals, high end purchasers and your team.” CEO, Chris Tyson, began well
buyers and both rural and urban As someone who has deliberately before the business itself was born.
Thuli Zulu, Rika Indurjeeth, Sarah Govender and Lee Ellis in Westville. markets in general.  remained an agent rather than (... continued page 4)

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