Page 83 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

“Often doing new things means cutting existing
Managing Director of Tyson Properties
C HRIS TYSON’s interest in the property budgets to achieve this. We do, however, see this as an
advantage and have always used tough times to grow
industry started from an early age as his family
the company to position ourselves better for upturns
comes from a property background.
to ensure sustainability or work within a budget that
Tyson said, “My father had a construction in the marketplace. One either has to have reserves
company. My mother was an agent for many years creates reserves. This however can stunt the growth of
and owned her own agency. I can remember going to a company,” says Tyson.
property viewings with her as a small boy.” Part of ensuring sustainability is apparent in his
In 2001, his own real estate career started as an agent leadership style, which he says is very relaxed.
for a small agency in Durban. He then moved to a However, says Tyson, “I expect a lot but also give a lot
larger agency, where he built his initial Tyson Properties in return. I look at every employee as a partnership. I
team. In 2005, the first Tyson Properties office was also believe that I’m very inclusive and involve the team
opened in Durban. in driving projects and campaigns. I have always tried
to balance the work environment, making it fair for
Over the past year, Tyson Properties has consolidated
its presence in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and both the agent and the company. This is achieved by
Gauteng markets and opened new branches in Pretoria supporting my internal team and building partnerships
and Richards Bay. The head office and Morningside / with outsourced agencies such as our marketing agency
Berea office were recently relocated to the landmark and public relations consultant.”
Lion Match Office Park in Umgeni Road, Durban. He commented that a challenge is in finding it
Going forward, Tyson expects Tyson Properties to increasingly difficult to run a company and motivate
continue as a leader in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial his employees within the current political instability in
property sector and grow the group’s national footprint. South Africa. Tyson said, “It is hard to budget and grow

Tyson said, “We have deliberately focused on building your company with complete uncertainty as to whether
one area and making it a success before moving to your market is going to be up or down from one day
another area and have worked hard at not expanding to the next.” Tyson added, “Continued growth of the
too quickly. Consequently, we have only expanded into Tyson brand will be based more on employing the right
Gauteng and Cape Town recently. We are currently people and market conditions than merely just growth.”
highly focused on our growth into the Western Cape and One of the business development advances that is
Gauteng. Due to the growth we have shown in these two extremely close to his heart is in the development of
areas, we are ready to open further offices there.”
the newly formed After Sales Division. This division will
Premises have been secured for two new offices in deal with every aspect of the sale, from the date the
Cape Town; one in Camps Bay and one in Hout Bay. sale agreement is signed, to the day that the property
“We currently operate in both these areas, which are transfers, and beyond. “With the increase of first time
blossoming for us,” says Tyson. buyers coming into the market we feel we can add real
In Gauteng, Tyson Properties have extended their value here, ensuring that our clients receive the best
footprint drastically and will see two satellite offices possible advice and guidance,” commented Tyson.
open later this year, due to the current office in Tyson is also committed to giving back to the
Fourways, which is also the biggest Gauteng office, community, which he says, “Is very much a part of who
bursting at the seams. Tyson Properties are also in I am and something I am passionate about.” Before
negotiations to open its second office in Pretoria. branching out into real estate, his early working career
In addition to marketing residential, commercial and was for a large non-profit organisation. Consequently,
rental properties, Tyson Properties has expanded its each of the Tyson branches has their own social
service offering to include a property management responsibility projects in their areas. Tyson Properties is
division that specialises in the administration of a number also working hard at developing a group initiative.
of exclusive properties and sectional title developments. When not at work, Tyson spends time with his family

Although there are many influences on a business to ensure that his own life is balanced. He concluded,
success. Tyson says that that it has become a business “My personal life is very important to me and I make
owner’s responsibility to make sure that their business sure I balance it. I am married and have a son of four and
is a sustainable one by constantly challenging the norm a half years. We are a very homely family and we love to
and striving for change and excellence. travel. We also enjoy the outdoors and keeping fit.”

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