Login
iscover
Moving to a less prominent location and reducing the amount of walk-in visitors produced big productivity gains for one agency.
Monarch Realty director Melanie Rouse told RPM that learning about the industry and the growth of smart technology made her realise that having an office on a main street isn't necessary. That was why she relocated the business in August after two and a half years' planning.
“The walk-in traffic we were getting was taking up the receptionist’s time and wasn't turning into business; it was merely people who didn't have [access to] the internet, which is not our target market,” she said.
“We researched locations and ended up moving to a high-profile new development out of the main street. This has saved the business so much time as the reception staff can now focus on productive work.”
When deciding on an office’s location, Ms Rouse said principals should look at where the market is and what they hope to achieve.
“Our new office is in a mixed-use development where we have the exclusive management rights to 60 apartments, so it makes sense for us to have an on-site office,” she said.
According to Ms Rouse, while the internet is making office location a less significant consideration, principals still need to choose a place with good profile in order to create some local awareness.
“Parking is also an important consideration, which is another thing that is easier to come by off the busiest streets,” she added.
“Carefully consider your signage and what can be seen by people driving past, and also make sure the area fits with what your business stands for.”
