Mentor reveals broker’s guide to success in 2024

A seasoned enterprise mentor specialising within the mortgage trade, Therese O’Neill (pictured above), has unveiled seven transformative constructing blocks poised to reshape brokers’ careers in 2024.

These key themes, which she’s going to current as keynote speeches all year long, have emerged from years of optimistic suggestions garnered throughout her one-on-one and group teaching periods with brokers.

Reflecting on her experiences, O’Neill stated, “all through 2023, I experimented with varied subjects to gauge curiosity amongst brokers.”

“These seven subjects significantly resonated with me, as I imagine they deal with essentially the most urgent challenges going through dealer enterprise house owners right this moment.'”

Conquering imposter syndrome in management

Delving into the primary matter, O’Neill shared how brokers can take care of imposter syndrome – the place somebody doubts their skills and seems like a fraud, despite the fact that they could be expert and profitable.

“It’s that whisper in your head saying, ‘Who am I to guide?’” stated O’Neill. “Amazingly, 54% of ladies and 38% of males at present undergo with imposter syndrome or have achieved so up to now.”

In her keynote speech, O’Neill outlined widespread indicators and mentioned the persona sorts most inclined to it, relating these elements to real-life situations within the mortgage trade.

“A standard time for imposter syndrome amongst brokers is when studying a brand new ability. The trade tells me I must do business lending in addition to residential. I do all of the research; I ace it after which I get my first business deal and I am going right into a head spin,” O’Neill stated.

“You start over-analysing all the pieces and people emotions of tension and imposter syndrome kick in… You’re sitting there wanting over 30 lenders pondering you could analysis extra. And whenever you’re logging the deal and submit for approval, as quickly as you hit ship, you are anticipating a decline.”

She then defined how you can break the cycle of imposter syndrome by separating emotions from info, reframing ideas, and searching for exterior views.

After introducing this topic at an Worldwide Ladies’s Day occasion in Melbourne final 12 months, O’Neill stated it deeply resonated with the viewers.

“I may see individuals nodding alongside and by the top 30 girls got here up and shared their comparable experiences – even these brokers which can be extraordinarily profitable and also you’d by no means would suppose would have these emotions got here up, which breaks the stigma.”

Private branding methods for a related world

O’Neill’s second matter is about private branding, sharing how you can take care of stepping out from behind a company brand and showcasing your persona, which may really feel daunting.

“I information people by way of the method of infusing their model with persona, emphasising its significance in right this moment’s social panorama,” O’Neill stated.

“I provide sensible recommendation and instruments, akin to avoiding inventory photos in favour of genuine content material and up to date branding photographs tailor-made to social media and creating reels and short-form movies that hook up with a particular viewers.”

Importantly, O’Neill additionally talked about how you can take care of adverse suggestions.

“I’ve this inside coverage known as the Tom Panos rule: for those who hate on me on social media and I don’t know who you’re, I’ve no compunction however to delete your publish and I cannot lose any sleep over that,” O’Neill stated.

“If I do know you and I’ve inadvertently offended you, I’ll choose up the telephone and have a chat to you.”

Advertising methods for millennials

O’Neill’s third matter goals to demystify the millennial era, exploring their age demographic and shedding mild on their pervasive affect.

“Millennials represent the biggest cohort in Australia right this moment, projected to dominate each the workforce and client market within the coming years,” O’Neill stated.

“Love them or detest them, companies can’t afford to miss millennials.”

Emphasising their penchant for impressed manufacturers and company social duty, O’Neill mapped out the values and needs driving this demographic.

From there, the keynote speech supplied sensible methods on how companies can tailor their strategy to seize millennial consideration, with a agency stance in opposition to utilizing clichéd and dated advertising and marketing strategies that fail to resonate with this savvy viewers.

The ability of group advertising and marketing in your dealer model

O’Neill’s fourth matter delves into the sensible methods for figuring out key enterprise networks and establishing connections inside the area people.

She pressured the importance of constructing relationships based mostly on real help reasonably than aggressive gross sales techniques.

“By supporting native companies by way of actions like leaving optimistic evaluations, selling their social media presence, and sourcing settlement items from artisan shops, brokers can foster reciprocal relationships that yield long-term advantages,” O’Neill stated.

Networking for introverts

One other necessary matter for the extra analytical and quiet dealer sorts is O’Neill’s speech on networking for introverts, which emphasises the problem of attending occasions on account of anxiousness.

She recommended arriving early to ease into the atmosphere and getting ready dialog starters prematurely.

“Top-of-the-line issues you are able to do as an introvert is to get there early and volunteer to assist. As a substitute of standing there with mounting anxiousness over who you must discuss to, give your self a mission. Hand out identify badges or meals,” O’Neill stated.

“Not solely will you get to satisfy much more individuals and seem useful, it’ll calm down your adverse ideas.”

The ability of social gratitude

In her sixth keynote speech, O’Neil will reveal a strong social media technique known as “social gratitude” to spice up model engagement and follower development.

“Social gratitude is the best social media secret you’ve by no means heard of and is a game-changer in your model,” O’Neill stated.

Earlier than posting, she suggests participating with 30 natural posts in your feed, liking and commenting on them. This not solely enhances engagement but additionally fosters a way of reciprocity amongst customers.

“By actively taking part in conversations and understanding your target market’s pursuits and considerations, you may tailor your content material for higher engagement,” O’Neill stated. 

O’Neill emphasised the significance of two-way communication on social media, highlighting that merely broadcasting messages is not sufficient.

“This strategy not solely attracts extra followers but additionally strengthens model relationships and loyalty.”

Dealer awards: Ideas and tips

By breaking down the dealer awards panorama and the submission course of, O’Neill’s seventh keynote speech encourages self-nomination. 

“This isn’t the Logies. You could nominate your self, and you could do your personal submission,” O’Neill stated.

“It’s not about being egotistical, both. Somewhat, it’s about benchmarking what you are promoting in opposition to greatest observe – and that’s an necessary course of to do for any enterprise proprietor.”

O’Neill underscored the importance of variety in award recipients, advocating for illustration from varied backgrounds.

She highlighted the symbolic worth of profitable or being a finalist, stressing its impression on model notion and alternatives. Moreover, she mentioned the sensible advantages like improved networking and credibility.

“And keep in mind, if you’ll make a submission, nominate anyone else first. What lender, BDM, or provider has stood out to you this 12 months? It’s all about working towards that social gratitude.”

The place can brokers entry these speeches?

With varied engagements all year long, O’Neill stated one of the best ways to achieve her is thru her social channels.

“Simply swing me a message and we will tee one thing up or I can let you understand concerning the availability of my upcoming occasions.”