Stephen Robertson - A Testament to Growth and Support

Trust, consistency, and reliability are LJ Hooker traits that deeply resonate with Stephen Robertson. These qualities are the foundation of his commitment to the company, motivating him to continue his successful leadership of LJ Hooker Oamaru and LJ Hooker Ashburton.

Stephen’s nearly two decades with LJ Hooker is underpinned by the immense support and resources provided by LJ Hooker. This first allowed him to grow as a salesperson, and then aided him into becoming a business owner when the opportunity arose to buy and set up LJ Hooker Oamaru.

Evolution of the LJ Hooker brand

As the real estate industry has advanced, Stephen has witness LJ Hooker evolve during the past two decades. LJ Hooker has always been a pioneer in the real estate industry since its beginning in 1928, and the brand continues to develop.

Stephen has seen LJ Hooker adapt and modernise, with its marketing approach changing to reflect the market. For business owners, there has been notable improvement in how corporate communicates with franchise owners, which Stephen believes is crucial, enhancing the overall standard and cohesiveness of the brand.

"The brand has evolved significantly over the 19 years I've been with LJ Hooker. I've seen it transition from the little girl and LJ Hooker bear to a more corporate look and approach. Communication between corporate and the offices has improved tremendously. Everything has evolved to a really high standard."

Networking and collaboration

One of the most significant advantages of being part of LJ Hooker is the robust network and collaboration between its offices across Australasia. Stephen emphasises the essential role this plays in business growth. The exchange of best practices and staying updated on industry trends help agents across different regions improve their performance and stay competitive.

"The power of LJ Hooker's network is essential. The collaboration between offices across New Zealand and Australia is crucial for the growth of everyone's business. Staying updated on what's working and assisting agents across the North and South Islands is vital. This networking is indispensable."

The ability for extensive networking and collaboration not only fosters growth but also ensures every office is well-informed and supported, leading to better service and results.

Trust and reliability

Trust and reliability are at the core of LJ Hooker's success. Stephen firmly believes in the strength of the LJ Hooker brand, citing its well-established reputation and the high level of trust it commands among clients. This trust is a critical factor that has kept him loyal to the brand for nearly two decades.

"The success of the LJ Hooker brand lies in its trusted name. People have a high level of trust in it. It's a well-established brand. I wouldn't go anywhere else. For me, LJ Hooker stands for trust, consistency, and reliability."

This unwavering trust and consistency have been pivotal in maintaining client relationships and ensuring long-term success. This allowed Stephen to grow his business in Oamaru and expand into Ashburton, recruiting salespeople across the region who want to be part of LJ Hooker.

Training and development

Investment in training and development is a cornerstone of LJ Hooker's support system. Stephen highlights the importance of this for his team, especially for young people entering the business. The consistent training programmes offered by LJ Hooker equip new recruits with the necessary skills and confidence to excel in their roles, thereby strengthening the overall business.

"Training is essential, especially for young people entering the business. They need to have faith that the company will invest in their training, and LJ Hooker has been paramount in this. The consistency of corporate input into all franchises is evident. My new recruits love the training and the opportunity to skill up."

LJ Hooker offers a vast amount of training, including its in-person training for new and returning salespeople, as well as regular upskilling opportunities held across New Zealand. For those who cannot make in-person training opportunities, there are always regular webinars and on demand training sessions. These on demand sessions have become a valuable part of sales meetings where the team can complete a training module together and discuss how they would use what they learnt.

This focus on continuous learning and development ensures that all team members are well-prepared and motivated, contributing to the overall strength and success of the business.

Unwavering corporate support

Stephen’s success story is also a testament to the unwavering support he has received from LJ Hooker’s corporate team. Over the years, he has experienced consistent and prompt support from various general managers and CEOs. This level of support has been crucial, particularly in the early stages of his business, providing him with the guidance and encouragement needed to overcome challenges and achieve success.

"In my 19 years with the brand, I've had different general managers and CEOs, but each one has shown unlimited support. I can always pick up the phone and get a call back quickly. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support from corporate, especially in my early days. I also received invaluable support from other LJ Hooker business owners, in particular Wayne Graham. The collective support from the network and corporate has been fundamentally massive."

This personalised and consistent support has been a driving force behind Stephen’s sustained growth and success, highlighting the importance of strong corporate backing in business development.

Stephen’s journey with LJ Hooker is a compelling example of how a well-established brand, robust networking, continuous training, and unwavering corporate support can drive business success. His story illustrates that with the right backing, a business can not only grow but thrive.