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Home of the REB Top 100 Agents

Why my brand is best: part 2

By Hannah Blackiston
02 November 2016 | 11 minute read
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Throughout Network Week, REB will talk to agents from different real estate groups to find out why they chose one group over another and how their brand is helping them succeed.

Today, we speak to Danny Malone from LJ Hooker

How long have you been a real estate agent?
Eighteen years. All 18 years with LJ Hooker.

Why did you choose to be with LJ Hooker? 
My parents got into the franchise in ’96 and my father passed away in 2003 so I took over the franchise in 2004. As a young business owner in 2004, there was a lot of support and guidance available and the depth of the LJ Hooker network was something I saw a lot of value in. 

Are there any unique challenges facing networks at the moment?  
There’s more competitors than what we would typically see getting into the industry, and a lot of the penetration strategies are low fees, but I think ultimately sellers will always run to the stronger groups with the proven track record. 

Do you think being part of a recognisable brand like LJ Hooker will help agents secure more business or do you think they’re leveraging off their own personal brand to secure business? 
I think it’s partially leveraging off our own brand and our own personal experience, but what the brand does is help give a greater depth of ideas and support from business leaders to help maximise opportunities in a changing marketplace. 

What are the best parts about being with a franchise?
Definitely the depth of the relationships. We’re very different than other franchise groups and there’s a willingness to share ideas and assist other franchise owners in the network. As someone who started this path as a very young franchisee, it’s nice now to be able to give back to the network and help other franchise owners who may be less experienced. LJ Hooker certainly encourages really strong collaboration in their network and with franchise owners who are willing to give back to others in the network. It’s quite unique. It’s not something that happens in other franchise groups and we hear that a lot when new franchise owners join the network from other real estate groups.

What is a challenge you have faced that you wouldn’t have been able to tackle without the support of your network?
One of the corporate team members took me under their wing as a trainee auctioneer and I’ve been calling auctions for over three years now. That was something that I wouldn’t imagine I would have done if I wasn’t part of the network, and had that support and influence of some good people around me to encourage me down that path, and it’s something I thoroughly love doing.

Were you always interested in becoming an auctioneer or was it a case of someone being there at the right time to mentor you?
It’s not something I’d have put my hand up to do but it’s something the network has a strong focus around and I was encouraged to do it and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be mentored through the auctioneering process from one of our best within the network. I call auctions for half a dozen offices on the Gold Coast with LJ Hooker and it’s one of my favourite things to do as part of my week these days.

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