TYSON PROPERTIES ENTRY TOP BUSINESS AWARDS Powered by eLan Property Group
PART 1: COMPANY DETAILS Full name of company Industry Sector (see categories) Services/ products Date established Subsidiaries Customer Base No of employees B-BBEE status Auditors/ accountants Bankers Advertising/PRO agency KEY PERSONNEL CEO Managing Director Marketing Director Financial Manager Human Resources Other CONTACT DETAILS Physical address Postal address Telephone Fax E-mail Website ENTRY COMPLETED BY Name Designation Contact number
Tyson Properties Financial & Business Services Real Estate August 2005 n/a Home Buyers & Sellers in KZN +/- 250 Ward Harvey Standard Bank In-house Chris Tyson Chris Tyson Chris Tyson Louise Briggs Louise Briggs
Unit 11, 8 Richefond Circle, Ridgeside Office Park, Umhlanga 031 583 2700 086 566 1663 admin@tysonprop.co.za www.tysonprop.co.za
Heather Sudding Administration Manager 031 583 2700
PART 2: 1. Explain why you believe your company / organisation should win a KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Award. Include how the company / organisation contributes to the KZN economy. Tyson Properties was established in August 2005 by experienced estate agent Chris Tyson and businessman Gavin Cunningham. The upmarket real estate company started with a single office in Morningside, Durban, and just over a decade on, has grown to 23 offices with a staff contingent of 270 agents working in the residential, commercial and rental sectors as well as the property management and developments division. In 2015/2016, the year in which Tyson Properties celebrated its 10th anniversary, the company identified the Western Cape as a key region to kick-start its national expansion plans, and opened the Tyson Properties Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl office. At the same time, the brand also opened its first office in Gauteng, in the bustling Fourways region. The opening of these national offices, which have been strategically placed to capitalise on two of the country’s major growth nodes, were seen as a launch-pad for Tyson Properties’ growth plans to have 50 Tyson Properties offices situated around the country within the next 5 years. Nationally, with the inclusion of the five new offices, Tyson Properties increased its sales by an impressive 38%, at a time when many doubted the stability and positive performance of the property market. These figures represent Tyson Properties’ commitment to exceeding their clients’ expectations by offering quality service and building their brand through innovation. Tyson Properties has long been recognised as a trendsetter within the property industry. This innovative company is renowned for its excellent grasp of both global and local trends, and its holistic understanding of the changing needs of property buyers and sellers. In 2013 Tyson Properties KwaZulu-Natal were awarded affiliate status to Christie’s International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network and a subsidiary of Christie’s auction house.
Exclusively representing the Christie’s brand in KwaZuluNatal, Tyson Properties were invited to join a carefully selected network of 138 affiliates, with 25 000 agents in over 1 100 offices in 44 countries; a major coup for the Tyson Properties brand as a whole. As head of the company, Chris Tyson is hands-on and active within the market place, enabling him to keep abreast of trends in the sector. He brings together extensive experience in the property sector, knowledge of trends and developments within his market as well as his entrepreneurial flair. Although Tyson Properties has always focused on the upper-end of the market, it has always kept in tune with the many cultures and diverse range of properties. Consequently, the group is known for setting standards in the sale, purchase, and letting of homes and properties across the spectrum. Tyson Properties has therefore dominated the market in most of the areas in which it operates, and currently over 3,800 properties are listed with the company. Tyson Properties is committed to best practice and high standards of compliance, offering sound professional advice and safe guarding their customers interest at all times. We strive to have a zero tolerance approach to dishonesty, and are committed to the Real Estate Code of Conduct and observing high ethical standards. With an ambition to continue elevating the Tyson Properties to top-of-mind status, Tyson Properties will continue to build on exceeding its client’s expectations. Its focus is to provide quality service by working together to achieve a winning solution, and to ultimately be the number one real estate agency in the country.
2. Provide a summary of key business achievements & list any previous business awards as well as your plans going forward. Tyson Properties is built on exceeding our client’s expectations. Our focus has always been on quality service and working together to achieve a winning solution. Tyson Properties was established in August 2005 by experienced estate agent Chris Tyson and businessman Gavin Cunningham to provide a specialist real estate agency. They created a sophisticated real estate environment that offers exceptional service to clients and a platform for top agents in the industry to excel. A happy and professional working environment, training and resources, strong ethics, a strong corporate identity, excellent operational systems and skilled back-up staff plus marketing support have translated into measurable success with the group exceeding expectations. With our unique combination of sector knowledge and entrepreneurial flair, Tyson Properties has been a leading brand in the country’s residential property sector since 2005. We are known for setting the standards in the sale, purchase and letting of homes and properties across the spectrum and we are advertising leaders in the country. We offer a wide range of media advertising at no cost to the Seller. Tyson Properties have been recognized in the “Best Real Estate Agency” Category consecutively since 2009. The only company in South Africa to receive two awards in this Category. We were also awarded as the “Top Real Estate Brand” in 2015, as well as one of the “Top 3 Brands in KZN”. In a very short space of time Tyson Properties has dominated the market in most of the areas it operates in and currently has over 3,800 properties listed with the company. Tyson Properties offers clients a strong brand, an award winning website and back-end operation system, best support and back up staff, extensive marketing and focus on the upper end of the market. In short, Tyson Properties is a Full Service Company. “We’re not just an Estate Agency,we are redefining our industry. We embrace change and continually challenge tradition. We do business differently, giving our clients the winning edge.”
3. Governance Head Office
Chris Tyson Managing Director Holdings
chris@tysonprop.co.za
Louise Briggs Financial Director
louiseb@tysonprop.co.za
Lee Ellis Western Cape Regional Director
lee@tysonprop.co.za
Heather Sudding Admin Manager
heathers@tysonprop.co.za
Kim Woods KwaZulu-Natal Regional Director
kimw@tysonprop.co.za
Barbara Fisher Rental Manager
barbara@tysonprop.co.za
Jonathan Davies Gauteng Regional Director
jonathan.davies@tysonprop.co.za
Claudine Double Property Management
claudine@tysonprop.co.za
Mark White Developments
markw@tysonprop.co.za
Gavin Cunningham Director Holdings gavin@zultrans.co.za
Melissa Campher Marketing Coordinator
melissa@tysonprop.co.za
Branch & Franchise Management:
Amanzimtoti Wilma Olivier 031 903 7766
Ashburton Angela Maude 033 326 1313
wilma@tysonprop.co.za
angela@tysonprop.co.za
Fourways Jonathan Davies 011 467 0145
Gateway / Umhlanga Kerry Bailey 031 566 6123 kerry.bailey@tysonprop.co.za
Pinetown Robert Kelly 031 702 0443
Queensburgh Mike KcKenzie 031 464 9061
jonathan@tysonprop.co.za
robertk@tysonprop.co.za
mike@tysonprop.co.za
Atlantic Seaboard Nick Pearson 021 434 0615
nick.pearson@tysonprop.co.za
Glenwood Anna Rhodes-Jones 031 205 5055
City Bowl Jayson Sprawson 021 276 1260
jayson@tysonprop.co.za
Commercial & Westville Lee Ellis 031 266 2544 lee@tysonprop.co.za
Durban North Daphne de Marigny 031 563 6789 daphne@tysonprop.co.za
annarhodes@tysonprop.co.za
Midlands Jenny Smit 033 330 8101
jenny.smit@tysonprop.co.za
Morningside / Berea Kim Woods 031 312 9500
Phoenix Praveen Haripersaad 031 502 7229
Scottburgh Jeff Evans 039 978 1311
Shelly Beach / Sea Park Corky Kirby 039 315 0515
Upper Highway Trevor Lauderdale 031 765 4519
Ushaka Cecily Deetlifs 031 332 3458
jeff@tysonprop.co.za
corky@tysonprop.co.za
kimw@tysonprop.co.za
trevor.lauderdale@tysonprop.co.za
praveen@tysonprop.co.za
ushaka@tysonprop.co.za
4. Financial The company finances are managed internally by our Financial Manager Louise Briggs. As per Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) requirements an audit report is submitted annually to the EAAB. The report focuses on all monies received or expended, including monies deposited into the trust bank account or invested in a savings or other interest bearing bank account; all assets and liabilities; all financial transactions and the financial position of the business. Our company auditors are Wildner & Co. and Ward Harvey.
5. Communication Tyson Properties has a dedicated marketing and communication department that handles all advertising, press communication, social media as well as external and internal communications. Tyson Properties believes in extensive advertising and branding and is very active in this regard. Our advertising coverage in the weekly property magazine the HOME magazine is extensive, we dominate with an average coverage of twenty percent of the total magazine, this magazine is also inserted into the Sunday Tribune, giving our clients maximum exposure. Press releases are sent out to a number of newspapers, magazines and websites on a regular basis. Every month, an external newsletter is emailed to our stakeholders and an internal newsletter to our staff and agents. All staff have corporate email stationary signatures which include office & agent contact details and a link to the company website and social media sites. Tyson Properties also communicates with its stakeholders on its award-winning website at www.tysonprop.co.za, which is regularly updated with news items and messages from the CEO. The company has profile pages on Facebook and LinkedIn. The Facebook profile www.facebook.com/tysonprop has 8877 likes. Tyson Properties will shortly embark on a national Facebook campaign. The main aim is to create awareness of the brand and position Tyson Properties as an authority on real estate in South Africa. (view at http://www.tysonvirtualtours.co.za/TysonPropertie s01HD.MP4) Tyson Properties branches and offices are also encouraged to start their own Facebook profiles, enabling them to start conversations and connect with their local community. The company also has a LinkedIn profile where company news, real estate news and information is shared with our professional peers. Some of our branches regularly host expos at their local shopping centres or Meet and Greet days at their office, in order to engage with members of their community on a more personal level.
6. Information Technology In what ways are IT resources used to achieve the company's objectives? Technology is constantly changing the way the workplace operates, but the reason we have offices is for staff to work together achieving a balance between technology and face to face communication. Tyson Properties has partnered with Prop Data, a leading real estate internet marketing firm to help us remain at the forefront of innovative communication that allows us to effectively reach and engage with our clients. The Tyson Properties website is an integral part of our internet marketing strategy. It is our primary tool for distributing information to our target market, delivering our marketing message, promoting our property listings, gathering client data and generating high-quality leads. The website www.tysonprop.co.za is regularly updated with news items and messages from the CEO. The website has been designed with the client in mind and features cutting edge design with applications that assist the client in finding relevant information available at the click of a mouse. The recently improved search facility has improved the overall user experience with general trend of a decline in the bounce rate and an increase in the number of pages viewed. The features include customised search options, bargain properties, calculators, free sms/text messages, exchange rates, agent contact details and other useful features. The website currently enjoys over 240 000 page views per month. Please see attached website stats info page. Supported by PropData, we use a web-based office management system which utilises the latest technology available, which allows our agents to manage their buyers, sellers and listings in the most effective way possible.
The office management system allows for the following functions: A Facebook type noticeboard which enables company and office info to be distributed to users. For new office listings to be captured and fed to Tyson Properties Website and other relevant property portals. Estate agents can manage buyers via a leads management module which aids in understanding where our leads are coming from. The match index feature will automatically match prospective buyer needs with active listings. All leads are added to the Tyson Properties mailing list and are registered to receive property email alerts. Website hits per listing/property can be tracked. A document library One of our latest innovations is a Showhouse Register Mobi-site. This application allows our agents to capture their showhouse client information electronically and send them an email
confirming their visit and details of the property they visited, as well as the agent’s contact details.
WEBSITE STATS
May 2016 www.tysonprop.co.za
> 10 500 Active mailing lists subscribers > 600 new listings per month On average, more than 5.96 pages viewed each visit
In excess of 2717 leads generated
Total no of residentail listings > 2800
Over 40 000 visits Visitors spend an average of 8 minutes on the website
7. Environment a)
Describe the environmentally sustainable practices carried out within your organisation. Our focus is to embrace technology and our systems and processes are moving online in order to limit paper usage in a very high paperwork industry.
b)
How is your organisation supporting the greater environmental sustainability of the KZN region. Amid rising awareness of the impact businesses can have on the environment, Tyson Properties encourages environmental sustainability initiatives in all our offices, recycling, reusing, eliminating waste and supporting eco- friendly suppliers. Tyson Properties is embracing technology in our business processes and practices in servicing the needs of our clients thereby reducing our need for printed marketing material.
8 a) HIV/Aids Describe how your organisation recognises the problems relating to HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The company recognises that HIV/AIDS has a serious impact on the Company and its employees. We have a policy in place that aims to protect all HIV positive employees from discrimination and that informs all employees of their rights and benefits. We acknowledge that HIV/AIDS carries a stigma and therefore needs to be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The company endeavours to inform and educate all its employees through an awareness and education programme. The programme endeavours to impart a basic knowledge of the disease and prevention of the spread thereof. It furthermore endeavours to ensure the elimination of discrimination against any HIV/AIDS employee. The company's employees with HIV/AIDS have the right to confidentiality and privacy concerning their health. The company recognises and supports the fact that employees are not legally obliged to disclose their status but encourages affected employees to do so, so that the company can take appropriate steps to assist the employee. The company will provide as far as it is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment and will ensure that there is compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The company has in place a programme to address the following issues: -
Education and training awareness related to HIV/AIDS. Education for employees in understanding their own personal risk. Appointment and training of peer educators. Provision of health care and counselling support to HIV/AIDS positive employees.
8 b) Community Projects Tyson Properties believes in giving back to the communities in which we operate. The company supports Mandela Day and in 2015 our employees and agents gave back to a number of worthwhile charities. The 22 offices within the group also supporting The Santa Shoebox Initiative and pledged 400 boxes in 2015. Tyson Properties also proudly supports and sponsors the SunFlower Fund Annual golf day. This event aims to raise funds to cover the recruitment costs to grow an effective, ethnically diverse, South African Bone Marrow Registry of healthy, committed donors.
8 c) Staff Training In what ways does the company retain and develop quality staff? Tyson Properties has founded a Training Academy which has industry professional Gordon Battersby, who is NQF7 qualified, at the helm. The Training Academy aims to address the need for formal quality education, and in-house training that complies with national regulations. An intern programme offers weekly training which is hands-on and interns are guided and helped with completing their logbooks, preparing for the NQF4 qualification, and the professional designation examination (PDE). We aim to attract interns to join the group and to become fully qualified, quality agents. Through continuous training and development, it is hoped that these interns will qualify and remain loyal to the Tyson Properties brand. The EAAB requires continuing professional development of all full status agents. Currently Tyson Properties offers two group training sessions per year. Some offices of Tyson Properties have monthly training on various valuable topics.
8 d) Health & Safety
Explain what initiatives are in place to ensure compliance with legislation Every effort is made in all Tyson Properties offices to make our offices a safe place to work including comfortable chairs, user friendly office equipment, hygiene and welfare. Tyson Properties has an open door policy and encourages input from all its staff including identifying existing and potential health and safety problems and the solutions to these matters.
9) Industry How does your organisation support the industry in which it operates? Tyson Properties is proud to be a member of the following professional, private and government bodies: -
The Estate Agency Affairs Board of South Africa (EAAB) The Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa (IEASA) Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa (REBOSA) Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)
We adhere to the EAAB - Code of Conduct as well as REBOSA Equality Pledge.
10) B-BBEE policy Describe the B-BBEE programmes or strategies that have been implemented? Through our Tyson Properties Training Academy the company aims to attract previously disadvantaged individuals who are looking for an opportunity to receive a qualification and on-the-job training. Tyson Properties is committed to continuous in-take of Interns across various offices. We currently have a number of Interns in training. We await information on funding for the programme from the Service Seta to assist qualifying Interns as the most common barrier to entry in the industry is lack of earnings for up to six months. The industry has recently launched a One Learner - One Agency Programme aimed at speeding up transformation in the industry. Tyson Properties is committed to transformation in the industry and the sharing of knowledge and skills to previously disadvantaged persons thereby bringing in young, passionate players to our industry who can create a sustainable income for themselves.