Business

3 Things Every Commercial Business Owner Has to Know

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2022

There is no easy way to run a business, and things will not be smooth sailing all of the time. However, there are certain things you cannot avoid, but certain things you can put in place to ensure you are doing the best business practice possible. This article addresses three things that every commercial business must know to succeed with their venture.

1. How to Treat Customers

Your customers are the main event and the deciders of your business’ fate. If they aren’t happy, they won’t come back. You need to know how to reel them in, how to reach new people, and how to make sure that the ones you have are happy. You can provide a good quality product, exceptional customer service and follow-up care, and a clever brand marketing strategy. Consider hiring a dedicated employee to head up a customer service care team, so your clients have a consistent pattern of aftercare. This could be through a social media platform, which is also great for showcasing your business or your website.

2. How to Treat Employees

Your employees are an integral component of your business and how it runs. If they are disgruntled because of your actions, you will know about it. Happy and nurtured employees work more efficiently and have a better sense of well-being. Things you can do to care for your staff include properly:

Pay them correctly. Missed wages or low pay contribute to poor mental health and working conditions.
Honor their time off. Their holiday days and days off work belong to them; never presume you have jurisdiction in this arena.
Don’t expect too much from them. Work-related burnouts are a real problem in modern society, so help people to respect their limits by not over-delegating.
Be respectful, not degrading. You are responsible for the way you communicate, and this has a real impact on anyone who works for you.

3. Which Insurance is Right for You

There are an overwhelming number of insurance companies trying to sell you their product, so how do you know which one works for you and which one doesn’t? Of course, which policy you take out will depend on what kind of business you run. First, let’s look at commercial general liability insurance, which protects your business from any type of claim that may be brought against you from injury to a person or damage to a building.

Commercial general liability insurance is a good option for contractors, but it can also translate to a retail setting where bodily injury may occur on the shop floor. For example, a customer falling in the store because of clutter has a right to sue you, and they will be in the right. So to protect yourself from being damaged by a lawsuit, you pay for insurance to cover the costs.

Conclusion

Everything in this article is an essential component of running a credible business. If you nurture your customers, treat your employees as they deserve, and have the proper protection, you have effectively covered three important bases to lead you down the path to success.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

4 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.