Business

Brandquad: Managing a Team Remotely and Impact on Performance

Published

5 years ago

April 15, 2020

Today, remote management or remote management is a management solution adopted by the majority of companies. Indeed, with the impact of Covid-19, many employees are forced to work from home. Remote management is thus becoming, for companies, one of the keys to overcome this crisis. However, working remotely cannot be improvised and the managers who implement this method at the time of this health crisis must have in mind a few rules of good practice. This is why Brandquad, an international company that has been successfully using this working method for several years now, has decided to share its good advice to help companies to make remote management work in an optimal way.

When working remotely with employees from different backgrounds, there are a number of obstacles that companies have to overcome. According to Anthony and Phillip from Brandquad, there are four barriers to overcome: cultural differences, distance, language, and professions. However, this is no easy task for this international company specializing in product content management. Here are his tips.

Making remote management work

Established in Paris, Moscow and Dubai, Brandquad is a master in the art of bringing together very different and culturally distant profiles.

It all starts with quality recruitment. Ideally, it should target the younger generation, because remote management implies a new, more modern way of working. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that candidates are able to work remotely, that they are sufficiently autonomous and receptive to the fact that they are simply “drifted”. It is also necessary to recruit different and complementary profiles, both technical and commercial.

Next, the company must set up network tools to maintain contact between the different collaborators, even though they are physically distant from each other, and to monitor the progress of projects. In order to do so, Trello is a versatile and very well-thought-out tool that brings transparency, follow-up and interaction. For its part, Brandquad uses Skype instant messaging, the Google suite (Drive, Calendar, etc.) and HubSpot.

Finally, priority must be given to the different profile management. Getting people with different cultures and languages to work requires certain measures to be put in place. Employees must be driven rather than micromanaged. In other words, they must be given an objective and be given regular check-ups to ensure that they are progressing well in their work. These points of contact are small rituals that break the distance.

Impact on performance

Overall, remote management has a positive impact on business performance. Distance tends to make employees more autonomous and productive because, especially if they are well driven, they do not feel constantly monitored by their manager. They are more motivated to achieve their goals and are also happier at work.

Above all, remote management requires a trusting relationship between employees and managers. Distance requires an effort of transparency and implies regular reporting. This monitoring allows employees to show the progress of their project and involves them fully in the achievement of their objectives.

Remote management also promotes productivity and the separation of tasks in the sense that each employee is placed in the country he or she knows best. In this way, he or she will be able to gain a competitive advantage and enable the success of his or her company on an international scale.

For Brandquad, remote management is a way of working that is becoming more and more essential for companies in the current context that is emerging: modernization of managerial techniques, recurrent strikes, the Covid-19 pandemic, etc.

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.