Business

Small and Medium Enterprises Do Better When They’re Virtual: Research

Published

6 years ago

June 24, 2019

Thinking of starting a Small or Medium start up? The best way to go about it is to go remote, that is, to start up your business from home. As eCommerce is virtual it is not necessary to prove where your headquarters are. You can provide your product or service to anyone in the world with the power of the internet. Research finds that this kind of virtual arrangement has proven beneficial to the small and medium scale businesses.

A recent and inspiring example is of Sven Hecker and Katharina Marbach, who were selling their German products in Germany, but wanted to expand their market across the United Kingdom. The UK market was reluctant to buy products from Germany. That is because consumers over the internet think twice before consuming products because they can often be counterfeit, low quality or even scams.

Sven was certain that his products would meet UK standards but the UK market thought otherwise. Sven thought out of the box and in order to have something in common with the buyer and assure them high quality standards, he set up a UK address for his virtual office and a UK phone number. The customers were convinced that they were buying from a local shop and his company quickly conquered the UK market. He was so pleased with his response in the UK that Sven then set up addresses and numbers throughout Europe. Eventually Sven had set up Six offices in Europe. Getting a virtual office in Holland and several such European countries proved beneficial for his company. And that even provoked other such businesses to go for company formation in Holland and other neighboring countries and capture the local market.

Setting up an office in more than one country requires market validation, and creating multiple physical offices can be highly costly and unrealistic. But creating virtual offices is possible. Just like Sven did. Local addresses are preferred because the customer believes that quality will be up to the standard of the country they live in and returns will be easier and faster. Even websites such as Amazon and eBay prefer local addresses.

Business

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

Published

1 week 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.