From the glamorous stage, Miriam Quiambao-Roberto is now a wife, mother, TV host, and a property manager/real estate broker to boot. Juggling all of these roles, Quiambao continues to learn, and ostensibly do well.
As the Lamudi Philippines Brokers Awards Night draws near, aspirants are getting hyped up to know what it takes to be one of the best brokers in the country. Quiambao-Roberto recently shared the secrets of her success. Here are some tips from the 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up.
Arrive on time or earlier than scheduled
According to Quiambao-Roberto, being early at the venue sets the tone for the presentation. As owner of Q Estates Management and managing director of 3Win Realty & Development Corporation, she regularly attends meetings, and she says arriving ahead allows one to settle in to the venue before a presentation, avoiding having to rush and be unkempt.
“For brokers and in anything actually where one wants to appear as professional, I would suggest you come on time,” Quiambao-Roberto said. “This will allow you to relax a little and settle in, and not rush because you’ve found an ample parking space or the venue itself beforehand. If you are meeting with a seller, it also allows you to prepare with them way before the buyer arrives.”
Preparation Is key
There are no retakes when making a live presentation to a client, Quiambao-Roberto said, so preparation is very important. More than arming yourself with the right words, coming confident and prepared ensures that the clients feels a professional kind of care from you.
“If there are documents that might come up in the meeting, you should already have acquired these beforehand,” she said. “If you’re the selling broker, you want to make sure you’ve done your due diligence, so that the person you are selling to does not experience problems.”
“Always take note that your reputation is also on the line, so you want to make sure that you are showing your fellow brokers and their buyers, or sellers, the professionalism they deserve,” Quiambao-Roberto added. “For instance, you should avoid occurrences where you will present a property for sale that will turn out as a problematic property, and will cause delay in the process due to your lack of research.”
The way you present yourself matters
“The way you carry yourself, and the way you look, are the first measure to your character,” Quiambao-Roberto said. “Going beyond aesthetics, clients prefers to listen to a presentable speaker, and keen to do business with someone knows how to care for him- or herself.”
“When you introduce yourself, it is important to give them a nice, firm handshake. Not too long, not too short, not too strong, not too limp but just right,” she illustrated. “Remember as well that eye contact shows confidence and that you are secure about yourself and your job.”
Business doesn’t end
Even if the presentation did not end in a deal, it is still vital to leave a good lasting impression. Quiambao-Roberto stressed that business doesn’t end when the presentations are finished. Being appreciative and sending follow-ups can build relationships that all started with the initial meeting.
“It would be nice if you could send them birthday cards or Christmas cards, flowers, or a decently-priced bottle of wine,” she suggested. “Nothing too expensive, but just something they can remember you by. Those little actions will mean a lot to your clients.”
