The nick of time!

I didn't forget my Monday up-date, I just didn't get a second to write it yesterday. My day didn't start so well with the A38 blocked in Plymouth yesterday morning which blocked my route from Cornwall to Head office and I had a 9.00 appointment! I diverted through Launceston and got to Exmouth just a few minutes late so that was a good recovery. 

I am carrying out Directors reviews this week which is always inspiring when I hear everyone's longer term plans for things they are working on and the first sniffs of significant new business which people are hoping to secure. So far there are some very good things being discussed and if they come to fruition then it will certainly help us through these troubled times at the same time as giving us some great new and interesting properties to be able to offer. It also reminds me about the depth of the diverse skills we have in Bradleys which is essential to survive in the modern world of business and for that and those who provide them I am very grateful.

Francis

Bradleys 2011 Awards

There was great excitement yesterday at Bradleys Head Office in Exmouth when the very best of the best were invited to our annual awards lunch. Our Chairman Brian Bradley presented the awards and the winners were: Manager of the Year, Darren Ellis (Exmouth). Office of the Year Exmouth. Employee of the Year, Jointly Linda Jarrett and Sally Smitheram (both Hayle). Marine and Country Office of the Year Budleigh Salterton. Other nominees in attendance: Chris Scales (Bovey Tracey), Dave Lewis (Exmouth Financial Services), Karen Halcrow (Saltash), Debbie Kelly (Paignton) and Suzette Richardson (Insurance Services). Linda and Sally had driven 120 miles to attend and said the trip had been very worthwhile as they also scooped the prize of a case of wine for the office who produced the most editorials in the year. 

The food was magnificent, I was the barman and most unusually nobody got drunk, I must be losing my touch!

Put a bunch of Estate agents in a room and over lunch the conversation soon turned to how has the year started? I am very pleased to report that the people in the room all had excellent starts to the year with most offices reporting 7 or 8 sales by the end of the 3rd week. Upon reflection I shouldn't have expected anything less as I was having lunch with our very best people.

Brian Bradley and Darren Ellis collecting his trophies for Manager of the Year and

on behalf of Exmouth for Office of the Year.

Brian Bradley and Robin Burne receiving his award for Marine & Country Office of the Year 2011

Sally Smitheran and Linda Jarrett receiving their award

from Brian for Bradleys Employee of the Year 2011

The land of the living...

Here I am back in the land of the living after being off poorly for the last 2 weeks! 

I was delighted to see on my return to work this morning that sales were very good last week and that our offers activity has been really excellent over the last few days so I expect to see the sales continue.

We have our Awards Lunch at Head Office coming up on Wednesday for the very highest performers in 2011 so that will be exciting when the winners are announced in 2 day's time.

My sincere thanks to all those who had a turn at writing my blog in my absence and for keeping the world informed about what's going on in Bradleys.

Francis

A glimmer of light ……

It has fallen to me to write the blog today with the boss still laid up in bed, although after nearly a week, he has been prescribed more medication which seems to have finally had an effect.   

In his absence we have held 3 area meetings with all the managers reporting that although business is patchy in places, there is a positive vibe with most reporting a moderately busy start to the year.  

The rentals market is quite busy and hopefully the sales market will follow suit.

Until next time, when we hope the boss will be back with some positive news. 

Boss’ P.A.

Whilst the cats away....

So the boss is poorly in bed so it has been left to me the Bradleys IT Guru to have a play with todays Blog!

So what can I tell you, well how about I let you in to a secret!

Coming this spring will be Bradleys NEW dedicated Marine & Country website, it will be a showcase for the finest Waterside & Country homes the south west has to offer.

The site is being built at the moment but you can check out our current pages here . 

Shhh, please don't tell anyone I told you!

Splice the main brace!

2 days back at work and where did Christmas and New Year go?   The figures show we were busy between Christmas and New Year when many of our competitors were closed. We sold 7 houses which was a result and made for some very happy customers. 2012 also looks to have got off to a good start and I really hope we can keep the momentum going subject to not being hijacked by further economic doom and gloom. We had our first Board Meeting of the year yesterday so we have a plan to chart our course through the current stormy waters of 2012.  I just hope the conditions improve, not  deteriorate! There are some exciting plans for new style marketing to celebrate Bradleys 20th anniversary year which will be coming to our Website and all marketing material soon. Francis Marshall

2012, Here we go!

Here we are in 2012 and what does the year hold for us all?

If I knew with any certainty I would be in a role carrying a bit more responsibility than being an estate agent!

That said I do know with absolute certainty that if a property is to be sold in 2012 then the price will need to be realistic and the presentation of the property will need to be good so I guess I will stick to being an estate agent for another year then!

Happy New Year from me and I hope 2012 will turn out to be what you want it to be.