A seasoned enterprise mentor specialising within the mortgage trade, Therese O’Neill (pictured above), has unveiled seven transformative constructing blocks poised to reshape brokers’ careers in 2024.

These key themes, which she is going to current as keynote speeches all year long, have emerged from years of optimistic suggestions garnered throughout her one-on-one and group teaching classes with brokers.

Reflecting on her experiences, O’Neill stated, “all through 2023, I experimented with varied matters to gauge curiosity amongst brokers.”

“These seven matters notably resonated with me, as I imagine they tackle essentially the most urgent challenges dealing with dealer enterprise homeowners at this time.'”

1. Conquering imposter syndrome in management

Delving into the primary matter, O’Neill shared how brokers can cope with imposter syndrome – the place somebody doubts their talents and looks like a fraud, although they might be expert and profitable.

“It’s that whisper in your head saying, ‘Who am I to guide?’” stated O’Neill. “Amazingly, 54% of girls and 38% of males at the moment endure with imposter syndrome or have performed so previously.”

In her keynote speech, O’Neill outlined frequent indicators and mentioned the persona varieties most prone to it, relating these facets to real-life situations within the mortgage trade.

“A typical time for imposter syndrome amongst brokers is when studying a brand new talent. The trade tells me I must do business lending in addition to residential. I do all of the research; I ace it after which I get my first business deal and I’m going right into a head spin,” O’Neill stated.

“You start over-analysing every part and people emotions of hysteria and imposter syndrome kick in… You’re sitting there trying over 30 lenders pondering you could analysis extra. And once you’re logging the deal and submit for approval, as quickly as you hit ship, you are anticipating a decline.”

She then defined find out how to break the cycle of imposter syndrome by separating emotions from information, reframing ideas, and in search of exterior views.

After introducing this topic at an Worldwide Ladies’s Day occasion in Melbourne final 12 months, O’Neill stated it deeply resonated with the viewers.

“I may see folks nodding alongside and by the top 30 girls got here up and shared their comparable experiences – even these brokers which are extraordinarily profitable and also you’d by no means would assume would have these emotions got here up, which breaks the stigma.”

2. Private branding methods for a linked world

O’Neill’s second matter is about private branding, sharing find out how to cope with stepping out from behind a company emblem and showcasing your persona, which may really feel daunting.

“I information people by the method of infusing their model with persona, emphasising its significance in at this time’s social panorama,” O’Neill stated.

“I provide sensible recommendation and instruments, corresponding to avoiding inventory pictures in favour of genuine content material and modern branding pictures tailor-made to social media and creating reels and short-form movies that hook up with a selected viewers.”

Importantly, O’Neill additionally talked about find out how to cope with unfavourable suggestions.

“I’ve this inner coverage known as the Tom Panos rule: if you happen to hate on me on social media and I don’t know who you might be, I’ve no compunction however to delete your put up and I can’t lose any sleep over that,” O’Neill stated.

“If I do know you and I’ve inadvertently offended you, I’ll decide up the telephone and have a chat to you.”

3. Advertising and marketing methods for millennials

O’Neill’s third matter goals to demystify the millennial technology, exploring their age demographic and shedding gentle on their pervasive affect.

“Millennials represent the biggest cohort in Australia at this time, projected to dominate each the workforce and shopper market within the coming years,” O’Neill stated.

“Love them or detest them, companies can’t afford to miss millennials.”

Emphasising their penchant for impressed manufacturers and company social duty, O’Neill mapped out the values and needs driving this demographic.

From there, the keynote speech provided sensible methods on how companies can tailor their strategy to seize millennial consideration, with a agency stance in opposition to utilizing clichéd and dated advertising and marketing methods that fail to resonate with this savvy viewers.

4. The ability of neighborhood advertising and marketing on your dealer model

O’Neill’s fourth matter delves into the sensible methods for figuring out key enterprise networks and establishing connections inside the area people.

She confused the importance of constructing relationships primarily based on real help moderately than aggressive gross sales ways.

“By supporting native companies by actions like leaving optimistic opinions, selling their social media presence, and sourcing settlement items from artisan shops, brokers can foster reciprocal relationships that yield long-term advantages,” O’Neill stated.

5. Networking for introverts

One other vital matter for the extra analytical and quiet dealer varieties is O’Neill’s speech on networking for introverts, which emphasises the problem of attending occasions as a consequence of anxiousness.

She instructed arriving early to ease into the surroundings and getting ready dialog starters prematurely.

“Probably the greatest issues you are able to do as an introvert is to get there early and volunteer to assist. As an alternative of standing there with mounting anxiousness over who you need to speak to, give your self a mission. Hand out title badges or meals,” O’Neill stated.

“Not solely will you get to fulfill much more folks and seem useful, it’ll calm down your unfavourable ideas.”

6. The ability of social gratitude

In her sixth keynote speech, O’Neil will reveal a robust social media technique known as “social gratitude” to spice up model engagement and follower development.

“Social gratitude is the best social media secret you’ve by no means heard of and is a game-changer on your model,” O’Neill stated.

Earlier than posting, she suggests partaking with 30 natural posts in your feed, liking and commenting on them. This not solely enhances engagement but additionally fosters a way of reciprocity amongst customers.

“By actively taking part in conversations and understanding your target market’s pursuits and issues, you may tailor your content material for higher engagement,” O’Neill stated. 

O’Neill emphasised the significance of two-way communication on social media, highlighting that merely broadcasting messages is not sufficient.

“This strategy not solely attracts extra followers but additionally strengthens model relationships and loyalty.”

7. Dealer awards: Ideas and tips

By breaking down the dealer awards panorama and the submission course of, O’Neill’s seventh keynote speech encourages self-nomination. 

“This isn’t the Logies. You have to nominate your self, and you could do your personal submission,” O’Neill stated.

“It’s not about being egotistical, both. Reasonably, it’s about benchmarking your corporation in opposition to greatest observe – and that’s an vital course of to do for any enterprise proprietor.”

O’Neill underscored the importance of range in award recipients, advocating for illustration from varied backgrounds.

She highlighted the symbolic worth of successful or being a finalist, stressing its influence on model notion and alternatives. Moreover, she mentioned the sensible advantages like improved networking and credibility.

“And keep in mind, if you’re going to make a submission, nominate any person else first. What lender, BDM, or provider has stood out to you this 12 months? It’s all about working towards that social gratitude.”

The place can brokers entry these speeches?

With varied engagements all year long, O’Neill stated one of the best ways to achieve her is thru her social channels.

“Simply swing me a message and we are able to tee one thing up or I can let you already know in regards to the availability of my upcoming occasions.”