Over 170 staff members from the 18 offices of Frank Salt Real Estate Ltd gathered for their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 2nd March at Corinthia San Gorg. Performance statistics for the year 2016 were presented, as well as a review of what made 2016 such a successful year for the company.
In his address to the staff, Chairman Frank Salt highlighted the fact that one of the most important and appreciated qualities of the Frank Salt Real Estate brand was the fact that it is the largest family-owned real estate company on the island, with no franchises and with almost 50 years of consistent and professional experience in the field.
"You are all part of our great Frank Salt family'" Mr Salt said to the staff. "We welcome you when you join us, we train you to the highest standards so that you will offer the best possible service to the public, we are there for you whenever you need advice and support. Our family is growing each year and this year it will be growing again," Frank Salt continued, with reference to Frank Salt Real Estate's plans to open a further 3 offices in Ibrag, San Gwann and Fgura as well as a new Commercial Office in St Julians in 2017.
Detailed statistics regarding the Company's performance and the property scene in Malta were presented by Chief Operations Officer Darren de Domenico. "2016 was a record year for the services offered by Frank Salt Real Estate, with most branches hitting or exceeding their targets," he said.
Apartments and maisonettes were the most common type of property whose sale was facilitated by the Company, with demand from the number of potential investors in this kind of property also having seen an increase. Interestingly, clients looking to buy property seem to be setting their sights on different areas than usual when compared to previous years.
Sales of property to foreign clients remains very strong with Frank Salt Real Estate, yet the Company's standing as one of the most highly sought-after real estate agencies among locals remains solid. "Our client database and our vast property database are crucial to the success of the service we offer, and we are delighted to see that people consistently keep coming to us to list their property or to look for a property because they know that they are in good hands," said Mr de Domenico.
Frank Salt Real Estate also offers property management services and interior design services which add to the support and benefits offered to their clients. "A vast amount of marketing is done to showcase our clients' properties both locally and overseas," said Mr de Domenico, quoting the website where prospective buyers can search for properties available, social media, magazines, exhibitions, features and reviews in local and foreign media, radio and video productions to name a few.
In a motivational address to the staff, Director Douglas Salt emphasised that 'first you need to invest time, time to learn the ropes, time to keep yourselves updated with the latest changes. Then you need to work hard. Know the laws and rules of the business but most of all, know the business inside out. Behind every great company is a great team of people - managers, sales consultants, office staff, accounts staff, HR, IT, administrative staff, marketing staff, cleaning personnel, maintenance people, all contributing to giving our clients the service they deserve."
A preview of Frank Salt's new marketing campaign was presented, which will be launched very shortly. Referring to this as well as to the new branch offices to open in 2017 and to the new design of all the Frank Salt office facades and front-office interiors currently underway, Director Grahame Salt said "When done professionally and thoroughly, this is an extremely expensive business to run, but we remain committed to investing in whatever it takes to give our clients the best, most personalised service and assurance of the highest quality, ethical standards that have become our trademark." He went on to stress the importance of preparation, commitment and discipline within the team's mindset as well as the development of a fine set of specialised skills.
As part of its ongoing support to the community, staff were also informed of the Company's plans to develop a project with the aim of installing photovoltaic panels on the roofs of a number of NGOs' buildings, and to run a campaign to also gather support for the project from other entities involved in the real estate industry as well as from the Government. This would be a progression from the Company's usual donations to charitable causes, to a sustainable project which will generate financial benefits for the chosen NGOs for the next 25 years. One NGO has already been identified and more details will be released shortly.
The evening was rounded up nicely with a presentation by engineer Mr Marco Cremona, where he shared about what it took for him and two other Maltese men to climb Mount Everest in 2014.