In this episode, we discuss building an overseas team for your estate agency. Georges Verdis joins Sam to talk about digital assistants, especially those based in the Philippines, and how they can support agency operations while managing costs.

Sam and Georges share their journey of hiring virtual (or digital) team members, with a transparent look at salary structures, recruitment sources, and integrating remote professionals into a UK-based team. The episode takes you through the process of recruiting, training, and managing overseas staff, highlighting the logistical details and mindset shifts required. Find out why clarity in role descriptions, cultural understanding, and ongoing coaching lead to better retention and productivity.

Georges also champions productivity tools like Asana and Slack, while discussing the impact of work culture on loyalty and motivation, and why offering a competitive salary in the local context can transform both your business and the lives of your remote team.

Here’s how we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

Find out more about COSMO and take advantage of our exclusive podcast offer!

LISTEN to another episode

Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Connect with a community of ambitious agency owners on our private AJ Mastermind FACEBOOK PAGE

For your questions, reach out to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Stay updated on our upcoming EVENTS

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Remote recruitment can double agency output and sustain high standards while being cost-effective.

➡️ Transparent processes, cultural adaptation, and communication tools are vital for integrating an overseas team.

➡️ Estate agency growth often depends on coachable team members and leadership willing to implement new ideas.

Some great moments:

✅ “The digital team can literally run the office. The only thing they cannot do is let contractors in to pick up keys or do viewings.”

✅ “You cherry pick the best of the best of the best.”

✅ “Hiring your first digital assistant is exactly the same journey as hiring your first person in the UK. Countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—turn the thought into action.”

Ready to modernise your estate agency? Tune in and discover how to build a winning team that works for you, wherever you are.

Cosmo: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/cosmoignite

Listen: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

Upcoming Events: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events/

Let’s examine the five languages of appreciation in the workplace and their direct impact on team culture and retention. Sam discusses how to recognise, motivate and support your staff using strategies backed by research and shaped by real-life experience.

With reference to her upcoming book, Sam talks about understanding what makes each team member feel valued - from words of affirmation to acts of service, and how that translates to improved productivity, loyalty and stronger team bonds.

Matching your appreciation style to the individual can reduce staff turnover, enhance morale, and lead to a more harmonious workplace environment.

The 5 Languages of Appreciation is based on ‘The Five Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman, which can be found on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Love-Languages-Secret-Lasts/dp/0802473156

Here’s how we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

Find out more about COSMO and take advantage of our exclusive podcast offer!

LISTEN to another episode

Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Connect with a community of ambitious agency owners on our private AJ Mastermind FACEBOOK PAGE

For your questions, reach out to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Stay updated on our upcoming EVENTS

Some key takeaways:

➡️ Team members receive appreciation in different ways; understanding their preferences can lead to higher retention and engagement.
➡️ Performance reviews and open communication make a team feel valued and clarify roles in your estate agency.
➡️ Approaches like quality time, tangible gifts and appropriate physical touch need to be applied with care and awareness.

Some great moments:

✅ “You can only be as happy as your unhappiest team member… A happy team is a happy you.”
✅ “If you show your love and appreciation to them in the way that they prefer, it resonates much more clearly and deeply.”
✅ “What we're trying to do is help people be the best form of themselves they can possibly be. And that is going to take time and effort from you.”

Cosmo: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/cosmoignite

Listen: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

Upcoming Events: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events/

Here is part 2 of the AI for Agents webinar that Sam and Phil wanted to share with you! If you missed part 1, go and check out the previous episode.

This podcast will help you understand the difference between SEO and GEO (That’s Generative Engine Optimisation), find out why clear, extractable website text is now essential, how listings on third-party sites like Rightmove can influence AI recommendations and learn how to construct prompts that improve your visibility and reach.

Why is PR going to become even more valuable, how AI is changing search habits and which areas of your agency can you automate with AI integration tools?

Here’s how we can help you to IGNITE your agency:

Find out more about COSMO and take advantage of our exclusive podcast offer!

LISTEN to another episode

Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

Connect with a community of ambitious agency owners on our private AJ Mastermind FACEBOOK PAGE

For your questions, reach out to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

Stay updated on our upcoming EVENTS

Some key takeaways:

➡️ AI is rapidly shifting the landscape for independent estate agency marketing and search visibility.

➡️ Getting your website and content AI-ready is now vital to capture new leads and referrals.

➡️ Third-party profiles, comparison pages, and clear, extractable text make a difference to how AI recommends your agency.

Some great moments:

✅ “At the moment AI is using our own website to feed back towards that information, but it's also using third party and it prefers third party websites.”

✅ “Language needs to be simple, straightforward and extractable...It doesn't go into videos... it's going to go to the most easily extractable text.”

✅ “Create comparison pages...you can put yourself at the top of that ranking and AI will take that as fact and then report that back to a searcher.”

Cosmo: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/cosmoignite

Listen: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

Upcoming Events: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events/