The well-rounded agency

WITH property investments having gone global, investors now look to markets other than their own. This makes it imperative for them to engage a real estate agency they can trust, says CEO of IQI Holdings, Kashif Ansari.

IQI is a Malaysian-based global real estate consultancy that assists foreign investors in the country with their choices of purchase and the transaction process.

IQI was founded 10 years ago by partners from the UK, US, Malaysia and Singapore, under the Best World brand. The company was rebranded in 2011 and now operates in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, US and Bahrain.

Besides international sales, IQI’s scope of services covers project evaluation, sales and marketing for new and existing projects; secondary market sales, rent and management; and corporate and residential rentals. IQI has more than 600 agents and negotiators globally. 

“How we differ from other companies is that we treat our agents differently. We train and treat them well as we want to teach them not only how to be good agents, but also to enjoy the perks and the quality of life that can come with it,” says managing director Daniel Ho.

He adds that the company focuses on the wellbeing of all its members to motivate and retain young talent in the industry.

“There are many real estate agencies out there. Some agents are not well trained and are left to fend for themselves. They either sink or swim, and most will sink without proper guidance. That is why the turnover rate is so high,” says Ho.

“But here, we hold their hands; we even carry and cradle them the whole way through,” Ho says.

All agents that join the company have to undergo training whether experienced or not.

“They could be fresh with no experience or have been an agent before, it doesn’t matter. We train them all the same way. We even provide grooming courses so that they not only behave but look the part of a professional,” says Ho.

This contributes to the company’s credibility, he adds.

“We work with big developers, investors and property experts [so]  we need to take care of their [reputations],” says Ho.

Agents are also given recognition where it is due, and are rewarded with gifts including overseas trips, says Kashif.

“We do buy gifts for the top performers and also take the team for trips abroad so they can experience the environment and way of life there. It’s not just about achieving strong sales. It’s about understanding that you, as a person, deserves better in life and should not be afraid to reward yourself for your hard work,” he says.

Giving back

With the company’s success, it also knows the importance of giving back to society. IQI runs a home known, Rumah Aman, for underprivileged and orphaned children. Rumah Aman has two premises; one for boys in Saujana Putra, and for girls in Shah Alam.

Ho says Rumah Aman provides quality education for the children so they can avail themselves of the same opportunities as other children.

“At first we sent the children to regular schools. But when the van showed up bearing the name of the home, the other students bullied them and it was not a happy experience for the children. That’s when we decided to [teach them here]. Teachers from regular schools heard about what we were doing and volunteered to teach the children, which is great. We can proudly say that these children have performed well in their exams and will indeed go far,” Ho says proudly.

Kashif adds that while the children are given quality education, they are given a quality life as well.

“We make sure to take them to some of the best restaurants, hotels and on field trips so that they are able to say, yes, we have been to these places and we have experienced that side of life,” he adds.

In the words of Ho, the company is more than a property agency that advises its investors or focuses on sales.

“It is a well-rounded company that looks out for its members and tries to give back as much as it can to society. So anyone who wants to join us is more than welcome. It is a full-time job; it is hard work but it pays.”

This article first appeared in The Edge Property pullout, on June 12, 2015.