Harcourts bids big for mental health, Laing+Simmons trains PMs to crack the case, The trouble with hiring a rainmaker, +news and more

Good Morning from Elite Agent

Google has finally released the new Gemini AI features on its new Pixel 9 phones, and it has a feature we think you’ll want to know about. ‘Call Notes’. Not only can the phone record your calls (like Zoom, it will let the other person know it’s happening), but it will also provide you with a full transcription and summarise the conversation you’ve just had powered by the on-board Gemini Nano.

If you think about it, there are so many potential opportunities this new tech presents, including things like automatically updating your CRM after you’ve finished a call, creating a task list of next steps to take and a raft of other possibilities! If you think this is cool, you can discover a whole world of real estate-related AI help for your business here.

Today we are covering:

• Harcourts bids big for mental health

• The trouble with hiring a rainmaker

• Marcus Washington’s bold career shift

• Laing+Simmons trains PMs to crack the case

• And much more!

Let's get to work 🚀

Instant Inspo 💡

QUICK PROBLEM SOLVING

In a managerial role, prioritise swift resolution of issues to maintain operational efficiency and employee satisfaction. Addressing problems promptly also helps in preventing them from escalating.

Go Deeper with Kylie Walsh here.

On our radar

Big bids for mental health

Harcourts Australia is gearing up to bid big for mental health, when it raises funds for Beyond Blue next month. The second annual Blue Friday will be held on September 13 and Harcourts Australia CEO Adrian Knowles says the network is determined to top last year’s efforts, when it raised $90,000. Discover more about the cause, and the strategy behind holding the auction event in early September, here.

Have you got a feel good Friday story? Let us know about real estate professionals doing great things at [email protected]

Today’s Feature

Pancho Mehrotra: The trouble with hiring a rainmaker

Hiring a rainmaker might boost your revenue, but it could also shake the very foundation of your team. Top coach Pancho Mehrotra takes a deep dive into the subtle nuances of personality traits that can either elevate or derail your business. He says, before you make your next hire, take a moment to ensure you're not just adding dollars but also fostering a healthy culture. More here.

Brekky Browse

Meanwhile, in the US 🇺🇸

Historic high amid supply crunch

The US housing market is poised to surpass a record US$50T valuation by June next year, driven by a persistent supply-demand imbalance, according to Redfin analysis. Despite easing mortgage rates, high borrowing costs and a lack of new listings have kept home prices climbing, with the total market value reaching US$49.6 trillion as of June 2023. However, while some regions, particularly in the Sun Belt, are experiencing price declines, the overall market continues to see steady growth. More here

Anything else?

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

The lyrics to the song might be fairly simple, but in this week back in 1984, Ray Parker Jnr’s Ghostbusters sat at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s popularity could have something to do with the fact that the Ghostbusters movie, starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, came out in June of 1984 and was a worldwide hit. But the song was also not without controversy, with Huey Lewis suing Ray Parker Jr for ripping off his 1983 hit I Want a New Drug. They ended up settling out of court and keeping the details confidential.