The best retirement living developments may seem to sell themselves. But these five regional winners of the Imagine Projects Award for Salesperson of the Year make the hard work seem effortless.
Each year, the National Retirement Living Awards celebrate high achievement across six categories, recognising the people and companies going the extra mile to ensure senior Australians enjoy their retirement.
The Imagine Projects Award for Salesperson of the Year applauds outstanding sales results for retirement living units and apartments. The judges were on the hunt for people with an exceptional commitment to customer experience, strong engagement with residents and the community, and well-development communication skills.
A round of applause to…
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
A remarkable sales manager, Sharon Skinner oversees sales of new developments and resales for Lendlease’s Coastal Waters retirement village, just as stone’s throw from the spectacular beaches of Jervis Bay. When her colleagues submitted her award nomination, Skinner had already secured 58 net reservations and 43 settlements for the financial year, conservatively selling more than $28 million of stock within 11 months – an impressive outcome in a regional market.
Victoria and Tasmania
When the first residents of Ryman Healthcare’s Ocean Grove Retirement Village moved into their new villas, Janine Wilde said she felt like “the mother of the bride”. That commitment to her customers is evident in all that Wilde does. It’s no surprise that she has smashed her sales targets, selling out every stage of her village and forging close authentic relationships with her prospects, residents and community.
South Australia and Northern Territory
Katherine Stacey is responsible for sales at Living Choice Woodcroft – winner of the best refurbishment award at the National Retirement Living Awards in 2018 – and Living Choice Flagstaff Hill, South Australia’s first fully integrated golf course and retirement community. Stacey is a marketing manager’s dream, enthusiastically embracing Living Choice’s resident ambassador program, organising open days, attending a never-ending list of golf and bowls days, following up on leads – and doing so with a smile.
Queensland
Sharon Manson’s successful sales formula? Empathy, compassion and understanding of her customer needs combined with her deep sector experience. Manson performs dual roles of resales and sales manager at Ingenia Lifestyle Hervey Bay. Manson has turned around Ingenia’s resales business while leading the Hervey Bay sales team to almost double its financial year sales target with six weeks to spare.
Western Australia
Roy Paxton has been selling real estate for well over a decade but has found the most passion and enjoyment in his role since specialising in retirement living. Nominated by St Ives Murdoch, Roy is famed for focusing on the person not the dollar. He fosters long term relationships with his clients and is often seen having a laugh with residents around the village.
Each regional winner will now vie for national recognition at the National Retirement Living Awards, part of the National Retirement Living Summit on the Gold Coast from 22-24 November 2021.