Best of #BSA: Willie Yeo
In this article series, I'm going to feature some of the leaders in #BSA and share their experiences with me and the team.
Today, we will be speaking to Willie Yeo!
Willie is a Division Director in #BSA, he specializes in Executive Condominium and has been in the industry for close to 30 years. With a strong passion for Real Estate, he has helped countless clients and his associates with their Real Estate needs.
The interview is conducted by my team on my behalf.
Can you introduce yourself? What made you go into Real Estate?
Hi, my name is Willie Yeo.
I was a regular in the army for seven years before I decided to leave that career. Then, I didn't know what to do because I was not very well-educated and I didn't have a high degree in education. But I met a friend who introduced me to the Real Estate industry and invited me to join him.
So, I started back in 1992, which makes it about 30 years today. I first started my career in the rental market, then subsequently moved to HDB, condo, landed, and now more on EC projects. So yeah, at the moment, primarily I focus on EC and then on the resale market for condos or the landed. All residential projects.
All these while, I've been very independent on my own and would diligently go for all the training supports and workshops by PropNex and #BSA. So, I would say all have been well for me.
How did you first meet/get to know Bobby? What was your first impression of Bobby?
I knew Bobby at a PropNex convention when all team leaders gathered to get to know each other. As for the first impression of Bobby, he has a baby face (laugh). He is always looking young. He is very friendly and approachable, then and even now.
So, during the year that we had the merger with PNG, Bobby was, in fact, the first leader I thought would be the right choice of leader. Thus, I chose to be under him and never regrets it. Bobby generally provide a deeper impression compared to most of the other leader!
How would you describe Bobby as a mentor and as a leader?
As mentioned, Bobby is very friendly and approachable. If we have any issues or problems, we just have to give him a call. He would listen to us and provide us with solutions and suggestions. And, if you have ideas, he will always support you. He will say "Okay, let's do it". Then he will be behind supporting you. Bobby does provide us with lots of free play.
How would you say the support system and also the resources provided to you and your team by #BSA is different from what you've been seeing in other divisions?
I think the series Debunking Myths, by Stella Thio, is good. What is shared in the series can be used to engage our prospects and clients and it actually feels more convincing because you know all the detail. We are very fortunate to have this in #BSA. I also enjoy the virtual studio. Just earlier this year, Bobby engaged me to have an EC sharing. This is really good because it provides us an opportunity to share knowledge and be in a video.
Bobby strongly believes in the 90/10 concept - where 90% of success comes from individual ownership, and 10% of success comes from the resources and support that #BSA provides to help everyone achieve their goals and success. Do you agree with this and personally how have you experienced this?
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I strongly agree with this 90/10 concept because when I started 30 years ago, nobody would teach or be willing to share. So, you have to depend on yourself to work things out. You need to take ownership of yourself.
No doubt that things are different now, but I do see a lot of new RES coming in wanting things simple and they lacked effort and responsibilities. I don't think they will last long in this career.
It is important to be reminded that in this Real Estate career,?you are your own boss. The company doesn't pay you, you don't get a salary, and you are on your own. However, we recognize help is needed by individuals, and that's why there is a lot of training, a lot of courses, and mentors willing to guide you! But never expect leaders and mentors to give you the leads and the transactions. For those, you have to depend on yourself to get them. If not, let's say you join a division and the leader provide you with everything, you had it so smooth. When a crisis happens, it will be extremely hard for you to be on your own and then you will drop off the career.
So, I totally agree with the 90/10 concept. It helps one to last longer.
How did being a subsidiary of #BSA impact you as a leader, and also in leading your team?
Bobby has a lot of ideas. He is very creative and energetic with all his ideas. This is why #BSA has a lot of training going on which is very helpful because we can simply just send our associates to all these available training and courses, besides the company ones. And these actually really help ease my and the other leaders' burden of training. A blessing for us!
How would you describe yourself as a leader or as a mentor?
I am constantly learning to be a better leader and mentor. And to those who choose to join me, know that I will do my best to guide you, and share the experiences and skills I've acquired over the years. But you need to be willing to learn. It's my philosophy. I am willing to teach those who are willing to learn. Because nobody can help you if you are not willing to learn. In fact, compared back then to now, leaders are more willing to share and learn and so you get to have a shorter learning curve. In short, I will describe myself as a leader and mentor who appreciates having the mentality to learn.
The top three traits that you look out for in your potential new RES to join your team?
1. Passion. RES must have passion for this Real Estate industry. If there is no passion, it is very difficult to last long.
2. Teachable. RES must be willing to learn and listen. So that he/she can improve and gets better over time.
3. Discipline. To me, having discipline is very important. In fact, I am very particular about having discipline because it means to respect and partly because it has been ingrained into me (from the army). With respect to our profession as Real Estate agents, with respect to clients, to prospects, and to ourselves. For example, when it comes down to responsibility and duties, having the discipline to provide your service with professionalism - can be as simple as dressing professionally. I've seen younger realtors meeting clients in Bermuda shorts and slippers, which is something I cannot accept. Dress properly to respect your career and profession. I can emphasize that a lack of discipline won't get anyone far.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about Bobby or about #BSA?
Though there are many of us, including me, who cannot keep up with Bobby's pace, in terms of his training and ideas for his leaders and associates. It is important to know that what he is doing is for the good of #BSA. We have to learn to see that what he does are actually good for us. It is not easy for him to arrange all sorts of training and programs. So, I must say, being under Bobby and in #BSA, we are really in good hands. I am very proud to say I am with #BSA.
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Connect with Willie Yeo here:
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2 年Willie, congratulation! You are so blessed to be handpicked and priased by Bobby! Keep up the good works!