Tobias Kuttler started at BETTERHOMES in July 2013 – almost 10 years ago. During his traineeship, he also studied law and originally started at BETTERHOMES with the intention of financing his studies through brokerage work. The job of a real estate agent fascinated him, which is why everything turned out differently than expected: just 1.5 years after joining BETTERHOMES, he was promoted to regional manager. He gave up his studies and concentrated fully on his career in sales. Blinded by the rapid and meteoric rise, Tobias Kuttler thought that things would continue in the same style and that the promotion to the prestigious management level would come just a few months later. However, that wasn't the case. Tobias Kuttler had to learn that even failures and dealing with them correctly can lead to constant success, at every level: from trainee to director. We took a closer look at his exemplary career.
Start and challenges as a trainee
I started as a trainee at BETTERHOMES alongside my studies and quickly realized something: everyday working life is very varied. In contrast to many other professions, you are a… Real estate agent Not only is he responsible for part of the entire process (e.g. working in accounting for a whole day), but he accompanies his customers from A to Z. This means that sales, marketing (advertisements, photos, etc.) and advice are combined in everyday work (estimates, service appointments, etc.) and legal (rental agreements/purchase agreements). What I liked best about it: You are free to decide when you do something. It's a real dream job!
Of course there were challenges too. I still remember it well; For me it was above all the triple burden of study, private life and BETTERHOMES. It wasn't always easy to juggle everything – and more than once I had to push myself and remind myself why I chose this path. One of the most important learnings for me was that success and failure are very close together, and that when you have setbacks you just have to get back up again. Because one thing is clear: the muscle only grows against resistance. Especially if you start as a trainee and have a main job at the same time, the time you invest in training at BETTERHOMES naturally depends on your own free time. It was important for me to make those around me aware of this and also to tell them why I was taking this path. Especially in a partnership or with a family, you usually pursue common goals; and the fulfillment of wishes – especially financial ones – has to be worked hard for. The trainee period is not a walk in the park, you don't need to fool yourself. But the double burden is limited to around one year (training period), after which you can pursue the profession full-time if you want.
In concrete terms, this means the following: In addition to your main job, you have to expect at least 10 front-line hours per week – that is, ten hours on site with customers or on site visits. Added to this are the administrative activities. The following applies: You have to adapt to the customers, because they are the focus. That's why the most valuable time for us brokers is in the evenings between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays, when our customers have time.
It is important that you are aware that without input no output can be expected. Here's what I've been teaching the trainees who start with me for years: It's like playing sports or learning a musical instrument; You won't be successful anywhere if you only invest 30 minutes of training per week. It is a second job and not a hobby.
Quick promotion to team leader
After being promoted to team leader, I discovered my passion for coaching and leading ambitious employees. The best moments are when a trainee makes a placement for the first time – every time it's a great moment that you never get tired of. That's what I love about leadership: celebrating shared successes. Because you are only successful as a manager if your employees are also successful.
However, building a team is not a Sunday stroll: accompanying employees through the strict trainee period, always sharing your own knowledge profitably and sustainably, and motivating them even when things are difficult – for example, when a placement falls through or a customer is particularly strenuous – demands a lot of strength and stamina. As a team leader, you always have to act as a role model in your own sales and at the same time learn to lead and train employees. Time management is particularly important: if you have this under control, you are on the right path.
The challenge of being a regional manager
After my time as a team leader, I was quickly promoted to regional manager. And that was the most challenging time for me at BETTERHOMES. After my quick promotion, I suddenly found myself without a team leader – and thus faced the challenge of rebuilding my team from scratch. What helped me was a clear vision: Why do I get up in the morning? What do I want to achieve and by when do I want to achieve it? So if things didn't go well, I could always turn to that. To this day I swear by the following principle: not having a plan B. My decision at the time to drop out of my studies turned out to be the right one for me. Because I didn't have a plan B – i.e. no other job to fall back on – I had to concentrate completely on my plan A and therefore on my sales career; come what may.
As a regional manager, you still generate your own sales – that means you continue to go to customers on site. You also lead a direct group and are also responsible as a senior manager for your own team leaders. The “Regional Manager” level is therefore a triple burden. This is very challenging, so you have to juggle everything and manage your time well. You will of course be supported by coaching and leadership training; But you have to persevere yourself if you want to get to the next level in your career.
Finally: The long-awaited director level
In January 2020 the time had finally come: after 5 years as a regional manager – after 5 years of fighting and biting – I celebrated my promotion to director at a big employee event. The moment was epic – the fight and perseverance was more than worth it. Those who were there that evening remember: I beamed so brightly that the entire hall seemed to light up.
What I particularly enjoy as a director is passing on my knowledge to my employees and managers and supporting them in achieving their goals – be it income or career goals. As director, I am no longer on the front lines myself, but instead focus exclusively on coaching my employees and setting up and expanding my group.
Are you a sales talent? We are looking for motivated career changers!
What do you need to be successful at BETTERHOMES?
It is very important that you have certain character traits, the “must haves” so to speak: you must be empathetic and able and willing to approach people in a sociable manner and have a positive charisma, good manners and a well-groomed appearance. It is also essential that you show interest in the people around you (remember: 80% of sales are interpersonal). At the same time, you must be disciplined, responsible and determined, because what counts is your performance. No prior knowledge is required for anything else related to real estate and brokerage know-how; You will learn all of this with us. You benefit from the knowledge of the market leader, from the experience of over 25,000 placements in Switzerland alone and the service with the fairest conditions on the market. A strong service center also supports you in the areas of acquisition, marketing, IT and finance/HR.
It's not called “making a career” for nothing – we offer the toolbox; They bring motivation and the hard work to achieve something. Then nothing stands in your way. Make your career! Fulfill your dreams! Now a real estate agent or Become a real estate agent at BETTERHOMES.
