It’s quite incredible how the good citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay have embraced the Sunrisers Eastern Cape cricket franchise.
The Sunrisers, who have won the first two editions of the SA20 competition, and their Orange Army of fans became inseparable as they found their way into the hearts of tens of thousands of local men, women and children.
It is a great example of how powerful a brand can become once it is adopted by the public.
That power is not generated overnight. It is wrenched up in small increments by delivering on your promise – whatever that may be – over and over and over again.
Gaining public trust equals their buy-in.
After that, your “customers” tend to stand by you in good times and bad. Think Apple and Android, for example, where we generally support one of the two because the brand resonates with us no matter what the latest sales figures are revealing.
One can draw a great parallel between such brands and that of the Sunrisers, who are playing to sell-out crowds despite a questionable start to their 2025 campaign.
Now let’s talk about the ups and downs of the property market. It’s no secret that last year was a tough one for the industry as it got bludgeoned all over the park by national election uncertainties and the resultant hike in interest rates.
The slow-down of sales was directly proportional to the latter and we were left to weather the storm until the repo rate took to the crease and started hitting back.
The important thing is that our supporters never lost the faith and, buoyed by a renewed sense of confidence, the property market cut loose like a Marco Jansen flailing it to all corners of St George’s in the final overs of a Twenty20 match.
As one of the most trusted property brands out there, it therefore came as no surprise that Remax South Africa registered its highest December score – erm, sales – in its 30-year history.
Remax Independent, where I earn my daily bread, followed suit with an end-of-year record of its own – netting a cool R1.36-billion. We had hit it out the park as a collective.
But why do we outperform so many others?
Because the brand is associated with a sizeable market presence, some of the best business tools, top administration and compliance systems and agents with the right credentials.
More importantly, the business adheres to consumer and ethical principles every step of the way. That means it is trusted.
These are some of the reasons I chose to link my name to the red, white and blue brand. Another is that I have the flexibility to be in business for myself without being by myself.
When David Bedingham or Tom Abell strides out to bat, there is a very real correlation between their performance and that of the team. Even if the individual is on fire, nothing will be achieved if there is no backup in the dugout.
Knowing that you are backed by a strong team gives you the confidence to express yourself. At Remax Independent, I get the support I need so that I can focus on giving my clients the very best of myself.
Whether sport or business, no man is an island.