The forum served as a critical alignment piece for the network, addressing industry challenges ranging from Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation to the gradual decline of commission rates across the sector.
Ray White Queensland CEO Jason Andrew opened the session with a call to focus on volume rather than value, noting that relying on rising property prices is a strategy out of a businesses control.
“Too many of us are reliant on value, which we cannot control. It is time to concentrate on volume as the core driver of our business,” Mr Andrew said.
“To do that, we must define what it means to ‘bring the whole team’ and adopt a Ray White First approach. We need to win the weekend.”
A highlight of the series was the keynote by Sydney Swans chief operating officer Drew Arthurson, who drew parallels between elite sports and real estate leadership. His message was clear: the competition is outside our four walls, not within.
Mr Arthurson challenged leaders to establish a trademark for their teams, noting that “trust levels can increase your velocity, or lack of trust can reduce your impact.”
For newer recruits like Ray White Collective Head of Performance and Chief Auctioneer, Peter Burgin, the forum highlighted the distinct advantage of the group’s size and collaborative culture.
“Being part of Ray White means we aren’t operating in isolation. It was a great day of learning and a huge injection of energy,” Mr Burgin said.
“It’s invaluable to be in a room with this level of leadership to be reminded of the platforms that are unique to Ray White and serve as great recruitment and retention tools.”
Ray White AKG CEO Avi Khan noted said the day served as a reminder that elite performance is never an accident.
“Sydney Swans COO Drew’s insights into sports psychology and Mark McLeod’s perspective on momentum were powerful yet with two different lenses, one clear message: mindset drives mastery,” Mr Khan said.
“Days like this reward curiosity and sharpen the edge we take back into the market. It’s not just about leading market share, but bringing the whole team into every transaction so our clients win every time.”
The session also featured deep dives into operational discipline. Gavin Croft highlighted the “red flags” that can creep into businesses when a strong market masks bad habits, while Mark McLeod emphasised the importance of compound effects in core market areas.
“If I look around at the great businesses, they’re obsessed with the things that require no skill, but do require discipline,” Mr McLeod said.
Looking toward 2026, the series outlined practical steps for navigation, including preparing for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation, capitalising on market share, and ensuring full transparency for vendors through the NurtureCloud platform
As Ray White New Zealand executive chairman Carey Smith noted during the session: “Our mission is to do something that no other real estate company or group has actually achieved.”
