Rebecca and Sau-Wan are pleased to say that Wheeler & Lai Chartered Surveyors are 2 today! It has been an incredible 12 months of commercial property consultancy work and brand building continues in the new business landscape of 2020.
We have been grateful to be able to grow as a commercial property consultancy business and being able to attend several business events such as the Isle of Wight Chamber awards, the Connected Solent Networking launch at the Ineos team UK HQ and South Coast Commercial Property Show.
Our desire to brand build meant involving ourselves in sponsoring several networking events including LDV connect and ZW connect, this really helped create a sense of business community, and really enabled us to drive our brand forward.
We like to also give back to the local community and charity and last year, we were pleased to raise money for charities “You Trust” – “Cycling Without Age” and “Ability Dogs 4 Young People” on the Isle of Wight through networking attendance in Christmas Jumpers throughout December, and continue to give our support to these charities through social media engagement.
We have carried out numerous RICS Valuations for our clients for a variety of purposes such as SIPP, Probate and Capital Gains Tax purposes, with our clients providing us with great google reviews and feedback.
At the beginning of 2020 we were able to attend the Shaping Portsmouth conference as an exhibitor and we are proud to be able to support this event and see what great things are happening. Prior to lockdown we were fortunate to attend the Portsmouth Property Association centenary dinner and had the opportunity to meet Kevin Keegan, you do not get that opportunity every day!
Arriving at year 2 in the last six months has obviously been difficult with the coronavirus pandemic which affected all businesses, but we are still here. 2020 hasn’t been as expected for most people, but we have made some great friendships and built good business relationships to support clients through these difficult times. We continue to help our property management clients through this time, and liaising with tenants to make sure all parties are kept well informed and supported. Our tenants successes are our clients’ successes.
During lockdown we were able to take stock and reflect on our business which included adapting to new methods of conducting business and networking, as people moved into the online world and virtual events stop although we were unable to carry out inspections and viewings we were fortunate to be able to carry on working with our clients on their lease renewals and rent reviews as well as being able to finalise some lettings.
Building on the chance to evaluate the business we were able to invest in technology and we’re pleased to be able to upscale, new data software and upgrade our website whilst being able to support other local independent businesses such as Wight Computing, Nosy Design and MapsimiseCRM. By using new technology and improving our website, we can better promote our properties and services, and give our clients extra value.
We are thankful for our business connections and friends who have given us their support over the past 24 months and really looking forward to year 3 of our business.
Looking to give back to the community we have signed up to be business advisors for Young Enterprise which is about submersing young people into business through a business programme, as well as looking to work with the Portsmouth Property Association under their committee.
Investing in our business growth, we are also excited to be joining BNI in their Petersfield Chapter, which will be launching when they reach 22 members, as a new opportunity to grow our business and use their tools for business and personal development. By extending our network, we are able to build upon existing business relationships, but also our clients will be able to rely on our connections too, our customer experience is important to us and we like to make sure our clients received an added value service.
Our desire to help businesses and people continue to drive us, and we know that 2020 continues to be a tough year for many, and we hope to be able to help tenants and landlord now and into the future.
