MAGIC pens and magic card tricks were among highlights of a magical day of motivation, education and fun for the 83 attendees of the Dormehl Phalane Property Group (DPG) national franchise conference, held in Umhlanga on Wednesday, October 15.
Principals and managers from the property group’s 64 branches, as well as attorneys and other invited guests, gathered in the modern auditorium at Nedbank’s Umhlanga offices in Centenary Boulevard.
What followed there was a full, fun, fruitful day of informative talks and discussions focused on enhancing business and improving administrative duties through new technology and innovative services.
The event kicked off, after coffee, muffins and koeksisters, with a welcoming address by DPG head, Owen Dormehl, who highlighted the importance of businesses ensuring exemplary governance and compliance in offices.
Several guest speakers were on the programme, which included a fascinating presentation from Durban-based Laven Pillay, chief executive officer of Xcallibre. This international technology company provides services including data-capture solutions for businesses, especially those with mobile workforces.
Pillay conjured up much discussion over a “magic pen” that could greatly streamline admin for property practitioners by offering “the world’s fastest forms-processing solution”.
Also referred to as the Smartpen, it has an in-built camera which instantly digitally captures information written on pre-captured digital forms, allowing downloaded data to be accessed anywhere in the world within 10 seconds. Pillay also showed how it allows the capture of photos, videos, voice notes, comments and signatures, among other things.
Scanning would become a thing of the past, he added, going on to encourage conference attendees to test-drive the system which, already in use by banks, trucking companies and in areas of government, is now being streamlined to best meet the needs of the property industry.
More magic came immediately after a break for a buffet lunch when young magician, Sahil Samlal, an award-winning performer and graduate of the Cape Town College of Magic, charmed the socks off everyone. He did this with a great sense of humour, elements of motivation and an hour-plus display of sleight-of-hand card tricks that left his audience delighted and often in awe.
Sahil, who has worked with and been motivated by the likes of David Copperfield, Dynamo and David Blaine, included in his act a routine that saw Owen Dormehl involved in some abracadabra. Owen was called on stage to handle cards which, when scattered on the floor, formed the telephone number of someone he had called earlier. Gasps were audible.
Among other standout moments of the day was a comprehensive and captivating presentation by Pretoria-based Cara Vosloo, of Arttech Architects, who has been in the game for more than two decades.
She made much use of visual material, and emphasised the many benefits property practitioners could gain by using architects when taking clients to view and consider the potential of undeveloped land. Her presentation included a framework of how property developments move from an idea on paper to construction.
A presentation by Karen Minny, founder of Property Matrix, was also very well received. She is a town and regional planner who has combined 20-plus years of experience in property development, urban planning and project management to transform how commercial and development property is marketed and sold.
Her talk focused on her platform being of huge benefit to property practitioners, the many plusses including Property Matrix providing extensive zoning info and best-use proposals for a property.
Also of interest was a talk, flecked with dry humour, by Andries Koen of LabourSolve. His company, which offers specialist labour support services on retainer, focused on putting appropriate policies in place to provide peace of mind for businesses when it comes to labour issues.
He pointed out that his consultancy, which can represent a business at the CCMA, provides specialist advice, information and relevant documentation in its holistic approach to managing a workforce.
Also offering peace of mind to property practitioners was Yvette Loubser of Advance Bridging. She told conference attendees that, as the wife of Donovan Loubser, who heads DPG’s Umhlanga franchise, she knew how tough things could get in the property world. In offering her bridging finance services, she said she was willing to go the extra mile to personally oversee deals associated with DPG.
The conference closed on a positive note with predictions of growth in the property industry from Careen McKinon, national head of sales for bond-originating company, Ooba. She said optimism was high amidst more favourable economic conditions in South Africa, and added that 2025 was the best year in bond value over the past three years.
Approval rates for 100% loans remained consistently stable, reflecting continued lender confidence, she said.
On that note, and after a long day, attendees headed for the nearby Fire and Ice Hotel for a few rounds of drinks before a buffet supper in the hotel restaurant, and discussions about the day’s programme.
Many considered the event as one of DPG’s best national conferences to date, and pats on the back were in order for all involved in its organisation.
