A little while back I wrote a Property Pulse article about how Focus is definitely one of the killer traits of mega successful property developers.
No, I'm not getting forgetful and writing the same article again. Solution focus might share the word focus, but it's a very different trait.
So buckle up and let me explain why solution focus is so important for property development success.
Property development is one of the most dynamic and challenging industries in the world. Developers face numerous obstacles ranging from financial risks and regulatory hurdles to fluctuating market demands and unexpected setbacks during construction.
That's why those who thrive in this competitive field often turn out to possess a solution-focused approach. Rather than dwelling on problems or roadblocks, successful property developers concentrate on identifying actionable solutions, building resilient strategies, and adapting to challenges with creativity and precision.
If you think about it, focussing on solutions makes a whole lot of sense as a property developer. Essentially, we make money by solving problems for other people who:
Learn To Identify Problems
Being solution-focused is about anticipating problems before they arise and addressing them with practical solutions. This requires a proactive mindset and the ability to think several steps ahead.
Reality is, the ability to identify problems tends to come from experience. The good news is that it doesn't have to be YOUR experience.
One of the reasons we share Real Deals at our Property Developer Network meetups is because it gives everyone a chance to learn from the experiences the presenter went through. Somewhere down the track a situation will arise, and you can immediately think "aha - I remember the Real Deal presenter talking about that." You're alerted to a potential problem and can solve it before it gets any bigger.
You can also analyse your own past projects or hypothetical cases where challenges arose and map out potential solutions. For instance, how would you adapt if material costs surged or labour shortages occurred? Instead of waiting for the problem to manifest, you might negotiate with multiple suppliers or consider alternative materials to ensure uninterrupted progress on your project.
Innovation
I could also have used the words "continuous learning". To remain solution-focused, stay informed about industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. Continuous learning helps you to anticipate challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Regularly ask yourself the question - how can I do this better? That's a great way to move forward in new ways that potentially will help you solve problems more effectively.
This push for innovation is most effective when embraced by your entire development team. Cultivate this culture by encouraging open communication, rewarding creative problem-solving, and providing team members with the resources and information they need to succeed.
Systems
Putting systems in place appeals to those property developers with an "attention to detail" personality. But if you have a different personality type, that's even more reason to focus on having good systems in place.
The systems you develop should seek to implement efficiencies you've identified in the innovation stage.
Maybe starting out it's just you and your various consultants. But as you grow, potentially you might start to add people to your own team. At that point it becomes crucial to make sure you're all aligned in the way you do things.
Having systems for all the various bits and pieces involved in property development also makes it much easier to start carving off some of those pieces and delegating them to someone else.
Without a system or guidelines, you'll spend far too much of your time herding cats, instead of being able to let your team get stuck into solving the things you don't want to deal with.
Practice
Skill comes from practice and repetition - yours or others. I've already talked about learning to identify problems, but the idea of practice is much wider than just that.
Use your newly developed problem identifying skills to work out what other skills you need to improve. Then find a way to practice!
For example, negotiation skills are crucial for securing favourable terms with stakeholders, including landowners, consultants, contractors, and investors.
If this is an area where you need improvement, then engage in active listening exercises to learn how to better understand stakeholder needs. Practice negotiation techniques to find win-win solutions during conflicts.
There are certainly plenty of courses that help you with negotiation skills, but you can also get together a couple of friends and do some role playing to practice what you learn.
Other areas where you can develop your skills through practice include:
Automate and Outsource Tasks
Technology is a powerful tool for identifying and solving problems in property development. From advanced design software to predictive analytics, modern tools can help you make better decisions and address challenges more efficiently.
Market analysis is an important part of your due diligence. You can leverage data to predict demand, assess site viability, and tailor your projects to meet market needs.
Various types of modeling software can help you visualize projects, detect design clashes, and solve construction issues before they arise.
And once your project is underway, you can use drones to survey sites, monitor progress, and identify potential problems in real time.
Benefits Of A Solution-Focused Approach
The property development journey is often unpredictable. Projects may encounter delays for a myriad of reasons. Developers who adopt a solution-focused mindset are better equipped to navigate these challenges, ensuring that their projects remain on track and their businesses stay resilient.
A reputation for solving problems effectively can also significantly enhance a developer’s standing in the industry. Investors and partners are more likely to collaborate with developers who demonstrate a track record of overcoming obstacles and delivering results.
The wider community are also more likely to support projects led by developers who address local concerns thoughtfully and proactively.
Ultimately, a solution-focused approach fosters long-term success by enabling developers to adapt, innovate, and build strong relationships. These qualities are essential for navigating the complexities of property development and achieving sustainable growth.
In the long term, your ability to transform obstacles into opportunities not only drives your own growth but also creates value for stakeholders and communities alike. In a competitive and ever-evolving field, focusing on solutions is not just a strategy — it is a key trait of mega successful property developers.
No, I'm not getting forgetful and writing the same article again. Solution focus might share the word focus, but it's a very different trait.
So buckle up and let me explain why solution focus is so important for property development success.
Property development is one of the most dynamic and challenging industries in the world. Developers face numerous obstacles ranging from financial risks and regulatory hurdles to fluctuating market demands and unexpected setbacks during construction.
That's why those who thrive in this competitive field often turn out to possess a solution-focused approach. Rather than dwelling on problems or roadblocks, successful property developers concentrate on identifying actionable solutions, building resilient strategies, and adapting to challenges with creativity and precision.
If you think about it, focussing on solutions makes a whole lot of sense as a property developer. Essentially, we make money by solving problems for other people who:
- don't have the time
- don't have the knowledge
- don't have the skills
- don't have the ambition
Learn To Identify Problems
Being solution-focused is about anticipating problems before they arise and addressing them with practical solutions. This requires a proactive mindset and the ability to think several steps ahead.
Reality is, the ability to identify problems tends to come from experience. The good news is that it doesn't have to be YOUR experience.
One of the reasons we share Real Deals at our Property Developer Network meetups is because it gives everyone a chance to learn from the experiences the presenter went through. Somewhere down the track a situation will arise, and you can immediately think "aha - I remember the Real Deal presenter talking about that." You're alerted to a potential problem and can solve it before it gets any bigger.
You can also analyse your own past projects or hypothetical cases where challenges arose and map out potential solutions. For instance, how would you adapt if material costs surged or labour shortages occurred? Instead of waiting for the problem to manifest, you might negotiate with multiple suppliers or consider alternative materials to ensure uninterrupted progress on your project.
InnovationI could also have used the words "continuous learning". To remain solution-focused, stay informed about industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. Continuous learning helps you to anticipate challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Regularly ask yourself the question - how can I do this better? That's a great way to move forward in new ways that potentially will help you solve problems more effectively.
This push for innovation is most effective when embraced by your entire development team. Cultivate this culture by encouraging open communication, rewarding creative problem-solving, and providing team members with the resources and information they need to succeed.
Systems
Putting systems in place appeals to those property developers with an "attention to detail" personality. But if you have a different personality type, that's even more reason to focus on having good systems in place.
The systems you develop should seek to implement efficiencies you've identified in the innovation stage.
Maybe starting out it's just you and your various consultants. But as you grow, potentially you might start to add people to your own team. At that point it becomes crucial to make sure you're all aligned in the way you do things.
Having systems for all the various bits and pieces involved in property development also makes it much easier to start carving off some of those pieces and delegating them to someone else.
Without a system or guidelines, you'll spend far too much of your time herding cats, instead of being able to let your team get stuck into solving the things you don't want to deal with.
Practice
Skill comes from practice and repetition - yours or others. I've already talked about learning to identify problems, but the idea of practice is much wider than just that.
Use your newly developed problem identifying skills to work out what other skills you need to improve. Then find a way to practice!
For example, negotiation skills are crucial for securing favourable terms with stakeholders, including landowners, consultants, contractors, and investors.
If this is an area where you need improvement, then engage in active listening exercises to learn how to better understand stakeholder needs. Practice negotiation techniques to find win-win solutions during conflicts.
There are certainly plenty of courses that help you with negotiation skills, but you can also get together a couple of friends and do some role playing to practice what you learn.
Other areas where you can develop your skills through practice include:
- cultivate creative thinking
- develop a collaborative team culture
- resilience
- emotional intelligence
- goal setting
- maintaining a positive attitude
- strategic thinking
Automate and Outsource TasksTechnology is a powerful tool for identifying and solving problems in property development. From advanced design software to predictive analytics, modern tools can help you make better decisions and address challenges more efficiently.
Market analysis is an important part of your due diligence. You can leverage data to predict demand, assess site viability, and tailor your projects to meet market needs.
Various types of modeling software can help you visualize projects, detect design clashes, and solve construction issues before they arise.
And once your project is underway, you can use drones to survey sites, monitor progress, and identify potential problems in real time.
Benefits Of A Solution-Focused Approach
The property development journey is often unpredictable. Projects may encounter delays for a myriad of reasons. Developers who adopt a solution-focused mindset are better equipped to navigate these challenges, ensuring that their projects remain on track and their businesses stay resilient.
A reputation for solving problems effectively can also significantly enhance a developer’s standing in the industry. Investors and partners are more likely to collaborate with developers who demonstrate a track record of overcoming obstacles and delivering results.
The wider community are also more likely to support projects led by developers who address local concerns thoughtfully and proactively.
Ultimately, a solution-focused approach fosters long-term success by enabling developers to adapt, innovate, and build strong relationships. These qualities are essential for navigating the complexities of property development and achieving sustainable growth.
In the long term, your ability to transform obstacles into opportunities not only drives your own growth but also creates value for stakeholders and communities alike. In a competitive and ever-evolving field, focusing on solutions is not just a strategy — it is a key trait of mega successful property developers.
