Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1085429
18 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 FEBRUARY 2019 COMMERCIAL NEW ways of doing business, extensive use of technology, changing expectations from buy- ers and sellers and a dynamic highly competitive market keep redefining the real estate indus- try in Malta. To retain a com- petitive edge Frank Salt Real Es- tate aims to constantly adapt to new demands whilst retaining its commitment to delivering an outstanding client experience. Long term commitment will win customers and top talent – along with ongoing growth. This was the central message delivered during this year's Annual Gen- eral Meeting which took place on Thursday, 21 February at the Palace Hotel in Sliema. In his opening speech, com- pany chairman Frank Salt high- lighted that no other real estate firm in Malta can boast of a rich history like Frank Salt Real Estate which celebrates its 50th anni- versary this year. He recounted how difficult it was back in the sixties when the property market was still in its infancy, not only to earn clients' trust and estab- lish the concept of real estate in Malta but also to recruit staff and property consultants. Today the firm boasts of a staff complement of just under 200 people, spread across 17 branches, and one of the largest property databases on the islands. Salt attributed the success of the company to its high emphasis on professionalism, integrity and an ongoing obsession with deliv- ery of a consistent quality service. "Holding the reign as a market leader for 50 years in such a com- petitive environment is no small achievement" stressed Frank Salt, "but the firm boasts of a strong team of property consultants working under skilled and com- mitted leadership, backed up by a strong team of professional and dedicated managers and support staff, constantly working hard to deliver a service like no other." 2018 was a successful finan- cial year in terms of earnings performance and it was also an extremely important milestone year in the strategic evolution of the company. Statistics regard- ing the company's performance in relation to the property mar- ket in Malta were presented by company director Darren De Domenico. "2018 was another excellent year for the company, which saw an increase in the number of properties sold, and a steady rise in revenue generated". This was partly credited to the drive by Frank Salt Real Estate on new Sole Agency properties and increased investment in exten- sive marketing – both locally and overseas. "It comes as no surprise that Frank Salt Real Estate continues to dominate the market share for sales and rentals of property to foreign buyers", continued Dar- ren. The evening also included a keynote speech by business coach and endurance sports coach Na- than Farrugia who delivered a passionate address on the im- portance of exceeding one's own expectations to not only provide a superior customer service ex- perience but also to keep oneself challenged and highly driven to constantly 'raise the bar'. 2019 will see Frank Salt Real Estate increasing its focus on re- cruitment of quality people with the right mindset, determination and customer service standards required by Malta's leading in- dependent estate agency. "For new recruits joining our team, we strive hard to make you an in- tegral part of our great Frank Salt family. We welcome you when you join us, we train you to the highest standards so that you will offer the best possible service to the public, we are there for you whenever you need advice and support," exclaimed Grahame. "What distinguishes Frank Salt Real Estate from the rest is the acute element of teamwork that exists between all team mem- bers. Do not underestimate the power of this quality and of the brand that we work for." Further information about the services offered by Frank Salt Real Estate Ltd may be viewed at www.franksalt.com.mt 50 years of commitment secure another record year for Frank Salt Real Estate IT is becoming increasingly worrisome that, in Syria, an entire generation of children are growing with little or no chance of fulfilling their po- tential; children who have become victims of the eight year long war, robbed of their childhood and even their right to education. In the words of Pope Francis, they have "spent most of their lives looking at rubble instead of schools". Since the beginning of the Syrian war in 2011, the Syrian educational system has lost 150,000 of its professionals, including teachers. 1.7 mil- lion students are out of school and 5.82 million children and teenagers from pre-school to the secondary level are in ur- gent need of educational as- sistance. During Lent this year, Aid to the Church in Need (Malta) is organising a campaign for an education project for Syr- ian children which involves provision of scholarships, sta- tionary, transportation, school supplies and operating costs. As part of this campaign, ACN Malta is calling on Mal- tese and Gozitans to make Lenten sacrifices and with the saved money, help in a volun- tary manner, Syrian children in their education. ACN Malta is counting on the generosity of persons of goodwill for the success of this campaign which aims to provide Syria's children with a better future. To donate, kindly visit h t t p s : / / w w w . a c n m a l t a . o r g / donate/, make a bank trans- fer to APS Account Num- ber 20001771733 or send a cheque addressed to ACN Malta to: Aid to the Church in Need, 39b Mdina Road, ATD 9038 Attard, Malta. You can also contact us on 21487818 for more information. This campaign is being sup- ported by Fr Reuben Gauci, the Coordinator of Spiritual Development in Schools, Sr. Alexandra Chircop of the Sec- retariat for Catholic Education and Mr Joe Farrugia, the Arch- bishop's delegate for the laity. Sister Sania (right) of the Holy Sisters and director of Lé Senevé centre caring for 80 children with disabilities This Lent give a better future to Syrian children in their education APS Bank CEO Marcel Cassar was one of the invited speakers at the 4th Global Banking Transformation Conference held in Amsterdam on 7 and 8 February, 2019. The Conference, organised by Cor- porate Parity Events, focused on how disruption, from new technology to new competition to heightened cus- tomer expectations, is occurring at every level in the banking industry. For banks globally, 2019 could be a pivotal year in accelerating them to transform into more strategically fo- cused, technologically modern and operationally agile institutions. The Conference, which brought together experts from banks like Nordea, ING, BNP Paribas, Intesa San Paolo, Nord LB, Barclays Investment Banking and Credit Suisse amongst others, as well as fintech innovators, analysed the challenges banks are facing in order to attract and retain customers. In his presentation on 'How small banks and credit unions compete with mobile banking giants', Cassar spoke about the opportunities for banks to engage with their custom- ers by delivering a personalised expe- rience enhanced with an intelligent and robust digital strategy. He out- lined the ingredients for successful small-bank strategies and illustrated with a case study on APS Bank's transformational journey, leading to a full omni-channel experience later this year. APS Bank CEO addresses 4th Global Banking Transformation Conference Marcel Cassar, at the 4th Global Banking Transformation Conference