Koundourakis of CBC NRT considers her contributions

Name: Hariklia Koundourakis Title: Licensed Sales Associate Company/firm: Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT Years with company/firm: 3 Years in field: 3 Years in real estate industry: 3 Address: 167 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 111021 Telephone: 347-924-7819 Email: [email protected] URL: http://cbcnrtnewyork.com/enhanced/index.php?type=agent#pt=profile-agent,t=2,ti=Professional%20Profile,loc=%2Fajaxhtmlbin%2Fagent%3Fcbcpersonkey%3DNRT4232 Real estate organizations/affiliations: CCIM, NYSAR, NAR, CIPS, MCIP During the last 10 years of your career, which professional accomplishment, honor or achievement has meant the most to you and why? Starting my career in Sept. 2008, the fact that I closed several deals in the worst real estate market in my first year was an accomplishment itself! I appreciated being recognized and winning the CBC NRT "Rising Start" award in 2009. The greatest honor, thus far, was being recognized in the 2011 NYREJ Spotlight. In my third year, I've achieved the "Top 3" Agent Rank in all of CBC-NRT LI and Queens Metro. It has been really hard work but nothing in life is easy is it? I'm shooting for No. 1 ranking in 2012! Look out! Which project, deal or transaction was the "game changer" in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? I'm relatively new to this business, so I can't say I've had that "game-changer" experience yet. Landing my first 36 unit multifamily listing last year was a little "big notch" on my belt, but that now seems like old news and the excitement of that has worn off. It did get the attention of many people in my industry and I made lots of friends. I'm hoping this year will provide some greater opportunity that will steer me in the right direction. In the meantime, I remain tenacious about pursuing my education, committed and loyal as ever to my clients. How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? To the industry: The level of professionalism and integrity in how I conduct business with my clients and colleagues. To my company: My team-player attitude. I have a genuine interest in the success of my colleagues as well as my own. A former competitive bodybuilder, I'm disciplined and always looking to become better and I like to run with an elite pack. My colleague, Vera Maier said it best, "I've never met anyone willing to help like you in all of my 20 years in this business, you will become very successful with this attitude." What advice would you give to women just starting out in commercial real estate? I love giving advice and helping others. Three important words: Education,Education, Education! Be relentless about this through-out your career. And,while you are getting educated, network and make friends with everyone, especially other brokers. In the beginning there is a lot you don't know, knowing "who to call" for help/assistance will be priceless. Ask the same question to several different people and don't expect the answer given is correct. Then, try researching it yourself! And last but not least, be honorable and respectful to all. How do you manage the work/life balance? The truth is, this is really a 24/7 business. If you plan on having any success its best to understand there is no easy way around this. I thought it would only be this way in the very beginning but I've understood it is going to be a challenge the rest of my life. I have learned, however, to manage people's expectations by updating my voicemail and using auto-reply messages on my email. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? I'd like to focus on the "what." The impact of forming trusted relationships has been the strongest influence. I've accomplished a lot in my short tenure because of the relationships I cultivated with clients, CBC colleagues as well as other brokers, and other added-value team of related professionals. I think this ability stems back to my core personality, personal standards, integrity, courtesy and respect I exemplify to everyone I meet. You can't fake a genuine and sincere approach. People sense they can trust me. How are you using social media to promote yourself and/or your firm? I am completely behind on all of this. With an uncanny ability to seize and create new business opportunities wherever I go and I mean wherever I go (market/salons/cleaners/gym etc.) that I have more business than I can handle since day 1 of my career. Other than create a profile on Linked-In and Facebook, I've done nothing. I could use some help! Any savvy computer teenager out there? Where would you like to be 10 years from today? I possess a very strong 'leader' type of a personality but with a stronger team-player attitude. So I think, it would make me really happy to be in position where I've achieved enough success that young new agents seek me out for mentorship. I'd actually really like to partner up with someone that could mentor me and help me achieve that success and ability. It's always best to give back and pave the road for another to pass smoothly.