
November 19, 2007 -
Long Island
The business environment is like a boiling cauldron, something that's hot and churning and characterized by constant change. The change comes fast, sometimes daily, sometimes hourly, and 2007 has been no exception to this rule.
In this cauldron of change, despite the boiling and roiling of 2007, Sean Miller's title insurance business has prospered. Sean has built his title insurance business around an often overlooked but invaluable axiom that never changes no matter what market conditions may be: Relationship Marketing.
While conducting business in arguably the nation's most competitive title insurance market, Sean, a managing partner at National Land Tenure Company, LLC (NLT), has created a brand and a market niche by adding value in large scale commercial transactions. And he does it through strong personal client relationships backed by superior customer service.
Miller said, "In the title insurance business it's extremely difficult to establish a brand let alone maintain it. In other words, to differentiate oneself versus the competition isn't enough. You have to do it over time so that it becomes your mantra. This is particularly true in regulated markets like New York. I add value by putting my clients together to create synergy in the commercial marketplace. Whether it's setting up meetings between potential joint venture partners or introducing a lender to a potential borrower, I always try and assist my clients and simultaneously provide superior execution of the deal."
"There is no excuse for not putting forth the effort to build and maintain the relationship. There's no excuse for sloppy customer service. We ingrain this in all NLT colleagues. Everyone on the NLT team provides superior attention to detail and the white glove service that my clients rely on and deserve."
He stressed that NLT has been unique from its inception. He noted that, "The company was founded with a revolutionary 'customer-first, customer-only' focus. And that focus has expanded over time. In fact our definitions of superior service are far deeper and our business associations have grown as a result. We're proud to support some of the world's most prestigious organizations with world class expertise, including law firms, banks and lending institutions."
Miller spent his early career working on Wall Street but had always been intrigued by the real estate marketplace. He furthered his understanding of the commercial real estate business and received a masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
"The title insurance industry appealed to me right away." said Miller. "Here was an industry where I would be able to guide and assist people as they made the greatest investment of their lives…their homes. And at the same time I could shepherd commercial clients through extremely complex national and international transactions. What could possibly be better than that?"
After joining NLT in 1999, Sean quickly rose through the company ranks and became a managing partner in 2005. His concept of adding value through strong personal client relationships backed by superior customer service was instituted almost immediately.
"Maintaining a good, strong relationship involves time and effort. I'm always there for my clients, and they rely on that dedication. Their problems are my problems. They can call me directly and I will solve the problem. I'm also proactive with my clients and solve a lot of tenuous situations before they ever grow into problems."
Regarding spreading the word about NLT he further emphasized, "Branding is a cardinal part of our marketing and we want everyone in the industry to equate NLT with superior service and total customer satisfaction. At NLT the customer always comes first, and I assure you that everyone here, from top to bottom, puts this into practice, no matter how big or how small the deal is. Fifty thousand dollar refinance or a one billion dollar acquisition, every client or customer is given white glove treatment."
NLT acted as agent for over $18 billion so far in transactions in 2007. The company's service offerings are broad and include owner's title insurance, mortgage title insurance, last owner searches, variance searches,complete title examinations without insurance, as well as title certifications to town/city/state requirements.
Based in Garden City, Long Island, National Land Tenure has more than 30 employees and 5 full time attorneys. NLT's scope of operations is both regional and national, with the firm handling multiple transactions in multiple states. The company's commercial transactions are diverse, though concentrations tend to mirror industry trends (e.g. hotel chains, motels and lodging, institutions, general office, resorts and golf courses). NLT also handles numerous residential deals involving single and multifamily properties and is no stranger to international transactions.
NLT is an authorized agent for a number of the USA's primary insurance underwriters, including, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, First American Title Insurance Company, Stewart Title Insurance Company and Ticor Title Insurance Company.
So even if the business environment continues to be a boiling, bubbling cauldron, Miller isn't concerned. He knows that the relationship marketing which has made NLT so successful, is the key to the future.