A Lesson in PropTech and Investing with Simon Baker

"As you grow, it's very easy to get distracted by bright
shiny lights. There are new opportunities everywhere. But … don't
get distracted by them. Just focus on what you're doing, and
execute, and then work on executional excellence." — Simon
Baker


Today's guest has worked with online marketplaces across multiple
countries, and even continents, advising on product
development, and successful business models. Joining us for this
informative episode on the future of online rental websites is
none other than Simon Baker, who has over a 20-year career in
online marketplaces, from being CEO of the REA Group to advising
market leaders around the world, and investing in 30-plus
marketplaces in 15 countries. The list truly goes on and on (and
up). In this episode, Simon shares insights into what he has
learned to be the most important focal point when it comes to
driving and scaling a business, as well as what he looks for in
leaders prior to investing. We find out what typically leads to
failures in online marketplace and how to ensure the
survival and profitability of rental listing websites in the
long run! Tune in to discover the nuances and challenges of the
online marketplace business, and hear some of Simon's real-life
examples of how to overcome hurdles in the space. This is an
episode you won't want to miss! 


Key points from this episode:


How Simon Baker got involved in online marketplaces and why
he's so passionate about it

The scale of REA Group today

The lessons Simon brought forward to drive and scale
realestate.com.au back in 2000

The importance of focus, persistence, communication, and
trust

The disadvantages of perfectionism

An example of a challenging venture and what Simon did to
succeed

The characteristics Simon looks for in leaders prior to
investing

What a 'beer test' is and why Simon considers it to be a
deciding factor

What typically leads to failures in the online marketplace

The importance and challenge of foresight

How to future-proof rental listing sites and ensure
profitability

The role of the intermediary in the online rental space

When to look at partnering and why to avoid building

Some of the interesting, innovating players in the rental
listing space across the globe

The traits the successful players have in common

Whether the opportunity exists for long-term listing sites to
compete with short-term listing sites

The nuances and the challenges of the rental listing site
model

How listing sites can become more efficient in terms of
remote leases

Building trust through building a brand

Simon's podcast guest recommendations: Morada Uno, and
Gabriel Braga of QuintoAndar

What we can expect at the 2022 Global Online Marketplaces
Summit!



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