In the highly competitive world of New York’s real estate sector, operational efficiency is crucial for success.
Racquel Balkaran is a Director of Operations with expertise in creating streamlined infrastructures and innovative strategies in real estate.
Her approach, a blend of keen insight and forward-thinking has redefined operational standards in real estate.
Racquel’s success story in the real estate industry is a testament to her drive, originality, and perseverance. Her journey exemplifies how to thrive efficiently in the ever-changing New York market.
She recalls: “I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, attended school there, and went to college in Manhattan.”
“I’ve always been a true city girl. Initially, I was drawn to journalism; however, during my college internships in the entertainment industry, I realized I wasn’t as passionate about it as I was about real estate.”
After graduating early from college, Racquel joined a team in New York City without her real estate license or much knowledge of the field, but made a significant impression with her tenacity and drive.
“I realized from the outset that integrity, being an expert, putting the client first, and intentional leadership were integral. My focus has always been on providing clients with everything they need, first and foremost,” Racquel shares.
She adds: “In this industry, success comes from understanding not just the market but also the people behind every transaction.”
Racquel’s knowledge of market dynamics and consumer needs has shaped her approach to operations management: “It’s about combining traditional business principles with different tech stacks that make the most sense for the team to stay ahead and organize that will ultimately help the client,” she says, highlighting her strategic mindset.
She has played a pivotal role in helping launch Trove Partners. This involved intricate processes such as brainstorming with her team, ensuring the company is legally compliant, updating all of the company’s paperwork, and rolling out the brand.
Racquel’s responsibilities are extensive. They range from managing the team’s listings to building and managing the operational systems to implementing and executing the company strategies.
Racquel oversees all of the company’s transactions and helps advise team members on their deals. She also oversees all of Trove’s operations, employee/agent productivity, and speaking with clients and vendors. Additionally, Racquel provides her opinion on critical topics to the company’s founders.
The cornerstone of her success is her ability to foster a culture of efficiency within her organization: “Efficiency in real estate goes beyond just saving time; it’s about optimizing every aspect of the operation to deliver the best results for clients,” she explains.
By implementing efficient processes, Racquel ensures peak performance from her team. Her hands-on leadership style equips them to navigate market complexities.
Her expertize is critical in managing listings, building operational systems, and implementing team and listing processes. Racquel’s responsibilities also included spearheading team initiatives, helping with team events, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Unsurprisingly, Racquel has been a trailblazer in integrating technology into her company’s operations; she served as an Executive Assistant at a tech start-up for over a year – CreateMe Technologies.
She says, “Technology is a powerful tool that, when used wisely, can significantly enhance our operational efficiency.”
This approach has streamlined operations and provided her team with critical insights for informed decision-making.
Central to Racquel’s ethos is her skill in cultivating robust relationships with clients, the founders, and her team members. She believes in the power of effective communication and trust in driving operational efficiency.
“Building strong relationships is the foundation of any successful operation, especially in a market as dynamic as New York’s,” Racquel emphasizes.
Given the unpredictable nature of New York’s real estate market, agility and foresight are necessary to ensure success.
Racquel possesses these in abundance: “Being proactive and adaptable to market changes is crucial,” she asserts. Her strategy includes staying ahead and adjusting strategies swiftly.
A true team player, she also highly values her colleagues’ empowerment. Racquel helps the founders foster a culture of innovation and idea-sharing, believing that a collaborative approach leads to better outcomes. “Each team member brings unique insights; harnessing these collectively is key to our success,” she notes.
Looking forward, Racquel envisions a future where efficiency transcends traditional notions. “The future is about creating value and enriching customer experiences through innovation and ethical practices,” she foresees.
For those aspiring to real estate leadership, Racquel is a paragon of what can be achieved through commitment and innovative thinking. Her journey exemplifies that operational efficiency, powered by strategic vision and technological integration, is the key to mastering New York’s challenging real estate market.
Jason Bennett, CTO and CIO of CreateMe Technologies, has known Racquel for four years. “She is smart, capable, and organized and has always shown tremendous initiative,” he says.
Citing her as hard-working and respectful, he adds: “I would be comfortable
throwing her into just about any project, knowing it would be done in a high-quality and timely fashion.”
Jason says with her vast wealth of expertize, Racquel was a tremendous help on all the projects they worked on together, which made him more successful in his role because of her performance: “In multiple instances, she picked up and drove projects forward that were not even part of her job.”
He recalls an instance when the company tried to do too many things at once: “This would have been even more challenging had Racquel not been assisting several of the best-performing executives.
“She was also tremendously helpful in building the company’s physical infrastructure and security capabilities.”
Jason adds: “She just did it because she recognized that it needed to be done, and she did it consistently the entire time I worked with her.”
Racquel is known for her exceptional leadership skills and operational efficiency in the real estate sector of New York. Her innovative strategies, emphasis on empowering teams, and ability to adapt to changing market conditions have established her as a prominent figure in this dynamic industry.
