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Simon Bray, Privateproperty.co.za COO[/caption]
Engineering student, marketing major, fashion designer, software entrepreneur and now Privateproperty.co.za COO … Simon Bray’s background is anything but conventional. But this eclectic skills mix is well suited to the Privateproperty.co.za business: “We exist to shape the current and future state of the real estate industry. We believe we can make a positive and lasting difference to the way the industry works. We RE-IMAGINE a better way to live and work and we make sure we have fun while we’re doing it.”
Simon joined the Privateproperty.co.za team in August 2011 when it bought Howzitt, a small estate agency software start-up, and integrated Inview, the agency’s flagship product, into its market-leading Fusion software. After being involved on the agency software side for just under a year, Simon headed up the Product and Technology department where he gained a deeper understanding of the full scope of the business.
“Privateproperty.co.za has gone through a rapid evolution from being an upstart private sales“agency” tobecoming the dominant property classifieds portal, all in the course of five short years. Over that time great people have added their unique style and edge to the mix, from crazy developers to bullish CEOs. Along the way Privateproperty.co.za has taken innovative steps and sometimes made unpopular decisions but has always been respected as a market leader in online property advertising.”
Simon goes on to say that the history of this young company and its set of strong values are full of lofty ideals and world changing rhetoric. “It would have us believe we can do anything we set our minds to, overcome any challenge and achieve great things. Under the rigours of this industry and the attritions of everyday business it is easy to lose some of that fire. But we are shifting the conversation: we’re focusing once again on our customersand the browser experience. We are intent on providing valuable solutions and in doing so are positive that we will earn a special place in the hearts of SA’s property people.
“As COO I hope to bring you news of some of the great new products and services we have planned for release this year, from a beautiful new look to a completely personal way to interact with the properties you love … but there’ll be plenty of time for all that. For now just rest assured that Privateproperty.co.za is on its way back to its innovative, fun-loving self, all the while aiming to make our users’ lives better.”
As product developer – which still makes up a major component of Simon’s portfolio, he starts by eavesdropping on real browsers, stepping through process flows and knocking up visual interface ideas long before a line of code is written. He believes that imagining a new product, developing a software system or building a business strategy all require a crystal-clear vision. “Whiteboard” first, succeed second.
“The online world of property professionals and property browsers is my passion. I hope to bring a new level of convenience and desirability to one of the oldest industries on earth: finding your next home.”
Simon the part-time surfer lists, among other things, ergonomics as an interest. He’s also a keen observer of industrial and architectural design, as well fishing activities along the KZN coast
