Firstly, you’ve received multiple awards and recognitions throughout your career. Which of these achievements are you most proud of, and why?
Every award, recognition and achievement results from multiple efforts and failures. It took me a lot of time, personal sacrifices, and challenging decisions while learning not to just think outside the box but molding my own box. I am proud of each of them separately since they represent my career milestones. Through discipline and consistency, I keep pursuing my dreams and goals. To quote Denzel Washington, ‘’To get something you never have, you have to do something you never did,’’ and this represents also my beliefs.
Can you share some marketing strategies that have proven most effective in promoting Altia’s properties?
To create a potion, it’s all about adding the right ingredients. Aligning the appropriate business and marketing strategies is key to making a difference. However, no strategy can be implemented, and nothing can be accomplished without a plan. You need to build a brand identity that people can relate to. You need to create content that people find appealing and offers them value. Through this, you can set up the foundations to help you take your business to the next level.
Looking at the broader industry, what are some current trends in the Cyprus real estate market, and how do they impact Altia’s business approach?
We are going through a period with active war zones in Ukraine and Israel affecting the whole global economy. Cyprus, as an open economy, has not remained intact.
The inflation in interest rates, the increase in construction costs and the changes in VAT applications on first residences shifted the dynamics between demand and supply. The demand for what I would like to have and the supply of what I can actually buy.
As the Real Estate industry continues to grow, Altia will continue to progress through our people, expertise, and technological growth to offer the best services. We are continuously enhancing our products and services to make the process of buying a property even easier.
Given the evolving trends, how has consumer behavior changed in recent years, and what do customers now expect from a property marketplace like Altia?
The use of technology and quick access to data have changed not only consumer behavior but also increased the demand for top-level customer services and a human approach by businesses. This period of technological evolution offers an opportunity for businesses to modernize their operations, which will result in increased confidence for buyers and sellers.
Investments in Real Estate are becoming increasingly globalized, and foreign investors have been vital to the Cypriot market and economy, especially in recent years.
Through technology, we can also reduce the red tape. The transaction process could be faster and simpler. Interested parties should be able to digitally evaluate and complete a property purchase through the land registry platform.
Altia is seamlessly integrating technology into the Real Estate experience. Through our innovative marketplace, users may navigate a large, updated database including residential, land and commercial properties. The user may access detailed descriptions such as property type, price, photos, videos and even virtual tours. Using drone footage, Altia was one of the first companies on the island to offer unique property shots and visuals of the surrounding area. Altia simplifies the property search process through our engaging digital approach, providing a holistic experience.
Finally, with the rapid pace of change in the marketing industry, how do you keep yourself updated with the latest marketing trends and industry developments?
Understanding the technology evolution and progress is critical, because marketing leverages technology heavily today. I usually devote a total of 10-12 hours daily to my job tasks and to educate myself through reading industry publications and blogs. Technology enables me to regularly attend webinars, online courses, and virtual conferences to enhance my knowledge and skills. Technology has also facilitated networking with other marketing professionals through online communities. Finally, experimenting (and I must note, not always with great success) with new marketing techniques with ‘’aiding and abetting” of marketing apps. This combination keeps me marketing-fit and helps me do my work better.
Constantinos Stylianou graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Studies and Marketing. He holds over 30 marketing diplomas and is recognized as a “Growth Marketer”. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Professional Certified Marketer at the American Marketing Association.
During his 14 years of experience, he received several distinctions, awards, and recognitions for formulating and implementing marketing strategies. He worked for enterprises and partners in various countries and regions inside and outside the EU and in a diverse range of industries, including Technology, Cybersecurity, Investments, Retail, and Real Estate.