For the past 8 years Macdonald & Company has offered salary surveys to clients and candidates alike, completely free of charge, in the United Kingdom. These are available as a PDF download on their website all year around. Having established branches in Dubai and Hong Kong several years ago, similar surveys have been undertaken for these regions.
They have proved an invaluable benchmarking tool to businesses wanting to ensure that their packages are competitive, so that they can remain employers of choice. Having officially opened their doors in 2006 in Johannesburg, Julie Teague, the International Director for Africa, feels that the time is right to research the local property market in order to offer the first ever comprehensive guide to salaries within the property industry.
"Whilst several studies have been commissioned in the past, by large corporates and organisations, these results have not included the full range of professionals within the industry, but have understandably concentrated on those areas which the business or professional body is interested in" notes Teague.
"The price tag attached to such a study also means that this important information is seen by the select few who can afford a private investigation. The other problem with such research is the sample size, says Teague. "Without a great deal of people responding to the questionnaire’s sent out, the results can be severely compromised". Macdonald & Company get around this particular hurdle quite easily. As they recruit exclusively for the property market, their local database is made up of more than 350 companies and many thousands of applicants – from valuers to project managers – and each and every contact on this database will be sent regular mailers asking them to complete a simple on-line questionnaire.
"Strategic partnerships with both eProp and Growthpoint Properties on this project will ensure its’ success," says Teague. "Not only will eProp provide another opportunity for applicants to respond, but Growthpoints financial support of the survey means that the best possible research team in London has been appointed to audit & interpret the accumulated data". Teague says that she is looking forward to the credibility it will lend to Macdonald & Company’s advice to clients and to applicants.
Teague mentions for example "some of our clients are looking for Portfolio Managers to look after 100 buildings, 3 property managers and several accounts people – but they are only willing to pay R30,000 per month! On the other hand, we’ve come across many candidates who feel that their 1 year of post graduate experience should entitle them to a salary in excess of R25,000 per month. In both cases it is like looking to rent a 5 bedroom house in Camps Bay for R3,000 per month– it would be nice to have, but it is highly unlikely you’ll find it! Managing expectations is pivotal in any recruiter’s role, and so a definitive study like this will prove very useful".
Macdonald & Company have timed this survey to coincide with the salary reviews which many property related companies hold in April or May annually. After 2 months of research, this Survey will be available to download by the end of March 2009. From Managing Directors to newly qualified quantity surveyors – this study is aimed at letting all property professionals know what they may be earning at different points in their careers. It will also answer the questions surrounding Black Economic Empowerment and Gender. Are we paying more for Black professionals than we would do for white applicants? Do women earn as much as men? What this survey aims to do is clearly underpin important information that no other survey has managed to achieve to date.
Whilst this will mark the first survey of the local market by Macdonald & Company, Teague says that this will become and annual offering. "In this way, market trends & changes will not only be monitored annually, but in comparison to preceding years".
This is just one of a variety of service differences which Teague is confident sets her team apart from their local competitors. "Not only do we focus on recruiting only for the property market, but then each consultant working for us specialises in a certain field – from facilities management to planning – ensuring that you deal only with experts who can provide informed professional advice about your career and your staffing needs." Teague says that her branch boasts many exclusive arrangements with property employers of choice, as the past 30 months have proved the value of their bespoke service.
