Komal Panjwani is a successful entrepreneur and real estate professional based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Komal began her career in the travel and tourism industry, working for companies like Jet Air Tours, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Arabian Adventures (a sister company of Emirates Airlines).
After working in the travel industry for nine years, Komal decided to venture into the real estate industry of Dubai. She started her career in real estate with Kensington Real Estate Brokers LLC, where she was appointed as a sales executive and worked her way up to becoming a senior sales consultant. In 2020, Komal founded her own firm, Maple and Lane Real Estate Brokers, which has become one of the most respected and successful real estate firms in Dubai.
Komal’s expertise and knowledge of the Dubai real estate market have helped her provide exceptional service to her clients. She is known for her attention to detail, her commitment to providing the best service possible, and her ability to navigate the complex and ever-changing real estate market in Dubai.
Outside of her professional life, Komal is a devoted wife and mother to a beautiful daughter. She is also a passionate advocate for women in business and is actively involved in mentoring and supporting other women entrepreneurs in the UAE. Learn more through our interview below.
Can you tell us about your journey in the real estate industry, highlighting key milestones and transitions that have shaped your career?
My journey in the real estate industry in Dubai began in 2014. I started my career in real estate with Kensington Real Estate Brokers LLC, where I was appointed as a sales executive. I worked my way up to becoming a senior sales executive and gained valuable experience and knowledge of the Dubai real estate market.
In 2020, I founded my own firm, Maple and Lane Real Estate Brokers. Over the years, I have helped many clients find their dream homes and make sound investments in the Dubai real estate market.
One of the key milestones in my career was when I was appointed as a senior sales executive at Kensington Real Estate Brokers LLC. This role allowed me to develop my leadership skills and mentor other sales executives in the company.
Another milestone was when I founded Maple and Lane Real Estate Brokers. Starting my own firm was a dream come true, and I am proud of what we have achieved over the years.
Throughout my career journey, I have faced many challenges and obstacles. However, I have always remained focused on providing exceptional service to my clients and staying up to date with the latest trends and developments in the Dubai real estate market.
How did your background in the travel and tourism industry influence your decision to enter the real estate sector? How have your previous experiences contributed to your success in this industry?
My background in the travel and tourism industry gave me a solid foundation in customer service and sales, which are essential skills in any industry. During my tenure in the Travel and tourism industry in Dubai, I noticed that the real estate market was booming, and I saw an opportunity to use my skills and experience to excel in this industry.
I was attracted to the real estate industry because I saw it as a dynamic and challenging field with the potential for high rewards. I was also drawn to the fact that the real estate industry in Dubai is constantly evolving, with new projects and developments being announced regularly.
Furthermore, Dubai is a city that attracts a lot of expats, and there is a growing demand for high-quality real estate services. As someone who had experience working with international clients in the travel industry, I felt that I was well-suited to provide excellent service to clients from all over the world.
Overall, my background in the travel and tourism industry helped me develop the skills and mindset necessary to succeed in the real estate industry. It taught me the value of exceptional customer service, the importance of building strong relationships with clients, and the need to stay on top of industry trends and developments.
The real estate market is constantly evolving. How do you navigate challenges and stay ahead amidst changing market dynamics and technological advancements?
Navigating challenges and staying ahead of changing market dynamics and technological advancements is essential in any industry, especially in the real estate market. Here are some strategies that I use to stay ahead of the game:
#1. Continuous Learning: I make sure to stay up to date with the latest industry trends and developments by attending seminars, conferences, and webinars. I also read industry publications and engage with other industry professionals to stay informed.
#2. Technology: I leverage technology to streamline my processes and provide better service to my clients. This includes using CRM software, virtual property tours, and social media platforms to connect with clients and market properties.
#3. Adaptability: The real estate market is constantly evolving, and it’s important to be adaptable and open to change. I am always willing to try new things and adapt my strategies to fit changing market conditions.
#4. Strong Network: Building and maintaining a strong network of industry professionals is essential in the real estate market. I make sure to stay connected with other real estate professionals, including brokers, agents, and developers, to stay informed about market trends and opportunities.
#5. Customer Service: Finally, I believe that providing exceptional customer service is key to success in the real estate industry. By focusing on building strong relationships with my clients and providing personalized service, I am able to stay ahead of the competition and build a loyal client base.
By employing these strategies, I am able to navigate challenges and stay ahead of changing market dynamics and technological advancements in the real estate industry.
Maple & Lane has established a strong reputation in the industry. How do you ensure that your company remains adaptable to emerging trends and technologies to meet the evolving needs of your clients?
Maple & Lane Real Estate Brokers is a company founded on July 15th, 2020, with a strong foundation built on 10+ years of rich real estate experience. We have a deep acumen of the UAE market and adhere to core values such as high-quality standards, customer delight, and, most importantly, ethics and integrity. We strictly adhere to the regulatory framework governing the local property market. We pride ourselves on the long-term relationships we build with customers and partners. We offer a strong commitment to delivering exceptional service each time and provide comprehensive support throughout every stage of the property process. Our track record with customers, developers, and other professionals in the industry speaks for itself.
To ensure that our company remains adaptable to changes in technology and the evolving needs of our clients, we employ several strategies:
#1. Continuous Learning: We ensure that our team stays up to date with the latest industry trends and technological advancements by attending seminars, conferences, and webinars. We also provide regular training and development opportunities to our team members to help them stay ahead of the curve.
#2. Technology: We leverage technology to streamline our processes and provide better service to our clients. We use CRM software, virtual property tours, and social media platforms to connect with clients and market properties. We also regularly invest in new technologies that can help us better serve our clients.
#3. Customer Feedback: We rely on customer feedback to understand the evolving needs of our clients and adapt our services accordingly. We regularly seek feedback from our clients and use it to improve our services and offerings.
#4. Strong Network: We maintain a strong network of industry professionals, including brokers, agents, and developers, to stay informed about market trends and opportunities. This helps us remain adaptable to changes in the market and provide the best possible solutions to our clients.
What are your future plans and goals for both your personal career and the growth of Maple & Lane?
At Maple & Lane, our goal is to continue growing our business and expanding our reach in the Dubai real estate market. We plan to achieve this by consistently providing exceptional customer service, leveraging technology to improve our processes, and staying ahead of industry trends and developments.
Specifically, some of our future plans and goals include:
#1. Team Expansion: We aim to grow our team of real estate professionals to better serve our clients and broaden our market presence.
#2. Market Expansion: We intend to increase our presence in the Dubai real estate market by enhancing our marketing strategies and utilizing technology to reach a wider audience.
#3. Technology Enhancement: We plan to invest in new technologies that can assist us in serving our clients more effectively and improving our operational efficiency.
#4. Value-Added Services: We seek to expand our range of services to offer additional value to our clients, such as property management and investment consulting.
Overall, our goal is to continuously innovate and provide exceptional service to our clients while achieving growth and expansion in the Dubai real estate market.
What valuable lessons have you learned throughout your career?
- Communication is key: Effective communication is crucial in any real estate transaction. It’s important to be clear and concise in your communication with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
- Attention to detail: Real estate transactions involve a lot of paperwork and legal documents, so it’s important to pay attention to details and ensure that everything is accurate and in order.
- Build relationships: Building strong relationships with clients and industry professionals is key to success in the real estate industry. This involves being genuine, trustworthy, and providing exceptional service to clients.
- Continuous learning: The real estate industry is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends, technology, and regulations. This can be achieved through attending seminars, conferences, and other professional development opportunities.
- Persistence and resilience: Real estate transactions can be complex and challenging, so it’s important to be persistent and resilient when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Success in the industry often requires perseverance and a positive attitude.
Overall, the real estate industry requires a combination of skills and qualities, including communication, attention to detail, relationship building, continuous learning, and persistence.
The real estate market is highly competitive. How do you differentiate your services from your competitors in the current market?
In the highly competitive real estate market, differentiation is key to staying ahead of the competition and attracting clients. Here are a few ways that real estate companies can differentiate their services from their competitors:
What differentiates us from others are the 3Ps – Proficiency, Passion, and giving it our Personal Touch.
We are focused on providing excellent sales, leasing, and property management services, as well as mortgage advising, in short, a complete one-stop solution. Honoring our values, which include integrity and transparency, we strive to build a trusting relationship with each customer.
#1. Focus on a niche: By specializing in a particular niche or market segment, real estate companies can differentiate themselves and offer unique expertise to clients. For example, a company that specializes in luxury properties or commercial real estate can set themselves apart from companies that offer a wider range of services.
#2. Provide exceptional customer service: Providing exceptional customer service can distinguish a real estate company from its competitors. This involves being responsive to client’s needs, providing timely and accurate information, and going above and beyond to ensure client satisfaction.
#3. Leverage technology: Leveraging technology can help real estate companies differentiate themselves and provide a more convenient and streamlined experience for clients. For example, using virtual tours, online scheduling tools, and chatbots can enhance the customer experience and set a company apart from its competitors.
#4. Build a strong brand: Building a strong brand can help real estate companies differentiate themselves and establish a reputation for quality and professionalism. This involves developing a clear brand identity, creating a consistent visual and messaging strategy, and effectively marketing the company to potential clients.
Overall, differentiation in the real estate market requires a combination of specialization, exceptional customer service, technology adoption, and brand building.
As the managing director of Maple & Lane, what strategies do you employ to build and maintain long-term relationships with your customers and partners?
- Provide exceptional customer service: Providing exceptional customer service is crucial for building and maintaining long-term relationships with customers. This involves being responsive, transparent, and going above and beyond to meet their needs and expectations.
- Communicate regularly: Communication is key to building and maintaining relationships with customers and partners. Regular communication helps to build trust and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
- Be reliable and trustworthy: Reliability and trustworthiness are essential for building long-term relationships with customers and partners. This means following through on commitments, being transparent, and maintaining a high level of professionalism.
- Offer value-added services: Offering value-added services can help build long-term relationships with customers. This includes services such as property management, investment consulting, and market analysis.
- Build a strong brand: Building a strong brand is important for building and maintaining long-term relationships with customers and partners. This involves developing a clear brand identity, creating a consistent visual and messaging strategy, and effectively marketing the company to potential clients.
Overall, building and maintaining long-term relationships with customers and partners requires a combination of exceptional customer service, regular communication, reliability, value-added services, and a strong brand identity.
Would you like to say anything else to our viewers?
I would like to emphasize the importance of staying informed and educated about the real estate industry if you are a real estate professional or interested in investing in real estate. The industry is constantly evolving, and it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, regulations, and technology. Additionally, building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and industry professionals is key to success in the real estate industry. Finally, always prioritize honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in all your business dealings.
Find Komal Panjwani on linkedin