Sim became a real estate agent in 2017. Now, he leads the eponymous Gideon Sim Divisions (GSD) with over 70 agents.
At ERA’s Millionaire Gala 2024, senior division director Gideon R Sim was recognised as one of the agency’s Rising Millionaires for 2023, an award he has won multiple times. As one of the top achievers, he has also been a multiple-winner of the ERA Diamond Awards.
Besides the accolades, Sim became a millionaire before the age of 30. His life has also turned around for the better. He credits his success to a positive mindset geared towards self-improvement. “It’s a case of doing what is right, not what you like.”
That explains why he hits the gym every morning. “Working out daily takes discipline and mental fortitude,” he says. “I also like to challenge myself and push my physical limits bit by bit.”
“We work hard, play hard, and party harder.” — Gideon Sim (Picture: Gideon Sim)
Despite his success, Sim never forgot his humble origins. Before he embarked on a career in real estate, Sim had been a tutor. As he could not afford a car, he rode a motorcycle from one pupil’s home to the next.
His family may not have been wealthy, but they were happy. “I still keep my former Chas [Community Health Assist Scheme] card in my wallet as a reminder of where I started all those years ago.”
Hitting the gym together is one of the team bonding activities that Sim organises. (Picture: Gideon Sim)
He never considered a career as a realtor until he saw his friend and mentor, Kenny Neo, in action. Neo is ERA’s senior advisory group division director and one of Singapore’s leading real estate agents.
“My enthusiasm and passion were ignited after I saw how Kenny embodies the spirit of customer-centric service and how it had immensely shaped his professional career and personal character,” relates Sim. “In many ways, I chose a ‘life mentor’ rather than a career mentor.”
In 2017, he became a real estate agent at the age of 26. Now he is the leader of the eponymous Gideon Sim Divisions (GSD) with over 70 agents. GSD is part of the Kenny Neo Divisions, which is in turn part of ERA’s Preeminent Group.
Sim’s success as an agent has also opened up opportunities for him and his team. For instance, he has been appointed a project director for new project launches, such as the 368-unit J’den (launched last November and over 90% sold) and the upcoming 916-unit The Chuan Park.
According to Sim, the project director role is coveted, as it is awarded only to those who have stood out based on individual merit and expertise.
Kenny Neo (right) is ERA’s senior advisory group division director and one of Singapore’s leading real estate agents, and a long-time friend of Sim.
Sim’s leadership approach is built on the belief that leaders must be willing to go above and beyond to support their team. He also maintains an open-door policy. Hence, his colleagues find him approachable.
“Gideon is one of the most easy-going realtors in the business,” says one of his colleagues. “He is down-to-earth and has no airs. So, people find him easy to talk to.”
Another agent who works closely with him shares: “I’ve never seen him portray himself as better than others, and he hardly ever asserts himself as our ‘boss’.”
His relaxed and confident vibe puts his team members at ease. They are, therefore, willing to share with him the challenges they face with clients or in their business dealings. “Dealing with issues arising from our work and business is important,” says Sim. “It’s our livelihood, and we need to get the job done.”
The Gideon Sim Divisions (GSD) has over 70 agents and it is part of the Kenny Neo Divisions, which is in turn part of ERA’s Preeminent Group. (Picture: Gideon Sim)
He also organises weekly team meetings and quarterly team bonding events. “It’s important that we grow and trust each other as a team,” he adds. “We work hard, play hard, and party harder.”
One of his programmes is the new agent induction programme that is filled with energy and a clear vision. He guides newcomers through marketing and prospecting, teaching them how to spend money wisely and offering resources like flyer design and printing tips. Sim’s approach to social media branding and video production is top-notch and this is shared only with his team.
His mentorship is unique because he tailors the plans and schedules to fit everyone, depending on whether they are full-time or part-time, their character, current commitments and budget constraints. He has weekly meetings with them to review their schedule to see if adjustments need to be made.
Sim is a firm believer in the power of effective time and money management. He asserts: “When agents learn to use their time and money wisely, sales will naturally follow.”
All agents are different, according to Sim. “Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, lifestyles and habits,” he adds. He, therefore, prefers to tailor his programmes to the different personalities.
Sim regards his team members as more than just colleagues; they are friends. He also enjoys going out with his team members for meals and drinks. “I care about their well-being and lives beyond work.”
One of the media mastery classes led by Sim. (Picture: Gideon Sim)
Newcomers such as Anna, a part-time agent and mother of two, joined GSD last September. “She didn’t have a lot of time to spend chasing leads,” says Sim. “After understanding her situation better, we developed a system that complemented her lifestyle and family commitments.”
After successfully closing several rental transactions, Anna mustered the courage to venture into the new-launch market. With the help of taggers from GSD, she scored a significant deal — selling a four-bedroom penthouse at J’den.
Just as every successful business relies on a solid support network, real estate agents, being self-employed, increasingly rely on the professional and emotional support that the right team can provide, Sim observes.
He believes it is vital that realtors, experienced and rookie alike, are given the resources and mentorship that allow them to thrive in an increasingly competitive and fluid industry.
He hopes to change the life of whoever joins him, just like his path as a real estate agent has changed his life.
For more information,
Contact Gideon Sim | 92318614
SENIOR DIVISION DIRECTOR (R058683A)
ERA REALTY NETWORK PTE LTD