approximately 20 agents from Sotheby’s International Realty’s U.S. offices attended. “These are opportunities for our agents to invite their clients to be part of Sotheby’s extended family,” Korte says. “Then they have the chance to walk around and see works of art that many times you only see in a museum. So we work together with clients on both the art and the real estate sides.” This intersection is entirely unique to Sotheby’s, with its established auction house as well as the Sotheby’s International Realty brokerages. Sotheby’s International Realty also participates in a variety of annual in-house networking events focused on forging relationships not only with clientele, but also between brokers and agents at every level of operations. In addition to auction house events, these include regional meetings scheduled throughout the year to keep the communication channels open between the companyowned offices and affiliate agencies. Towards that end, Korte’s role at such events is that of liaison. “I help facilitate connections between my managers and the local affiliate firms, and also share what is happening with the client base in all of my markets,” she says. “What’s happening in New York City real estate—what’s happening in Wall-Street-driven markets, Greenwich and the Hamptons— often has an impact on other real estate markets throughout the United States, so it’s interesting for me to give our point of view.” Korte’s networking skills serve her well at Sotheby’s. In fact, according to her
“Relationships are critical in making certain that your clients get the most exceptional service.” —Kathy Korte colleagues, they are a defining facet of her career. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC, President and Chief Operating Officer Philip White says, “As the leader of our company-owned offices, Kathy works closely with the owners and managers of our worldwide affiliate companies. She is tenacious in her pursuit of providing quality service to her agents and managers, which enables them to be the best they can be in their individual markets.” When asked about her ability to float seamlessly between as varied markets as Miami, New York City, San Francisco and London, Paris and beyond, Korte pauses for only a moment as she reflects on her professional philosophy. “I think a lot of it is relationship-building overtime,” she says. “I have known so many of the different affiliate owners because we come together for conferences and meetings over the years, so my name is automatically known to them and theirs to me.” “There is a channel of referrals coming in and out of our offices consistently,” Korte continues. “It’s exposure you can’t necessarily
RODNEY REGALA
Kathy Korte, right, with Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC, President and C.O.O. Philip White at a networking event
get unless you have those relationships and connections outside of your own home market. That’s business you would not ordinarily be able to develop on your own.” So Korte frequently travels to ensure a certain level of synergy between Sotheby’s local, regional, national and international offices. This past spring, she flew to Portugal to participate in a Sotheby’s-sanctioned European owners meeting. “I was invited as the U.S. representative because my company happens to be located in so many markets across the country. It was really an opportunity for me to talk about the markets, what’s happening in Palm Beach, San Francisco, L.A. and New York City. That’s all relevant to what the European affiliates are working on for their buyers and sellers,” says Korte of her trip. “It was a chance for me to build those relationships, and let those owners know that if they have a client who they want to put in the right hands—in any one of these markets—they can contact me. At the same time, I now know who to call when one of my Manhattan brokers says, ‘Oh my gosh, I have somebody who needs the best broker in Sweden. Who do you call?’ And the same can be said for London or Paris or wherever it may be.” Back in New York, Korte wakes up in her Upper East Side apartment at five o’clock a.m. for some exercise before heading to the office. These early morning moments comprise rare solitary time for her. After all, Korte is the quintessential people person—in her line of work, she has to be. “Relationships are critical in making certain that your clients get the most exceptional service,” she says. “I have so much passion for Sotheby’s. It defines quality. It defines expertise, and it’s all done with discretion and confidentiality. We’re not in this to build a name for ourselves; one is already instilled in the Sotheby’s brand. We’re in this to protect and service our customers as best we can. The passion I have today, as much as it is for the industry, it’s more so for the people.” F —Jordan Galloway JULY 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 81