The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and business
Welcome aboard The Viking Chats—the podcast where property, tech, and business collide in candid, no-fluff conversations. Hosted by Kristjan Byfield—lettings veteran, proptech pioneer, and co-founder of Base Property Specialists and The Depositary—this show dives deep into the real-world challenges and bold innovations shaping the future of the housing sector and beyond.
Each episode, Kristjan drops anchor with industry leaders, disruptors, and entrepreneurs to unpack the messy, inspiring, and often chaotic reality of running a modern business in a rapidly evolving landscape. Expect sharp insights, honest stories, and the occasional Viking metaphor—all served with Kristjan’s trademark wit and big-hearted honesty.
Whether you’re in lettings, launching a startup, or just love a good story about navigating change—this podcast is your compass in the storm.
The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and business
It’s Not a Secret: Why the Best Letting Agents Share Everything
In this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by the powerhouse behind Liberty Blue, Regina Mangan, for a vibrant and unfiltered discussion that every forward-thinking letting and estate agency leader needs to hear.
Titled “It’s Not a Secret: Why the Best Letting Agents Share Everything”, this episode dives headfirst into one of the industry’s most overlooked superpowers: collaboration. In a sector where many still operate behind closed doors, clinging tightly to their ‘trade secrets’, Kristjan and Regina make the compelling case that the true path to faster processes, happier clients, and a more respected profession lies in open dialogue, shared experiences, and collective progress.
Regina shares the transformational journey of her business—from a frantic, noisy office where staff were drowning in phone calls and paperwork, to a calm, tech-enabled environment where efficiency, service, and job satisfaction coexist in harmony. And the catalyst for this shift? Knowledge shared by fellow agents. From her initial visit to Kristjan’s Base Property Specialists office in London to years of masterminds, mentoring, and idea-swapping with UK agents, she reveals how generous collaboration—not competition—has been the key to Liberty Blue’s success.
This is a masterclass in real-world transformation: 14 technologies adopted, a cultural overhaul, improved trust ratings, and clients who are not only better served—but genuinely happier. It’s not just about reducing admin (though Regina talks about slashing hours off her team’s workload); it’s about shifting mindsets. About rejecting the idea that being ‘busy’ means being effective. About focusing on delighting residents and owners with systems that work and staff who have the time and energy to show they care.
Listeners will gain insights into:
- Why agents who share knowledge often outperform those who stay siloed.
- How to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement without needing to be a tech expert.
- The business case for self-service platforms, streamlined maintenance, and modern communication channels.
- Why language and cultural clarity in your brand matters now more than ever.
- The unexpected ROI of mentorship, masterminds, and generosity in business.
Whether you’re managing 50 tenancies or 5,000, this is a call to arms for agency leaders to rethink how they learn, grow, and operate. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really working behind the scenes at the best agencies—or wished you could peek inside the playbook of a high-performing team—this episode gives you that access.
It turns out the biggest barrier to success isn’t your competition—it’s isolation. And the solution? Start talking. Start sharing. Start collaborating.
Because in today’s lettings world, it’s not a secret. The best agents are already sharing everything.
