Rich - I hope the info helps one of your customers.  In my opinion, thinking like an employee (as opposed to an owner) may be one of the biggest impediments to success as a real estate agent.

Debe - I was working on a why "independent contractor agreements" have ruined the real estate profession type of post when I read Katarina's post.  I was focusing on the odd dynamic between the agent who says "hey, I'm an independent contractor and I don't have to do xxxx" and the agent who criticizes their broker saying "hey, my broker should be doing xxxx for me."  The simple fact that we are our own businesses.  As soon as the employee mentality is replaced with a business owner outlook, the work (and fun) starts in this business.

Lee & Pamela - Thanks for reading and commenting.  It is a good starting point for changing orientation from employee to owner.  It is all about taking control of your business and taking responsibility for how you build your business.

Jeani - It is a nice resource and works well with Katerina's post.  So far, it has been a struggle to get agents to develop their own individualized marketing and business plans.  When we talk about this subject (over and over), it is often met with blank stares.  Planning and execution are two of the key building blocks for developing a successful career in real estate.

The Rays - In the go-go days, mediocre agents looked like superstars.  Now, it is all about the basics - business planning, marketing, technology, sales skills, communication, etc.

Coleen - Thanks for reading.  I hope the post is of assistance.

Katerina - I was in the process of writing a post on the death of the profession based on the "independent contractor" defense to hard work, professional development, individualized business plans, and personal marketing.  However, your post captured my main thoughts without the broker angst (or is that disgust).

Donna - I enjoyed Katerina's post.  i was writing something a bit less positive.  So, in the spirit of her post, I switched to something more positive - like online courses.  However, you can lead the horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

Erica - I would love to see a bifurcated licensing process.  Start with the licensing exam.  Require a period of apprenticeship with courses on more of the technical aspects of the business.  Then a second exam at 12 mos. I think that one of the reasons that we have so many agents who are less than ideal is because the entry barrier to becoming an agent is pretty low.  I would love to see the bar raised.

Nevin - I hope it helps.  Thanks for reading and commenting.

Sharon - These are basic online courses - but at least it is a starting point.  I find it frustrating at times trying to change agent attitudes regarding the business aspects of our profession.

Oxford Realty - I would agree.  I would also add that the e-commerce isn't exactly comprehensive either.  Again, these are starting points for new agents to understand the nature of managing their own business.

Christine - I am not sure of the "why".  I do know that successful agents are entrepeneurial, take initiative and understand the importance of professional development, building their business, etc.  On one hand, I think that sometimes it is the part-time nature of some agents.  Others just don't seem suited to the "eat what you kill" nature of sales.  Others use the independent contractor agreement as a justification to do what they please.  Some of these same agents look upon the broker almost in a dependent way to provide lead generation and to provide support - to the point where I wonder if their profession is real estate sales or professional tour guide/driver.

Kent - Thanks.  I think these are pretty good courses to be used as a starting point.  Obviously, the SBA thinks startups need to know these basics.  So why don't new agents seem to want to focus on these building blocks?