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Understanding the Opportunity...

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Carolina One Real Estate

As a Managing Broker I always thought my main function was to Recruit, Retain and Develop my agents.  Soon after taking on the leadership role almost a decade ago I realized that for some of my agents I was counselor, cheerleader and at times best fried and confidant.  Never before has this secondary role been more important than it is now.  When the market started to transition a few years ago I was right there implementing new prospecting programs, getting the agents involved in small groups for accountability, bringing in new educational opportunities and anything else I could think of to keep my agents distracted from the media's daily issue of doom and gloom.  All of these things worked for a time...but the reality was that just as our sellers had to accept the market, my agents also had to realize the rules of the game had changed and in order to survive and thrive they had to change too.

I am seeing an awaking out there, a new day where agents have accepted this new challenge and are understanding that although it hurts today, there is incredible opportunity on the horizon. As an industry we will have to make some changes on the short term in order to be stronger and able to take advantage of the opportunity ahead.  As leaders we need to start talking more about the future, and stop dwelling on those things we cannot change.  Only when our agents understand the opportunity will we as an industry be able to positively move forward.

 

Comments (4)

Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Lonnie, I understand (I think) where you are coming from but what I'm finding as I talk to more and more "agents" is that they are finding brokerages are dinosaurs.  Those of us who really want to survive and flourish are leaving the "names" behind. I believe that brokerages in the sense that they've been run in the past will get the new agents because of the "comfort level",  Those of use who are nimble and net-savvy and have a lot of energy to get new business, keep the referral level stable and work our markets are setting sail for new horizons.  Keep current if you want to move forward with the brokerage model of today and keep the agents motivated!  Good luck! 

Nov 16, 2008 10:10 AM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Lonnie,

I have vowed to make my company better than my competitors.  I want agents to beat down my door to work for the best.  With that I offer great training programs, competetive pay, state of the art office technology, and strive to be a vital part of the community.  It works.

Nov 16, 2008 10:26 AM
Lonnie Plaster
Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

Suzanne,

A few years ago I also thought brokerages were going the way of the dinosaurs, but today I respectfully disagree.  I meet with and talk with the more "independent" agents out there who did well in our booming market but who are now looking for the opportunity to partner with a broker who will bring value to their business.  Now that is not to say that the "names" will not need to make some changes and improve the value proposition, but I believe the good ones are here to stay. 

Nov 16, 2008 10:27 AM
sandy reid
Westwood Metes & Bounds - New Paltz, NY
period homes, second home market

Go Lonnie.  Great positive thoughts.  If we continue to grow and evolve and meet the changes in life we do not find ourselves in a "tar pit" wondering how we got there.

 

Best,

Sandy

Nov 16, 2008 08:04 PM