Before I get into this article I wonder what the investment is by a Broker or employing agency for that new agent? I guess what I'm asking is, what is the new agent getting in return for the 40 to 50% of their commissions?
I heard the same question from many at a non-agency realtor training meeting. I also heard a familiar question as they went in and heard the same question when they left. Which is simply "NOW WHAT?"
You see announcements all the time from different Realty companies on training for the new realtor. Yes you do get the training on their specific company policy on filling out forms which is valuable. But for the new realtor they are looking for a lot more. As the hiring broker would it not be prudent to assist the new realtor get out of the blocks? As the hiring broker or well known real estate firm don't you think it would benefit you and your firm to provide the new agent with the tools on how to get their (and your) business profitable? Are we assuming that these new agents understand the concepts of business?
If I attend or present a business training session I do not want to hear nor do I deliver any rah rah sis boom bah stuff. I'm not there to hold hands and sing Kumbaya I'm there to learn or teach the actual "How-to-do-it" stuff. Now granted I know many people require that kind of stuff to keep them on point. But I can't do that.
So let me share a so called training session I went to. I get there and I was surprised to see some real training topic flyers posted on the wall as you entered the meeting hall. Like, how to close, prospecting etc. Wow, I thought there finally going to teach business issues other than the normal roo-rah. About an hour or so into this it is nothing but the rah rah stuff. Okay, I can deal with this for a while. So I do a little networking and observations of the audience. They bring up some heavy hitters to tell their story and announce to all the typical saying "If I can do it, anybody can". Have you heard that before? Generally just pump up the audience. Now don't get me wrong I feel that these successful people have a value at these type venues. You know the believability factor. But still, as always they don't really share with the audience how they accomplished their success. They don't give away those trade secrets. Have you ever asked yourself why?
I had only been in there a few minutes and wanted to yell out "hey enough with the BS help these people with the mechanics of how to build their respective businesses" This is what the word "TRAINING" means?. . . .I think. . .maybe I'm wrong. Then the announcement "lunch break". Be back quarter past one. So I depart still wondering, what the heck I am going to get out of this thing. I run some errands thinking about the first two hours I wasted and the thought of not returning crossed my mind. But I remembered the posted flyers on the entrance so decided to return and see how they trained for business 101 type stuff.
As I returned to the venue there were several people who came up and introduce them selves. I get the normal questions like how long have you been involved, stuff like that. Now you might ask yourself why these people were coming up to me to introduce themselves? I can answer that easily, "Perceived Value" as I was wearing a suit and making a general professional and successful appearance. You know, this business casual thing is totally out of control. It frustrates me when I see someone in cargo shorts and a t-shirt representing a multi-million dollar business and asking if I would be interested to listen to there respective business plan. First their approach was wrong as they are making the same mistake many make as they are selling their business instead of marketing their concept. Plus their appearance does not exude a million dollar business person. Then they wonder why their business is not growing. Anyway, I advise them that I'm a public speaker and professional growth counselor. There thoughts immediately went to "are you speaking today?" I told them no I was here to observe. This comment caught many off guard and inquired exactly what I did. My response was simple and direct, "I'm a Professional Growth, Marketing Strategies and Business Success Specialist." "I teach the actual How-To's , the mechanics of how to build these businesses." After this was stated, a gaggle formed all asking for cards, brochures and alike. I was amazed that so many people made inquiries at a venue that is supposed to be doing just that.
I had the opportunity to meet a lady that was scheduled to speak on prospecting at this venue, but she told me she was removed from the program at the last minute. That confused me as this is what this "Training Meeting" was all about. . . .I thought. She was apparently bumped by a famous business owner. Now granted that opportunity does not happen often so one should cease the opportunity. This person talked quite a long time on the respective product line and generated several interactions from the audience. Personally I felt it would have been more productive to have the lady I met make her presentation on her assigned training topic. Modify the program to also allow the VIP to also discuss what was discussed. They could have dropped one of the roo-rah speakers and replace it with substance.
Now understand these types of meetings are great for my specific business as I always generate leads and students for my program. But it just frustrates me when I see a scheduled "Training Meeting" used for everything other than its title and many attendees walk out with the same question they walked in with and that's, "OKAY, NOW WHAT?"
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