Recently I did a talk for a Broker friend of mine at his weekly sales meeting. Basically it was a talk about what great SEO does for a website. After the meeting was over I spent a few minutes in Bob's office talking about what we had just discussed. He made a statement that I found interesting that I wanted to pass along here.
He told me that many Real Estate Agencies he knows of no longer have sales or training meetings. Instead the training and sales meetings have been replaced with emails and online training. People are now reviewing PDF's or PowerPoint presentations of weekly sales and listings instead of attending meetings.
I found this a little shocking and wondered why in an industry that is so heavily dependent upon customer contact and personal services why an agency would do that. I would think that the contact that Real Estate Agents get from one another is not only a very necessary human bonding event but gives each agent the feeling that they are not alone. The knowledge dump alone in these meetings could be very beneficial.
My question to this community is this true of your agency or do you still do sales and training meetings and how often?
Hi Wayne...We had monthly sales meetings which sometimes had a training component. However, we have new ownership and since the change, July 1, 2009, we have only had one semi-sales meeting.
Years ago when I was an agent in Northern Virginia the office where I worked had a sales/training meeting every week. Following the meeting we would tour our new listings. I really appreciate the time my broker put into organizing these and miss them even though I'm a seasoned agent. I appreciated the input from those present and never thought they were a waste of time.
I'm with you!
Kate
Thank you for the comment Kate. I would think that those meetings would be crucial in running and agency.
We have a sales meeting every Monday morning at 9am and every Wednesday we tour our new listings. I agree, the bonding is quite important.
I am glad to hear that. Thank you for the comment
We've been in business since 1971. Except for holidays, we have a sales meeting and tour every Tuesday.
Larry that is great. Probably why you have been in business since 1971. Very impressive and something that should be admired.
I was in an office that had minimal sales or training meetings. I switched to my current KW office because it does have interaction. We have an office sales/training meeting every wednesday morning followed by a new listings home tour. We have a guest most every time who gives a 15 minute presentation - varies from different industry related sources: home builders, inspectors, title co, home warranty, online tools, credit repair reps, more new home builders, home stagers, motivational speakers, etc. Then we have our meeting for 45 minutes. Although I could do without hearing from yet another home warranty rep; I do gain knowledge and it is time well spent.
Funny you posted this today. We had an office meeting that was announced with less than 24 hours notice! I mean give me a break! There was a "hint" that something important would be talked about. Well geez, thanks for the tickle, but I already have my schedule planned.
Come to find out later in the day, they are closing our office and moving to new space. To add to it, it was discussed at LAST month's meeting, but no notice was sent out to the agents.
I just love the communication we get in our office. I stay because we have no monthly fees. Certainly not for any training or anything like that.
BTW, I have several agents in my office say we can't ask agents to attend a meeting because we are independent contractors. But if you have a policy and procedures manual, and you agree to it, does that not cover it?
Ah, things that make you go hmmmmmm.
Wayne,
Great Post. My broker still has sales meetings, but agent turn out is not very good.
Thanks for sharing,
Matt Naumann
Wayne,
Great Post. My broker still has sales meetings, but agent turn out is not very good.
Thanks for sharing,
Matt Naumann