When I launched The London Broker, I had no idea that one of the most valuable things we would create would be the network itself. Bringing individuals together in an environment which encourages collaboration between would be competitors brings with it great benefits to the individuals, their businesses the market, but most importantly to their clients.
The property market is a curious place, full of some of the friendliest, diligent, and most hardworking individuals I have ever met. Put them in a room together (usually with some alcohol) and they will merrily chat away for hours about the market, their deals, their successes their failures and very often how they might have “something coming up” which might be “just right” for the other agent’s client. However put them on opposing sides of a market appraisal and more often than not this good will and general camaraderie can seem very distant indeed.
With evermore agents branching out on their own, the necessity to work with would be competitors becomes not only helpful but increasingly necessary, not only for their clients and businesses but also for their souls. Being a sole trader, an independent or “one man / woman band” can be a lonely place at times, and it is for this reason that in my view the various broker / self employed agency models have found such fertile ground over the last 2 years, as the way we work has changed so very much.
It is with this in mind that I have created Agentsonly, in the hope that it will help to encourage and nurture a culture of collaboration between agents and agencies from independent “one man / woman bands” to the negotiators and managers of larger agencies.
In August of this year the Guild of Property Professionals revealed that their revamped referral program had generated over £1.35m worth of referral fees between agents within their network, with one agency generating £40,000. Speaking from experience I can quickly provide examples of similar revenues generated in just one deal, between brokers within The London Broker.
However the benefits of collaboration and communication between colleagues in the industry goes beyond just fee revenue. The sharing of knowledge and experience is also a benefit. Whilst many of us have been working in the industry for years we cannot pretend to know everything. By creating a platform where agents can easily share useful practical knowledge, or indeed ask questions of others, those who get involved can increase their learning and market knowledge in areas they otherwise would be driving blind in. In talking with many agents and brokers, it is my sense that there is an increasing appetite for collaboration and cooperation between individuals and agencies / brokerages. Agentsonly is in its infancy at the moment and we have to start somewhere.
If you’d like to find out more about Agentsonly please don’t hesitate to get in touch, or indeed just join (as you currently get 6 months free, so it won’t cost you a penny).
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