Shane Farkas, The Agency’s Chief Operating Officer, took the virtual stage at Inman Connect Now on January 25 to talk about what agents really want from their brokerages. In an ever-competitive brokerage landscape with new models constantly emerging, how do modern brokerages provide value for agents? No one size fits all, but if agents join forces with the right brokerage model, it can be a win-win.
Shane joined fellow panelist Bryon Ellington, Chief Development Officer at Century21, and moderator Kendall Bonner of RE/MAX for a candid conversation. “Agents don’t want to be another number,” said Shane. “Everyone wants a voice. The collaboration we were founded on has continued even with expansion. Every franchisee has access to all of our technology, marketing and more.”
Since 2011, The Agency has fostered a culture of collaboration between agents, clients, and professionals. Today, we remain one connected, global community committed to collaboration, boutique-style service, and growing our powerful global network. In 2021 alone, we welcomed hundreds of agents and opened a record-breaking number of 12 new offices. We expanded into Oakville, New Canaan, North Shore—New York, Calgary, Vancouver, Boston, Maui, Las Vegas, Denver, and the Netherlands and are approaching 50 offices and 1,000 agents.
So, why are agents drawn to The Agency? Shane touched on several things in his panel discussion.
We keep it full-service and in-house. The Agency has a full-service, in-house creative team comprised of award-winning publicists, marketers, designers, social media professionals, marketing account managers, tech engineers, and others to provide white-glove service to all agents across the company and give them an edge. “Brokerages can bring value by providing services for agents,” said Shane.
“Agents want to make more money, look good to clients, and focus on what they do best. Our philosophy is to let agents be agents and let our team of designers be designers. Our in-house creative firm creates custom tools and designs to make life easier for our agents.”
It’s no secret—tech is key. Technological development is also a very important asset at The Agency. As we expand our presence in new countries and territories, we’ve invested significant resources into its leading proprietary technology. During the pandemic, we launched an improved, updated version of our advanced CRM system, with a 100% adoption rate by agents. As a brokerage, we plan to continue to serve as a preeminent leader as we leverage and invest in new technology, elevating our caliber of service and offerings.
We stay sharp. To keep the company connected (especially during times of social distancing) each month, The Agency hosts training sessions related to new technology, marketing solutions, and other tools for agents. A series of classes are available through our digital learning platform for agents across the globe to use as a resource at any given time. These classes include everything from the latest tools and tips on utilizing social media for streaming live tours of listings, public relations support, marketing, CRM tutorials, digital and social advertising, and more.
All about that global reputation. The Agency’s goal is to be a truly internationally recognized brand known to be effective in using creative and innovative tactics to market and sell some of the most aspirational properties around the globe. While we gain a global network, our boutique roots are an essential part of who we are and the service we offer.
Philanthropy is at our core. Through our corporate partner Giveback Homes, we support the global organization’s mission to create social change by helping to build homes for deserving families around the world. The Agency was the first real estate brokerage to join Giveback Homes on its mission to change lives and build stronger communities. We work together to organize fundraising events, mobilize teams of volunteer homebuilders and take action to make a difference in our communities.
What’s ahead? Going forward, The Agency’s strategic approach includes embracing advancements in the industry, investing in new technology, services, data, and more to be the first luxury boutique brokerage to balance tech and human touch.
