Thanks for bringing my attention to this post and for your candor. You are (as usual)firing on all cylinders and hit it on the head. A couple of things I might add:

Brokers:

*Bridge the gap between your agents and make amends. Listen to their problems. Get involved. Offer CUTTING EDGE advice or hire a real estate coach who knows Business 2.0 to help them.

*DON’T give long lectures about, “Back to Basics” regarding postcards without meaning and cold calls. These work for some, but not for all.

*LISTEN and ENCOURAGE to explore emotional branding of their brand in alliance with yours. Help them to brand themselves and take it to the street.

*OFFER BUSINESS PLANNING AND ADVANCED EDUCATION: Help them learn about FHA financing, LEED certification, understanding social networking and more.

*Understand that you are on the same side. Cut the Us vs. Them bullsh*t and get over it. Your business depends on them.

AGENTS

*Don’t wait for your broker to embrace new technology. Get out there, read blogs, contribute, subscribe to Fast Company Magazine, talk to innovators in the market.

*Realize that your Broker might not know exactly what to do right now with regards to business. This is a journey and something you might be making together.

*Embrace radical changes your broker might be making. This might not make sense, but all movement is better than standing still

*Focus on doing at least ONE THING each week focusing on your differentiation, and then communicate WHY you are doing it to your clients

*If you company or your broker are unable to provide you with cutting edge business planning, training, or coaching look outside. There are plenty of us out there willing to share our experience

*Understand that you are on the same side. Cut the Us vs. Them bullsh*t and get over it. Your business depends on them.

It’s not enough to be forward thinking anymore… you need to be forward doing as well. Align yourself, and align your business for success.

By the way Marc. @properties has become the #4 broker in MRED (Formerly MLSNI) which spans 4 counties and all the suburbs around Chicago. We are proud to be the #2 broker in Chicago PROPER… at least for now.

Matt Dollinger
@properties
http://www.TheYouFactor.com

Bad hiring practices, the development of ego-centered cultures that reward the selfish and finally just BAD business analysis and modeling all spell "failure."

All is not lost! The most salient statement in this post is, "The disconnect between the industry and the consumer."

The consumer figured us out before the now historical market run-up…they didn't like us then…they don't like us now.

For the industry, lead by NAR, the great precursor to Marc's "house aligned" is a cultural and PR vacuum that sucks out all of the residual, self-serving models and sends the consumer a new profile of who we really are and ought to be.

@Properties is a good example of thinking before acting; of putting business modeling before market-mania and a crisp and obvious penchant for meeting consumer needs.

The wrecked hotel room is one into which even the hired maid will not enter.

Although we are currently a mess – what a great door of opportunity we have in front of us!

Nice post…to which I say, "truth makes a post."

REALonomics
http://www.realonomics.net

When brokers and agents align themselves and commit to quality in everything they do the results can be wonderful for the agent, the broker, and the brand.