New Management Concepts Are Needed To Keep Top Producers Satisfied Retaining top salespersons in a real estate office is of prime importance to offices owners. There are many factors involved which a broker has control over, such as: maintaining an office environment that is professional in appearance and not only inviting to the sales agent, but to the consumer as well. The office should be equipped with all the latest computer technology and also provide training and educational support. These services are widely offered in the industry through the local real estate boards and by online training modules offered by numerous sales training companies. Professional offices will most often have a telephone receptionist, at least during business hours. There are also other issues involved which could affect how a top salesperson feels about working for his broker. Is the office fair with all agents? Does the sales manager or broker act very indifferent to the a top producer? Is the top producer getting the recognition he or she deserves? Maybe a certain salesperson is not coming in to the office as much and is lagging in performance. This could be a sign that the salesperson is not very happy with his office. There should be regular communication among brokers and agents and the brokers should always ask for feedback from the agents about how the office and system could be improved. The brokerage office owner should invite the top office producers to speak to the rest of the group as to how they do it and the personal routines they follow. Interaction among agents on a periodical basis always provides new ideas and techniques that will motivate and inspires fellow salespersons. Another area of big concern are commission splits. Brokers must be creative and compensate fairly if they want to motivate and retain agents. An top agent will work where they feel they can make the most money and highest commission splits. Brokers must consider  a very progressive commission payout to compensate agents. Some form of the "one hundred percent concept" is now very popular. For instance, a broker can set a commission split of say, 50/50. When a certain plateau is reached by the agent, it could then go to 100 percent to the agent, with the agent paying only a transaction fee per closing. There is no standard formula for this and the broker can choose whatever formula they think works best. Some office owners are members of traditional real estate franchises that require royalties to be paid. These royalties are deducted from the commission paid to the broker at closing and can be approximately an eight percent deduction which comes off the gross commission before the split is paid. There are other franchise systems, such as our franchise, Better Lifestyles, which is progressive and offers greater independence and lower franchise overhead, thus providing maximum savings for franchisees. In the end, agent retention depends on many factors and if the agent does leave the office, it is because he or she thinks a problem will not exist working at a competitor office. Today, most successful agents have a certain work-ethic and will opt to work at an office where they think they will earn the highest compensation and provide the best service to the consumer.   Website: http://www.betterlifestyles.com