Agents first, as The Agency leans into cloud-based model
Category press release
As one of South Africa's first virtual cloud-based real estate agencies, The Agency, continues to drive a people-first culture, putting their agents before the agency, with their clients always top of mind.
As the world rapidly gathers steam in moving towards a mobile, non-office-based approach, The Agency is ramping up its efforts to separate themselves from the more traditional agencies, by ensuring their agents are able to enjoy a flexible working environment that caters to the individual's needs.
"People, above all else, drive the real estate industry," explains The Agency's, Kyle Leigh.
"We have always looked to partner with the right people, and the right agents, who are drawn to our company culture, which puts our people and a healthy lifestyle first. We invest in our people and trust them completely."
With no desk fees, a better commission split than most other agencies (80/20), the ability to work in any areas, flexible negotiations, and a team culture that stresses the need to work together, and not against each other, The Agency is constantly looking to fine-tune their model, pushing an already mobile operation into one that leads the way in an increasingly online world.
With 98% of property searches beginning online, The Agency knows all too well how important it is to understand the new model of real estate agency - one that is flexible, rapid and hands-on. Thankfully, they have a head start, with their operations cloud-based from the start, the information ready to be shared immediately, with their agents able to access all they need on the spot, whether they are on the road or with clients in a Cape Town coffee shop.
But most important is the company's ethos, which puts the emphasis on Information, transparency, value-adds and honesty, all of which leads to trusted advisors in the real estate space.
"The role of the agent will change in the future and at The Agency we see that role as becoming a 'trusted property advisor'," says Lynn Pinn.
"Successful agents will be trusted advisors to their clients for life."
The Agency as a business, of course, has big goals: to become the most trusted, the most transparent, the most innovative and the 'most embedded in their community' agency in each area that they specialize in.
While all are important factors in their journey towards their goal, it is the latter that perhaps best separates them from the rest, with the agency setting their agents up to become community leaders - not merely target-driven machines - championing a deeper understanding of the areas they work in, the neighbourhoods, and the people that create the culture and desirability to live there.
"Better people make better agents," emphasises Simony Santos.
"At The Agency, our people work their own hours, there is no clock-watching and the trust is strong on both sides. We genuinely believe that this kind of model results in a better work ethic, with some agents more productive in the morning, while others drive harder in the afternoon... either way they're working to their strengths. But, for us, what is most important, is that they are active in the community and have a deeper understanding of what makes the area tick."
With mobility and cloud-based systems ensuring The Agency is ready for the new age, and a culture that puts its people first, The Agency is ensuring they stay top of mind in an era where consumers place ethics in high demand and are only willing to work with businesses that do the same.
For more information you can contact The Agency here.
Author: The Agency Property Group
