Agents Together, a new foundation, funded by ex-Purplebricks’ founders Michael and Kenny Bruce, launches today with the stated mission of bringing the industry together to collectively steer its way through the unique challenges of today and to take full advantage of the opportunities for the future, that will create and preserve a healthier, well run and respected industry.
The foundation has been set up by leading industry figures, who believe that the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic will prove a turning point for estate agency, creating a unique opportunity for agents to come together with a new way of thinking and a new approach for the future.
Led by CEO Sarah Edmundson, Agents Together has been founded and funded by Michael Bruce, the former Chief Executive and Chairman of Burchell Edwards Estate Agency Group and former Co-founder and Group CEO of Purplebricks.
Through its two founding pillars of Healthy Business and Healthy Mind, Agents Together says it will provide expert advice, mentoring and coaching to estate agents who are keen to grow their business, develop their people and steer their way through the inevitable challenges they might face.
It will promote the wellbeing of estate agents and encourage a culture of open communication and collective support.
The immediate focus for the foundation will be support for those navigating the difficult obstacles presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will provide a place to learn, and a place to teach, through a series of initiatives including:
- A free to join mentor programme, giving business owners access to some of the UK’s most successful businessmen and women
- A speed mentoring series, offering 30 minutes of focused mentoring with business and industry leaders
- A unique Winning Ways skills video series, led by thought leaders from the industry and beyond
- A healthy mind information hub to promote the wellbeing of estate agents
- A video content series, giving practical tips and advice to promote positive mental wellbeing
The long term focus of the foundation will be to help people to collectively support their industry and together change minds and perceptions to bring about a brighter future for everyone.
The foundation will build on its founding pillars through engagement with the industry, with the vision to create a more attractive and financially rewarding environment for the current and next generation of estate agents.
Agents Together says that its guiding principle is that the industry will have a brighter future if it faces challenges together, not in isolation.
It has established a close connection with the work of Agents Giving and although the specific purposes are different, the collective passion for positive industry change and support are aligned.
The board of Trustees includes the former Head of Communications for Virgin Group, Will Whitehorn; CEO of Mortgage Advice Bureau Peter Brodnicki; CEO of Ellipsis Entertainment, Andrew McGuinness; and Head of Field Sales at Moneypenny, Samantha Jones.
Founder Members have played an integral role in the development of the foundation, bringing both industry and broader business expertise.
Along with the input of these individuals, an industry survey was commissioned to garner opinion on how best to provide support and encourage greater collaboration. It received 107 responses.
Uncertainty (50%), growth in transaction numbers (43%) and adapting to new ways of working due to social distancing (30%) were cited as the biggest challenges facing the industry, demonstrating the very immediate need for collaboration and specific support.
Over 65% of respondents stated they would access a free mentoring scheme for advice and training and when asked about mental wellbeing, 48% of respondents stated that supporting mental wellbeing was a key issue for the industry.
Despite the unprecedented two-month industry shutdown, 64% of agents were ‘optimistic’ or ‘very optimistic’ about the future supporting the view that the coming months offer a unique opportunity for the industry to come together and flourish.
Sarah Edmundson, chief executive of Agents Together, said:
“Our ambition is to help estate agents, to support our industry and together change minds to bring about a brighter future for everyone.
“Our vision is for a healthier industry – and we know that healthy minds and healthy businesses will create a healthy industry.
“Our Founder Members, Kenny Bruce, Stephen Brown, Michael Day and Christopher Watkin have played an integral role in shaping the focuses of Agents Together, and I would urge anyone who shares our vision to get involved and help change estate agency for the better”.
Michael Bruce, Founder and Trustee of Agents Together, said:
“Agents Together is a Foundation born out of hope that the impact of Covid-19 has presented a collective opportunity to come together to change the narrative for estate agency.
“Our mission is to ensure we do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support each other through the difficult times ahead, embracing the power and energy of the industry to build towards a better future, raise professional standards and change perceptions to unlock a greater understanding of the role and worth of a professional agent”.
Comments (85)
Maybe…
1. “Successful” and rich businessmen launch a charitable foundation with laudable aims and attract well-known, high profile industry consultants/trainers as PR.
2. It is rumoured that said businessmen are working on the next “disruptor” to the EA industry.
3. Given the above and the ambition of the Bruce Bros, it has to be bigger and better than before.
4. Could it be that they are about to take on the Bete Noir that is RM?
5. OTM is in desperate need of cash and effective marketing – who can provide that?
6. Add a foundation to support EA and you have something approaching what Agents Mutual could/should have been.
7. Add one of the emerging proptech companies and RM are looking vulnerable.
8. The rewards in terms of share price/EA fees would make the Bruces millions/billions ?
The EA dilemma – the abusive RM or…………….?
I think you need to be aware it’s not a specific fee v fee comparison. Millions upon millions of investor not earned money was bestowed on TV advertising to change perceptions overall on what we did for a living, what fee the public should be paying etc and many adverts were found in breach of ASA guidelines.
It may not have affected you personally, it didn’t me my take home pay has been up year on year for 7 years but I can see the wider implications of such a strategy and consequences for the wider industry and our successors.
Well I think its official by reading all the posts.
Those in Favour = Those that are involved in the venture wishing to capitalise for their own benefit and can be counted on one hand and are not agents.
Those Against = Everyone who is an estate agent. (exclude Simon Bradbury & Breckland Agent)
Conclusion = Not wanted, will be another Bruce’s failure and those that think they know best on mentoring agents …. you didn’t know best on getting involved in something basic as no market and not wanted.
PS if any agents want to blame PB for their lowering fees, I’d say wake up! In the absence of differentiation people will always judge on price. If you couldn’t compete…the mirror is a great place to start!
“If you couldn’t compete…the mirror is a great place to start!”
You know what – you’re absolutely right. Kind of. Ish. In a ‘woefully wrong’ sort of way, that is.
Some people wouldn’t take a blind bit of notice of “differentiation” if it smacked them sideways to Scarborough with a soggy haddock.
Some people, when they want to buy a TV, will go to ASDA and buy the Polaroid they saw in there when they were picking up a loaf and a pint of milk – recognised brand… great price. What else do they need?
Some people think that all Estate Agents are equal. So why pay more for ‘Agent X’ when ‘Agent Y’ can do it for a fraction of the price?
And when Agent Y is the one they see everywhere they turn – and every time they turn on their shiny new Polaroid – then you ain’t even gonna get a chance to compete.
Where does an Agent look then, Breckland Agent?
Where do you look when you don’t get instructed? My guess is it ain’t the mirror…
I think you need to be aware it’s not a specific fee v fee comparison. Millions upon millions of investor not earned money was bestowed on TV advertising to change perceptions overall on what we did for a living, what fee the public should be paying etc and many adverts were found in breach of ASA guidelines.
It may not have affected you personally, it didn’t me my take home pay has been up year on year for 7 years but I can see the wider implications of such a strategy and consequences for the wider industry and our successors.
With Stephen, Michael and Christopher involved I am happy to join / support this too. Appalled at some of the comments on here when you consider what FREE content those guys have been dishing out in hard times.
Best of luck. Great venture.
******** – you will soon see – utter tripe they cannot be trusted – if you cannot see how many people were used and abused by this pair then you have indeed a massive need for some mental health counselling – anyone who believes in this is going to need it – I am utterly astonished and just how ****** stupid some of you people are – Great Venture – joke more like – they are laughing at you all already ! (ps – so am I – and anyone else who really knows how the Bruce Brothers tick ! )
A cynical person might say this is the perfect vehicle to identify stressed agencies, principals on the verge of giving up, directors in financial dire straights, etc, etc, all these factors affecting their mental health. Imagine if the ‘help’ given was to manifest itself in the form of enabling a quick sale of the business or to offer investment (loans, etc – all backed by security) or even to sell them products/services that they are be persuaded ‘could’ help their circumstances. Now this all would be too cynical, right?
So happy, you don’t put your real name to this?
In my personal experience Chris Watkins, Sarah Edmonson and Stephen brown are thoroughly decent people who have a track record of providing help and advice for free too large number of people in the industry.
There are a lot of bitter and cynical people on here who would be better off taking a long hard look at themselves, and their businesses before spending hours on PIE trolling others
Just wait and see Mr Tom McGee – all will become clear in the fullness of time – there is no such thing as a free lunch – fact !
Anyone daft enough to trust the Bruce Brothers with their track record deserves all that is coming their way – wonder how their Investors feel about this joke ! Lambs to the slaughter – a ready made list of Agents who have all signed up for free advice – mental health support and then ………. oh here is what we are actually launching and want you to utilise and pay for ! Oh the irony of them using Covid 19 to their advantage – says it all ! Wake Up !
TomMcGee80
“In my personal experience Chris Watkins, Sarah Edmonson and Stephen brown are thoroughly decent people…”
I don’t know where you’re looking – but I don’t see anyone stating the opposite. In fact – I don’t see many people saying anything whatsoever about the individuals you mention other than questioning their decision to get involved in what would otherwise be seen as a superb and totally worthwhile initiative…
…but for the involvement of two men that some would say have done more damage to the industry than anyone before them – and any to follow.
Your personal experience and opinion of the three individuals is not being called into question by the vast majority of posters – and it is no doubt an opinion shared by many others within the industry.
“There are a lot of bitter and cynical people on here who would be better off taking a long hard look at themselves, and their businesses before spending hours on PIE trolling others”
That’s quite a bitter and cynical statement. Nowt like a bit of irony on a Tuesday, I guess…
There isn’t a barge pole long enough to touch this with.
Right…
“Michael Bruce, Founder and Trustee of Agents Together, said:
“Agents Together is a Foundation born out of hope that the impact of Covid-19 has presented a collective opportunity to come together to change the narrative for estate agency.
“Our mission is to ensure we do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support each other through the difficult times ahead, embracing the power and energy of the industry to build towards a better future, raise professional standards and change perceptions to unlock a greater understanding of the role and worth of a professional agent”.
Just focus on the last part of this statement, the Bruce brothers have spent years (and other peoples money) convincing everyone that a professional agent is worth much at all…Commisery anyone?
looks like it will have more gurus than members
Healthy business healthy mind? Is this a joke?
They let inept weekend rockstars bully others & get away with all sorts of wrong-doing during their reign at PB. Very unhealthy business culture, a huge impact on mental & emotional well-being.
PB should of opened in Columbia not the US. They’d of done wonders for the Colombian economy.
Somebody once told me “those that can ‘do’ – those that can’t ‘teach’ and perhaps now add to that become consultants or advisers and try to leech off the less experienced competent or vulnerable
Mental health is sadly a big issue at present exacerbated by the challenging times and if you are a multi-millionaire garnered from gullible investors (more fool them) with time on your side, why not look for a ‘charitable’ interest to gain public/establishment recognition with a ‘gong’ or honour that money can’t buy and obtain even more of the media attention and publicity you perhaps crave.
Or perhaps there is an “earner” to be had for all involved
Richard – definition of a cynic, courtesy of the trusty Oxford English Dictionary, is someone who is “distrustful or incredulous of human goodness and sincerity”, sceptical of human merit, often mocking or sarcastic – you decide.
I think what really bugs me the most here is how a bunch of has beens, laud themselves up as awesome industry experts, and they will literally jump on the train of any type of innovation to gain fame and recognition. Richard Rawlings people are cynical not because they are lazy, but because they have every right to be due to past experiences. They will remain that way until they feel optimistic enough to over come it.
The content that some of these has beens put out there is dated and has typically been anti purple bricks, and now they want to be on the same platform as the founders of Purple Bricks. It’s strange.
That said, I actually respect the Bruce brothers. Not many people can scale a business like they did. It’s impressive. I had previously reached out to Michael Bruce for Mentorship. I think he could give a lot of value on how to scale a business. I just don’t like how all of this has been put together, and how the anti PB ‘industry experts.’ are now the same panel as PB founders.
I’m sure they’ll be lots of value from the site, because there HAS to be. You can’t launch something like this without value, but the cynicism should be addressed, not mocked.
£1million pound ‘investment’ doesn’t cover the multi-£100m damage wrecked on the industry by their previous company.
They must think we are all stupid – this ”Foundation” will soon be offering some business tool we can’t live without – which will be offered at a cost – obviously ! The last thing the Bruce Brothers care about is anyone’s mental health – they seriously need to look at their own mental health to think we are going to fall for this nonsense. I predict 6 weeks for launch of new business idea – which is going to save us all from the economic crisis due to Covid 19 – God Save the Bruce Brothers – what would we do without them ! (Next thing they will have found the vaccine !) Have a great day everyone – at least this should make you smile while you shake your head.
Meanwhile PB themselves are back on TV with perfect timing to pick up market. Share whilst “Rome Burns” here.
Like many others no doubt, I’m trying to find their angle on this…because call me a cynic but there will be an angle.
Could this ‘foundation’ be a loss leader ahead of entering the portal market?
Give away free resources, build a following/database ahead of a launch.
Or perhaps more likely it’s what others have said and is an exercise in ‘tax planning’.
Either way I will not be going to any organisation set up by extremely wealthy beneficiaries of what was essentially a legal Ponzi scheme for advice on mental health and well being.
I wouldn’t trust these two to look after my dog for half an hour…
This is a sick tax dodging joke.
Chris Watkins, really?
Chris is desperate for publicity.
Desperately trying to establish himself as an authoritative voice in the UK property industry. He has seen what others in the US and Oz have done and wants a bit of the cake.
He seems a decent bloke but makes some good awful choices who he alignes himself with.
His interviews with ‘Leading Industry Figures’ are nothing but puff pieces and lacks any real insight, asking questions that gain a sales spin answer.
A noble cause ….. oh yeah jump on that bandwagon …. “well-being” has been a buzz word for a few years now and considering this lot tried their best to destroy our industry …… you are going to fall for them knowing how to care for us. Get real, anything this shower get involved with has FAILED, meggar £m’s lost and the misery they caused for their own LPE’s and staff and they know how best to run your business and care for you!
Are you kidding?
The Bruce brothers didn’t give a toss about my mental health, especially after working for them since the inception for 7 days a week, all hours.
They also ripped away my territory with minimal compensation and pushed me out the door.
I think this supposedly karmic scheme will one day find an opportunity to monetise this, thus another excuse to make more money, rather than spend the money they took from me and others.
Dont get me started on Chris Watkins – remember, if you lay with dogs you get up with fleas. What a turncoat!!
Bitter? That’s me and a bunch of other ex PBs.
Well said TO Girl – 100% spot on
What we need to remember about the Bruces is that back in the mists of time they were high street agents, they ran a half decent business (though morally questionable with some practises) that they sold to Connells who still operate it today. They are agents and as such for what its worth i see this as a noble(ish) cause.
They made a lot of money off the back of PB and are prepared to put some of that money back in to the industry, say what you like about them but i think that’s to their credit.
Back in the mists of time they BOUGHT a decent business in the shape of Burchell Edwards , which enjoyed a good reputation in the industry and was profitable. That business under their leadership became a different type of company and following some “interesting ” times was acquired by Connells.
Half decent, with Connells still running today…… with probably 3/4 times the value under the guidance of Ms Brown, who has been with Connells for years.
My view, beware of Greeks bearing gifts… ultimately ask, what’s in it for them? Who will be the loser when it goes t**s up?
Not one to be controversial, and of course many know my thoughts on a certain online agency, but I take my hat off to anyone in a position of influence within the industry who puts his hand in his pocket to help the real estate cause. Well done Bruce & Kenny Bruce and Chris Watkin et al.
Whilst many in high office are re-arranging the deck chairs, I actually applaud Messrs Bruce, because 2020 is going to be far worse than 2008, and the mental welfare of the agency clan will be tested as never before.
Support, understanding and help is what it needed and I hope that many in the industry will seize the opportunity to help their brothers and sisters in what may turn out to be the darkest of days, ‘Agents Together’ we certainly are, now is the time to act like it.
Best go self-isolate and hope you recover from your rose-tinted infection
I’ll open a book to see how long it takes for the scales on your eyes to be removed…any takers?
What he’s saying here is ‘I want to be part of this gig, why wasn’t I invited?’
You are aware, that the model these two were influential in creating, mainly off the back of misleading advertising (ASA. A18-442067) and other peoples money caused a lot of stress for smaller agents? Whilst I can accept their achievement in creating ‘ a disrupting the market model’ with their on-line baby, it would be poignant to remember that when things started to slide, they threw the baby out with the bath water, leaving with not insignificant pots of gold. Mental health needs to be addressed, yes, it has long been overlooked and ignored in our industry and I dare say, those suffering have been treated badly and left by the wayside, but these two? really? Now after causing so much stress and anguish for many smaller independent agencies by forcing them to cheapen themselves to compete, they claim they want to raise standards, improve mental health et al?
Wow…just wow…
If you truly want standards to improve, join the RICS, Propertymark or The Guild, or for landlords going it alone the NLA or RLA, all of these bodies already have support mechanisms in place to assist with mental health issues. Don’t fall for this rubbish, I am sure the true motive will be flushed out soon enough…or maybe they are trying to atone? Though, I suspect not the latter…
…still well done for being controversial.
The real reason will soon emerge – they don’t give – never in their lives – all the Bruce duo do is take – plenty people received their treatment and now they want us to believe they care about everyone’s mental health – it is so beyond belief reminds me of an American President – still in office – so far up their own backsides they actually believe their own bull…. It is really quite hilarious !
Didn’t need this is 2008, and I certainly don’t need the Bruce’s showing me the way, this time around.
Wake up sheeple.
On a more serious note, as others have already indicated above, I believe there is far more to this than an apparent Damascene conversion.
HMRC are still, as far as we know, conducting investigations based on Purps’ own annual statements. Other factors of which a few of us aware which I suspect Nick and Ed’ would rather I didn’t post may also be coming home to roost.
The Person with Significant Control is Michael Bruce. The nature of the business is educational support services, other human health activities and physical well-being activities. Kenny, Michael Day and Chris Watkins are not listed as directors.
Can we all take a minutes silence and reflection to respect the death of irony?
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…..
Jaws 5 – The Finale!
or…….
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more toxic…..
Chernobyl – Countdown to Oblivion!
The same two who piled “commisery” on so many agents for years which will have certainly contributed to the very health issues they now claim to care about. Mark my words there is something else at play here – what is clear from their past is they don’t do ANYTHING without a view to making money. I have watched some of the other people mentioned in this article over the lock-down and am surprised that they would lower themselves to working with these two – perhaps they have been as duped unlike the rest of us.
This has to be a joke, but it’s a sick one. If by some chance it’s not, this ‘initiative’ is utter and crass hypocrisy from a a firm who has done its best to put professional estate agents out of business with a cheapskate, phoney product whilst abusing and insulting us in the process. Go back to Australia guys – and stay there.
I really feel there’s something more behind this! The mental health and wellness section is surely just to claim the charitable status. I also find it peculiar that Chris Watkins is involved in this, considering he has been such an advocate of charging higher fees, and hasn’t he been anti-purple bricks? Or am I wrong? He’s now in bed with the Bruce Brothers.
I will say though, how the Bruce brothers scaled Purple Bricks was impressive, nobody can take that away from them. I just find it strange that industry figures like Chris Watkins are now jumping on the bandwagon.
Whatever. Everything becomes clear over time, so let’s wait and see what happens.
I do not find it “peculiar” that Chris Watkin ( together with a number of other highly respected industry figures ) are supporting this venture.
To my mind, their involvement simply adds credibility and I applaud their intentions.
The fact that the initiative is also supported ( financially and in other ways ) by Michael and Kenny Bruce is to be applauded in my view.
The insight that they and others can bring will be invaluable.
It’s highly peculiar considering the content some of these ‘highly respected’ industry figures put out there. Anyway, let’s just see.
I’m also proud to be on the training panel of Agents Together. Having had several conversations with Michael Bruce over the past few weeks, I can tell you there is nothing but a genuine desire to support our industry here, from both personal and business welbeing perspectives. I’d advise any agent to take full advantage of the tremendous amount of freely-given expert knowledge, advice and counselling that’s on offer here.
PS: Cynicism is the intelligent man’s excuse for doing nothing! Aldous Huxley.
Have a great day.
With you not being mentioned in the main news item, that must of stung a little…
The way the sycophants are jumping onto this is sickening.
Gosh you must have had a hard time in the past ExTOgirl. Such bitterness. But please do not aim this at me in this way. Micheal Bruce phoned me out of the blue over Easter asking if I would be prepared to offer my training services once the service is up and running. I am not a founder/trustee, nor am I the only trainer involved so no reason my name should have been mentioned.
Forgiveness can be so cathartic. Why not try it and take it easy over the weekend. Life is too short.
With kindness, Richard.
“There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him…” RAH.
Rawlings, I feel you’ve jumped on this wagon to suit your ‘mentoring’ cause. Plain wrong – you were anti-Bruce up until it benefit you not to.
Shoddy.
Incredible the cyncicsm on this site! and I’m tempted not to engage any further. But for the record, I don’t recall ever having been anti-Bruce. I provided training for them years ago and have always said that PurpleBrick was a wake up call for agents. Indeed it has been. They simply offered a different agency model. The “threat” was not from PB, but from other agents response to the apparent threat. It’s also much easier to shine when you up your game when seen alongside a cheaper low value alternative. The public now recognise more than ever why they need a proper agency, which can only be good for those agents who offer a great service and are willing/able to charge for it.
In the same vein, Uber were spawn of Satan to London taxi drivers. But notice how they have now upped their game too. There is always a place for competition, painful as it may appear at the time to those who cannot see the opportunities presented.
And finally, with respect, please do not accuse me of jumping on any bandwagon. Micheal Bruce phoned me out of the blue over Easter asking if I would be prepared to offer my training services once the service is up and running.
Have a great day.
‘I’m also proud to be on the training panel of Agents Together.’
There you go.
No publicity like free publicity something Purplebricks has come to understand
So are these ‘highly respected industry figures’ being paid by this Foundation?
Sounds like someone wants a consultancy.
You honestly cannot be so deluded that you actually believe this is their sole intention ? The number of ”I’m a believers” commenting here is a serious concern that there is indeed a need for folk to have some support with their mental health.
Time will produce the true intentions ….business….money….etc etc etc – then we shall see who made the accurate prediction !
Poacher turned game keeper. So the jokers that wanted to cheapen our industry now want to save us. Jog on!!
Might have been more appropriate to attribute quotes on their web site to those who actually said them, rather than leave unattributed and have some people think it was original.
“It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped”. – Tony Robbins.
Possibly not a bad idea but the Bruce brothers and anything healthy seems like a contradiction to me.
Well known Industry Figure Who Spent Millions of Pounds Trying to Destroy an Industry, Race Fees to The Bottom and Further Damage the Image of Agents sets up Foundation to create a ‘healthier, well run and respected industry’ Who says our industry doesn’t have a sense of humour?
The Church Of Agentology.
Brilliant idea.#agents lives matter.
Purplebricks never made profit.
It made people rich through shareholdings that are now, only 2 years later, some 80% lower.
Through paid advertisements on TV as part of a consolidated advertising budget spend they completely changed the face of estate agency and the fee that independent businesses can charge based on public perception.
How this transpires into now helping independent agents, who by their nature run businesses that survive on making profit (not shareholding) , will be interesting.
Or you could say that the Bruce’s innovative business model made them enough money that they are now in a position to give something back personally. Is a £1million charitable foundation for estate agents well-being from Michael Bruce not enough?
Nope
Charitable donations are an age old ‘scheme’ to pay less capital gains. This, just like PB was, is smoke and mirrors, just what the Bruce Bros specialise in.
Do you really think they give a hoot about the people within this industry – they gave no thought to their ’employees’ and own agents?
This is a massive sick joke.
Hi Richard, I have had the pleasure of meeting you directly, many moons ago, you were commisioned to carry out some direct training for Chamberlains in Birmingham. You presented very well, were lively and interesting, however, your main focus and so I beleive still is, is to increase an agents self belief, confidence and motivation to increase fees.
The Brothers, took a respected agency in Brum and turned it into a high fee generating buisness, depending on who you speak to, it was a difficult atmosphere to work in, but you could suggest driven and succesful,sucessful enough to sell off to a large corporate, to serve a greater purpose – their profit. Fair enough. They then set about ‘disrupting’ (god, I hate that phrase), the market decimating the publics perception of our industry’s worth. They left Purplebricks with millions of pounds profit each. The shareholders aren’t doing so well, neither, by all accounts are the ‘LPE’s’, but I suppose, you role the dice, you take your chance. However, like many on this forum, sceptism is high, given that you and other trainers have always advocated self worth and high fees, getting behind the Bruce brothers is akin to painting yourself red and kickin a fighting bull in the nether regions.
“Who’s the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?” — Obi-Wan Kenobi, A New Hope.
Give. It. A. Break.
Ooooh satire! Edgy.
I am not usually sinister in my thinking. There is a catch and it will surface. First take people’s money unwittingly up front and perport to be agents… And now you want to change sides, jump over the fence and pretend you give a s***. Watch it folks, this is a ‘free’ exercise to understand the true business only to try and dismantle it, reconstruct it and sell on.
Dear Messrs Bruce’s this is not master chef but we know you’re cooking up something !
“… a healthier, well run and respected industry”
“…a greater understanding of the role and worth of a professional agent”.
“…change estate agency for the better.”
…and the Bruces are involved in this, you say?
There’s a lesson here folks…don’t store paint thinner and mineral water, on the same shelf!
Is it April 1st already ?
What an excellent idea!
Great to see industry leaders coming together to contribute to such a scheme.
I for one appreciate the sentiments behind this initiative and appreciate those that have already contributed and will no doubt continue to do so… thank you.
Eh? They’ve caused significant damage to the sector by offering unsustainably low fees, appalling customer service and created a race to the bottom to compete. People are finally seeing that you get what you pay for and now they want to be the industry saviours?
I, for one, don’t trust them.
I’m afraid it was regular agents racing to the bottom to “compete!”, not PurpleBricks! Didn’t you realise that you never had to compete with them. They had a totally different model to yours. Smart agents recognised this and welcomed the opportunity to shine. I have seen these agents actually raise their commission levels over the past couple of years to over 2.5% in many instances.
I totally agree Richard!
‘many instances’. How many?
And not agents selling 50-60k properties in grim areas (£1,500 still at 2.5%).
“I have seen these agents actually raise their commission levels over the past couple of years to over 2.5% in many instances.”
Means ****-all. A percentage is nothing more than a dressed-up figure that you want to keep under wraps.
As the example by smile please shows, 2.5% of ****-all still equals ****-all.
And if you are spending ****-all + 10p to make ****-all, you’re basically ****ed.
Richard you clearly see this as your meal ticket for a few months, and are eager to jump on any post that questions it. Having witnessed your training techniques at a general conference, where you talked about your own house sale, I would not take your training sessions offered free or otherwise.
These are not industry leaders, they are failed ( in a business sense if not personal wealth ) onliners and trainers.
I’d take the pepsi challenge with any of them in a fair fight but they don’t want that do they? They want to make a quick buck using smoke and mirrors and other peoples money or they want to tell me where I’m going wrong, I can imagine the set up of the perfect agency and train that no problem but life isn’t like that is it? hubris.
As an aside when I did time in corporate many moons ago and suffered internal training I have one, one, thing of note that I will on occasion still use in our company as it resonated with me.
It’s a bit David Brent like but essentially:
‘ Ok everybody I want you all to just look around you and take everything in, the room, your colleagues the ceiling and floors and doors and windows and equipment.
( five minutes silence later )
‘ Now, everybody, please, stand up and stand on your chairs, see how different it all is, you are in the same place you have merely changed your perspective.’
Plus, I will not break bread with those that have wronged me, my team and this industry, I’m stubborn like that.
See you all on the other side, the ride will be bumpy but I personally do not share the doom and gloom.
”what an excellent idea” – Simon ? What planet are you living on ? Have a word mate – this is a nonsense scam – it is the only way the Brucie two know how to work – launch some **** and let all the folk with no brian wander along – they have already conned the respectable people on this board who have joined forces – for now – wonder how long they will allow their names and reputation to be used and abused ! Watch this space ………
Funny.
Is this story designed to break the record for post comments….here we go!