Adapt to thrive, not to survive

As the world continues to reel from the Covid-19 pandemic, the clarion call has shifted from mere survival, to adaptation. Industries across the globe look to either re-invent themselves entirely or attempt to shift their business model to cope with the 'new' normal.

But it should not take a global pandemic to shift our perceptions on how to best operate in an ever-changing world. A willingness to change, to adapt and revitalize your operations from the traditional to something in line with the current landscape should be as much a part of your mission statement as transparency and ethical behavior.

The Agency Property Group has always understood the need for a Real Estate agency to operate in a remote, mobile and fluid way, and while traditional agencies are only now starting to reconsider how they conduct their businesses in the Covid-19 reality, by implementing remote working and more fluid work hours, The Agency was borne out of the necessity to bring change to the Real Estate industry.

In short, it did not need a pandemic to bring about change.

From the time The Agency opened its doors it implemented a number of key procedural changes to the traditional models:

• An 80/20 commission split
• No desk fees
• Area flexibility
• Flexible negotiation
• Work your own hours
• Work from anywhere
• Team Culture

The company's ethos speaks to Transparency, Value-Add, Honesty and partners with Trusted Property Advisors and it places a great deal of emphasis on the trust between the company and its advisors.

While the company's strategy and marketing principles have been on point, it's The Agency Lifestyle which has really come to the fore over the last year.

"We don't believe in sitting at a desk all day in a small, stuffy office," says The Agency's Kyle Leigh.

"Get out. Work in your community. Meet people. Enjoy the coffees. Some days may require a lunch break consisting of a hike up the mountain or a swim in the ocean. Embrace it. When your work and passion intersect you start creating an authentic network, and this is where the magic happens."

The Agency Property Group originally focused its attentions on the Atlantic Seaboard as it looked to perfect the model before rolling out into other areas of Cape Town. After more than a year of operations, and considerable success, the group has expanded into the Southern Suburbs and as such will look to bring in new Property Advisors to work these and new areas. The aim is to ensure the best agents are operating in the areas they know and love, to ensure that while the agency grows, its offering is not diluted.

It's positive to see the traditional operators looking to adapt, to re-invent an old model into something more in line with the current climate, but while it's a step in the right direction, adaptation shouldn't only come in times of crisis, it should be  thoughtful, concise and deliberate. And it should be done to bring about change and introduce fresh ideas into industries that become too comfortable in the traditional and the formulaic. 

The Agency Property Group is committed to moving real estate forward. Find out more at: www.theagencygroup.co.za