By Stan Albert
In the Academy Award winning movie Network, Peter Finch played a broadcaster who was fed up with the way the TV moguls were manipulating the news and other programming. On camera, Finch’s character told his viewers: “I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
Over the years, many people in the business, whether brokers of record, broker managers or salespeople, have remarked to me that they’re fed up with the unethical business practices of their fellow colleagues. I think that many of us, after seeing the actions and/or the reactions of some of our salespeople who are behaving badly, want to say, “We’ve had enough!” Oh, that we could do something about the abysmal antics of some of our unscrupulous salespeople and brokers. Even though they are few in number, when outrageous acts of unethical practices occur, these acts usually hit the front pages of all the major newspapers and other media. Note that mortgage brokers aren’t immune either!
Is it any wonder at the best of times that our image gets such a bad rap? Realtors consistently rank near the bottom of the list of most respected professions when yearly surveys are taken.
What to do about this conundrum that has grown unbelievably worse over the years? More astute managing of the brokerages by introducing and committing each office to ethical business practices on an on-going basis may be the answer. But how can we expect mega-offices to minimize the impact of a few or even a dozen agents who continually flaunt the rules?
It’s amazing that nearly every month we see and hear of some weird and wild ridiculous display of unprofessional conduct. Here’s something else that’s amazing. Often, when one of my salespeople brings an ethics violation situation to my attention and I tell them to take appropriate action, the response is, “Well, I don’t have time to write out the complaint.” Or better still, “I really don’t want to cause him/her a problem… maybe they’ll lose their license…”
Are the board and provincial authorities doing their jobs? Yes, as much as I think is possible. Fines and reprimands are doled out on a regular basis. Are the fines sufficient enough to ensure unruly practices are curtailed so that they don’t happen again? Probably in most cases, yes.
So far as our provincial authorities are concerned, I believe that they are doing an admirable job. I have had the privilege over the past several years to see firsthand at the board and provincial levels how the complaints are dealt with and the eventual discipline. Here in Ontario, as in many provinces, if a salesperson is found guilty of wrongdoing, their names are posted on the provincial website for some time. I don’t know whether that’s enough of a deterrent for some salespeople, but it is surely a sore reminder to them to avoid any further wrongdoings.
It has been pointed out to me that many agents don’t bother to pick up REM, this valuable trade paper where Marty Douglas’ article last month addressed how Realtors can get caught up on everything in real estate in Canada and as well the USA (and thanks for the kudos Marty!).
Stop me from being mad as hell and being fed up! Go after those miscreants.
If you are reading this now, show it to your broker/manager, and tell him to use at least one article a month from REM at the sales meetings. It will work like chicken soup!
Quote of the month: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.” – Macbeth, Act 1, Sc 7, William Shakespeare
Stan Albert is celebrating his 39th year in active real estate, and is with Re/Max Excellence in Woodbridge, Ont. He serves on committees at RECO and at the Toronto Real Estate Board. He is an established trainer and business consultant and can be reached at salbert@trebnet.com.
Stan Albert, ABR, ASA is a consultant with Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached for consultation by email. Stan is now celebrating his 45th year as an active real estate professional.
