I just had a conversation with a producer I am friendly with that's got me pretty livid right now.
She works hard and is dedicated.
She was promised a weekly salary that she rarely receives and has to fight with the Agent to get all the time.
He's weeks behind currently and did not give her anywhere near what she's due today. He actually gives her a hard time about getting the money owed to her.
He prevents some of her deals from closing due to his own lack of urgency and customer service. Doesn't give her her messages, and does not take his own business even a little serious...
This producer is struggling to keep lights and water on and diapers on her kids.
She needs to be paid.
Agents....
Do not be a despicable low-life promising your employees and then taking them over the barrel.
Your producers are sinking their blood, sweat, and tears into building YOUR baby!!
Pay people what you promise them when it's promised.
If you are tight on money, skip out somewhere else but don't screw your people over.
Your people are the most important asset you have in this business.
I feel like this should never even have to be said and is common sense but I've also learned that sense I find common is often lost on many.
Treat your people right.
If you can't... Don't have them.
It blows my mind that agents are willing to do this.
How can you own a business protecting people when behind the scenes you are hurting your own people???
Be better than that.
When money gets tight — and it will, it happens to every business at some point — the first person who should go without pay is you, the agent owner. You should be the one tightening your belt, delaying your draw, or cutting your perks before your frontline takes a hit. If you're running the shop, take the hit first. Your people show up, make the contacts, close the deals, and keep the lights on for everyone else. If payroll is a problem, you step up and lead the sacrifice, not leave your team scrambling to feed their kids.