What is this study about?
This study will snap a picture of participating real estate brokerages in Alberta, and analyze their performance for comparison purposes. The results will allow participating brokerages to measure how they are performing relative to similar brokerages in Alberta. The study will also be used to identify best practices amongst brokerages, which may then be used by brokers to set goals for improved business performance. Benchmarking has been conducted with great success among U.S. brokerages, and in many industry sectors here in Canada.
Why am I being asked? What’s in it for me?
The need to conduct benchmarking was identified by the Alberta Real Estate Association’s Industry Viability Task Force in 2004. The task force concluded that benchmarking will offer brokers, AREA, and organized real estate concrete information needed to ensure the continuing strength and success of the industry in Alberta. As a participant, you will receive the final report free of charge, as well as a customized report showing how your brokerage “measures up” to other brokerages in the province. All Alberta brokerages that are members of AREA are being asked to participate.
What happens to my answers?
Your responses will be compiled and analyzed by Overview Business Consulting Inc., a Calgary-based management consulting firm and member of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Alberta. An overall report will be prepared, and this report along with your customized results will be provided to you in the spring of 2006.
What about my privacy?
Your specific responses will not be shared with AREA or any third party. Aggregated results will be provided to AREA and to brokerages that participate in the study. A summary of results will be available to the public. Results with potential to threaten the confidentiality of participant responses will not be released.
Where can I ask questions?
If you have any questions about this project you are welcome to contact Overview Business Consulting at benchmarking@overview.ca, 403-703-6837, or Heidi Weiss at AREA, hweiss@abrea.ab.ca, 403-209-3611.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for completing the questionnaire is Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Your participation is vital to the success of this study – thank you for taking the time!
Please assemble information on your brokerage including financial data from your most recently ended fiscal year. You will also need numbers of agents and employees, office square footage, number of transaction ends, and contact information.
Once you have the information you need, select one of the three options below for submitting your information. The time required to complete the process is much shorter if you have the required data at hand.
Please select the option below that is most convenient for you.
 CLICK TO PROCEED WITH OPTION 1 |
Fill out the survey online and submit your results instantly. You will not be able to print your results. Your results will not be saved until you have completed all questions and submitted the entire survey. |
 CLICK TO PROCEED WITH OPTION 2 |
Download the survey in Microsoft Word format, fill it out electronically then submit your responses via email. You will have the option of saving your responses in order to take breaks, if necessary. |
 CLICK TO PROCEED WITH OPTION 3 |
Print out the survey, fill it out by hand, and then mail/fax it to us. You will require Adobe Acrobat, if you do not already have this software, click here for free download. |
