Level Group Announces Unprecedented Broker Growth Under COO Michael Barbolla

NEW YORK - July 21, 2016 - PRLog -- Since Michael Barbolla joined Level Group in August, 2015 as its chief operating officer (COO), the New York City full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage firm has undergone an unprecedented level of agent growth, Michael Greenberg, Level's CEO/General Counsel, today announced.

"Under Michael, we have increased the number of agents by 35% in nine months," says Greenberg. "This is a record for the company and a tribute to his recruiting and management skills." Real estate brokers have come from numerous city firms including Corcoran, Douglas Elliman and Rutenberg Realty.


"Growing Level was unquestionably my top goal when joining the firm," says Barbolla, whose COO position was specifically created for him by the company. "But recruiting agents is only one step. You have to keep them, and one way is to help them grow their businesses in a strategic and thoughtful manner."

As such, Barbolla has emphasized training and education. He has instituted a twice-monthly training program on courses ranging from image/presentation to online tools to social media/public relations to understanding building financials led by subject matter experts. Barbolla launched the Level Group Spotlight Series, a free, bi-annual seminar event focused on business subjects. The first workshop – "All About Branding" – was held in April and featured discussions on personal and verbal branding, the latter being the first time this topic has been presented to New York City real estate brokers. "It was a rip-roaring success," says Barbolla. "Over 100 agents attended and the feedback was phenomenal." The second Spotlight Series is planned for September, 2016.

"We have also instituted an online continuing education (CE) program for agents," says Barbolla. "Our brokers can access the CE portal in our proprietary deal management and resource website, Level 360. We wanted them to be able to access quality materials within their schedule, at their time and their pace, which allows them to still work while fulfilling industry requirements. In addition, it is extremely inexpensive – nearly two-thirds less than most training classes. It's a win-win and has been very popular with our agents."

A new program launched under Barbolla to continue to attract and retain agents is the Level Group Mentorship Program. "Let's face it, real estate is a tough business to be in," says Barbolla. "It's not our style to hire new brokers, wish them well and then expect them to become a Million Dollar Listing agent overnight." To assist agents in the early stages of their career, Level partners them with a select group of seasoned brokers over a six-deal period.  "The mentor guides the mentee throughout the entire process, from attracting clients to finalizing the transactions. It gives them hands-on, real-life experience that they ordinarily wouldn't get," Barbolla says. "We also have an open door policy where new agents – as well as veterans – are free to come to any senior level executive to hash out a problem or to get advice."

"We could not be more pleased with Michael and the work he has done on behalf of Level Group," says Larry Link, president. "We knew he would make a difference. Not only has he – in an incredibly short period of time – he continues to do so."

About Level Group

Founded in 2004, Level Group (www.levelgroup.com) is a full-service New York City real estate brokerage, handling the full spectrum of real estate brokerage work, including residential (buying, selling, investing and rentals) and commercial leasing and sales. The first firm in New York City to offer the 100% commission model, Level is known for its open door policy with all senior management, strong training programs and an open, flexible platform on which agents thrive.

CEO and General Counsel Michael Greenberg is a well-known member of the New York real estate bar and has played a central role in structuring, negotiating and closing deals worth billions of dollars. President Larry Link was previously part of Merrill Lynch's real estate investment banking division, where he was involved in numerous IPO and capital market transactions. COO Michael Barbolla, with 30 years of management and marketing experience, handles day-to-day operations of Level Group and heads up the residential division.

Level Group has been featured in numerous national and local print, broadcast and online media outlets, including The Real Deal, Real Estate Weekly, Consumer Reports, TheStreet.com, Bloomberg Radio, WINS Radio, WCBS-TV, BrickUnderground and DNAInfo.com.

To learn more about or join Level Group, contact Michael Barbolla at either 212.994.9965 or mbarbolla@levelgroup.com.

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