Top producers share tips ahead of industry upswing While not the best scenario in which to be working, the housing market slowdown has yielded one benefit – time for broker-owners to contemplate how to budget and plan for growth once the climate improves. Prominent industry practitioners shared their insights during last month’s Hall of AIME conference staged in Naples, Fla., designed to showcase top producers. Tactics for growth emerged during one panel discussion on how to recession-proof one’s business, which was moderated by Tom Ahles (pictured top), president of growth at AIME. How do you scale a business for growth? “Looking ahead 12 to 18 months, how are you budgeting for or planning to scale from a cost perspective?” Ahles asked the panelists. Jonathon Haddad (pictured immediately below) president of Next Door Lending, chose to answer with an anecdote illustrating the need to have the best people on one’s team. He related the story of a colleague who had begun to see growth — $120,000 one year alone, he said. Gaining industry attention, the broker began to be approached from all sides with offers from people promising to increase profit even more exponentially. Do I need an administrative assistant? […]