Property agents are not productive


http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/growing-economy-smart-way?singlepage=true
"Thousands of real estate agents toil to help rotate capital, but create nothing of lasting value to the economy. The investment in their education and skills in other areas — most agents are not by original training property specialists — is also largely wasted.
The same can be said about many consultants running around in this world, be it for insurance, investment or management. I read once a statement saying: if the management of any respective company does its homework they would not need any of those consultants. Looking back at those family businesses or single champions it is difficult to disagree. The same goes for insurances and other things: if customers put in efforts to understand the topic they would not need any agent for it. Contracts in lawyer's gobbledegook and complacency of customers is what feeds these people as well. (My last NTUC policy for motorcycle insurance was well written in plain English, no need for any 'translator'. )
Since the advent of corporate governance, procedures, shareholders and others it has become more important not to be finally responsible for decisions. That's where consultants happily come in: external (not on company payroll), "independent" and thanks to the massive contract disclaimers they are never responsible for any damage or wrong decisions made based on their 'advice'.
 

Many years ago, a doctor friend in a moment of pride declared to me: "You know, the only true meaningful job in the world is being a doctor. We save lives. All other jobs are miserable in comparison."

These days many doctors are nothing but glorified drug pushers. Presumably your friend so believes in the system that he does not see that? Not sure I agree that the only true meaningful job in the world is being a doctor.