"There's been a couple noteworthy transitions on that front, but I wouldn't say I'm seeing wholesale migration," says Philip W. Palmer, senior vice president of Northbrook-based Grubb & Ellis' office services group.

Trammell Crow Cos.' ranks have been "pretty stable," reports manager of marketing services David Shumaker, even though company is trying to increase its presence in the market through its offices Downtown, where its investment sales operations and tenants reps are located; and in west suburban Oakbrook Terrace, where its local industrial and retail operations are based.

When carrots are dangled, they are usually better commission splits and signing bonuses, both Palmer and Shumaker say. "If you're hiring a big gun to the firm…that's what you have to do," Shumaker adds.

But besides cash, "tangible" support, such as assistants and marketing dollars, also can be enough to get a good broker to jump ship, Palmer says.

"Those companies that are determined to build market share are willing to buy talent," Palmer adds, "but they're taking a more rifle approach than a shotgun approach."

In other words, those big dollars are not for everybody. Nor is a big company for everybody. "Sometimes there's more of a chance to move up faster at a newer firm, instead of having to jump over people who are established somewhere else," Shumaker says.