together,” says Isis Black, manager or asset management and marketing. “Our new space permits even more interaction among us.We work hard and we play hard even together.”
Sealy & Co.
Commercial real estate brokerage firm Sealy & Co. values a healthywork-life balance above all else for its employees. The firm, whichis duel headquartered in Shreveport, LA and Dallas, Texas, hasinvested significantly in providing this balance to employees. Sealytrusts employees to manage their own work-life balance and stillachieve professional success, a core value that has become one ofthe most appealing characteristics for prospective employees, andthe firm has found that as work-life balance improves, the workexcels, too.
Sealy has been in business for nearly 75 years, but its family-oriented values have prevailed. That includes providing training anddevelopment, recognizing short- and long-term growth and promoting inter-office communication. All of these help create strongteamwork and boost morale. “With growth, the company has usedits resources to enhance employee compensation and benefits andthe staff’s overall work experience, offering lagniappe to its staff inthe form of perks and creating an energetic and creative work environment,” adds James R. Cook, the company’s CFO. “Sealy is setapart because of its friendly employees that strive for excellence ineverything they do.”
While the company doesn’t have a specific diversity program,diversity has happened organically because they seek candidatesand fill roles based on skills, experience and credentials. It alsoregularly invests in new people and recruits fresh talent throughonline platforms. This will ensure the company has a long road ofsuccess ahead. “The company has been operating for almost 75years, and it has grown immensely in that time,” says HannahRussell, a marketing coordinator. “Now deals are being sourcedacross markets never targeted before, and Sealy’s reach hasexpanded across half of the United States. Not only is it a greatplace to work, but the company is good at what it does, and thegrowth in the company depicts that.”
Veritas
“Veritas has allowed me to be a leader in a company that values myinput and hard work,” describes Scott Moore, senior director ofproperty management, about working at Veritas Investments, a SanFrancisco-based firm. The company has focused on its workplaceenvironment over the last several years, implementing new programs to enhance work-life balance, growth and development andcommunity engagement. The result has been a hit. “New ideas areembraced by the executive team and key initiatives are implemented without the layers of politics and bureaucracy that you maysee at other organizations,” adds Moore. “Veritas’ culture is inclusive, collaborative, engaging and fun.”
First, Veritas offers a medical plan to employees where 100% ofinsurance premiums are paid. Then last year, the firm launched atuition reimbursement and professional development program,providing reimbursement and financial assistance to employeeseither earning their degrees or working toward professional goals.Veritas Women in Real Estate, the firm’s women’s group, manages
58 GLOBEST. REAL ESTATE FORUM JUNE 2020
a mentor program at the company, open to all employees to support career advancement.
The firm has a strong commitment to the communities where itoperates, and regularly participates in volunteer work. It also usesthe community as a talent source, locating excellent local professionals to fill in-house positions. Diversity has come as a result, withwomen accounting for 40% of the company’s managers. “We haverobust internal opportunities for inter-departmental movement,and we see a significant portion of our internal opportunities filledby individuals excited to grow in their careers within Veritas,” addsNina Tran, CFO at Veritas.
VTS
Nick Romito and Ryan Masiello founded VTS in 2012 to create aSaaS platform to centralize offline and manual leasing processesand office asset management activities. The company has beenwildly successful, thanks in large part to a talented workforce thathelped to accomplish the co-founders’ pioneering vision. Realizingthe importance of teamwork, VTS has made a commitment toinvest in its workforce both in recruiting top talent and fostering apositive workplace and culture. We’ve created a community ofhardworking individuals who know they can bring their true selvesto work, where they have the ability to focus and create exceptionalwork, but at the same time, genuinely enjoy each other’s presence,”says Romito, the company’s CEO.
The firm, however, goes beyond providing a good workspaceand positive environment. It offers a broad range of in-office andout-of-office programs targeting everything from employeedevelopment to personal wellness and a work-life balance. Thisincludes one-on-one sessions with the firm’s on-staff culture consultant, Wellness Wednesday activities to support a healthy life-style and a quarterly opportunity to participate in volunteerwork. This is all in addition to an impressive employee benefitspackage with a generous paid-time off, flexible work schedules,work-from-home policies and an annual stipend for continuingeducation.
With the help of its team, VTS recently created three core company values: appreciate the difference, be curious and move asone. These encompass the firm’s ability to value unique perspectives; the importance of curiosity to find new opportunities andlearn; and finally the importance of collaboration and a sharedmission. To develop these core values, VTS had 100% employeeparticipation.
Looking ahead, VTS is continuing to evolve. Diversity hasbecome an essential part of the company’s workplace plan, notonly in hiring practices but in the workplace as well. Last year, thefirm converted restrooms into gender neutral spaces and partnered with Out in Tech and Qorporate, to promote better inclusion and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals and other underrepresented groups.
These efforts are translating at every level with strong employeesatisfaction and a low turnover rate. “The employee engagement atVTS is unlike any other company I’ve ever worked for,” says KatieHiggins, director of public relations and content. “There’s a specialkind of purpose when you come to work every day knowing exactlyhow the work you do drives the company’s success, and in that, thetransformation of an entire industry.”
www.globest.com/realestateforum
