What Makes Us Think We’re So Great?

Big announcement at work recently:

For the second year in a row, Realogy Holdings Corp. – our parent company – has achieved certification as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work.

I’m not surprised by the news, but I was interested in taking a closer look at exactly what this most prestigious of honors is really about, how it was bestowed upon us and why we got it.

What’s It All Mean?
So here’s the deal: Great Place to Work is apparently the global authority on “high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures.” Serious research gathered over three decades is put into action to assess workplace culture and how it compares to others around the world. Wow…the whole world! Obviously, this designation is really saying something. Here’s a rundown of the key figures that turned up in Realogy employees’ surveys:

• 93% answered they take great pride in working for Realogy.
• 92% responded that Realogy provides a great atmosphere.
• 90% said the company offers great challenges.

How’d It Happen?
The surveys seeking employee feedback were distributed at random and were completed totally anonymously, so folks could really say what they think. The data was collected, fed into a giant computer for tabulating (I’m assuming this is how this works) and crafted into a detailed report that breaks it all down.

Why Are We So Awesome?
Besides the opinions shared above, some other major points that were made include employees feeling welcome when they come on board. Here at The Studio, for instance, your first day on the job is announced with a poster at the entrance, so everyone knows there’s a new kid on the block. Then you get to meet the whole gang over donuts and coffee – it’s a nice, informal way to introduce yourself around and get to know one another a little bit.

There’s also a real sense of empowerment that comes along with working here, particularly in The Studio. The survey showed that employees feel they are given a lot of responsibility. For example, wherever you happen to fit in at The Studio – Creative, Product or Strategy – you know that you’re playing a vital role in giving agents what they need: whether they’re on their way to a showing, in the office during a pitch or with a client closing a deal. Our hard work shows up in big and small ways to support them and help them get the job done.

Maybe most important of all is the general consensus that people here genuinely care about one another – and others. From financial contributions through our charitable foundation, to volunteering time to local nonprofits and organizing food collections and bake sales that benefit worthy causes like the American Heart Association and The Multiple Sclerosis Society, it’s quite simply a feel-good place to be.

What Comes Next?
I suppose the only thing left to do is ENJOY being here and appreciate having a job we can actually look forward to every day. That’s the best way to handle big news like this. Oh, and celebrate! We just got word about an exciting contest tied to the announcement: If we share why we personally think Realogy is a great place to work on LinkedIn, we’ll be entered to win some cool prizes that are up for grabs, including an electric guitar signed by Imagine Dragons. Say what?!

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any greater around here.