Comments on: Can Business Succeed Without Culture?

By: Don Kolenda

Don Kolenda — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:56:04 +0000

Caring to make a difference in other peoples lives is the reason Keller Williams appeals to my team in the business world. The more we can impact the clients we work with, their view of real estate will change. I thank every KW agent that takes there culture with our comnpany to the next level seriously. Don Kolenda

By: Wendy Herndon ~ The Serena Group

Wendy Herndon ~ The Serena Group — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:33:51 +0000

“Helping someone else achieve their goals..” I think this is the phrase, out of all the descriptive phrases that you have used, Mo, that best describes my feeling of what “culture” is… or should be.

Sometimes, we get so immersed in trying to plan for and achieve our OWN goals that we lose out on opportunities to lend an ear, a hand, or a shoulder to someone else. Let’s all stop for a moment.. somewhere in our busy day to listen for an S.O.S coming from a friend, family member, or colleague and respond in kind. There will be many blessing to count for sure!

By: John Youker

John Youker — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:43:19 +0000

All business have culture, however, some are just not “good” culture! I came from a company that had a “bad” culture, and to say the least, it was not a fun place to work. One of the things I, as a TL, together with my leadership team are doing at our office in Chicago is to build a “CULTURAL FORTRESS.” In other words, make it a place that is so good, that no one will want to leave, and it will always be improving as we raise the bar every week. We have been very successful in the past year, since I have been here, improving the culture, and what we have found is that more agents come into the office to work, more participate in our activities, we are raising more money that before, and we have a place now that other agents want to be a part of!

Culture is the bottom line to have a successful, productive, fun, and happy environment to work in. Without it, or with “bad” culture, the business simply fails.

By: Dawn Dodson

Dawn Dodson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:20:35 +0000

I have experienced first hand what the lack of a cultured business owner can do to a company. While they may still be in business they are definately not thriving, they are merely surviving. I am so blessed to be involved with a company that holds culture as the maintay of our existance. There is nothing more powerful than the simple belief that doing the RIGHT thing is alwas the best thing.

By: Joanne Owens

Joanne Owens — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:49:25 +0000

KW culture has changed my life and the lives of those around me. I have the honor of being an OP in a market center that we launched. We went from nothing to being #3 in our County – you don’t do that is this market without a strong culture! BTW we opened in 2006 in Florida – I know we all have great stories like this share – let’s keep doing so.

By: Anita Rich

Anita Rich — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:29:16 +0000

I had worked for a Corporate Well known Real estate company in upper management for over 20 years… The only reason I left was because they did not even remotely understand “Culture”.. I was not sure what was missing until I went to Austin, met Kathy Neu and Mo Anderson and from that day on, it was so very clear. For years I listened to the rumors about KW and the Cool-Ade jokes… and I could not be happier..I was fortunate to be asked to Start a new office for KW and had a lot of learning opportunities . While I was not able to build the office to the level needed at the time , I was very successful at setting the culture… After 9 months as a team leader I had 78 agents in one of the worst down markets in years and in an undesirable office setting.. Yet the weekly meetings had 70% attendance and the “family” unity and desire to be of service was evident. I can not thank Mo enough for being the amazing example that she is.. Clearly this is something that speaks to how Mo lives her life… day in and day out.. You can not get better than to be around people who truly “walk the talk.” Thank you KW…

By: Paul Dake

Paul Dake — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:45:04 +0000

As a new ALC member, I was asked what committee I’d like to be on. Immediately, I said “Culture” because it was the KW culture that made my move to KW almost two years ago a no-brainer. Then, when asked what subject I would like to teach in our office, the answer was MINDSET! I feel so strongly about these two areas as being integral to our daily life and business success, and am excited to take on the privilege of being an ALC member. And where did I go first to seek training materials? Mo’s videos, of course!

By: Dan Gervais

Dan Gervais — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:28:22 +0000

Every company has a culture…not every company have a culture that they can be proud of. KW has a very solid business model that is the best in the business and we could survive on that business model alone. Our real success will be because of our culture. More than anything else, culture is what sets us apart from any competitor in the marketplace. World class training, state of the art technology and tools for the agents, combined with a culture of sharing and caring make KW an amazing opportunity. Why settle for surviving when you can succeed! KW ROCKS!!!

By: Nancy Farber

Nancy Farber — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:45:53 +0000

“Culture” such and intangible thing. Something that is hard to explain yet easy to feel.

To answer the question “Can business succeed without Culture?” I suppose it could but I don’t think the business would be very rewarding or much fun. I have been selling real estate for 23 year and have been with 4 other companies. The difference I feel at KW is being part of something big through the sharing, caring, and wanting everyone to succeed.

When I get asked what my license plate means (KW4EVER), I just smile and say it means I am lucky to work with a company that I consider to be my family. KW ROCKS! See ya in New Orleans!
Nancy Farber
Canton Ohio (home of the Pro-football hall of fame)

By: Daniel Gomez

Daniel Gomez — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:32:11 +0000

No a company cannot survive without having values!!
I believe that if you are going to talk the talk then you MUST walk the walk. It is easy for us in the market centers to practice culture because it comes from the top down.
When working at other brokerages and different companies in my past, I always had to practice my own desire to work out of integrity and trust because it was never like it is now for me here at Keller Williams. When the owner of the company I work for is allowing me to have Faith and work out of that Faith it is so easy to work out of and in the spirit of our culture…So to that I say “hats off to you”!!!!
Daniel Gomez.