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An office that plays together ~ works well together!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) TREC# 0386905

An office that plays together ~ works well together!  

How long have large corporations known this?  Years upon years.  You hear the stories of "bonding" adventures, classes, retreats and the such.  It's no different in any other environment where there needs to be cohesiveness and teamwork.  

I didn't always see this "bonding", working as a team effort so much in my 22 years of real estate.  I have been at offices where you were on your own (unless you worked on making relationships in your office) as well as the "cut throat" attitude.  Every man for himself.

When Kristin and I started the SistersThatSell team our idea was to be a highly producing, productive, FUN team.  This worked well.  We implemented fun things that we did daily or weekly (the happy dance when we got a funding!...yes, it's true!) and other different things that would wake you up, energize you and then make you focus on the task at hand. 

When we bought RE/MAX Access we wanted it to be the same way as the Team...we just needed to expand upon the idea.  We are constantly thinking of different ways to get our group together to encourage interaction, learning, bonding, and fun all at the same time!  Cause you know what happens to an office that plays well together...

Our local Alamo CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) chapter provided the right venue to do just that.  They were hosting a GALA where there was dinner at Maggiano's, live music, silent auction and such.  All of the funds raised would benefit the Wounded Warrior's stationed here in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston Base.  Our office bought a table and 1/2 (well, our numbers are growing).  It was so much fun!  The best part is that everyone enjoyed a wonderful 4 course meal, shared in wine and danced the night away. 

We had a great time and were helping to raise money for such a good cause.  At the end of the evening my local CRS Chapter realized that they had raised over $9300.00 for the Wounded Warrior's.  For it being a first time GALA I was excited that the numbers rolled in so high!  Then the chapter went and purchased items that the Warrior's Home need to keep the house running smoothly.

What could be better?  Our office enjoying themselves, bonding, laughing and raising money all at the same time.  Will there be residual from this evening?  Absolutely.

 

(L-R) Kristin Moran, Pat O'Brien, Jeanna Martinez, Nadine Berger, Jeff Berger and myself.

 

Matt Stigliano and his beautiful wife, Vicky.

 

Leslee Martz & Scott Lange (not sure if it's blurry from the operator or the camera?)

 

Manny & Jeanna Martinez

 

and here is most of the people that I rely on day in and day out: (not pictured, Amy Moody and Rosie Minor)

(L-R) Carol Arthur, Kristin Moran, Pat O'Brien and of course me.

 

We are missing a few folks in these photos, but the important part is the friendships that were either made or cemented that night.

Like I said before, an office that plays together works well together!

I sincerely hope yours does too!

Posted by

Serving the needs of Agents, Buyer's and Seller's for over 25 years.

 

Sheila Moran, Broker/Owner

RE/MAX ACCESS

19115 FM 2252, Ste. 7

Garden Ridge, Texas 78266

210-657-7500  /  210-325-6962

www.SistersThatSell.com

                   

Comments(27)

1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Hi Sheila,

I loved reading this post.  Great pics.  It's nice when it works the way that you descibe.  Hope it continues to do so. Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday.

Aug 09, 2009 12:07 AM
Lina Robertson
AMAX Real Estate - Springfield, MO
REALTOR® Serving Springfield, Nixa and Ozark, MO

Sheila, looks like you work with some great people, who love working with you!  Congratulations and good luck to you!

Lina Robertson - RE/MAX Solutions - Realtor

Aug 09, 2009 01:40 AM
Lina Robertson
AMAX Real Estate - Springfield, MO
REALTOR® Serving Springfield, Nixa and Ozark, MO

Sheila, looks like you work with some great people, who love working with you!  Congratulations and good luck to you!

Lina Robertson - RE/MAX Solutions - Realtor

Aug 09, 2009 01:40 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Sheila, great post! It is true, doing good things as an office, having fun, this is what it should be all about. Lucky you!

Aug 09, 2009 01:46 AM
Nicholas Caron
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Derry, NH

Shelia,

Thanks for the post.  Our office incorporates team effort in everything we do.  If we are unable to attend a showing of our listing there is always someone willing to step up.   There is no "cutthroat" attitude and I love that.  What type of bonding activities has your firm done?

 

Aug 09, 2009 05:03 AM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Vickie-A blessing it is!

Ally-you are correct....love it!

Tim-thanks for stopping by!

Lou-as always thank you!

Ceil-we are working on that!

Judi-Thanks for the comments

Lina-I love these peeps! They are awesome!

Nicholas-I work better in a friendlier environment.  We did the Missions baseball game as a group and next month we are doing a day at the lake (bringing our families also)

Aug 09, 2009 06:17 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Sheila..I agree camaraderie is important in an office..caring for each other makes a nice working environment..A place where you want to go to everyday..right on!

HELPFULHANNAH

Aug 09, 2009 07:07 AM
Kathy Opatka
RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD
Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

Sheila,

I like the happy medium..... not party-pal,not cutthroat.... but friendly , helpful and considerate!

Kathy O

Aug 09, 2009 08:06 AM
Darlene Humphreys
Coldwell Banker Holman Premier Realty - Klamath Falls, OR
I love my job!

I cannot agree more.

There are offices with different "camps," very cut throat, no sense of team or places that someone would trip their grandmother to get to a potential listing before you.  And I am sure certain personality types flourish in these places, but I am a team player type of gal.

The office I am in now is completely different.  Everyone helps everyone, even the TPs have time for a question or to give you their two cents when asked.  We do fundraising activities together which helps our community.   We get together and do things.   We know and support each other.   My principal promotes and encourages this actively, he gets that this is a great thing for the office.

So much more fun to go to work for me.

Aug 09, 2009 10:17 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Evening Sheila,   Our office does an annual golf thing and fishing trips which result in a fun fish fry.  You're right - fun is good !

Aug 09, 2009 12:10 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

It sounds like you have a great team.  I work alone and at times I am lonely.  But I do work best alone.  I would like to have a partner at some point in the future.

Aug 09, 2009 01:54 PM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Looks like a great group Sheila. I think you may be on to something. Getting the team together to mingle after hours.

Aug 09, 2009 01:56 PM
Sean Wheelan
Qivana - Warwick, RI

Great job and thanks for the reminder!

This is something that has been in my business plan, but I have not implemented.

All the best,
-Sean

Aug 09, 2009 11:11 PM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Hannah- Your right! We all want to show up!

Kathy-the happy medium is good!

Darlene-I'm still laughing at: someone would trip their grandmother to get to a potential listing; are you sure we didn't work in the same office in the past? ha ha

Bil-fishing is a good bonding experience!

Gene-I was a single agent for 17 years and felt the same way...I am now having more fun though:)

John-Thanks!

Sean-well, get to working on it!

Aug 10, 2009 12:48 AM
Vicki Trembly
Coldwell Banker - Topeka, KS

I totally agree with you Sheila,  in fact if I can do a little shameles promotion.... (I'm a REALTOR and a performer so I am about as shameless as they come) .  I also run a company called Cranial Aerobics.  I teach improv to improve everyday life.  I go into companies and groups and do workshops on teambuilding, communication, problemsolveing and most importantly LAUGHING OUT LOUD.

I'd love to come play with you all!

Keep up the fun stuff and remember, studies have proven that internalized laughter can cause gas.... so let it out and keep the air fresh clean.

vik

Aug 10, 2009 04:51 AM
Matt Stigliano
Kimberly Howell Properties (210) 646-HOME - San Antonio, TX

Sheila - I can back you up on your theories.  It does work.  It makes me want to work harder - for my own benefit and the good of the office.  I don't sit around thinking about how I'm paying a cut to the broker, I think "awesome, I just helped Sheila build her business - which will only help me in time."  By being interactive and having a good time together, we become an office, not a bunch of agents who happen to share a copier.  My wife and I had a blast that night.  She would have loved the dancing, but we had to go say goodbye to some friends before they left for the UK.  Next time, I'll let her dance the night away.  Don't worry, I won't dance.  This guy has nothing but left feet.

Aug 10, 2009 05:22 AM
Michael "Mike" Miller
EXIT REALTY SERVICES - Moon Township, PA
My service will move you! Help me, help you!

And don't forget, an office that plays together, stays together...  Looks like a great time!

Aug 11, 2009 07:53 AM
Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

What a great group!  It is so nice to look forward to coming to work because you like being around the people there.  Thanks for stopping by my blog tonight!

Aug 13, 2009 02:50 PM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Looks like you all had a great time :o)!  It's important to build a team that works hard and has fun together.  The most important thing is that you all look out for eachother :o)!  Great stuff!  Thanks for sharing.

Aug 14, 2009 01:24 AM
Lydia Pollard
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc. Brokerage - Mississauga, ON

As a newbie looking for an office to join, a group that looks out for each other,
and works together as a team are definitely things I am looking for.  You are
a very lucky group.

Oct 18, 2009 02:27 AM