Sometimes it’s on the tip of your tongue. You know what you want to describe, but somehow the words elude you.
But you also know it doesn’t really matter; what you’re trying to say is best simply felt than described. Voit Real Estate Services Marketing Director Jessamyn Wilkinson encountered just that challenge when attempting to describe what makes the company she’s worked for for seven years so special—special enough, in fact, to be named in this year’s Business Journal Best Places to Work issue in the small employer category.
“While difficult to put into words the complete spirit of our unique culture, I think one of the best examples of what makes us unique is the willingness of our folks to give and participate in our charitable efforts as an organization,” she says.
“Our team members are incredibly supportive of each other, and no matter whether we’re raising money for school supplies for the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs, rallying around efforts with the Jesse Rees Foundation or simply collecting donations for one of our team members having a baby, getting married, etcetera, everyone turns out in full force.”
Robert D. Voit started Voit Real Estate Services in 1971. In 1987, a brokerage division was launched. While its creator is no longer involved in the company’s day-to-day operations, he still sits on the board of directors and is as passionately devoted to maintaining the company culture as when he started it.
All Have a Voice
From the beginning, says Chief Executive Eric Hinkelman, the company has held to the unshakable tenet that every employee, regardless of title or tenure, will be heard.
“We strive to make sure that everyone that carries a Voit card has a say,” he says. “We really do our best to have an open-door policy so you can always feel free and comfortable to pop in or shoot an e-mail to me or any of the board members.”
Executive Client Coordinator Sabas Vargas has been part of the Voit team for 18 years, a testament to the success of the flat management approach the company employs.
“We have an open forum for all Voit team members to provide any feedback or suggestions they would like passed along to our company board of directors,” he says. “We are always looking on ways to better ourselves and the company.”
Senior Client Coordinator Denisse Nazabal is a newer addition to the team at 3 ½ years. “What differentiates Voit from other larger firms is that there are no politics,” she says. “Everyone is on an equal playing field and really help each other out. Voit strongly focuses on the success of its employees and making sure we have everything we need to develop strong relationships with our clients and each other.”
Beyond the Office
For Nazabal and the others on the team, that approach extends beyond work. “Voit does a great job of creating fun and rewarding events throughout the year,” she says. “Each year, we have a summer event with an overnight stay at a resort with our families, a baseball game day, a pool tournament, a themed golf event, a Christmas party and many other small events to create team building.”
Employees say the extracurricular bonding leads to stronger relationships in the office—and more success with clients. But it’s not just a numbers game.
“Our top producers and their significant others are provided with an incentive trip, usually at a five-star location,” Hinkelman says. “Our incentive trip is based on certain financial thresholds, so it’s not a typical top-10. It’s not uncommon to have over 30 couples attending.”
Finding the Words
Many companies offer perks like incentive trips, opportunities to volunteer, bonuses and opportunities for growth within the company. But few are considered one of the Best Places to Work in Orange County. It’s an achievement that sets it apart.
As Wilkinson puts it: “If folks enjoy the work they do, the people with whom they work and the overall environment and attitude of the firm as a whole, I believe this results in happy employees.”
