Team Building Activities for a Positive Work Environment
When you hear “team building,” you might imagine a cringe worthy day filled with trust falls and wasted time. Actually, team building can be one of the best investments you make if it’s done correctly.
Here are a few ideas to make your workplace a more cohesive, enjoyable environment.
Off-Site Activities
Whether you take your team out for an extended lunch break or end the day a bit early to have a picnic at your local park, mixing food and good company is a recipe for success. Paying for the food will be well-worth the benefits of building your team’s positive energy. You should just be cognizant of any allergies or dietary restrictions before planning.
A casual lunch or outing gives your team the ability to chat about whatever they choose, which can strengthen your team bond. If your team is made of many different departments who don’t interact regularly, it could especially help with long-term communication between all employees.
If you sense that an informal event wouldn’t suit your office, plan a scavenger hunt, volunteer opportunity, mentor group, game night, etc.
Make Team Building a Long-Term Effort
One reason team building can fall flat is the attitude people have toward it. If you’re treating team building as a one-time activity, it will soon be forgotten. This means the positive effects are short-lived. Instead, try to keep the excitement going through regular engagement and interaction.
A possible idea is to facilitate a weekly/monthly standing meeting, or “huddle”. This is a short activity where your team can come together for casual, work-related discussion. You could all share highs and lows of the week, discuss stress levels and find solutions, or even share goals for the future. The best activity will vary based on each office and team.
By doing an activity on a regular basis, it can also help new employees to adapt to their new work environment and meet more co-workers than they would otherwise.
Evaluation
After implementing team-building activities, you might wonder if they’re actually working. If you notice more laughter, casual banter and collaboration among employees, that is a great sign. You can also examine employee productivity to see if there is any improvement. For a more formal evaluation, you could send out a survey to collect feedback and ideas from your team.
When your employees are happy and feel connected with others in the office, they’ll be less likely to seek other employment and more likely to recommend the job to others. When the entire office is dedicated to building a cohesive team environment, the possibilities are endless.
Best Designations in the Real Estate Industry
If you’re a professional in the real estate industry, there’s a chance you have initials after your name that indicate what certifications you’ve earned throughout your tenure. Some designations carry more weight than others for certain specialties, but there are some designations that stand out among the rest.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Less than a million people across the globe have earned PMP certification, so the validation truly does differentiate you from other project managers. Because of the strategic and financial knowledge that come along with being PMP certified, project managers with this certification have an edge over other professionals competing for the same job. PMP certification is one of the most prestigious designations a real estate professional can earn.
Certified Property Manager (CPM) certification
Those with a CPM are experts in real estate management. Seventy percent of professionals with a CPM designation are at the highest management position in their office. To earn the CPM designation, you must pass the CPM certification exam and pledge to uphold the code of ethics.
Before applying, you must have 3 years of qualifying real estate management experience, certain professional affiliations and letters of recommendation.
Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) membership
For real estate counselors, being invited as a member of The Counselors of Real Estate is a high honor. To be invited, a prospective member must be recognized by their clients, employees and peers as an outstanding professional in the field with knowledge, integrity and good judgment. Candidates will have at least 10 years of experience in real estate, three of which are in counseling.
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation
CIPS is a members-only group with professionals across 45 countries. Those with CIPS certification specialize in global real estate after gaining knowledge through a variety of courses. International buyers tend to vary from those buying domestically, and the CIPS curriculum prepares real estate professionals by sharpening their global perspective.
Certified Real Estate Specialist (CRES) certification
A CRES-certified professional is acknowledged as having balanced knowledge in all areas of real estate. Top professionals can earn the certification when they’ve demonstrated experience, training, skills and commitment that goes beyond basic licensing requirements.
Your professional designation is a great way to showcase expertise in the industry and show the public that you take pride in your career. However, it’s important that you don’t put excessive focus on your designations. Your people skills, experience and professional courtesy may not be certifiable, but they are still an important part of your career that shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Tips for Successful Networking
It is no secret that the best jobs in any industry are found through networking. As such, learning to craft and hone your networking skills can pay huge dividends down the road.
Effective networking is not about quantity. It is about the process of cultivating long-term business and personal relationships, born out of genuine connections and friendships.
Here are 5 tips to help you succeed at the networking game.
TURN ON YOUR LISTENING EARS
Although it is tempting to use your face time with somebody to primarily sell yourself, it is even more important to turn on your ears and be an active listener. By focusing on the other people in the room, you will be regarded as the most perceptive and engaged person of the group. The fool says what he knows, the wise man listens to what he doesn’t know.
ASK QUESTIONS
Related to developing listening skills, asking questions is an ideal way to draw people into your presence. Ask the questions first and then listen to learn. By following this practice, you will be able to discern what you can offer that person.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET PERSONAL
Before delving into the business talk, it is important to develop a personal connection. Share something unique about yourself that people will be likely to remember even when they leave the event. This openness will also encourage people to reciprocate, cultivating a lasting connection and further business opportunities down the road.
EXPAND YOUR CIRCLE
When trying to increase your reach, it is vitally important that you step outside of your normal comfort zone and approach people with different interests and background. Although it is natural to be drawn toward people that are similar to you, now is the time to step outside of your box and into unfamiliar territory. Don’t be the person who just socializes within their usual sphere of contacts.
FOLLOW UP
This last tip is crucial. It is imperative to keep the lines of communication open after the initial meeting. The myriad of social networking resources available in today’s business world makes staying connected incredibly easy to do. By continuing to stay in contact, you are sending the signal that you are open to new experiences and opportunities and that you are interested in what other people have to say and to offer.
About David Joseph Simard
David Joseph Simard is currently a private real estate development and construction consultant based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, one of Canada’s most desirable housing and commercial real estate markets. While paving an unconventional path to his successful career in real estate, Simard has found ways to incorporate his varied experience and education throughout each new project. In addition to the success he’s seen with his own consulting business, David Joseph Simard has also found ways to use his expertise to give back to various public and non-profit organizations. Some of these initiatives include an appointment as the founding President of the Canada Nevada Business Counsel and his service to the Board of UNLV’s School of Business.
Before settling down in Vancouver, David Joseph Simard first found his enthusiasm for real estate and new construction development at the University of Windsor, in Windsor Ontario. Here, Simard studied both industrial psychology and history/international relations. This trend in multi-disciplined education would continue for Simard, as his path then took him down to East Lansing, Michigan. At Michigan State University, he would go on to receive two Bachelor of Arts degrees in both industrial psychology and history/international relations. Forever the proud Spartan, Simard moved ahead with his pursuit of acquiring a Juris Doctorate from MSU, recognized as the highest level of education available in the United States’ legal sector.
It was by total happenstance that David Joseph Simard found his first part-time job in real estate while still in school. This wouldn’t be considered the most relevant job for an international relations major. But, Simard found a fast affinity for his work as a real estate broker and later moved on to the next phase of his career, transitioning to real estate development. Simard didn’t realize at the time that he was beginning a career in the industry that would span nearly 30 years. His path eventually led to the international real estate industry and consulting Fortune 500 companies, keeping their multi-million dollar projects on time and under budget.
David Joseph Simard‘s current role finds him continuing his consulting services for global companies, some of which include General Dynamics, Ericsson, and AT&T. Simard’s varied expertise lends his consulting services in legal, financial, and business operations, while providing turnkey real estate project management solutions. Seeing a new construction project begin to take shape is what has kept Simard on this path. The capability to see a project to completion through all areas of a commercial and residential real estate development has enabled Simard to make his mark throughout the industry. When working with Simard, his clients have echoed the same positive experiences of having worked with a unique talent that can guide them through the full life cycle of a project and across all phases.
In addition to his other public service efforts, David Joseph Simard has also served the Boards of the Lied Institute for Real Estate, NDA, and NAIOP. When spending time outside of his professional path, Simard is a wine enthusiast that you may likely find attending a wine tasting at one of Vancouver’s fine vineyards. He also enjoys more strenuous outdoor activities like snowboarding, skiing, and hiking.