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8 A 2011 BEST PLACES TO WORK VEGAS INC SpECIAl publICAtIoN 1ST PLACEWINDERMERE REAL ESTATE of Windermere in Las Vegas. “I think a lot of agents come to our company because we have a strong local T presence, especially in terms of giving back to the community,” Yates notes. Started in Seattle in 1978 the brokerage today has 10,000 agents spanning 350 offices, nationally. The Windermere Foundation collected nearly $1.3 million from agent commissions to help with charity efforts in 2010. In Las Vegas, last year, Windermere distributed $25,000 to fight homelessness. In addition, every October, the firm shuts down its office for one day so staff can perform a local charity project. This past year, the group painted Safe Nest’s women’s dorm, assembled furniture at the site, and made improvements to its children’s playroom. One year, the real estate group helped Whitney Elementary School, a valley school with a high homeless population, by power washing playground equipment, cleaning floors and filling backpacks with food for children. Windermere also offers many technology solutions that help agents perform from anywhere around the world. With unique fax and email systems, Yates says, its agents can get more done without being tied to the office. The company also touts being completely paperless. “With our technology, no matter where you go, you can be productively doing business,” Yates adds. Windermere seeks out seasoned agents with market experience and who subscribe to a high-level of professionalism and are willing to be checked out with the state’s real estate division before they start. In turn, agents are given resources to succeed, such as access to legal counsel for short sale clients and others dealing employees enjoy many other perks from their employer, such as free lunches for Saturday workers, numerous training and personal development seminars and L2ND PLACE O with complicated transactions. They also can use tools such as the company’s monthly “Windermere Report” for consumers who need information about the local market. “We’re less of a corporate feel than some of the bigger brokerages,” adds Yates. “But we’re definitely more focused on community and that high level of professionalism.” The firm also works to keep things light as well, initiating quarterly employee outings like bowling tournaments and picnics, the president adds. — Brian Sodoma incentives to advance one’s education in the industry. When Houston-based Ascent Automotive Group purchased the dealership in EXUS OF LAS VEGAS / LEXUS OF HENDERSON pening its Henderson dealership in 2010 gives Lexus of Las Vegas high marks simply for hiring employees in tough times. It also seems company brass understand the link between happy employees and positive bottom line results. On top of a knock-out benefits package, Lexus of Las Vegas 2005, a renewed focus was placed on Lexus’ certification program. The company pays for employees to go to out-of-state for training to become master certified in their particular area of the company. The training programs can cost up to $8,000 for an employee, says Niki Michael, human resources director for the two Lexus dealerships. When certification is earned, Lexus and the dealership reward employees by paying up to $400 a month for a Lexus vehicle lease. Before Ascent bought the dealership there were no certified employees. Today there are 40, Michael says. It supports a culture of promoting from within for its 203 employees. “We have people who started as porters or valets and are now service managers.” The dealership also has a consultant come in every other month to discuss issues such as work-life balance, staff building and visioning and goal setting. — Brian Sodoma he Windermere Real Estate culture blends a high level of professionalism with a strong sense of community involvement. The company admits its environment is not for everyone. But since opening its doors locally in 2004, some 150 real estate agents have come on board with the company, says Robyn Yates, co-president