Real Estate
The value of teamwork
Operating as a team improves results for everyone involved.
By Steve Trusty
Smart Business Miami | June 2008
In today’s business world, we are constantly reminded of the value of team-work. We read about it in books and articles and hear about it in speeches.
Whether it is for business, sports or politics, society is looking for the best way to
operate as a team. According to Merriam-Webster, teamwork is defined as “work
done by several associates with each
doing a part but all subordinating personal
prominence to the efficiency of the
whole.” True success is achieved at the
highest of levels when all roles are working together as a team.
Transwestern South Florida Industrial, a
five-person team whose core group has
been together for almost 15 years, is composed of Walter Byrd, managing director;
Ben Eisenberg, managing director;
Thomas Kresse, vice president; Meredith
Clarke, marketing coordinator; and
Valderine Preal, administrative associate.
Each team member offers a different talent
and is responsible for his or her own role.
Smart Business spoke with the five
team members to get their perspectives on
teamwork and how they work together
every day to accomplish their team’s goals
and mission.
How would you describe your team to others
and what makes your team unique?
Preal: While any number of people can
make up and be called a team, I feel our
team is different due to our tenure. Ben,
Walter and I have been together for almost
15 years, with Thomas for eight and with
our rookie Meredith for a year. The team is
composed of very knowledgeable, experienced and expert people. I admire their
dedication and respect toward one another and toward me. Through the years of
working together, there is much shared
loyalty. Many long-term clients are a true
testament to this loyalty and the high
regard in which this team is held.
How can a team work together toward the
successful completion of transactions?
Byrd: In any transaction within the
team, it is important to recognize each person’s strengths. Everyone on the team
is different in his or her skill and personality, which in effect has a lot to do with
the role that the individual plays on the
team. When working together as a team,
it is important for each member to know
his or her role and responsibilities. Even
though there are designated roles, when
the team collectively uses the strengths
of each member and is working together,
it operates more efficiently. Teamwork
empowers individuals to perform their
best for the needs of the client.
What are the benefits of working as a team?
Clarke: The benefits are summed up in
three words — creativity, service and balance. Five minds are better than one.
When working collectively, there is more
diversity. We all have different backgrounds and experiences and look at
client issues differently to come up with
the most creative solution to meet the
client’s needs. With five minds, we can
leverage off each other’s strengths to provide the best service. And because we are all dividing responsibilities, this allows for
balance and the ability to allocate our
time for the best work environment and
home life.
Does the team have to agree on all the decisions?
Eisenberg: It is actually beneficial if
there are disagreements between team
members. As Stephen Covey says,
‘Strength lies in differences not in similarities.’ Each team member is allowed to
express his or her opinion regarding an
important decision. While all have the
same goal in mind, there may be different
ideas on how the goal can be achieved.
We are all passionate about our positions, and even though Walter and I, both
in the managing director role, have final
say, we take into consideration what
each individual has had to say. By carefully listening to each person’s thoughts
and concerns, the team is better able to
agree on the best course of action. We
have a few mottos for our team,
‘Enhance value,’ ‘Help the client’s business/property financial stake’ and ‘Make
the client look good.’
How do you measure your success at the end
of the day?
Kresse: Success in the business varies
depending on the goal. Many would
assume that it is based off of the size of
the transaction/total square footage.
Others may think it is based on the sale
amount. To us, we always measure our
success based on the client’s overall satisfaction. If we have exceeded or even met
the client’s expectations, we were successful. At the end of the day, if we are
operating as a team, we will be able to
please our clients. And when the client is
happy, we are happy.
You may contact MEREDITH CLARKE at (305) 808-7310 or Meredith.Clarke@transwestern.net.
