Developing a Culture That Attracts Women

NEWPORT BEACH, CA—Women in commercial real estate value flexibility in their workday and encouragement for career advancement from the firms for which they work, executives tell GlobeSt.com. Jana Turner, a principal with locally based CRE recruiting firm RETS Associates, and Rick Gillham, president of executive-search firm Gillham, Golbeck & Associates in Dallas, say the lack of these elements make for a company culture that puts off women in the industry.

The two firms recently collaborated on a “Women in Commercial Real Estate Recruiting and Retention Study” that revealed shifting priorities for women when considering a new job. The latest released results of the survey show that women are prioritizing workplace culture (placing it equal to location and just below compensation) when considering a job change. In fact, while compensation and job location remain the top factors in evaluating a new position, workplace culture now outpaces other leading considerations such as growth potential, commute time, work schedule and job title among the nearly 400 female CRE professionals who were polled. Survey participants included entry-level to senior-management CRE professionals from across the country.