Let me tell you something that’ll make your business sparkle brighter than a freshly cleaned crystal in my collection…
You know what separates the memorable brokerages from the forgettable ones? It’s not just the commission splits or the fancy office space (though ours is pretty amazing with those massage chairs in the Zen Zone!). It’s the traditions that make people feel like they belong to something special.
After building a multi-million dollar business, I’ve learned that the magic isn’t just in the marketing. It’s in the moments we create together. So grab your favorite coffee, settle in, and let me share how you can turn your brokerage into the place everyone wants to be part of.
Why Business Traditions Are Your Superpower
Here’s the thing about traditions: they’re like that blue thread that now weaves through everything we do, connecting us to something bigger than ourselves. When my dad passed away when I was just ten, it was the traditions like our dance troupe’s pre-performance ritual of connecting pinkies and saying “Let’s go, girls!” that gave me strength and belonging.
Business traditions work the same magic. They create:
- Shared identity that makes your team feel like family
- Predictable moments of joy that people look forward to
- Stories worth telling that clients remember and share
- Culture that recruits itself because people can’t help but talk about it
In real estate, where relationships are everything, traditions become the foundation for trust, loyalty, and that “wow factor” that makes clients choose you over the competition.
Traditions That Actually Work
Let me pull back the curtain and share some of our favorite traditions that have built our incredible company culture:
Our “Order Up!” Annual Vision Board
Every January, I give each team member an old-fashioned diner waitress order pad. They write down what they want to “order up” for the year (personally and professionally) and we hang them on our makeshift short-order rack (yes, it’s a clothesline in our Think Tank conference room!). Then we ring the restaurant bell and shout “Order up!”
The results? Team members have achieved record sales, gotten married, bought dream homes, and even conquered personal challenges. The Universe really does deliver when you put your order in!
Delight Days
These are totally unexpected bursts of happiness I create for the team. Sometimes it’s taking everyone to the Barbie movie premiere, sometimes it’s surprise spa packages, sometimes it’s just showing up with their favorite coffee and a handwritten note. The key is that they’re spontaneous and from the heart.
Our Company High-Five
Simple but powerful! We have a signature high-five that happens at every team meeting, closing celebration, and random Tuesday when someone needs a boost. It’s silly, it’s ours, and it makes everyone smile.
Building Your Own Community-Centered Traditions
Ready to create some magic of your own? Here’s your step-by-step playbook:
Step 1: Start With Your “Why”
Before you create any tradition, get crystal clear on your company’s mission and values. Our company motto is “If we can believe in something great, we can achieve something great.” Every tradition we create supports that belief.
Your Action Item: Write down your company’s core values and mission. If you don’t have them yet, gather your team and figure them out together. This is your North Star.
Step 2: Involve Your People
The best traditions aren’t dictated from the top. They’re co-created with love. Ask your agents and staff what would make them feel more connected and appreciated. You’ll be amazed at the creative ideas they have!
Your Action Item: Send out a simple survey or have a brainstorming session. Ask questions like “What would make Monday mornings more exciting?” or “How can we celebrate wins together?”
Step 3: Create Rituals Around Recognition
People crave acknowledgment, and public recognition creates a culture where everyone wants to be celebrated. We do this with commission check love notes, team member spotlights, and celebrating both business and personal milestones.
According to Harvard Business Review, regular recognition and check-ins can increase employee engagement by up to 40%.
Your Action Item: Institute a weekly recognition ritual. Maybe it’s “Shout-Out Fridays” or a “Wall of Awesome” where team members can post kudos for each other.
Step 4: Connect With Your Community
Some of our most beloved traditions involve giving back. Our Stone Crab Festival, Rockin’ on the Bay concert series, and volunteer days don’t just build internal culture. They make us part of the fabric of our community.
Research from Deloitte shows that companies with strong community connections see 2.3 times higher employee engagement rates.
Your Action Item: Choose one community event or cause to support as a team. Make it an annual tradition and watch how it brings everyone together while serving others.
Step 5: Make It Personal
Technology is wonderful, but personal touches are priceless. I still hand-write notes, remember birthdays, and keep track of what makes each person smile. These small gestures create big loyalty.
Studies from Gallup reveal that personalized customer experiences can increase loyalty by up to 70%.
Your Action Item: Create a “Personal Touch” system. Maybe it’s birthday celebrations, work anniversaries, or remembering someone’s favorite candy (we keep jars of nostalgic treats in our office for exactly this reason!).
Traditions That Turn Clients Into Raving Fans
Don’t forget that traditions aren’t just for your team! Here are some client-focused traditions that build community and loyalty:
The “Thank You” Flowers
After every listing appointment, I have my favorite florist deliver adorable flower arrangements that look like soda cups with straws and cherries on top, along with a note saying “Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with me. Working with you will be a real treat.”
Take-Away Treats
Our open houses always feature branded mini-Bundt cakes from a local baker. Visitors get something delicious to remember us by, and we support a local business. Win-win!
Milestone Celebrations
We celebrate our clients’ life moments, not just the real estate transactions. New baby? We send a gift. Anniversary? We remember. Promotion? We cheer them on. These touches turn clients into lifelong advocates.
According to McKinsey & Company, businesses that excel at personalization generate 40% more revenue than average players.
Your Tradition Toolkit: Making It Last
Here’s how to ensure your traditions stick and grow:
Anchor Them to Your Calendar Put your traditions on the calendar and treat them as non-negotiable. If “Feel-Good Fridays” is on the schedule, it happens no matter what.
Document and Share Take photos, share stories on social media, create a “tradition book” that new team members can flip through. This helps preserve the culture and shows others what makes your company special.
Get Feedback and Evolve Traditions should grow with your team. Ask what’s working, what’s not, and what new ideas people have. The goal is to create something everyone loves, not something that feels forced.
Model the Behavior As the leader, you set the tone. Show up with enthusiasm, participate fully, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and authentic. Your energy is contagious!
The Ripple Effect of Great Traditions
When you create meaningful traditions, something magical happens. Your team becomes more engaged, your clients become raving fans, and your business becomes known as the place where people want to work and do business.
I’ve watched agents leave higher-paying positions to join our team because of our culture. I’ve seen clients refer their friends not just because we’re good at real estate, but because we made them feel special. That’s the power of traditions that build community.
Forbes reports that companies with strong cultures see 4x higher revenue growth compared to those without.
Your Challenge: Start Today
Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to begin building traditions. Pick one small thing you can start this week. Maybe it’s bringing donuts to your Monday team meeting, or sending handwritten thank-you notes to your last five clients, or creating a company playlist that makes everyone smile.
Remember, it’s not about the budget. Some of our most beloved traditions cost almost nothing. It’s about the heart behind them and the consistency of showing up with intention.
As my mom always told me, “No characteristic could be more important in life than a giving heart.” When you create traditions that give joy, recognition, and belonging to others, you’re not just building a business. You’re building a community that will support you through every market cycle and celebrate every victory along the way.
So go ahead, start your own tradition today. Make it yours, make it meaningful, and watch how it transforms not just your business, but your life. After all, we’re in the business of making dreams come true, and that includes the dream of belonging to something special.
Now excuse me while I go tuck Penny into her little donut bed and plan our next Delight Day. Some traditions never get old!
What tradition will you start this week? I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a line and let’s celebrate your community-building journey together!
