A catalyst and a canvas for culture

The environment acts as both catalyst and canvas for culture.

For a business to thrive, it’s essential first to define the desired culture and then curate an environment that reinforces those values daily.

There is absolute clarity in the vision for culture at RE/MAX Advantage: a client-centric, collaborative, and growth-driven atmosphere.

I aim to cultivate a culture where exceptional customer service is not just a goal but a standard, and where every interaction, be it with a buyer, seller, landlord or tenant, feels personal and meaningful.

This culture emphasises innovation, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

So, how does the environment impact on the business culture?

The workplace environment can affect job satisfaction overall, employee behaviour, collaboration, and productivity.

Once we accept that it plays a crucial role in shaping the culture of our business, we open our minds to how it does this, and how we might use the environment to better the culture.

Starting with physical layout and design, a thoughtfully designed workspace can reinforce values such as transparency, efficiency, and approachability.

Through 25 years of operation and observation, I see that open spaces encourage collaboration, while private areas support focused work and confidential client meetings. A balance between these elements is needed to ensure that the team can operate effectively, reinforcing a culture of professionalism and adaptability.

A comfortable and well-designed office can boost motivation and wellbeing, and enhance job satisfaction. Ergonomic furniture, natural lighting, and aesthetic appeal are worthy considerations.

Being a leader who creates an approachable culture – engaging with team members in shared spaces, for instance – signals transparency and accessibility, and does a lot for morale.

The workplace environment also tends to reflect and reinforce workplace policies and practices.

I aim to foster an environment where team members feel empowered, supported and inspired, with a goal to reflect this positivity in every client experience.

This is an environment where individuals and their businesses thrive. Agent Sean Dawson can attest to that, having seen an enormous increase in his business after leaving a large office with another brand to join our team.

He explained: “What I want from a work environment is a team culture that is built around people who want the best and do the best for their clients. They genuinely want this, not just say the words. This is the environment I now work in and why my business success has soared.”

The end of last year was a significant time for RE/MAX Advantage in its 24-year-long history of serving Moreton Bay communities, when we moved to a striking new office.

With the space that had housed the family business about to be redeveloped, we had to vacate a physical environment that represented so much business history, but it provided the positive way forward into bigger, better premises in line with business growth and my vision.

While the core values of professionalism, client focus and teamwork have remained steadfast, the new environment represents a strategic evolution.

The previous office, while functional, lacked the flexibility to support a growing team and the increasing complexity of client needs.

In contrast, the new space is designed to be adaptive, offering a blend of communal spaces and quiet zones that cater to diverse working styles.

Several elements were intentionally transformed to support the evolving culture.

Enhanced technology infrastructure was introduced to streamline workflows, making it easier for the team to focus on what truly matters, client relationships.

Meeting rooms were designed to be both comfortable and professional, creating an environment conducive to transparent and productive conversations.

These changes have reinforced a culture of inclusivity and responsiveness, mirroring the way RE/MAX Advantage serves its clients.

How might a business owner identify that they need to change their environment/culture?

Here are a few indicators to keep your eye on:

• Team members who seem disengaged, unmotivated, or uninterested in their work.
• A lack of participation or interest in meetings, initiatives, or work-related events.
• Observable stress and burnout, high absenteeism, and high staff turnover.
• Frequent misunderstandings or conflicts, negativity in office politics, or gossip.
• Team members who are disconnected with business culture, goals, and vision.
• Team members doing just the bare minimum rather than striving for excellence.
• A reluctance to adopt new processes or technologies.
• Negative customer feedback, loss of long-term clients, or reduced brand loyalty.

Business owners should look for signs of disengagement or inefficiencies as prompts to reassess their environment and its alignment with the culture they aspire to create. If multiple red flags are present, it’s time to rethink the business culture-environment relationship and implement strategies to improve engagement, communication, and overall workplace satisfaction.

Regular feedback I was getting from team members and clients was instrumental in me recognising that the existing (the old) environment, while effective, could be enhanced to better support the desired culture and productivity of my business.

Since making the move to the new office, I have noticed an instant shift in morale and pride which transfers directly to our clients and customers when they are involved with us.

I’m convinced that business owners can improve workplace culture through environmental changes, and that doesn’t necessitate a change of premises.

A question has also been raised: “Do you change the business culture to match the individuals or vice versa?”

We, as business owners, generally establish a culture that aligns with our mission, values and strategy, and we invite team members to join us who will adapt to that culture to ensure alignment and cohesion.

The key, I believe, is a healthy balance. I want my business culture to be strong enough to provide consistency, but flexible enough to grow with its people.

An article by Travis Gill, business owner and sales associate at RE/MAX Advantage in Wynnum, Queensland.