April 22, 2016

Like most working parents, I run around most of the time like a chicken with my head cut off. I want to do so much but I always feel like I could do more, especially for my community. Well, it’s National Volunteer Month so it’s a great time to take inventory of your life and see how you might be able to give back.

When I think of role models who give back, Tere Blanca immediately comes to mind. Tere is one of the few women in commercial real estate who has a proven track record and is well respected by men and women in her field. She is founder, president, and CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, the leading independent full-service commercial real estate brokerage in South Florida. She’s a working mother AND she has held prestigious positions as past chair of The Beacon Council and member of the Board of Governors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce among all kinds of other positions in the community. Tere’s company encourages volunteerism among its employees by underwriting the costs of charitable work, donating money to organizations her employees are involved with, and providing paid time off to volunteer.

Today, Tere is my guest blogger and I’m thrilled to have her weigh in on how she balances work, life, and volunteering. She can be reached at tere.blanca@blancacre.com

Tere’s Motto: Volunteerism Drives Business Success

At my company, our passion for social causes has proved one of our most important business differentiators and drivers, helping establish our business in the midst of the 2009 economic downturn and propelling our sustained growth.

The game-changing volunteering I’m referring to goes beyond writing checks, sitting on boards, and occasionally attending galas and events. It involves identifying causes near to our hearts that we are personally passionate about, rolling up our sleeves, and generously donating our time and talents to meaningfully advance the organizations’ missions.

I founded the firm on a non-negotiable pillar of giving back, encouraging volunteerism among all brokers and employees by underwriting charitable work, donating financial resources to the organizations we support, and providing paid time off to volunteer. This linked us with our community, giving us a close feel for its pulse, and enabling us to forge strong partnerships and networks while engaging on deep, human levels.

I did this simply because I wanted to give; I later realized it would drive incredible success, with some major national clients selecting us in part for our deep local community ties, having witnessed first-hand our abilities while involved in volunteer work or leading the charge to positively impact our community.

Another essential driver of business success is the ability to attract and retain talent, which also is enhanced through corporate social responsibility. Research shows most employees consider “contributing to society” indispensable for an ideal job. Millennials who participate in workplace volunteer activities are more satisfied and loyal.

Despite running a demanding business and raising a family, I have been able to find ample time to pour my heart into causes that deeply resonate with me. Often, I am asked, “How do you do it?”

Here is some of my best advice:

First, take a deep look within yourself and identify causes that you are truly passionate about. Identify the best organizations and opportunities that allow you to engage at a meaningful level in supporting those causes. Before committing, get to know the organizations and their boards well upfront to confirm there is a fit. As part of that process, develop an accurateunderstanding of the time commitment and expectations involved.

Next, understand how much time you can reasonably contribute every month and week. For first-timers, it is best to start small and build on your success. It is better to make meaningful contributions to one or two organizations than to join six boards and do a minimal amount of non-impactful work for each. This also avoids over-committing and letting folks down when you realize you cannot attend all the board meetings or have to withdraw from the organization.

Then, when you have decided what organizations you want to join, develop a written plan for your involvement. If you have marketing or public relations support at your company, it is helpful to engage their expertise in this process. Obtain a list of board meetings and key activities upfront and bake them into your calendar.

Most importantly, make sure your team at work and your family at home are well aware of these commitments and ready to support you when needed. Proper planning also can help you identify non-essential activities that may be delegated or cut from your schedule. Something as simple as ordering in dinner rather than preparing a meal can free up your evening. Also, do not be shy to ask for support from your family and co-workers; after all, community is a fabric woven of individual lives and efforts. When we all do our part, no matter how seemingly small or trivial, the whole is strengthened and bettered.

I find it inexcusable that South Florida ranks last among 51 major metros for its volunteer rate. It also is bad business. For example, when we support City Year Miami’s mission to help keep students in school and on track to graduate, ready for college and careers, we’re building a better tomorrow for everyone: one with a broader talent pool, lower crime rates that result in lower insurance costs, and a society that is better equipped to attract business investment, fuel economic growth and enjoy a higher quality of life.

To paraphrase Horace Mann, “Doing nothing for our community is the undoing of business.”

April 12, 2016

MIAMI—“I’m very fortunate that I haven’t faced some of the typical challenges that confront entrepreneurs who are trying to grow their businesses.”

Tere Blanca has seen her fair share of challenges during her commercial real estate career. The founder, CEO and chairman of Blanca Commercial Real Estate and former Cushman & Wakefield executive, has managed to thrive in the midst of adverse market conditions.

GlobeSt.com caught up with Blanca to talk about the challenge she’s faced and how she’s navigated them in part two of this exclusive interview. You can still read part one: Tere Blanca’s Serendipitous Start In Commercial Real Estate.

GlobeSt.com: What was the biggest challenge you’ve had to navigate in the commercial real estate industry?

Blanca: Commercial real estate is a business that requires a considerable investment of one’s time, energy and attention. Personally, the biggest challenge has been to juggle delivering the ultimate value to clients, while also tending to my team, family, and community. Thankfully, I’m getting to be an expert juggler and I believe that with careful planning, prioritizing, and time-management it is possible to have it all: a rewarding, successful career; a highly-motivated and expert team; a deeply committed and involved family life; and a meaningful role in helping our community.

I’m very fortunate that I haven’t faced some of the typical challenges that confront entrepreneurs who are trying to grow their businesses. Although commercial real estate is a very competitive industry, clients turn to us because of our all-out dedication to customer service and going the extra mile.

We customize our approach according to each client’s unique needs and objectives. We also pride ourselves in having exceptionally honed market knowledge that also helps advance our client’s goals. These have formed the blueprint to our success, enabling us to avoid many growing pains and challenges.

GlobeSt.com: How did you get through that challenge?

Blanca: In trying to juggle the daily requirements of work and family, I’m very fortunate to have an outstanding team at my firm as well as an incredibly supportive husband at home. My team at Blanca Commercial Real Estate is always ready to step in for me and similarly they know I am always there for them. And I’ve always shown to my daughters that they’re my priority, so they understand why I was not a homeroom mom at school.

They recognized that I always made it a priority to spend quality time with them, and that ultimately I have been committed to provide a great education and quality of life for them. I have always maintained a very close, positive relationship with my family, and those bonds have only grown stronger over the years.

As to avoiding many of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in trying to grow their businesses, I’ve also greatly benefitted from the excellent advice and experience of high-level leaders in our community and my YPO/WPO colleagues who through the years have served as my mentors and sponsors.