3 Questions: Inside a Best Places advisory firm
Danilo Kawasaki of Gerber Kawasaki answers: What do your employees say makes your firm a best place for financial advisers to work?
Transcript:
[Matt Ackermann] Welcome back to 3 Questions. This week we are honoring some of the Best Places To Work. And for that we turn to Danilo Kawasaki, to discuss how his firm is one of the best places to work. Danilo, welcome.
[Danilo Kawasaki] Thanks for having me. I’m really proud of this honor.
[MA] Talk to me about what makes your firm one of the best places to work. What do your employees say that makes you a ‘Best Place to Work’?
[DW] It really comes down to our culture. Ross and I worked really hard to pick the people who we choose to work with. Obviously we’re at work more often than we are at home, so in a way, we kind of approach it the same. It’s a long-term relationship that we’re trying to build with our employees, so for us having the right culture, the right mix of people, people who share the same values as we do us in life, not just in work but also in life, that’s really important to us. So, you know, when we come in into the office, the atmosphere, the vibe you get is a positive vibe. It’s high energy, high collaboration.
[MA] It’s all about the perks when it comes to employees believing you’re a ‘Best Place to Work’. What are some of the perks that your employees point out, or some of the best ones that they enjoy?
[DW] Sure, they do like perks! And it’s something that we’ve come around to, because you know, I’m kind of like a little old-school. So now we have snacks, we have catered meals three or four different days, breakfast, lunch. We do a lot of things outside the office. We get everyone involved. Barbecues, some volley ball games, hang-out parties, pool parties. By far the preferred perk is free meals. They do like their snacks and free meals.
[MA] Why is so important for you guys and your firm to be part of this year’s list and be considered one of the Best Places to Work?
[DW] There are many reasons. First of all, you know, we have one shot in life to do things right and that’s what we are trying to build here as a company that will last a lifetime. Beyond our lifetimes.
But secondly, it’s a competitive industry that we are in and we are in high growth mode. So we’re trying to attract the best talent, the best people possible to help us grow our firm. To continue to grow our firm. So you know, having the right environment and winning prestigious awards such as this, will certainly help us do that.
[MA] Danilo, thank you so much. Some really great insights. For more questions and answers fire them away on Twitter. For Investment News, I’m Matt Ackermann.
