Our industry differentiates itself from most others. The people who are attracted to and are successful in our industry share a common set of characteristics; they are seen as independent, self-starting and driven. They are true entrepreneurs and do not like to be encumbered with bureaucracy, do not like to be held back by anything and do not like to be told what to do. On the other hand they seek great support and services, the best remuneration and a positive working environment in which these are delivered. The combination of this entrepreneurial environment on the one hand together with great services and environment on the other is a primary aspect of the "Last Best Place."

This combination differentiates us, first from the large, bureaucratic, national firms in that we support relative independence from bureaucracy, freedom and respect of the individual and the opportunity to earn significantly higher compensation. Second, and at the other end of the spectrum, it differentiates us from the small, boutique shop in that we are big enough to provide the systems, technology and support required to compete in today's world. Third, we differentiate ourselves from other regional firms through a combination of our cultures, our values and our ownership structure. Finally, we are owned by brokers and managed by brokers.

We run the company in a multi-local, decentralized fashion; there is no one culture to define the company. Each of our offices is encouraged to develop its own culture, provided that the basic ingredients of our core values, our operating values and our compelling story are embodied within and provided that our fundamental business processes are implemented and enhanced. There are few corporate 'edicts.' Our aim is to find that balance between "What has to be the same so that everything else can be different."

Our values emphasize respect for the individual in all of its aspects; we are known as a company that touches the heart and the soul of its people as well as our clients and vendors. We are infectious in that respect. We provide a working environment that is safe and caring, that is open and collaborative in every aspect and that encourages individual growth. We contribute to our community.

We will grow our company. We will grow on three fronts - geographically, through the provision of wider service offerings and through the expansion of existing and new specialty areas. The reasons for growth are many - but we will not grow simply for growth's sake. We will focus our growth where it is synergistic with our current business, where it satisfies a new business need for us or our clients, where it helps spread the costs of existing and new infrastructure and where it increases our chance of success in the long term.

We encourage all of our people to become shareholders in the company.

We are constantly improving our processes and will implement new systems, structures and processes as is necessary. We believe that there is nothing wrong with 'structure and process' - it's stupid structure and process that gets in the way. In today's environment, the provision and use of technology is a requirement not a luxury. We will implement useful technologies as they become viable for us. All of our people will be encouraged and trained to use the technology provided. We will continue to hire the very best people; we will, however, select from the best, those people that live life in accordance with our values and who will contribute to our culture. We will actively seek to bring new blood into the organization at all levels.

We believe that, in achieving all of this, there will be a waiting list to join the company; a line to be at the "Last Best Place."