Employee appreciation is Pure Industrial’s key asset

When Levi James Dy gave a presentation to the entire Pure Industrial organization, regular public speaking jitters were replaced with pride thanks to the trust one of Canada’s leading real estate companies had placed in him.

“It is one of the biggest achievements in my entire career,” says the customer marketing and communications manager, who has been working in real estate for 15 years.

“They had confidence in me and believed in what I had to say. It let me know I’m trusted and they respect what I can bring to the company.”

The sense of trust had been building from day one at the company — which isn’t shy to hand out words of encouragement or praise — and even earlier, to when Dy first decided to join the team.

“Pure presented me with the challenge to be creative in my marketing approach, and I happily accepted it,” says Dy. “So far, it’s been a great experience.”

The culture of trust starts from the top, where leadership wants to see employees lean into their strengths and excel.

“We are focused on creating an environment where our team members are inspired and trusted, so they can bring their best every day,” says Deanna Ramoul, vice president, customer experience.

“When you give that trust, in turn you get back the high level of performance, top-tier customer service and collaborative team environment we’re known for.”

After a successful period of team growth, Pure Industrial implemented several new programs this year to champion employee engagement.

A new employee-driven recognition award program enables staff to vote for their colleagues based on the company’s core values, while a new service recognition program acknowledges the dedication of long-standing employees.

“Peer recognition is so impactful,” says Ramoul. “People are recognizing their colleagues who are pillars in our organization, and this is both rewarding and inspiring.”

As the number of employees has grown, Pure has also been able to switch benefit providers for enhanced employee offerings.

While it may not be a new initiative, one of Ramoul’s favourite ways to give back to employees is through the annual company retreat — the same event where Dy had the opportunity to present.

Every year, the entire organization — over 250 employees from six offices across three provinces — gathers in one city to hit the pause button on the fast-paced real estate industry and reflect on each other’s achievements.

“Our retreat is unique in the industry, and we include everyone,” Ramoul reflects. “It ensures a lot of joy, relationship-building, information-sharing and success for all of us.

“It was created for everyone to get together and focus on each other, learn, look to the year ahead, and make the time to celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing team.”

The retreat, extensive employee recognition programming and benefits are all part of the bigger picture of success at Pure Industrial.

“We all want meaningful work in an environment where we can be ourselves every day,” says Ramoul. “Being in a collaborative environment that supports a high level of inclusivity inspires great work, and that’s very important — everyone has a voice here.”

It’s a culture that not only allows for employees like Dy to thrive, but to see the opportunity to grow their careers long term.

“When I was asked to present, it showed me they wanted to include me in strategic planning and that I have something valuable to offer — it’s so motivating,” says Dy.

“I am very much honoured that a leader in Canadian real estate recognizes the skills and value that every team member brings to the company.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers winners, published April 8, 2025 in The Globe and Mail. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.