Builder commits in a big way on career development
If there’s one thing LGI Homes CEO Eric Lipar hopes to avoid, it’s employee turnover. To achieve this, the publicly traded homebuilding company based in The Woodlands ensures all of its employees have clear goals, training and support. The builder’s commitment to employees’ career development helped it claim the No. 5 spot among midsized companies in this year’s Top Workplaces list compiled for the Chronicle by Energage. LGI Homes operates in 25 U.S. markets boasting 781 employees with 167 in the Houston region. Managers and employees alike are given substantial opportunities for training and all new hires attend a feedback meeting after their first 100 days on the job. “Training is a big part of our culture,” Lipar said. Much of the training revolves around making sure managers and employees are meeting assigned and clearly defined goals each month. “Having worked for other builders, I have never been a part of an organization with such tight focus on goals and objectives,” one employee wrote in the survey. “It is very uplifting that the company emphasizes unity and support across the board.” Beyond established systems to promote career development, the company also offers a comprehensive benefits package including a new-home discount for employees that translates to an average of $23,000 in savings. At least 5 percent of their employees take up the discount offer, Lipar said. And every month, the top salesperson gets his or her picture on the display screen of the Nasdaq Tower in New York City, Lipar added. The company’s commitment to making employees feel professionally valued has paid off in record-breaking performances. A company record was set in December last year with 770 homes closed for the month. LGI Homes also set an annual record by closing on 5,845 homes in 2017, up from 40.4 percent the year prior.