Ocean Developments provides beautiful, healthy, and ecologically efficient space to organizations. We cherish and care for our employees and the communities in which we operate, while being a profitable, successful business.

Ocean Developments is one of British Columbia’s leading real estate development and management companies, providing a full range of property management services to office building tenants.

Established in 1972, the company manages a portfolio of over one million square feet of office space located in major centres across Canada. Ocean Developments operates in five locations – four of which are located in British Columbia, and one in Ontario.


To Whom It May Concern:

Re: Ocean Developments’ Nomination for EIA Overall Leadership Award

On behalf of Big Brothers, I would like to share our experience working with Ocean Developments. We started out working together on a one-time event, a picnic for our program participants. It was a wonderful, well-planned day that the children really appreciated. It built our trust and confidence working with each other as we found Ocean Developments’ lead volunteers took the time to lay out a plan and regularly followed up with us so that we could create an excellent event together.

When they offered to help us find another 800 Big Brother volunteers, we were deeply grateful for their support and it was another step forward in our relationship. They brought ideas, funding, and their own PR department to help spread the world. Due to that effort, 750 more children have been paired with big brothers. 80% of our single parents live under or just above the poverty line, so having a wider community of support is allowing the mothers time off to re-energize and be better mothers. The little boys also get to talk to an older male figure and begin learning how to communicate with other men.

The donated computers was the icing on the cake! Our continued relationship has bolstered our hardworking staff and really created the feeling of having an extended and strong community of support.

We are very pleased to support Ocean Developments’ nomination for the Ethics in Action award.

Sincerely,

Sue Cooper


After four years working as a paralegal, I decided to change industries and joined Ocean Developments last fall as a trainee in the Property Development division. I was new to the real estate industry and wanted to do property management type work because it combined my love of details with my love of people.

Ocean Developments welcomed me with a clear introductory approach. My boss provided me with a full orientation about the company, what makes it successful, what each division does, and how my role affects the success of our division and the company overall. By receiving such a thorough orientation, when I have to make judgement calls, I had a great foundation on which to base any assumptions. In addition, I received a very clear job description and my boss and I created a workplan for my first six months. I clearly understood what it took to succeed in my role so I could plan my time accordingly. I am not able to work much overtime, so having a clear plan made a big difference to me.

As I wanted to advance in the company, I decided to opt for having a mentor in addition to the support I receive from my boss. It has been wonderful to have an opinion from someone well respected in the company to help me determine how I can improve. In my first six months, I received a promotion because I had surpassed all the goals we had agreed upon when I first started. It was the first time in my career that I received a raise without asking for one. As a single parent, I greatly value the company’s benefit program which provides health benefits to both my daughter and me.

On a personal level, I was involved with the Big Brothers volunteer program. It was such a joy to be involved helping the community and being able to do this during work hours. I could bring my planning and detail expertise to help with the picnic and set up the computers at Big Brothers. I also learned so much about an amazing organization and how the non-profit world works.

As I look toward my future, I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had with Ocean Developments. This may sound simple, but being treated so fairly and being so well supported has allowed me to thrive. And being able to give back and learn at work has helped me grow as a person.

I believe they are an outstanding company and hope you consider their application.

Sincerely,

James Figgins