Noting the region's multicultural make-up, he explains, "Our clients are across-the-board (ethnically), and we want them to feel comfortable working with our company." Language and culture both are issues in working with multicultural clients, says Plott, emphasizing that a Japanese broker is needed for Japanese clients, a Korean for Korean clients and so forth. He notes that his firm's ethnic balance currently is reflective of the population in general at about 70/30, but not of its clientele, which is about 60/40. "This certainly is not ideal. So we need to continue to push to reach our goal."

Plott says the same holds true for women clients. So "if a qualified job candidate is female, that's a plus," he continues, admitting that the firm goes to great lengths to recruit and hire a woman with industry experience.

Both Plott and Jana Turner, president of Management Services for CB Richard Ellis, agree that women today are striving for a balance between their personal and professional lives. To attract and keep them, their firms offer flexible work schedules, telecommuting and other quality-of-life benefits.