You're managing a team in commercial real estate. How can remote work affect your collaboration efforts?

Remote work offers flexibility for commercial real estate and private equity teams, allowing members to work from various locations and potentially increasing productivity. However, more intentional and frequent communication is required to compensate for the lack of in-person interactions and visual cues. Team leaders must establish clear protocols and leverage digital tools to ensure effective collaboration and maintain team cohesion in a virtual environment.

Remote work can challenge collaboration in commercial real estate by affecting communication and coordination. However, BrikMate mitigates these issues by centralizing lease data, automating key tasks, and providing real-time access for all team members. This ensures remote teams stay aligned, make faster decisions, and maintain efficiency in managing properties.

Remote work introduces a shift in team dynamics, presenting both challenges and benefits. The absence of a traditional office environment means spontaneous conversations and visual cues are lost, which can hinder the flow of information. However, remote work also offers flexibility and can boost productivity as team members manage their schedules more efficiently. As a leader, your role is to foster a culture of trust and accountability, ensuring that each member understands their responsibilities and stays connected to the team's objectives. Building this foundation helps teams thrive in the remote environment.

La distancia física puede desincentivar la comunicación frecuente y rápida que normalmente ocurre en una oficina. Sin embargo, si se gestiona correctamente, puede fomentar una cultura más centrada en los resultados que en la presencia física. Se necesitará mayor disciplina para crear un ambiente de confianza y responsabilidad compartida, asegurando que todos cumplan con sus tareas de manera autónoma.

Le travail à distance peut affecter la motivation des salariés et l’ambiance d’équipe en réduisant les interactions sociales et la cohésion. Sans les échanges quotidiens au bureau, l’esprit d’équipe peut s’affaiblir, et certains employés peuvent se sentir isolés. Pour contrer cela, il est crucial d’organiser régulièrement des réunions en ligne, des moments d’échange informels, et de maintenir un contact fréquent pour préserver l’engagement et la motivation.

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful team, and in a remote setting, it becomes even more critical. As a manager, it's essential to ensure your team is equipped with reliable communication tools that enable real-time discussions and seamless information sharing. Whether through video conferencing for face-to-face interaction or project management software to track progress, selecting the right tools is key to keeping your team synchronized. This approach helps maintain a sense of normalcy despite physical separation, ensuring smooth collaboration and productivity.

I had a client where our remote team faced issues coordinating lease negotiations. We adopted real-time messaging and video conferencing tools, which allowed us to hold quick virtual meetings and track updates instantly. This kept communication flowing smoothly and ensured that no critical details fell through the cracks.

La elección de las herramientas adecuadas es crítica para mantener una colaboración eficiente. Plataformas como Slack, Zoom o Microsoft Teams facilitan la interacción en tiempo real, pero también deben complementarse con herramientas de gestión de proyectos como Asana o Trello, para que cada miembro tenga claridad sobre sus tareas y objetivos. La adopción de estas herramientas puede mejorar la organización y la transparencia, si todo el equipo se compromete a utilizarlas de manera consistente.

El uso de plataformas como Zoom, Slack o Microsoft Teams facilita la colaboración, pero depende de la elección correcta de herramientas. Es importante seleccionar aquellas que permitan tanto la comunicación sincrónica (reuniones en vivo) como asincrónica (mensajes y correos) para adaptarse a las distintas necesidades. Herramientas que permitan la edición y gestión de documentos en tiempo real, como Google Workspace o Asana, son cruciales para asegurar la productividad y claridad en los proyectos de bienes raíces.

Los diferentes husos horarios o rutinas personales pueden generar desajustes en la colaboración. Establecer reuniones regulares y estructurar el flujo de trabajo para que existan bloques de tiempo en los que todos estén disponibles es esencial. Flexibilizar el trabajo asincrónico, en donde no todos tienen que estar conectados al mismo tiempo, permite que cada miembro contribuya de acuerdo a su horario sin frenar el avance del equipo.

La diferencia de zonas horarias o simplemente los horarios flexibles pueden generar dificultades para alinear reuniones importantes o momentos clave de decisión. Aquí, la planificación anticipada de reuniones y la creación de ventanas de tiempo compartido son esenciales para mantener la sincronización. El uso de calendarios compartidos y la flexibilidad en cuanto a expectativas de respuesta rápida puede ayudar a evitar conflictos.

When managing a property acquisition, my team used cloud-based collaboration software to analyze market trends and share documents. I found that choosing user-friendly platforms not only improved productivity but also allowed us to collaborate as effectively as if we were in the same room, ensuring seamless deal structuring and client updates.

CRE is a people business, only remote gets difficult According to Fraunhofer, 80% of innovations emerge in the office or through personal interaction. While remote work remains an option in the commercial real estate industry (CRE), it's only part of the picture. The nature of CRE thrives on collaboration, creativity, and hands-on experiences that are difficult to replicate through screens. Building relationships, negotiating deals, and fostering innovation often require face-to-face meetings. In this field, physical presence isn't just a luxury but a necessity for driving progress and ensuring long-term success. Remote may work for some tasks, but it misses the essential human connection vital to CRE.

During the transition to remote work, one of my team members struggled with adapting to virtual processes. By encouraging ongoing training and setting up a few sessions to guide him through the tools, I witnessed his adaptability grow. This experience taught me that resilience and a willingness to learn are essential when navigating remote work in real estate.