What's the fastest way to advance your commercial real estate career?

Marry your client's son/daughter. The other option is to marry your boss' son/daughter. Both options should see deals arriving on your doorstep rather quickly.

The fastest way to advance your commercial real estate career is to: Network aggressively: Build strong relationships with industry professionals. Gain specialized knowledge: Focus on a specific niche within commercial real estate. Take on challenging deals: Seek out complex transactions to demonstrate your skills. Continuously educate yourself: Stay updated on market trends and industry changes. Embrace technology: Utilize real estate software and tools for efficiency.

In my view is critical to divide the long-term vision into smaller, attainable milestones, each contributing to your overall career progression. These milestones should be clear, measurable, and time-bound. Example: "Over the next three years, I aim to earn a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) certification and lead three successful sustainability projects that significantly reduce energy consumption and costs." Periodically review your goals to accommodate changes in your career path or industry trends. Adapt your goals to stay in line with your evolving ambitions. Recognize and celebrate your achievements along the way. Acknowledging your progress can boost motivation and reinforce your commitment to your career goals.

Partnering with local county and city community development teams can be a game-changer for your commercial real estate career. Collaborating with these teams opens doors to valuable networking opportunities, access to local market insights, and potential projects. Engaging with community development initiatives allows you to stay ahead by understanding zoning regulations, upcoming developments, and fostering relationships that can lead to lucrative partnerships. It's a strategic move that combines expertise, local knowledge, and community engagement to propel your career forward.

The future of commercial real estate lies in technology. Being tech-savvy can set one apart by expanding techno knowledge and staying updated on trends like virtual reality property tours and through AI-driven analytics.

'Your brand' also includes the company you keep... That means you need to build a brand by having conversations with people who might be ahead of you in terms of experience, and even competence. 'Work in public' is a digital marketer term you should take to heart, because when you walk through a property, share a struggle, or solve a problem and include it in a post... You're showing that you're not spending all day trying to rope people into deals that YOU barely understand, or live the laptop lifestyle at your investors' expense. If you show you're not afraid of the work, and you'll solve your problems instead of running away from them, people will notice.

Building your brand as a commercial real estate professional is about carving out a distinctive presence in a crowded market. Define your unique value proposition: what sets you apart from the competition? Create a professional online profile, showcasing your expertise and success stories. Regularly engage on platforms like LinkedIn to share insights, comment on industry trends, and contribute to discussions. Author thought-leadership articles or participate in webinars and podcasts to expand your reach. Remember, a strong brand is consistent, so ensure every interaction reflects your professional values and commitment to the industry. This approach not only establishes your reputation but also opens doors to new opportunities.

LinkedIn might be your biggest ally in this case, but first you must define what is your UVP (Unique value proposition) because this is the foundation of your brand. Example: "My unique value proposition is my proficiency in implementing innovative energy-efficient solutions in facility management, resulting in substantial cost savings and reduced environmental impact." Develop a professional online presence that showcases your expertise. You must update your LinkedIn profile with a well-written summary, relevant experience, and endorsements from colleagues or clients. Write articles, blog posts, or whitepapers on Facility Management topics and share them on LinkedIn, industry forums, or your personal website.

AI is going to lead to an avalanche of written, video, and audio information that will overwhelm us all and result in many people tuning out and turning off. Meeting people 1:1 and forging relationships is going to be more critical than ever in this new environment.

For those looking to get into CRE sales (ie join a brokerage): So long as you work for a brokerage your individual brand will be significantly impacted by the brand of the brokerage that you choose. Some brokerages are more flexible and allow their salespeople a lot of freedom in branding and marketing, while others have strict guidelines and expect you to uphold company values as your own. You should be mindful of that when choosing which brokerage to join and when building your own brand. Many agents actually enjoy the guidance and oversight that a large brokerage can offer, while others prefer to run their business without any input.

Start by becoming a member of relevant professional associations such as IFMA. These organizations offer access to a vast network of Facility Management professionals, resources, and opportunities for career development. Example: "I joined IFMA as a member to tap into a valuable network of Facility Management experts and gain access to a wide range of industry-specific resources." Many professional associations, including IFMA, have local chapters or affiliates. Join your local IFMA chapter to connect with professionals in your region and participate in chapter-specific events and initiatives. Consistency is key to network growth. Active involvement will help you maintain and expand your network over time.

Advancing your commercial real estate career hinges on lifelong learning and skills development. To stay ahead, consider courses from industry-renowned bodies such as the Urban Land Institute (ULI) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They offer comprehensive programs tailored to commercial real estate practices and trends. For those who prefer online learning, platforms like Coursera and Udemy provide courses on real estate economics, development, and finance. Additionally, consider attending leading real estate conferences like MIPIM or Expo Real, which offer not just networking opportunities but also workshops by industry experts.

In particular languages and the ability to communicate in an effective way are key for growing, If you manage important properties and projects you and your company will probably have to deal with foreign buyers and investors or maybe with busy entrepreneurs with zero time. You will need the right information at right time and in the right way in order provide an excellent service. If you want grow your probability of closing deals put yourself in the position to communicate perfectly with your customer, start studying your target and adapt your communication to it.

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, acquiring new skills is not just a choice; it's an imperative. Within the dynamic and multifaceted field of Facility Management, staying ahead of the curve can be a game-changer. Mastering new skills isn't merely a matter of professional growth; it's about future-proofing your career. I cannot emphasize enough the value of connecting with seasoned professionals in Facility Management who can serve as your mentors. A mentor is more than a guide; they're a wellspring of practical wisdom, offering invaluable insights and sharing their wealth of expertise. Furthermore, as I've experienced firsthand, joining associations like IFMA and other industry networks opens doors to a wealth of knowledge.

Property Management is key! Working for reputable developers in entry level positions equips you with many, many skills you would never gain insight and wisdom on otherwise. Enrolling in short term certification courses, that won’t overwhelm your schedule, will also boost your on the job knowledge application. These showcase your achievements when marketing your credentials. Joining several networking organization and board opportunities within your region will also assist with boosting your confidence, skill levels and verbiage in any new concentration.

Have a Mentor Shifting from residential to commercial real estate requires much more research compared to residential. Missing one critical factor to consider can be devastating. Having a mentor whom you trust and learn from can make the journey focused, confident, and professional.

To propel your career in commercial real estate, actively pursue diverse and challenging ventures. This might mean venturing into emerging markets, spearheading sustainable development projects, or even taking on leadership roles that stretch your capabilities. Forge your path by innovating services or initiating new business ventures that reflect your vision for the industry. Cultivate partnerships with professionals from various fields to enrich your perspective and approach. While mentors are invaluable for their wisdom, it's your drive to embrace and create new opportunities that truly shape a distinguished career. Maintain professionalism, but don't shy away from letting your individuality and passion for real estate shine through.

In the field of Integrated Facility Management, rapidly advancing your commercial real estate career hinges on developing a comprehensive understanding of how real estate influences an organization. By actively partnering to mitigate the carbon footprint, enhance profitability, boost employee engagement, and effectively attract and retain talent, you can position yourself for success. Pursuing an MBA can be instrumental in this endeavor, as it equips you with a 360-degree perspective that helps you to understand how real estate impacts organizational objectives and strategies.

We grow our impact and business in commercial real estate to the extent we listen and help solve our partners and clients challenges and problems. Whether this is an owner or investor that we are working with or a tenant in one of our apartment communities or commercial buildings/spaces. When we help others solve their challenges, we increase our impact and effectiveness in our business as well.

When dealing with commercial real estate some aspects to consider is location, accessibility and proximity to main highways and public transportation. Be aware of the property's zoning regulations and land use restrictions. Research to understand supply and demand dynamics in the area. Evaluate any potential environmental risks including hazardous materials or contaminated soil. Have an exit strategy in mind. Know whether you intend to hold the property long-term, renovate and sell, or use it as collateral for future investments. Understand the property tax implications. Conduct thorough due diligence before finalizing any transaction.