While the level of technology, innovation and adoption has increased in the commercial real estate market, that is not the case for corporate real estate. Despite the fact that corporations are one of the largest group of real estate owners and that real estate is a substantial part of a corporation’s operating budget, the adoption level of technology to better organize and manage corporate real estate, like smart buildings, is not commensurate. ?
So why has technology adoption not reached its true potential??
1. ? Corporate real estate professionals, for the most part, have spent their careers focusing on real estate and not technology. While they may be aware of consumer technology and trends, they do not have strong technology backgrounds, recognizing and understanding how technology could be used strategically to better automate the business functions of a real estate operation.
2. ? The IT teams in corporations are not typically focused on major tech initiatives that are business drivers of the corporation. ERP’s, financial systems, sales and marketing solutions, CRM systems as well as the corporate IT infrastructure (which involves mobile devices, desktops, servers and communications) are the topics that keep IT executives busy. Very rarely are they aware or interested in the needs of the real estate department i.e. development of smart buildings, despite the major opportunities for improvement.
3. ? Facility managers who keep the real estate of major companies functioning have historically looked at buildings individually and have focused more on mechanical functionality. They have less experience with IT and struggle with understanding how networks and other IT systems pertinent to smart building technology, such as data analytics and business process automation, could positively impact real estate operations from a strategic level.
4. ? While energy and sustainability have been at the heart of the green movement, closer examination of the goals of these programs show that technology innovation is not as prevalent. While sustainable building products and green roofs are important, significant opportunities are being overlooked. Smart building technology can play a significant role in ”turning off the lights”, enabling mobile workforces and streamlining facilities, all providing optimum green results.
5. ? Human Resources, who manage the most important component of a corporation, its people, have traditionally focused on HR functions and not spent enough time considering ramifications to the workforce and worksites once all potential innovations are implemented. As the corporation evolves to a more digital model and the workforce becomes more distributed and connected, HR will have to be more involved in writing policy and assisting in comprehensive change management activities.
The biggest underlying reason that corporations have not yet fully taken advantage of technology, automation and innovation as seen in smart buildings, as it pertains to corporate real estate, facilities and the flexible workspace, is the lack of interdepartmental interaction. Previously, each of these specific departments could function somewhat autonomously. However, as technology evolves, the departmental lines of distinction begin to blur and a glimpse of the new corporate ”space” team is beginning to emerge.
The answers to many of the questions raised by this transformational change is discussion, debate and collaboration. The only way this problem gets solved is for professionals from various departments to talk about their changing roles and the impact technology such as smart buildings is having on the entire business process.

Jim Young is the co-founder and CEO of Realcomm, the commercial real estate leader in technology, automated business solutions and intelligent buildings. For more information on commercial building automation and efficiency, please go to www.realcomm.com.

Do you remember that song from the 1960?s that went something like:? ?Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing??? Oh ? you don?t?? Hmm, maybe I really AM old!? Well, I would update that song for the current decade to something like this:? ?Where have all the lenders gone, no loans funding!?

My walk down memory lane notwithstanding, I am getting a LOT of calls from people telling me that they can?t find commercial financing ANYWHERE.? Even our correspondents are making it harder to get projects financed, with a notable exception.? Our Construction Project Rescue Financing is going like gangbusters ? for the very reason that everyone is calling:? No one else is financing!

Our leaders in Washington have not yet realized that you cannot ?beat? the market.? Or in this case, ?beat it into submission.?? It is too big to be effectively controlled, as the former Soviet Union discovered.? The question remains whether we will be able to afford the education our Congress and President are now getting.

That aside, just WHERE can you get financing for projects right now?? Here is what I see in the market and please use these thoughts as a guide as you contemplate placing your financing requests:

Projects that will be considered seriously:

? Borrowers with good liquidity (10% or more of the loan request),

? Good credit (minimum 680 credit score), and

? Good quality properties (quality tenants with reasonable lease rates), that have minimum two years of stabilized operating history.

Lenders and Loan Programs that are active:

? Government Agency guaranteed or sponsored transactions, including:? SBA 7(a) and 504, HUD construction loans for multifamily projects, Community Reinvestment Act loans, USDA Business and Industry loans, and to a lesser extent, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily loans.

? Life Insurance Companies looking for Class ?A? commercial properties that would have gone to a conduit lender.? $3MM to $50MM loan amounts, top quality projects, good borrowers and strong tenants describe the kind of projects they like.

? Private Funds taking the place of individual private money.? They are buying notes from banks and other troubled institutions.

Other than those areas, it is going to be pretty quiet out there for a while.? There is very little trust among financial institutions and borrowers right now and the contracting economy make new projects harder to justify given what can be purchased in distressed situations.? However, positioning yourself to take advantage of these niches could lead to, dare I say it, personal riches!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: ??The Investment Property Insider? is published by Craig S. Higdon, a veteran commercial mortgage banker. He publishes the e-zine and blog, http://www.InvestmentPropertyInsider.com, for commercial real estate investors, developers, and industry professionals. Visit the blog and get this free report: ?The 7 Biggest Loan Mistakes Real Estate Investors Make And How To Avoid Them.? ?

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The growth of interior decorations and designing trends have brought up the enthusiasm for home-improvements among many people these days. Though it’s good to follow one’s own taste and likings for planning an interior, but sometimes going by the newest trends and consulting an expert can really prove to be worthy. These advices and consultations can give you the understanding of ideas and technologies that you may never have thought about, but which fits your style impeccably.

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The trend of going green is quite renowned these days, may it be for commercial projects or residential ones. People are quite eager about choosing environment friendly and healthy designs. Professional designers are continually engineering the trendiest eco-friendly designs keeping in with the modern taste and style and with careful attention to the health of the dwellers.

Natural fabrics have also made a huge popularity in the interior decoration market. It’s seen that these types of materials like bamboo, wicker, hemp and others give a light and airy look to every home along with being earth-friendly that has very less impact on the atmosphere. These materials may not look good in their raw state, but you would be surprised to know the variety of finishes and looks they can have after processing.

Another trend that can really startle all of you is the use of patterns and fabrics inspired by classic suiting and shirting designs. interior designers in Durgapur play with the bold colors like gold, blues and purples. They even come up with elusive prints and twilled fabrics in their decorations. This genre of trend is exceptionally easy and attractive to live with, which lends a sophisticated brink to your living space making you feel warm and cozy as well.

Technology is something which is making a tremendous hype in present time. Many technological advancements and developments have been witnessed in the past few years, which have made way for numerous astounding home design innovations. It is a common idea that technology is generally related to computers, smart phones and other electronic gadgets, but the reality is that they have also created a large impact on the designing of the homes. They can make your home attractive and much more convenient.

Now coming to the paints and textures of your house walls. Painting easily changes the appearance of a living space with very less effort. Either you hire professional interior designers or try it yourself, the correct palate of colors can give a new life to your home with most nominal expenses.

Martin luther has performed a series of interview with the employees of Chhasm Engineering and Construction Co. According to him more and more people are hiring interior designers in Durgapur for their projects. The demand of their work is gradually grabbing the market throughout West Bengal.

When you watch the end of close sporting events you will eventually see two types of teams or players.? One type, when behind, will start to press a little bit.? They know they have a limited amount of time to reach their goal and they get stressed and their sense of urgency drives them to accelerate their efforts, scurry, and eventually rush. This hurried approach can sometimes lead to the desired results but more often creates errors and costly mistakes.?? Often these are errors and mistakes that wouldn?t occur under normal situations.

The other group, facing the same urgency and pressure, seems to look and act differently.? They know the urgency, but they act as if this additional pressure actually makes them better ? more confident and efficient.? This second group typically performs better in this pressure packed situation and makes fewer errors in actions or judgment, and more often than not, wins the game.

The difference between these two groups isn?t their skills or abilities.? The difference between these groups is best described by the legendary basketball coach John Wooden.? He encouraged his teams to ?be quick but don?t hurry.?? The first group is hurrying ? the second, more successful, group is quick ? but facing the same situations they seem more calm and not hurrying at all.

This difference is as apparent in work groups as it is in sports teams once you take the time to consider these differences.? Some people or teams are always rushing from meeting to meeting, task to task.? These people are constantly reacting to situations and ?putting out fires.?? Many of these people will say that they like the adrenalin rush they get from this high pace high stress environment ? which is good because in their haste they continue to create more fires, more reaction, and more reason to hurry.

Contrast those with people who always seem to have their wits about them.? They are able to make decisions and take action quickly, but they never seem to get rattled or seem rushed.? This second group seems to operate with a quiet, confident calm, even when timelines are tight and stakes are high.? These people are nimble and quick, but they aren?t hurried or rushed.

As you read these descriptions I?m sure you are thinking that the later group is the more productive and effective, and you are right.? The logical question then is, what can I do (or what can I do in leading others) to be quick, but not to hurry?? Read on ? the rest of this article gives you suggestions for making that shift.

The Suggestions

Be prepared.? Teams that are most effective in ?crunch time? have practiced every situation long before the game. Similarly when you are better prepared you will be ready for whatever situation you are presented with, and therefore will be able to manage it more effectively.

Have a plan.? People who don?t plan argue that things never work out according to the plan ? which is partly true.? The value of the plan is that when things are going according to the plan, you can be proactive and stay ahead of the challenges and avoid many of the pitfalls.? That planning then saves your heightened attention and effort for the parts of the plan that do change.

Focus ? stop multi-tasking. Have you been daunted by the enormity of a project or task?? When we think about everything we have to do, we often begin to hurry, rush or try to multitask.? You will be more productive when you focus on one task at a time.? A basketball team down by 20 points can only come back 2 or 3 points at a time.? A soccer or hockey team can only score one goal at a time.? As you complete one task and then move to the next, and you will be making more progress faster.

Think confidently.? Be confident in your abilities!? Remind yourself of past successes!? (Here?s a hint – when you have a plan and are well prepared it is easier to be confident.)? Confidence is an under-valued skill off the court and playing field.? When you think confidently you are taking the necessary first step towards acting with confidence.

Stay inside your sphere of influence.? Remember that you can?t change the world (or the other members of the project team for that matter).? Focus on what you can impact.? Stay inside yourself and proactively work on things that you have the ability to impact or change.

Remain positive.? A positive attitude, approach and demeanor can make a big difference.? When you really feel rushed, you probably aren?t your most positive self.? But when you feel on top of things, even if you are busy, you are more likely to be positive.? Knowing this is true, you can create more positive actions by starting with more positive thoughts.

Take a deep breath.? This piece of advice, given to me often by my grandfather and father is some of the best advice I?ve ever received, and it certainly applies in this case.? Take a deep breath, refocus and move forward positively, confidently and quickly – without hurrying.

All of the suggestions above are powerful ways to improve your performance.? Now that you have read the list, identify the one or two that seem most valuable or applicable to you or your team.? Apply those suggestions and your performance will improve immediately and significantly.

Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. To receive your free special report on Unleashing Your Potential go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/index.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.