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Diversity, Globalization: Two Key Trends for 2006

Robert CutlipMore than most businesses, we in the commercial real estate industry pride ourselves on our agility and flexibility, knowing, as the old saying goes, that "the only constant is change." As 2006 opens, that change is happening at a faster clip.

Two key trends that will influence success in our industry are diversity and globalization. Sound like something you've heard before? They are, but the pace is quickening: Diversity: For those of us seeking long-term success in this business, myself included, it means that we must be a reflection of our customer base and to paraphrase another old saying, "we need to walk a mile in the other person's shoes." And if we do not have the time or facility to walk in another's shoes, we darn well better have someone on our team who can. Recognizing the diverse nature of the workplace and our client base now and in the future, NAIOP has undertaken a number of initiatives to bring greater diversity into the commercial real estate business. Among them are:
  • CREW--NAIOP is proud to be a National Associate Partner to the CREW Foundation's CREW Careers: Building Opportunities program. NAIOP plans to bolster awareness and to create opportunities among women and minorities in commercial real estate and Building Opportunities is an investment in the future of our industry.
  • REAP--In another effort to bring greater workplace and industry diversity, the NAIOP Research Foundation is supporting the Real Estate Associate Program (REAP), an apprentice program for minorities.
  • NAIOP NOW--The NAIOP NOW program was created for professionals under 30 years old, seeking entry into the commercial real estate industry.
  • Our Companies and Our Association--NAIOP encourages the leadership of the association and member companies to expand diversity within the rank and file of our organizations at every opportunity.

Globalization: While it is true that real estate is a local business, the reality is that it is not just Fortune 500 companies opening facilities in China, India and points north, south, east and west. More and more, medium-sized businesses -- probably some of your key clients -- are looking abroad as well, to stay competitive. Will you be there to help them or will you let a competitor with international connections handle that client? If you want to get a good handle on what is happening regarding globalization, read Thomas Friedman's book The World Is Flat. It could be critical to your business. Ignore globalization at your own peril.

The rapid pace of globalization has spurred NAIOP to undertake another important program. I am talking about a landmark agreement we signed in January 2006 with the Mexican Association of Industrial Parks (AMPIP). The agreement between NAIOP and AMPIP will allow members from both organizations to take advantage of membership services, resources and other privileges to facilitate networking and joint business development opportunities.

cartoonPartnering with AMPIP will increase our knowledge of why customers are locating in international locations and where they are going, how the real estate industry operates in these foreign locations, and how to partner with international firms if one of your U.S. clients wishes to open an operation (logistics, manufacturing, distribution) in a foreign location.

We also expect to leverage each other's knowledge base to improve our respective competitive positions. The only constant is change and NAIOP is improving and expanding the services it offers its members to help them successfully deal with rapid change and enhance the NAIOP experience.

Robert Cutlip
2006 NAIOP Chairman of the Board
Senior Vice President, Highwoods Properties, Inc.

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