Malcolm Gladwell, and What Fleetwood Mac Can Teach the Real Estate Industry | The New York Observer

Malcolm Gladwell, and What Fleetwood Mac Can Teach the Real Estate Industry The New York Observer

A Night of Celebration with Best-Selling Author Malcolm Gladwell

Global leaders representing over 60 countries came together under one roof at the Lincoln Center in New York City to celebrate the launch and momentum of the new Colliers International. With 450+ clients and Collier International executives in attendance, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell shared the common characteristics found amongst highly successful and creative individuals and organizations.

Using the long-running career of Fleetwood Mac as an example, Gladwell began to demystify the magic of “overnight” success. Truth be told, it took the band 10 years and 15 albums before they made it big. This is no surprise to Gladwell who states that true innovative breakthroughs take time. Often the recognition of success is void of any acknowledgment of effort. Success and innovation are the fruit of experience and hard work.

So what can we learn from those who turn the ordinary into extraordinary? There are three key lessons:

1) Success takes effort and hard work. It doesn’t happen overnight.

When looking at highly successful and creative people, it takes hard work. On average, it takes about 10,000 hours of focus, commitment and hard work, or approximately 10 years, before one has a major breakthrough.

2) Learning through adversity is better than a capitalization strategy.

The success of highly motivated and creative people is closely aligned with learning through adversity. Studies show that those with access to resources have different learning experiences than people who experience adversity, or a life of hardship, because they are hungrier therefore they work harder.

3) You have to take risks in pursuit of something bold and innovative.

Pursuing something bold and innovative involves risk. It could call into question one’s ethics, popularity, reputation.

So what is the alchemy that separates good organizations from bad? Gladwell believes the foundation of great organizations is based on the commitment to back talented people with characteristics similar to those listed above. Firms with the institutional attitude to recognize this kind of success will rise above all others.

Industry Consolidation

How do you think industry consolidation will impact the commercial real estate industry in 2010 and beyond? There is an interesting article in the New York Times today that discusses industry dynamics and the impact of consolidation. Here is the link to the article. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/realestate/commercial/16brokers.html?scp=1&sq=cushman&st=cse

How will FASB's Pending changes to Lease Accounting Effect Corporations

Major changes to the GAAP treatment of accounting for leases have been proposed by FASB. How will this effect lease versus own decisions by corporations? Will there be more owner/occupier transactions? A recent white paper written by Colliers Head of Corporate Finance, Bret Hardy discusses the impact of these changes. http://dsg.colliers.com/document.aspx?report=272.pdf

Colliers International Expands into Long Island

Colliers International has expanded into the Long Island market with the addition of Sutton & Edwards. The leading Long Island firm will now operate as part of the Colliers International New York Tri-State hub and adopt the Colliers International name and branding. This expansion further cements Colliers International’s status as the region’s premiere real estate services organization, with offices in Manhattan, Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island.

Founded in 1962, and with offices in Lake Success and Ronkonkoma, the Long Island firm is a leading provider of office, industrial, retail, land, medical office and investment property brokerage. With 2.5 million square feet under management, it represents a combined 8 million square feet of industrial and office space. The firm also provides tenant/buyer representation, landlord advisory services, consulting/advisory services, incentive procurement and build-to-suit services.

Prominent clients include GE Capital, Prudential Life Insurance, MSC Industrial Supply Co., State Farm Insurance, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health Systems and HRPT Properties Trust, among others.

Real Estate Forum Article

Colliers International was recently featured as the cover story for Real Estate Forum. Here is a link to the article:
http://www.reforum-digital.com/reforum/201004?kw=email#pg1

Welcome to my blog

Thank you for visiting. I am Dylan Taylor, CEO for the US for Colliers International. Colliers is the third largest commercial real estate firm in the world with over 15,000 employees in 54 countries. Our global headquarters are in Seattle, Washington. Colliers is known for its enterprising spirit and its commitment to service excellence. We value our culture and our ability to have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. We are accelerating success. http://www.colliers.com/