February feels like it flew by, but not to worry! We made sure to keep track of the best of the month. In this month’s roundup, we take a trip around the U.S. to the 50 best cities for new business growth, make a pit stop in the Caribbean to learn about the future of famous Caneel Bay Resort, share the link to one of the best surveys in the industry, learn how to effectively ask for help, and take a quick look at the economic impact new commercial real estate projects will have in 2020.
The 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business in 2020
Looking to start a business? Want to expand your business into a new market? Want to tour 50 U.S. Cities from the comfort of your desk? Then let this list be your guide! Inc. and Startup Genome combined forces to determine the best areas for startup growth in 2020. Though the data is focused on startups, the list aims to answer the question, “Where should you go next?” So, if you’re tasked with finding the next great destination to add to your established portfolio of leases, this is a great resource.
I’ve had the privilege of living in three of the cities listed. Did your home make it on the list?
Caneel Bay: Why a Caribbean Paradise Remains in Ruins
Yes, this article wasn’t posted in February, but I’m bending the rules a bit. Also, I have to admit that I picked it because I just got back from St. John and knew I had to share the interesting story behind the abandoned resort I saw during an afternoon snorkel trip.
Two back-to-back hurricanes devastated the famous Caneel Bay Resort in 2017, yet the four-star eco-resort remains in shambles as CBI Acquisitions, the current owner, placed the estimated $100 million-dollar renovation on hold. Give this article a read to unpack the complex relationships, contracts, and environmental records that’ve placed a permanent vacancy sign on the resort’s front door. If anything, you’ll be transported away from your busy work life to the blue waters of a tropical paradise, even if just for a few minutes.
2020 DNA of #CRE Survey
If you’re a broker or a marketing professional, carve out a few minutes in your schedule to share your experiences and insights via the 2020 DNA of #CRE Survey. For the past five years, The Broker List and Buildout have teamed up to crowdsource data that paints a picture of the current state of the CRE industry. The data is compiled and presented through an incredibly alluring infographic. The survey is open until March 30th so in the meantime you can check out the results of last year’s survey.
Asking for Help Without Being a Jerk: 5 Tips for Success
Over lunch this past week, the Quarem team was brainstorming ways to improve the way we communicate with our clients, specifically when it comes to onboarding and trouble shooting. As we analyzed a few different client cases, one phrase seemed to sum up our findings, “Help me help you.” With this conversation still fresh on my mind, I stumbled upon this article.
As service providers in the industry, and even just as humans, we throw around the concept of help a lot, but we never really discuss the best ways to ask for it. The article made me realize that maybe our pain points stem from our clients struggling to find the best way to ask for help, and us not knowing how to communicate that sometimes we need their help too.
My specific experiences aside, this article will get you thinking about your own practices and the ways that you communicate with others about the help you need or the ways you assist others through their experiences.
Economic Impact of Commercial Real Estate, 2020 U.S. Edition
Did you know that commercial real estate creates and supports 4.7 million jobs in the U.S.? Or that 135.1 million square feet of office space was constructed in 2019? Courtesy of NAIOP Corporate, you can dive deeper into these facts and many more with this quick watch.
