How can you learn key skills and competencies for corporate real estate?

1 Understand the business context

One of the most important skills for CRE professionals is to understand the business context of their organization and how real estate supports its strategy, operations, and culture. This means being able to analyze the internal and external factors that affect the demand and supply of real estate, such as market trends, industry dynamics, customer preferences, regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, and technological innovations. It also means being able to communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders, such as senior executives, business units, employees, customers, suppliers, landlords, brokers, consultants, and contractors. To learn this skill, you can seek opportunities to participate in cross-functional teams, projects, and initiatives that involve real estate decisions and solutions. You can also leverage online resources, such as podcasts, webinars, blogs, and newsletters, that provide insights and updates on the latest developments and best practices in CRE and related fields.

2 Master the technical aspects

Another essential skill for CRE professionals is to master the technical aspects of real estate management, such as financial analysis, valuation, leasing, contract negotiation, project management, facility management, and risk management. These skills enable you to evaluate and optimize the performance and value of your real estate portfolio and assets, as well as to execute and oversee the various processes and transactions involved in real estate acquisition, development, operation, and disposal. To learn these skills, you can enroll in formal education programs, such as certificates, diplomas, degrees, or professional designations, that cover the core concepts and methods of CRE. You can also take advantage of online courses, workshops, webinars, and podcasts that offer practical and relevant training on specific topics and tools related to CRE.

3 Develop the soft skills

In addition to the technical skills, CRE professionals also need to develop the soft skills that are crucial for building relationships, influencing decisions, solving problems, and leading change in the complex and dynamic environment of real estate. Some of the key soft skills for CRE professionals are communication, negotiation, persuasion, collaboration, creativity, innovation, adaptability, and resilience. These skills help you to communicate effectively with different audiences and stakeholders, negotiate win-win outcomes, persuade and align others with your vision and goals, collaborate with diverse and multidisciplinary teams, generate and implement creative and innovative solutions, adapt to changing circumstances and expectations, and overcome challenges and setbacks. To learn these skills, you can seek feedback and coaching from your managers, mentors, peers, or external experts. You can also practice and improve these skills by engaging in real-life scenarios, simulations, role-plays, case studies, or games that challenge you to apply and demonstrate these skills in various situations and contexts.

4 Expand your network and knowledge

Finally, one of the best ways to learn and grow as a CRE professional is to expand your network and knowledge by connecting and interacting with other CRE professionals, experts, and influencers from different organizations, industries, sectors, and regions. This will enable you to exchange ideas, insights, experiences, and best practices, as well as to discover new opportunities, trends, and innovations in the field of CRE. You can also learn from the successes and failures of others, as well as to seek advice, guidance, and support from your network when you face challenges or dilemmas in your own CRE career. To expand your network and knowledge, you can join and participate in various online and offline platforms, such as associations, communities, groups, forums, events, conferences, and podcasts, that are dedicated to CRE and related topics. You can also reach out and connect with people who share your interests, goals, or values in CRE, and build meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with them.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?