Posted by:
Ed Noha
Managing Director, Strategic Consulting, Americas

I wasn’t able to attend the CoreNet Summit in Singapore – but I’ve been hearing great things. As many of you know, my colleague John Forrest, CEO of our Corporate Solutions business in Asia Pacific, was recently named as one of CoreNet Global’s new Board Directors for 2010. Given this is the first Summit of the year I wanted to formally extend my congratulations to John.

Having served on the Board myself in years past, I know that the position has its challenges. Corporate real estate is entering a new era – CRE has a higher profile within organizations than ever before. The need to reduce costs might have given us that voice, but it will be a commitment to delivering continuous improvement that will keep our seat at the table. John’s challenge on the Board will be to first track and interpret the role of real estate for companies and then translate that changing role into activities and offerings that will drive CoreNet Global’s value proposition.

I am certain John is up to the challenge – he is very passionate about this industry and will relish the opportunity to contribute to its development. It certainly is an exciting time to be playing a part in shaping the future of corporate real estate.

The next Summit is quickly approaching.  I’ll be with John and other Jones Lang LaSalle colleagues, clients and friends in New Orleans from April 18 – 20. I know we’ll have a lot to comment about and I look forward to talking with everyone.

Ed

Posted by:
Sylvia Koh
Head of Occupier Consulting, Asia Pacific

Peter Barge has been a legend at Jones Lang LaSalle for a long time, but today is the first time I heard him deliver a public speech. It was everything that everyone told me it would be and more!

The General Session this morning was great – Peter was witty, insightful and inspiring. He was clearly meant for the stage. Working with Peter to pull this session together, I was impressed by his sharp wit and how easy it was to chat with him.

Well, if Peter is right, I’m halfway to being a successful leader – I am female after all!

Sylvia

Posted by:
Joe Stolarski
Managing Director, Corporate Accounts

I spent an interesting day at the CoreNet Discovery Forum here at the Shangri-La Hotel, which by the way was in a great conference room next to the pool.

What’s unique about this forum is that it brings together more than 25 end users in a small, intimate setting with only a few service providers allowed into the room. This means, the participants are able to speak openly about what is really on their minds.

What was interesting, and somewhat of an anticlimax, was that the topics on their minds today are the same topics that were on their minds six months ago. Namely, cost containment, managing growth of business units and implementing workplace strategies.

The underlying theme from the day - how can this group of CRE executives continue to raise their game to effect business agendas within their organizations? I know they will be listening closely to Peter’s comments on Thursday on how to be an effective leader beyond real estate.

Joe