John Forrest
Corporate Solutions, Asia Pacific
Having just participated in what many have considered Asia’s largest CoreNet gathering in Singapore, I am happy to see the same level of enthusiasm in New Orleans.
Confidence is starting to return to the US. CRE executives here have re-opened their strategic plans while the window of opportunity is still available. Raising the bar for CRE seems to be an important feature in light of its contribution during the global financial crisis.
In what many consider is the “new normal”, innovation and flexibility are core themes at this year’s conference. Learning to pick yourself up after one of the most severe downturn requires determination and with the help of new technologies, this may help deliver more value. A change in mind-set is also required with influence being more important than just control.
Whilst the buzz is building, some trepidation lingers. Unemployment is still high in the US with climbing vacancy rates, massive deleveraging among many other challenging factors – 2010 is set to be a watershed year for commercial real estate.
Balancing both challenges and identifying opportunities – that’s a tough act to follow! How can one focus on trends of the future and act fast enough to establish an innovative mindset to get there intact?
Indeed the next few days will shed some light for solution providers as well as CRE executives.
John
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Welcoming John Forrest to the CoreNet Global Board
Saturday, March 27th, 2010Ed 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
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