PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - April 2010

Greetings,

Spring is finally here so all the reasons for loving the seasons in Missouri are in bloom. Life should be good! 

There’s a connection here to Commercial Real Estate. While I’m not sure if it’s a trend, I feel strongly that it carries some relevance.  We are beginning to understand that getting that new job is as much about rallying your friends and colleagues and approaching life with a light touch as it is about the depth of your resume.

A colleague in sales of commercial building supplies recently had his position eliminated.  His e-mail noted that he had a new position: Senior Vice President of Underemployed, Inc. I assumed this was a legitimate company, perhaps providing job search services.  Instead, it turns out that this was a fictitious company and position he created as part of his new blog that shares his trials and tribulations in his search for work. 

Brilliant! His job-hunting concept tickled me and his blog certainly entertained me. It reminded me of my husband’s job search in CRE in the depths of late-80’s oil and S&L crisis in Texas. He decided his resume should stand out so he tracked his employment history as a graph against the price of a barrel of oil.  I’m not sure it helped him get a new position, but it certainly provided a conversation starter and made him feel better about the entire effort.

Where is all this rambling leading?  Connect the dots among the amazing number of people in CREW who have recently changed jobs.  Some did so voluntarily; others did so out of necessity. All of them, though, share a common thread: CREW. Every member that I’ve asked points to CREW as the reason for their success in finding a new path.

OK, maybe some are too polite to tell me the truth, but I believe there’s a true connection here. CREW members provide great support, if nothing else.  We’ll always pay for lunch and listen with an open mind.  We will review your resume and make recommendations.  We will also keep our eyes and ears open for you and actively try to assist you in referrals and ideas. And, yes, we will crack jokes and lift your spirits.

Are you using the power of your CREW network?  I am always open to offering a free lunch to brainstorm ideas. Please take me up on this offer!  Our communications committee has also started a Discussion Board on our new CREW Facebook page. Take advantage of this great resource. Who else in CREW do you know that you can tap to empower your personal network?  If you don’t know them or need a connection, we’ll be happy to introduce you.

If your job suits you just fine but you are concerned about the state of lending in our industry, join us for our April 13 program on The State of Real Estate Lending. Our esteemed panel includes experts on capital markets who can address local and national lending issues related to Commercial Real Estate. 

And if you are happy in your current position but interested in expanding your leadership skills, our May 11 Members Only meeting kicks off with early cocktails. We’ll share opportunities within CREW-St. Louis for committee and board leadership that may fit your professional goals.  And then stay for our program on Successful Women.

Our annual charity golf tournament to support Women’s Support and Community Services is coming up in June.  The tournament will be at Forest Hills Country Club, always a challenging and beautiful venue for us.  Your support provides much-needed assistance to women affected by violent relationships.  It is also a great opportunity to network and mix with a large part of the CRE community.  If you are not a golfer, volunteer for the day and stay for dinner. For more information on how you can lend a hand at this great event, contact Colleen West: cwest@nbwest.com or (314) 962-3145.

There are many ways for CREW-St Louis to Build Together in 2010.  Help us think of some new ones for your colleagues and you!

Best Regards,
Nancy Rodney
CREW-St. Louis Chapter President

P.S. By the way, if you are interested in my colleague’s Underemployed, Inc. blog, you can check it out at http://svpunderemployed.wordpress.com.