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January 8, 2019December 30, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

How CRE Technology Can Make 2019 A Great Year

How did your 2018 resolutions shape up? Did you mean to adopt a new CRM this year, revisit your marketing tactics, or rethink your prospecting workflow? Whatever your goals, there’s CRE technology that can help you reach them.

And if you haven’t gotten around to those resolutions yet, it’s not too late! Now is the perfect time to invest in a new CRM and new tools to improve your workflow. Use the momentum and energy of the New Year to set your future self-up for success. Not only will you be able to hit the ground running in 2019, but you even get tax benefits by making the purchase in 2018. Most businesses can claim a deduction for the entire cost of technology and other equipment during the same year they make their purchases.

Let’s take a look at a few of the ways CRE tech can help you fulfill your resolutions in the New Year.

Resolution: I want to be better about prospecting consistently.

Successful brokers know that when you increase the number of calls you make, you add more potential clients to your pipeline. You need to stay top of mind with the people who matter, and that takes consistent outreach.

Maybe you tried to be better about prospecting this year. You organized an Excel spreadsheet, you even blocked time on your calendar every morning. But did that blocked time really motivate you? Did it still take a while to prepare for each call?

What you really need are tools to make the whole process easier. You need automated reminders on who to reach out to and when. You need tools to prioritize your lists for you. There’s tech out there that can do this for you.

Features to look for in CRE tech:

Set up reminders for prospecting follow-up, tasks, and events
Segment contacts into call lists for targeted outreach
See a list of likely buyers to prioritize prospecting for listings

Resolution: I want to get my data together and actually use it!

If you’re worried about losing a phone number or working off the wrong Excel spreadsheet, it’s time to switch to a better system.

Unlike spreadsheets, a CRM can work wonders for your productivity and your peace of mind. It keeps all your data in one place, so you can’t lose it, and it can help you actually put that data to work and give you insights into your business. And since CRMs are largely cloud-based with customizable permission settings, you can share information your team and take your data with you wherever you go.

Features to look for:

See your data connected in one place so you can gain insight and see meaningful connections
Workflow tools that use your data to drive action
Enjoy mobile access where you can work on a smaller screen on the go

Resolution: Better manage your deals from pitch to close.

They say time kills all deals, and in CRE, you know it to be true. If only there were a way to stay on top of the endless paperwork and tasks so that you could feel more confident in putting the pieces together and keeping momentum and control on every transaction…

There are CRE tools out there that can help you better manage your deals by giving you task playbooks and visual workflow tools to help you keep each piece moving forward. And since you’re keeping all transaction details in one place, you can be sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Features to look for in CRE tech:

Tools to help you manage tasks and store documents
Connection to your other data so information continues through each stage
Reports and dashboards to show your progress at a glance

Don’t put it off another year. Invest in a new CRM and new CRE tools now for a better 2019.

This article originally appeared on the Apto website.

About The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

January 1, 2019November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

Happy New Year 2019

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December 25, 2018November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

Merry Christmas 2018

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December 20, 2018November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

Why Face-to-Face Meetings Are So Important

man and woman shaking hands — Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Nowadays, businesses and employees can do just about anything virtually. Unparalleled advances in messaging and video software have empowered more than 40 percent of American workers to work remotely at least some of the time—and one in three employees now spend a whopping 80 percent of their work hours outside the office. Companies that employ thousands have abandoned their physical flagships for virtual offices connecting employees around the globe.

Yet for all those advances, research shows time and again there’s simply no substitute for meeting face to face. More than eight in ten executives prefer in-person meetings to virtual contact, noting they create space for tough, timely business decisions and foster more complex strategic thinking. Bringing teams together is also a boon to the economy. In 2016 alone, U. S. companies held 1.9 million meetings that sustained 5.9 million jobs and generated more than $100 billion in local, state, and federal taxes.

But successful meetings are about more than that. It’s the intangibles that matter—a new relationship forged over a drink, a relaxing yoga class after a long day of panels or a level of trust from a casual conversation and a handshake.

“In-person meetings provide a sense of intimacy, connection and empathy that is difficult to replicate via video,” said Paul Axtell, corporate trainer and author of the book “Meetings Matter.” “It’s much easier to ask for attentive listening and presence, which creates the psychological safety that people need to sense in order to engage and participate fully.”

The power of face-to-face time

How important is it for existing colleagues and potential business partners to spend time together in the same space? Research shows face-to-face requests are 34 times more effective than those sent by email, and that a physical handshake promotes cooperation and influences negotiation outcomes for the better.

MIT’s Human Dynamics Lab spent hundreds of hours tracking performance drivers across industries by collecting data from electronic badges that covered everything from tone of voice to body language. The results showed unequivocally that the most valuable communication is done in-person, and that typically 35 percent of the variation in a given team’s performance was explained by the number of times team members actually spoke face-to-face.

Anecdotal evidence paints a similar picture. Organizational behavior experts argue that face-to-face meetings are the best way to capture a person’s full attention, cutting through the multi-task tendency that focuses on too many things at once.

René Siegel, a professor of public relations at San Jose State University and founder and chief executive officer of Connext, a Silicon Valley marketing and communications agency, said it all comes down to the fact that no matter the industry, everyone is ultimately in the people business. And she clarifies a fundamental difference between business conversations and deeper, more meaningful business relationships. Such bonds are forged only when people spend time talking about things that matter to them, whether that’s a particular innovation, their favorite sports team or recipe.

Making meetings count

Ask any employee who’s ever been stuck for hours in a drab conference room and they’ll tell you: not all meetings or events are created equal. That’s where planners and venues come in.

“Meetings are not about the four walls of a ballroom, but the ability to imagine the experience to ensure attendees feel welcomed and engaged,” said Frank Passanante, senior vice president of Group Sales and Industry Relations for Hilton, which hosts gatherings for anywhere from 10 to 20,000 attendees at more than 5,200 hotels around the world.

At Hilton, that means offering programs that go non-traditional by incorporating wellness and sustainability elements into their regular format, Passanante said. One example is Hilton’s Meet with Purpose offerings, ranging from a “Yoga and Yogurt” package that taps into the latest research on how mindfulness can recharge the brain to an interactive dining experience where seated guests clip fresh greens directly to their plates with a “Cut & Create” salad offering.

As the global leader in hospitality, Hilton team members are expertly qualified to help plan the perfect meeting or event in top destinations around the world, from New York City to Singapore. With properties in 105 countries and territories, and a dedicated team committed to providing a best-in-class experience, Hilton can help planners provide meaningful gatherings that ensure attendees feel welcomed and engaged.

“A spirit of innovation is at the heart of everything we do, from the services and technologies that we offer to our venues themselves, which are designed to spark creativity and inventive thinking,” Passanante said. “Many of our meeting and event spaces are seamlessly equipped with technology that is integrated into walls and furniture, giving attendees the latest, state-of-the-art technology they desire, in an environment that still feels warm and residential.”

And Hilton clients say they see a difference.

“Events are a platform to translate our business strategy into bold, immersive experiences that accelerate engagement with audiences,” said Nancy Neipp, senior director of global events at Cisco, who has hosted events at Hilton properties. She handles planning for Cisco Live, the company’s flagship customer conference, which draws 28,000 attendees and offers more than 1,000 educational sessions. It’s a massive gathering that sets the tone for the company’s entire year.

Despite the size or the innovative character of the event, however, what matters most is fostering those priceless moments of one-on-one connection.

“You see someone in the hall, you have a conversation. Or you follow-up with a speaker—you have an actual face-to-face—right after a session,” said Kati Quigley, senior director of marketing, business applications and industry for Microsoft, who has always worked with Hilton.

In her years on the job, Quigley has seen a partner from Europe connect with one from Arizona while simply hanging out in a common area at an event, forging a partnership that otherwise never would have come about. In an elevator ride after a breakout session, a colleague told her he secured a million-dollar deal he never would have made had he not been there.

“You want to get [people] out of their normal environment, because it makes them think differently,” Quigley said. “You build this engaging experience that shakes up their normal view of the world and gets them to look up from their computers or away from their phones.”

This article originally appeared on the Washington Post website.

December 13, 2018November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

20+ Productivity Apps

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December 6, 2018November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

5 Ways to Keep Even The Most Difficult Clients Happy

You spend a lot of time building your network in commercial real estate. You’re busy prospecting for new business, establishing rapport with clients, asking for referrals, going to conferences, and so on.

And if we’re being honest, you’re not going to get along with all those people. There will be plenty of folks along the way who will be challenging to work with for one reason or another. We’ve known some brokers who are established enough to choose who they work with, but for many brokers, you just have to push through the more difficult personalities.

And when it’s with a client, it can be especially important to make sure they stay happy.

5 strategies for working with just about anyone

There could be many ways for a client to be “difficult”: they’re unavailable, they’re too available, they have unrealistic expectations, they have a giant ego, or maybe the deal itself is just complex and hard to navigate. Whatever the reason, when you’re working with a personality that’s not the easiest to handle, there are a few ways to stay focused on the big picture.

Discern the client’s decision-making process, and adapt to that. The best way to get any deal done is to start by reading how your client makes decisions, and adapt accordingly. If they are constantly busy, you need to get to the point in every communication. Give your top recommendation from the start, and then work down the list from there. Alternatively, if they like a high-level overview and a lot of information, provide the details they want but always suggest the next move.

Focus on what you can control. Think about the actual steps you alone need to take to get the deal done. Conduct financial analysis to give your clients perspective on points of the deal. Make tours happen. Send out marketing flyers. This helps you stay centered on the work itself, rather than your client.

Stay organized and keep the little things moving. Keeping your information as organized as possible ensures you can be as responsive and helpful as your client may need you to be at any given moment. Take care of the little things you can on your own, and always be ready to respond by pulling the information you need. Having the right information communicated in the right way for your client is essential to getting the deal done.

Keep them focused on the big goal. Commercial real estate transactions take a long time, sometimes years. They can get seemingly lost in paperwork and regulation, indecisiveness, and more. If your client is getting bogged down in some way, make sure to keep them focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s one of your main jobs as a broker—keep the focus on the transaction by doing your job and maintaining momentum. Bonus: focusing on your end goal helps YOU stay motivated as well.

Make sure there are no surprises. Maybe there’s some issue with the property your client is looking at, but issues can be managed. What can hurt a deal, and your relationship with your client, is a surprise. As long as you understand any existing issues and communicate effectively, then you can avoid further issues that could disrupt the deal.

It’s not personal, it’s business

The most important thing to remember when confronting a challenging personality is that you’re simply doing your job and working toward a paycheck. So whatever the issue is—remember that you’re there to get the deal done and that’s that.

This article originally appeared on the Apto website.

November 29, 2018November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

How to Have More Meaningful Conversations

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November 22, 2018November 22, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

Happy Thanksgiving 2018

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November 13, 2018September 29, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

How to Wake Up Early (Backed by Science)

November 6, 2018September 29, 2018 sundancecompany Uncategorized

Why Lighting Plays a Critical Office Role

When you think of an office setup, you typically imagine a workplace equipped with the standard chairs, desks, and cubicles. However, in recent years, the introduction of standing desks and adjustable workstations has made a significant transformation in the office environment. With sitting no longer being the sole option, standing desks – used as a ‘healthier’ option and opportunity to break out of your chair without interrupting workflow – are even becoming a perk highlighted in job listings.

In fact, research from the American Society of Interior Designers Foundation (ASIDF) showed 65 percent of respondents who received adjustable workstations reported increased productivity and 65 percent reported the workstations positively impacted their health outside of the workplace. A standing desk can only do so much for health and productivity, however – what’s even more important is what’s above that desk.

It turns out, lighting has a tremendous impact on the workplace – not just on productivity, but our overall well-being. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, leaving a minimal amount of time for exposure to natural light. While windows can help bring us closer to integrating natural light into the office, most jobs – whether in a cubicle, classroom, hospital, bank, etc. – require working indoors, so the lighting we sit (or stand) under is integral to how we’re feeling throughout the day. Even more, how we sleep the night before plays a role in how we perform at work. Coming into the office groggy or tired, paired with insufficient lighting emitting on us for several hours, makes for a difficult workday.

The body’s circadian rhythm – the internal clock that tells our body when sleep and when to wake – takes its cues from the sun. Because modern technology has outpaced human evolution, we depend on artificial lighting to provide illumination throughout the day and night. Unfortunately, most of this artificial lighting is too dim during the day and too bright at night, confusing our circadian systems and doing little to keep us functioning throughout the work day or help us sleep well at night.

For instance, a study on employee health in work environments, conducted by the University of Twente, VU Amsterdam and CBRE showed a 12 percent increase in task performance when respondents worked under circadian lighting, compared to traditional lighting. Outside of task performance, a majority of respondents also felt happier and more energized when working under the right lighting. Factoring circadian rhythm into lighting development and design can significantly change the quality of work we produce, our moods in the office and our overall health and well-being.

Beyond productivity, providing biologically brighter days and darker nights helps to mitigate social jet lag – a term used to describe the host of issues that arise from irregular sleeping patterns including fatigue, psychological stress and poor health. Depression, diabetes, obesity, and addiction to nicotine or alcohol are all conditions that have elevated risk factors due to social jet lag. The causes of social jet lag are hard to avoid, as common activities, such as going out to a restaurant, attending a concert, scrolling through social media late at night, and staying up to watch Netflix can play a role in irregular sleeping patterns. And, when we don’t take the proper steps to realign our biological clocks with our appropriate sleeping schedules, we start to experience the physical and mental stress associated with social jet lag, and that can have dire consequences. For instance, one study by American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) suggests each hour of social jet lag is associated with an 11 percent increase in the likelihood of heart disease.

There are several LED lighting providers in the market that boast promises to resolve issues with social jet lag and broken circadian rhythms. But the reason why current LED lighting is inefficient is that most lighting solutions ignore the recently discovered non-visual photoreceptors in our eyes that drive our core biological functions. This receptor, first discovered in 2001, is most sensitive to wavelengths of light in the “sky blue” region and solely responsible for sending signals to our bodies internal clock. These signals help our bodies delineate between day and night, allowing it to organize a myriad of biological processes while reinforcing our natural sleep/wake cycle. The lighting providers that fail to recognize these new photoreceptors could even exacerbate problems created by social jet lag and lack of sleep.

The architecture and design of a workplace is the foundation for productivity and work quality. Our mood, along with our physical and mental wellbeing, is impacted by several external factors. More progressive employers and organizations such as the International WELL Building Institute understand employees work better when their office environment supports a healthier lifestyle. Several companies recognize this need and are providing snacks, discounts on gym memberships, and even regular retreats to spend time outside. Creating more space for windows and adjustable workstations like standing desks is also a great first step, but accounting for the time spent indoors under artificial lighting is key – and often overlooked – when making substantial improvements to workplace productivity.

With most of our lives spent indoors, incorporating circadian lighting not only offers a viable alternative to natural light but also positively impacts the overall health and happiness in an office. The next time you’re renovating, redesigning, or moving your office, consider lighting as an integral part of that change.

This article originally appeared on the WorkDesign Magazine website.