The Edge - Volume One

HOW WOMEN ARE WINNING IN REAL ESTATE

In the CRE industry in the U.S., only 23 percent of senior roles are held by women, and 31 percent of American businesses have no women in senior positions, according to a CREW Network Report on Best Practices for Gender Equity and Inclusion in Commercial Real Estate. Recent findings, however, provide a more optimistic outlook. According to a CREW Benchmark Study on Women in Commercial Real Estate, women filled more senior-level or higher roles in 2015 than they did in 2010 and 2005. The study also found that the percentage of women in commercial real estate worldwide grew from an estimated 32 percent in 2000 to 43 percent in 2015, and it’s continuing to grow each year. Evidence supports that a gender- balanced workplace benefits a business’s bottom line as well as its employees. Research by Catalyst found that Fortune 500 companies with the highest percentage of female corporate officers reported, on average, a 35.1 percent higher return on equity and a 34 percent higher return on shareholder investment than companies with the lowest percentages of female corporate officers. According to the CREW Report, businesses where women account for the majority of top management have shown superior sales growth and higher cash-flow returns on investment. The report also found that diverse teams are smarter, scrutinize other members’ actions more closely and tend to be more innovative. The Edge talked to several successful women within Cushman & Wakefield to find out how women are setting themselves up for success within today’s CRE environment, and what they need to do to position themselves as leaders. This is great news for women – and for the industry overall.

Competition is fierce in commercial real estate, and firms must continue to deliver proactive, strategic and research-driven results.

Overall, the perception of women has changed within commercial real estate as well, which has led to greater success for both women and men. According to Ming Lee Chua , Head of Account Management and Service Lines, Global Occupier Services – APAC,

Sheryl Moore- Marlette , Global Operating Officer, Global Occupier Services, believes women are born with an innate

women excel in the industry because of their self-confidence. “Women are doing so well because we are comfortable in our own skin. The business world

ability to provide the optimal caliber of service, which they should use to their advantage. “I genuinely believe that women are genetically engineered to be great industry service providers based on their ability to listen, focus on details, multi-task, manage conflict, nurture and sometimes provide a level of service that goes above and beyond the industry standard.”

is accepting women for who we are because we bring forth a different perspective than our male counterparts, which helps in better decision making. The future for women in our commercial world is so promising. I have full confidence that respect for us will only continue to grow as we move forward.” Marla Maloney , President, Asset Services – Americas, added, “Diverse, cross-functional teams bring different ideas and opinions that challenge the status quo, and, as a result, create better

Laurence Girod , Head of Account Management France, Global Occupier Services, adds that a woman’s ability to advise clients in this

data-rich world is a real differentiator for clients today. “Our industry has been disrupted by the vast amount of market information that can be obtained on the internet today. Our value to clients today is based on how well we can advise and guide them through this mass amount of data they must analyze to determine the best solution. I think women are naturally positioned to be a trusted advisor in this. We understand how important it is to advise clients honestly – even if that means stating our local reach is not best in market or to advise that no action is the better solution. The future will be more focused on how well women can drive solutions to clients that are not simply real estate. It is understanding their business factors and translating them into real estate solutions for our clients.”

client solutions. Leaders across many organizations are recognizing women for delivering exceptional results in their businesses

and for their clients by rewarding their great work with significant leadership opportunities.”

PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN CRE

2000 2015 32% 43%

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