RE Pros Mix Frontier Passion and Corporate Savvy

Teaching vs. Learning... Which of the following two statements is true?

"[Real estate brokerage] is one of the few industries out there where you can be almost guaranteed that if you pass the license exam, you'll get a job."

"It isn't easy being a commercial real estate executive. Modern leaders must mix frontier passion with corporate savvy, while traveling in rarified philanthropic and social circles."

Of course, both are true. Obtaining a real estate license is simply the fulfillment of a legal requirement. It has nothing to do with success in real estate.

The first statement is a quote from the chief executive of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers, Ginny Shipe. (Schools That Train Real Estate Agents Are Booming, Too, New York Times, July 2, 2005)

The second statement is from an article about Trammell Crow's New York Area president, Richard Bernstein. (A Leader Who Values Harmony Over Aggression, NYT, July 17, 2005)

So what's the best preparation for new professionals in your organization? Are there university programs that you like? What type of on-the-job program works best? What is the most effective role for outside trainers? Blast away. I'll report back in the next Dispatch.

Correction... Last week's July 21 Dispatch should have placed Dothan in Alabama, not Georgia. But nobody has yet connected Dothan, AL, to Marietta, GA. It's still a mystery.

Spread the Word... Many thanks to Equity Office for sponsoring this week's Dispatch to promote its BusinessReady Office program. If you would like to Sponsor a future Dispatch, send e-mail or call me at 415-461-4703.