It wasn’t too long ago (relatively speaking) that I was an agent running around Manhattan with a pager on my belt and quarters in my left pocket. If you’re a real estate agent who’s been in the business for more than 10 years, you can relate.

My, how the world has changed! And quickly.

A good friend of mine handed me an email this morning noting all the things that have been a part of our lives that will not play any part of our children’s lives when they reach our age.

The pager, for one…
The home telephone
Television
The current music business
“The material stuff” that computers will eliminate including newspapers, The United States Postal Service, paperback books and so many more…

I first started thinking about the globalization of commerce and industry when I read Thomas L. Friedman’s book The World is Flat while on a plane from Dubai to New York. It was insightful and incredibly timely. I decided at that moment to embrace the new world and adapt my business to all-things-new-and-great about technology and innovative marketing and communication.

The world has certainly changed. A lot!
The deindustrialization of America has created a massive problem that we shouldn’t ignore.
The desire of the consumer is also something we shouldn’t ignore – especially when it comes to buying, selling and developing real estate.
Today’s “new world” consumer expects service and knowledge, and they expect it now…from someone who is the best at what they do!

If you give anything less than that…you will be left behind!

Looking for a great Sunday brunch? Aquavit, which is located at 65 East 55th St, will satisfy your craving, with their Julbord Brunch. The Christmas themed brunch is truly a smorgasbord of delectable foods. If you like Scandinavian cuisine in a comfortable setting, this is the spot for you. For more information, check out Aquavit’s official website.

For all of you music enthusiasts, we have the perfect plan for your Saturday: The John Lennon and the Beatles walking tour. The tour starts at 11:45 am and takes you around to all the New York City spots that are associated with Lennon. Wednesday, the 8th of December, marks the 30th anniversary of the musician’s death and this tour will bring insight to his life and career. Also, make sure to check out all of The Beatles hits on iTunes, which were recently added to the library. This is a great weekend adventure for the entire family, so check it out. To make reservations or for more details, call 212-465-3331.

How many ways can you say the same thing in the same language?
Too many!

The most important part of the deal making process is the manner in which you communicate.
Whether you’re a buyer-speaking-to-a-broker, or a seller-speaking-to-a-buyer, or a broker-speaking-to-an-attorney…
You need to make sure you’re saying precisely what you mean to be saying in the way the person you’re talking to will understand exactly what you’re meaning to say.
Whew! (That’s a mouthful). Did I communicate that correctly and effectively?

I believe that a large number of “deals that should’ve happened” never happened because of a breakdown in the communication and not because there isn’t a desire to achieve a meeting of the minds.

The most effective thing to do is to SIMPLIFY the message and say exactly what you mean.

Be succinct.
Be unemotional.
Be precise.
Be responsive.

That way, nothing will get lost in translation.

Tonight is the 5th Anniversary celebration of the Best of Year Awards. The talent and creativity of top interior designers will be highlighted and honored at tonight’s event. This year the event will be held at the IAC Building, which was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Spaces are transformed thanks to these individuals and tonight instead of their work receiving the praise it is their turn to stand in the spotlight.

It seems to me that everyone wants to develop…
Until they’ve actually developed -
Because it isn’t that easy!

At the height of the last cycle, when acquisition and construction financing was easy to come by, almost anyone and everyone was buying a site, hiring an architect and building a building – Or at least trying their luck at it.
But developing is a skill set that very few have.
It is not for the faint of heart.
The risk of capital loss that’s associated with developing and the patience and hard work that it takes to execute a successful project is often underestimated.

Amazingly, becoming a developer is a career that you don’t need a college degree or a license for.
If you have the money, you can try your hand at it!

One look around Manhattan, at the foreclosed, abandoned and half-built projects, it’s easy to see how one should be cautionary.
But in this resilient city, there are always dreamers and risk takers.

Lately, there has been a swift uptick in the activity of development sites starting to trade. New and old faces are surfacing, looking to take advantage of a market that has been silent for awhile.

Let’s hope that some of these seasoned builders have learned lessons from their past mistakes and that the intentions of the younger entrepreneurs take heed.

Stay tuned…