Well….Hello Ladies
Might I have the pleasure of introducing you to THE CREW. This is an organization which specifically targets members in the commercial real estate industry, who just happen to be women. The organization started in the 80’s and is based in the Boston area. It has 68 chapters and 7000 plus members. They have a great historical base and mission statement , which is nice but, I’m a little more interested in how they function.
This Is Not Tea And Biscuits
It’s called planned interaction. It has been my personal experience that most any activity or events involving the CREW will get you Face to Face with their membership. WOW, what a cutting edge concept! A little sarcasm in the last statement perhaps? One of the CREW events I attended netted me no less than 11 business cards and several affiliate inquiries. Networking 101, they have it in spades.
The Ladies Have A Plan
If you were to step back and say “What are some of the best way’s to promote my industry and my business in my community?” It would be?
- Career Out Reach: Find the best candidates available and help get real jobs for the people already in your organization.
- Scholarships: Find and recognize the best potential university candidates and help pay for their education via U-CREW.
- Mentoring: Establish standards and levels of education necessary and then actually teach and mentor people.
- Events: Educational ,interactive,off site, just for fun,for serious charity and causes. Oh ,and meet people that you can do deals with and make money.
- Recognition: Who doesn’t want that? How about Rising Star,Local Legend, Most Inspirational, Most active affiliate, Biggest Fish, Best Wine. Hey, I said they know how to have fun.
- Affiliates: Interaction and relationship building with people and business resources you want to work with and absolutely need.
The Ladies Have Goals..And Are Not Shy About It.
They pretty much speak for themselves:
To achieve parity in opportunity, influence and power in the commercial real estate industry.
CREW Network will have achieved this envisioned future when:
CREW Network is the premier resource and referral network for the commercial real estate industry.
Women of diverse backgrounds have unlimited opportunities in the commercial real estate industry because of CREW Network’s success.
Women have attained an equal number of seats at the commercial real estate table.
Women control 50% of all commercial real estate activities worldwide.
50% of all real estate firm CEO’s are women.
50% of private real estate developers and owners are women.
50% of presidents of major lending and banking companies are women.
CREW network is the real estate industry’s choice of association for the business and leadership development of its professionals. As such, companies, employers, and sponsors value and seek out CREW Network and its members as critical components of their success.
CREW chapters are the strongest local real estate organizations in every major market in the world.
Take A Quick Look At Some Of The Chapters
Do they let the boys play? Sure they do. Men are allowed and encouraged to join. I would also like to challenge any and all “Big Boys” in Commercial Real Estate to seek out a chapter in your area and attend a meeting . I think you will pleasantly surprised. One little tip …you may want to wear a cup!
Ken Brand
January 30, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Nice share Duke. What an untapped resource (no pun intended).
A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. A woman must do what he can’t.
– Rhonda Hansome
Cheers
Duke Long
January 30, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Ken,
Thanks.I may publish the direct e-mails I recieve,just to keep you entertained.
Ken Brand
January 30, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I enjoy entertainment, especially at the expense of others. Let it rip:-)
Liz McColeman
February 1, 2010 at 9:04 am
Duke,
Love the article! I’d like to ask your permission to repost in our local CREW (Columbus) group. Please let me know.
Thanks!
Duke Long
February 1, 2010 at 11:04 am
Please do..and Thanks for the comment and thanks for asking.
Rosalie Keszler
February 1, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Duke,
Thanks for saying what we CREWsers know to be true. I, too, would like permission to include your article in the CREW Austin e-newsletter this month. I will also share it with my connection at the Austin Business Journal.
Rosalie Keszler, CCIM
CREW Austin 2010 President-Elect
Austin, Texas
crewaustin.com
Duke Long
February 1, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Please do and Thank you for taking the time to comment.
MaryBeth Heydt
February 1, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Dear Duke, thanks for the great article! For our LA Chapter, this year is the year of the member. Would love to post this article on our website and/or put the link in our upcoming newsletter(s) to help existing and potential members appreciate the benefits of membership in CREW. Would love to have permission to use the article for our chapter as well.
Thanks and best wishes to you for a successful 2010! MaryBeth
Duke Long
February 1, 2010 at 2:09 pm
MaryBeth,
Thanks for the comment. Please reuse the article <<I LOVE L.A.
MaryBeth Heydt
February 1, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Thanks Duke! LA loves you too!
Office Space Chris Hancock
February 26, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I entered the world of commercial real estate just out of college as the market was beginning to implode. Sifting through the wreckage the past few years, I have noticed a steady decline in the total number of brokers doing business. Times are tough and it isn’t easy to survive and you can be certain there is nobody new coming through the door. It is comforting to see an organization out there offering a support system with an eye on the future – for men or women.