TEN | Tenant Experience Network

In this episode, host David Abrams is joined by James Nelson, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, and investor. James is also the Principal and Head of Avison Young's US Investment Sales group in New York City.James shares his journey from an English major at Colgate University to leading Avison Young's U.S. Investment Sales team, offering invaluable lessons on team-building, market adaptation, and embracing technology along the way.We explore the post-pandemic real estate market, discussing opportunities like residential conversions, the impact of technology, and the shift toward a tenant-focused office sector. James also highlights his vision for greater transparency and collaboration in the industry, as well as insights from his book, The Insider's Edge, aimed at empowering real estate investors.This is an episode filled with actionable insights and big-picture thinking about the future of real estate.Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Jordan Menashe, Principal & CEO of Menashe Properties, to hear his insights on the commercial real estate industry. With over three decades of experience, Jordan discusses the evolution of office spaces, the enduring value of personal touch in business, and the critical role of adaptability in today's ever-changing market. We explore the strategies behind creating exceptional tenant experiences, from thoughtful amenities to hands-on management, and why the future of office spaces is brighter than ever.Jordan also shares his unique approach to due diligence and how staying balanced—through both market highs and lows—has helped shape his leadership style. This episode offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build lasting value in commercial real estate and why putting people first still matters most.Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Alex Thomson, Founder of Prevail Consultants and the 2025 Chair of NAIOP. Alex shares his inspiring journey in commercial real estate—from his beginnings in investment brokerage to building his own consulting firm. We discuss the evolving nature of CRE, the need to adapt to social and technological shifts, and the importance of creating spaces that enhance productivity and engagement.Alex also provides insights into his work empowering high-net-worth investors and private companies to create successful real estate ventures through strategy and development management. Plus, we dive into his vision for the future of NAIOP and his passion for driving growth and innovation in the industry.Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Dennis Cisterna, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer of Sentinel Net Lease for an engaging discussion about navigating the challenges of today's commercial real estate market, embracing technology, and enhancing customer experience. Dennis offers insights into addressing housing shortages through innovative solutions like modular housing and discusses how new technologies, including AI, are reshaping efficiency, tenant experience, and asset management.We explore the challenges facing today's commercial real estate market, from elevated interest rates to evolving office and retail sectors. As we look ahead, Dennis predicts transformative trends in office space supply and demand, emphasizing the growing importance of building-level intelligence and customer-centric approaches. Whether it's the resurgence of experiential retail or reimagining older properties, this conversation offers a roadmap for navigating the future of CRE.It's an episode packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking ideas—don't miss it!Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Glenn Way, President of GWL Realty Advisors joins me for a fascinating discussion about connectivity and creating both economic and social value through technology, hospitality, and innovative building design. We explore the challenges and opportunities in using technology to enhance customer experience, the critical role of a hospitality mindset in property management, and how a focus on education, curiosity, and relationships drives progress in CRE. Glenn also reflects on the evolving purpose of the office and how it is shifting to support social needs, inspire occupants, and help them realize their full potential in physical spaces.If you're curious about how buildings can generate value, foster connection, and leverage technology to meet the demands of the future, this episode is one you won't want to miss.Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

Welcome to TEN, the Tenant Experience Network podcast. I'm your host, David Abrams, and in each episode, we bring you conversations with leading CRE industry professionals and experts who all have something to say about tenant experience and the future of the workplace.In today's episode, Julie Whelan, SVP, Global Head of Occupier Thought Leadership at CBRE, joins me to dive into the people side of CRE and how tenant behavior is shaping the built environment. Julie combines her two passions—commercial real estate and understanding how people use and interact with spaces—to explore the evolving experience of the workplace.We discuss how a variety of thoughtfully designed spaces can enhance functionality and how companies can collaborate to create synergies within shared environments. Julie also highlights how data shows a direct correlation between happy employees and tenant satisfaction, which plays a key role in lease renewals.Looking ahead, Julie shares her vision for shaping tomorrow's cities, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and placemaking—asking how we can make buildings more open, welcoming, and valuable to the communities they serve.It's a thought-provoking conversation about the intersection of space, behavior, and innovation, so stay tuned!Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In season 5 of the Tenant Experience Network (TEN) podcast, host David Abrams has had 15 inspiring conversations with some exceptional leaders at the forefront of innovation and technology in commercial real estate. Have a listen to some of our favorite clips. We are grateful to all the incredible CRE professionals who have shared their insights, perspectives and expertise through all 75 episodes of TEN! Subscribe so you don't miss out on future discussions with great guests. Is there anyone you would like to see on a future episode of TEN? Let us know in the comments.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research & Planning at MillerKnoll, for an insightful discussion around the intersection of furniture, place design, and technology. We explore how Ryan's dual passions—design and technology—come together to shape environments that foster connection, collaboration, and well-being. From MillerKnoll's mission to design for the good of humankind to the evolving purpose of workplaces, Ryan shares how well-designed spaces can now offer more value than ever before. We discuss the shift from individual desks to team-oriented "neighborhoods," the concept of "place attachment," and how thoughtfully created environments—like internal event spaces with a “clubhouse mindset”—can nurture meaningful relationships among teams. If you're curious about how workplaces can reimagine themselves to meet the needs of the modern world and how we can "reattach" to offices instead of just returning to them, this episode is for you. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Adam Jacobs, National Head of Research, Colliers. We cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of data on occupancy levels, how CRE is responding to changes in the marketplace due to the pandemic, and the realities of demand and occupancy in urban vs. suburban locations. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Gary Chance, CEO at Nantum AI. Gary shares how his team is utilizing the latest technology and data to write better algorithms that save real estate tenants and owners more money, energy, and ultimately, to provide a better indoor experience overall. If you're interested in AI and the impact it's having on the built world, this episode is for you. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Ivo van Breukelen, Managing Partner at The Proptech Connection. Ivo and his team are tracking an impressive 19,000 proptech companies to provide global market intelligence and insights on what's happening in the industry. Keep listening to learn more about their data-led approach and Ivo's passion for innovation in the built world. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Emily Hanna, Managing Partner of Investments at Crown Realty Partners. During our conversation, Emily shares a wonderful story about how she actually wrote the job posting for her first job in Commercial Real Estate. It led to her joining the team at Allied Properties REIT, working under the watchful eye of Michael Emory, a previous guest on this podcast. I can't wait for you to hear more of her story!Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Martin Kelly, President of Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate. Martin shares his career journey. He initially aimed to become a barrister in England but ended up in the world of events and infrastructure investment. This path eventually brought him to the U.S., where he took over an events business in New York. During the pandemic, Martin joined a firm that connected family offices, institutional investors, and alternative funds with investment opportunities through innovative technology. After that firm was acquired, Martin had the chance to join the Blueprint team as President, helping to elevate the event to new heights. Martin shares his insights on how Blueprint stands out from other CRE events, emphasizing their focus on creating a unique experience—something we can totally relate to. He also hinted at some exciting new features for Blueprint participants. One major topic at Blueprint will be space utilization, with numerous presenters and sessions offering insights from various industry sectors. If budget weren't a constraint, Martin envisions continuing to enhance the Blueprint experience, providing more opportunities to explore and interact with products and services. We also talk about the many stakeholders now involved in space utilization discussions, including the role cities can play. Blueprint aims to be a hub for all kinds of partnerships, and Martin and his team are committed to making that happen. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, we learn about Jeff's career journey, his experience in the events business, and the impact of the pandemic on his business. As his business transitioned to remote operations, Jeff began to explore new ways to build community using social media platforms. Shortly after, he launched Work 20XX to provide thought leadership on the future of work. Jeff readily admits that he had no commercial real estate experience when he first embarked on this journey. He relied on his genuine curiosity to lead him in new directions, never afraid to learn and try new things. Jeff shared his thoughts on how certain costs have moved from being “fixed” on the balance sheet to being more “variable” on the income statement. I really appreciate Jeff's insights on segmentation and intention—an excellent way to understand the changing purpose of physical space. Real estate now needs to focus on attracting people to spaces in ways that aren't possible at home, making hospitality a crucial theme. Jeff also shares some insights on the advances in wireless technology and environmental elements impacting CRE. I learned a lot from our conversation and value his level-headed and thoughtful analysis of all things related to how and where we work. I look forward to staying connected with Jeff and continuing to tap into his expertise and thought leadership. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Ryan Speers, Partner and COO at Workhaus. Ryan shares his early beginnings leading a marketing agency. During that time, Ryan had a yearning to build something, rather than just serve as a consultant. He shares how he met his business partner and ultimately ventured into the co-working industry to become a partner at Workhaus. Today the company has grown to 12 locations in Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo and Calgary. Ryan acknowledges that his naïveté was an early advantage to entering a new industry with no existing playbook and rules evolving every day. I loved hearing about Ryan's appreciation for the different skills he and his partner each bring to the table. He highlights some of the different scenarios that his business is now helping to address as companies assess their real estate strategies. To do that, there is a greater reliance on technology and predictive analytic solutions to help meet these emerging needs. If given a blank cheque to invest in the business, Ryan would put 100% of the funding into expanding across Canada. His co-working business is at the forefront of the hospitality and customer experience conversations that are happening as CRE continues to up its game on this front by offering essential amenities to help drive user engagement and enjoyment. Tune in to learn more about Ryan's perspective on Workhaus being a tech-enabled business versus a technology business. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Bryan Berthold, Global Lead Workplace Experience at Cushman & Wakefield. Bryan shares his journey to commercial real estate and how he got started in the business. Bryan studied architecture and eventually found his way to commercial real estate helping companies develop their strategic plans around workplace requirements. He then applied his analytical skills to focus on his passion for the experience of people and eventually found his way to Cushman & Wakefield where he leads their employee experience practice. Bryan acknowledges the big shift we are seeing in the purpose of the office, from the place where you did so many different things, to a place where the focus is now about building community and connection. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of the different types of users and how that drives attendance and engagement. It is not one size fits all. We went on to discuss Bryan's thoughts on viewing spaces and then creating an associated experience to support them. This led to a discussion about hospitality and the need to have people at the core of everything owners, operators and occupiers do. Bryan offered a critically important insight into how technology is being used in CRE, specifically having to be more user-centric to better meet emerging needs.Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Lisa Davidson, Vice Chairman at Savills North America. Lisa shares her professional journey, which commenced fresh out of college. Initially uncertain about her career path, Lisa seized an opportunity with a small real estate tenant rep firm that visited her campus for recruitment. Expecting it to be a stepping stone, she quickly discovered a natural fit for her skills within the tenant representation domain, leading her to devote her entire career to Savills. We both share a personal connection to Mitch Steir, the former Chairman and CEO of Savills North America, who now serves on HILO's Advisory Council. Lisa has since ventured into angel investing in the Proptech space and is a member of the Hyde Park Angel community. In our discussion, Lisa sheds light on key market drivers influencing real estate decisions, such as the rise of amenities and spec suites. She describes the future of work as “accommodating employees with great space.” The impact that unique community spaces have on potential tenants as they are touring prospective spaces is something else she sees in the market. Drawing from her professional insights and client interactions, Lisa shares compelling observations on the evolving tech landscape within buildings. I really enjoyed our conversation and appreciated the opportunity to learn through Lisa's unique lens into the industry. Stay tuned until the end as Lisa reveals her philosophy on "making her life bigger." – something we all should do!Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Rob Kumer, CEO of KingSett Capital. Rob shares his journey to commercial real estate. KingSett is a private equity real estate investment company focused on Canada, both the equity and credit side of the business and all asset classes. After graduating from the Ivey Business School, Rob began his 20-year career journey in CRE. He started as an analyst, then moved to the investment side of the business and became President in 2021, and more recently assumed the role of CEO. Rob acknowledged his extraordinary relationship with KingSett's founder and Executive Chair, Jon Love, who is also a two-time guest on the TEN podcast. Rob believes that aligning to a set of core values has significantly contributed to his success and that there is always something to learn from other people. He shares some of his insights from the early days of the pandemic, including this comforting sentiment: “It is never as good as you think, and it is never as bad as you think”. I loved hearing Rob reflect on the pride he feels about KingSett's collective determination to navigate and overcome the crisis the CRE industry is fighting. Our conversation continues with how the use of spaces is changing, which is necessitating more amenity, meeting, and touch-down/collision spaces, and fewer private offices and exclusive workstations. As some businesses rethink their space requirements, more often than not, the actual footprint has not changed significantly. Rob notes that companies are looking for more amenities, shorter lease terms, and access to fully outfitted facilities, like KingSett's program ‘Ready, Set, Go' spaces. As well, there is a greater emphasis being placed on moving buildings to ZERO carbon and KingSett is taking a leading position in this effort. Rob shares his 3 pillars for success in the office category and speaks about the importance of experience and the technological advances impacting all asset classes. KingSett is very focused on decarbonization, and energy management including deep water cooling and implementing new lighting systems. Customer experience is driving many new initiatives that save time and provide more convenience, from pre-ordering a coffee when arriving at the building to using destination dispatch on the elevators. We close the interview with several questions that provide an opportunity to get to know Rob a bit better on a personal level. Get ready to picture him in coveralls giving your car a tune-up!

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Sophie Wade, Founder of Flexcel Network and host of the Transforming Work podcast. Sophie's journey to her current role started with the experience of living in many different countries and studying people. She started out in strategy and finance and later focused on the future of work as her personal situation demanded working differently. Sophie is an avid observer of people and has used this skill to shape her view of the world, and now the subject of ‘work' specifically. She points out that for the first time, we are at a point where we are asking questions about how we should be designing spaces to meet our needs better. Sophie emphasized the need for everyone to recognize that we are in a period of significant change and now is the time to embrace where we are and engage everyone in the process of defining what in-office work looks like. We discussed how interdepartmental collaboration needs to take place to respond to the emerging needs of people. When it comes to technology, Sophie is a big proponent of experimenting, exploring and testing to see what works. We both acknowledged that communication is key amongst all stakeholders during this significant time of change.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Jen Tindle, Chief Comic Relief Officer @ AllAboutCRE.com. Jen shares her journey to commercial real estate and how she got started in the business. Today, Jen is focussed on helping to solve the knowledge gap that exists between CRE firms and CRE technology providers. Jen started her career in public accounting — a path we share in common — and found tremendous value in better understanding how businesses work. She then leveraged that knowledge to land a position in private equity real estate, which at the time, she knew nothing about. Then, Jen got exposure to many different parts of the business and discovered her passion for process and data. She co-founded a proptech startup in the data/integration business. Jen's latest project, allaboutcre.com, is an educational platform that builds on her love of learning. She shares some great insights into what the CRE industry needs to be thinking about over the next 3 to 5 years to continue to be successful, as well as her thoughts on how building tech stacks are evolving. Our discussion saw the role of host and guest often switching back and forth, which made for a very dynamic conversation, providing us both with the opportunity to share our perspectives.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with the co-hosts of the new CRE Unplugged podcast, Nadine Ezzie, Founder and President of ezzie + co and Ryan Elazari, Senior Director at Empire Management. We learn about Nadine and Ryan's journey to commercial real estate and how they got started in the business. Nadine is an attorney and made her way to CRE, serving as in-house counsel for an industrial developer. Through LinkedIn, she was then presented with the perfect opportunity to join a proptech startup, heading up its customer success team. Nadine headed to Boston to be employee #5 of a company that automated the drafting of commercial lease agreements for institutional organizations across the country. This gave Nadine a first-hand view into the legal departments of big companies, and after 4 years, she left to establish ezzie + co, an all-in-one CRE legal and advisory firm, using innovation and technology to serve her clients. Ryan, a returning guest on TEN, was born and raised in NYC, found his way to CRE as an associate at Empire Management. His continued education in the field led to a promotion to Senior Director of the firm, participating in development and acquisition projects. We learn how Nadine and Ryan hit it off when they met. Their friendship and connection have led them to collaborate as hosts on a new podcast, the aptly named CRE Unplugged — Innovating from the streets to the skyline. They have a lot of passion to go with their ambitious mission to not only be informative and educational but to add a welcome dose of humour as well. Ryan shares how his company is staying ahead of the curve to deliver a great experience to Empire's customers. Nadine shares her aspirations of what she would like to bring to her business that has the potential to be transformative. We explore how customer experience is becoming a significant driver of tenant engagement and how this phenomenon is impacting the industry. I am excited that the team at HILO has had the opportunity to sponsor and assist with the launch of CRE Unplugged and can't wait to see how Nadine and Ryan bring it to life. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Peter Riguardi Chairman & President, New York Region at JLL. Peter's career journey in commercial real estate began early on, watching his father work in property management and then having the opportunity to learn from many experts in the business before embarking with a group of colleagues to start their own company in 1989. He would later sell that firm to JLL in 2002 and has been at JLL ever since. I love how Peter gives credit to his family for teaching him the value of showing people respect. He also provides a valuable lesson about situations where you can “control the work” by striving for exclusivity, rather than competing with other brokers, even if it means smaller assignments. Peter is seeing an increase in people coming back to the workplace and occupiers using the office to competitively attract talent. He has also noticed a significant push to the best office buildings, regardless of their location. With 460 million square feet of office space in NYC, only time will tell how much space use will have to change. We both agreed that the industry needs to seek innovative and creative solutions to meet emerging needs in CRE, as it continues to compete with the many options where people can choose to work. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Nico DePaul, Chief Operating Officer at NNN Pro Group. Nico's career journey began through a search for an internship, and after showing up for an interview 4 times, was actually offered a full-time role. So for him, it was goodbye law school, and hello commercial real estate, starting in the net lease space as a junior analyst. Nico kicks off the show with an explanation of how net lease space works and who it is best suited to. He invested early to learn the business, putting in long days and taking on all that he could in order to gain experience and knowledge. As an early employee of the firm, Nico has been able to personally contribute to the significant growth of the business, which is now a 100+ team, and just a few years ago he took on the role of COO. Nico describes the ways in which the net lease industry is being affected by the current environment in CRE, with many variables affecting the level of activity across several categories. Like all aspects of the industry, Nico shares many ways that technology is impacting his space and the ways in which the business is evolving. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Brett Miller, CEO at Canderel. Brett's career journey began through an introduction from a university professor to someone who has now become a lifelong friend, John Weiner, the founder of Canderel. Brett first started at Canderel in what was supposed to be an internship position, but it turned out to be a 7-year-long ‘summer job'. After a great run, in 1993, market conditions changed, and Brett pursued an MBA in France and spent the next 10 years in Europe in a variety of roles. In 2001, with 3 kids in tow, it was back to Canada and a position with CBRE, then to JLL as CEO for Canada. Brett continued to maintain a relationship with John Weiner, and in 2018 he got the call-back to Canderel as CEO. What a ride! In our discussion, Brett highlights the creative side of the CRE industry, emphasizes the importance of relationships, and the overall impact of real estate on society. We had a robust conversation on the topics related to ‘office' and the ways in which the industry is responding. Brett shares details on Canderel's new Okkto initiative, which offers a very exciting suite of innovative workplace hospitality experiences for the users of their spaces. We discussed how technology can offer better connectivity to their customers and help to better understand their needs. Brett shares Canderel's continued efforts to explore new technologies in their buildings but also expresses a desire to see more collaboration and integration between solution providers to give a more seamless experience. It was great to connect with Brett and I look forward to continued conversations with him and his team. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Shimon Shkury, President and Founder at Ariel Property Advisors. Shimon's career journey began in 2002 working at a CRE firm this podcast knows well – Massey Knakal – thanks to my conversations on TEN with Bob Knakal and Paul J. Massey. About a year into that relationship, Shimon was given the opportunity to run Upper Manhattan and the Bronx as a partner. Shimon went on to hire several key people to support him in that effort, and together they eventually left to start Ariel Property Advisors. At the core of Ariel's mandate is research. Half the team works in research and in turn partners with the sales and investment teams. Layered on top of that are capital service and mortgage brokers. You have to listen to the episode to hear Shimon's story about being laid off from his first job, but somehow also meeting his life partner. He credits the key to his success to his partners at Ariel. Shimon shares insights on the current state of the market as well as his beliefs on the opportunities ahead of us. He has a great read on what building operators need to do to create more compelling workplaces and suggested the idea of forming a Board, consisting of both building operators and the occupants, to come together and discuss emerging issues in CRE. Shimon is excited about the emerging changes in the office sector and truly loves what he does. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Gary Phillips, Managing Director at Eastdil Secured. Gary's career journey began working at Deutsche Bank, where he was assigned to an economic group focused on real estate. And so began Gary's residency in New York and his passion for the real estate industry. He attributes some of his success to his personal drive and nurturing long-term relationships. Gary has been exposed to all asset classes but was able to share his insights into the office category and the challenges that it is facing, with consideration to the different classes within the overall office class. Gary provided a glimpse into the current state of the buy and sell market, as well as the new players that are entering the field to take advantage of current opportunities. We discuss the need to continue to create and support thriving business districts in cities and in particular the importance of patronizing local businesses. Gary provided some interesting thinking about the new role of HR departments and their connection to creating physical spaces that help to achieve corporate goals. Gary sees the CRE space through an interesting lens and I look forward to tapping into his expertise again in the future.Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Phil Kanfer, Founder & CEO at Market Lane Advisors. Phil's career journey had finance and entrepreneurial beginnings, which led him to real estate with Newmark as a tenant rep broker in lower Manhattan. Phil eventually met the CEO of a newly emerging company, now called WiredScore, and was brought in to help bring the business to market. This company saw an opportunity to create a measure and certification of how well a building is connected through technology. In the early days, Phil's back was against the wall. He believed that this new opportunity had to work, which for him meant doing his best work, as there was nowhere else to go. Phil ran sales and revenue over 9 years and helped grow the business to 150+ people and operating in 25 different countries. Fast forward, and acknowledging that historically there has not been any one person overseeing innovation and technology in CRE, Phil saw an opportunity to support the industry by providing fractional or an outsourced innovation lead to help select and implement the right technology solutions. And so, Market Lane was born, providing an unbiased expertise to choose the right technology for each and every building, based on its own set of unique characteristics. Phil has seen first-hand how building owners look to the hospitality industry for inspiration on the future of office buildings. Our conversation naturally led to a discussion about customer experience and the need for more collaboration between building owners, operators and their tenants. Recognizing that we are still in the early innings of this game, I look forward to our continued connection as we both explore the intersection of technology and commercial real estate. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Lee Odess, CEO of Access Control Executive Brief. Lee's career journey began with a position in the security industry at BRIVO. He eventually discovered that it was best to work on his own within the building access space and focus on the digital transformation that is impacting the industry. Lee sees the world of access control from the perspective of the end user and how it contributes to a better customer experience. Lee has always had a focus on community building and sees his role in the building access space as doing just that. He believes the past has helped inform the present and should not be overlooked when reviewing the evolution of property technology. Lee was instrumental in creating an interactive experience at CRE/TECH in London to help better sell the ecosystem around access control. We had an interesting conversation about the collaboration between building owners and occupiers as they work to provide a more seamless experience. Our conversation goes on to explore the intersection of digital space and physical space. Lee is a great spokesperson and thought leader for the access control world and I look forward to continuing our conversation as technology in commercial real estate continues to evolve. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Sonny Kalsi, Co-CEO at BentallGreenOak. Sonny's career journey began working in investment banking at Morgan Stanley on Wall Street after completing his studies in finance. He had an opportunity to rotate from mergers and acquisitions to join the real estate group, which he thought would only last a year or so, but it stuck and he feels very fortunate to still be working in commercial real estate. Sonny has lived and worked in 6 different countries, and that experience is just one of the reasons why he has stayed in the industry so long. Sonny started GreenOak in 2010 and sometime later, a former Morgan Stanley colleague, Amy Price, then President at Bentall Kennedy connected to say, “I have this crazy idea”. A year later they got married, and their union created BentallGreenOak. We both share a passion for buildings, or “battleships'' as Sonny likes to call them. I really enjoyed hearing about his family story and our discussion about real entrepreneurship. Sonny shared his thoughts on technology disrupting CRE and the impact it's having on each sector of the industry. We talk about buildings and cities and the idea of placemaking, as well as the partnership between landlords, tenants and government. Sonny highlighted several ways that technology can improve the customer experience and also impact property management to help drive efficiency, find cost savings, and contribute to sustainability. Our conversation was free-flowing and super engaging and I look forward to continuing to stay connected with Sonny. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with David McGuinness, Head of Business Development, CRE at Motorola Solutions. David's career journey began in the technology space as a consultant. He eventually transitioned into the software side of tech before landing at Openpath, and now at Motorola Solutions since being acquired. David learned early in his career the benefits of surrounding yourself with people smarter than you. He went on to share some advice that he received from one of his first mentors; Learn something new every day, teach someone something new every day, and have fun. We discussed the changing relationship between building operators and their tenants, in particular, how there is much more focus on the customer and adopting a hospitality approach to engagement. From the access control side, David suggested that flex space has emerged as a compelling channel for their client base. David provided a great overview and evolution of the building access industry and how it has been impacted by cloud computing and mobile connectivity. We could not ignore a discussion around the role of buildings in communities and the impact that changing consumer behaviors have had. We wrapped up our conversation with some thoughts on the use of building access technology in several different applications catering to different types of users. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Michael Abrams, Real Estate Consultant and Advisor at Flexspace Advisors. Michael's career journey began with a multi-disciplinary background, working for several commercial real estate companies before venturing out on his own and securing a construction loan for his first project. In 2014 Michael started to track the flex space market, and started to work for a regional flex operator. This opened his eyes to the experience being offered in the office world, and he quickly recognized that this was going to be more than just a trend. Over the last several years Michael has worked with many real estate partners to better understand the future of work and the tug-of-war between talent and employers. Michael draws on his personal life experiences to provide valued learning and expertise as he continues to advise others. Micheal believes that flex space and working remotely are more meaningful and provide more benefits than working from home. Michael shares his thoughts on current CRE topics, such as “reactivating” buildings and their connection to people and community, and the increasing awareness of mental health and well-being. Michael lives, breathes and sleeps all things flex and could talk forever about his passion for the industry. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Geoffrey Newman, Executive Managing Director at Savills North America. Geoffrey began his career journey as a lobbyist in Washington DC, with a focus on social justice issues. What got him into real estate? The lure of money. Geoffrey took the opportunity to get into the CRE space with Studley (now Savills), and under the watchful eye of industry experts, he was fortunate enough to be able to cut his teeth working on a landmark building in lower Manhattan where he learned the ins and outs about sales and redevelopment. When the financial crisis hit and many of Geoffrey's projects went into hibernation, he was presented with an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream of living in Africa. And so began a fascinating 4-year journey in East Africa and the inspiring lessons he carries from the experience. Upon his return to the U.S., Geoffrey landed at Newmark and for the next 8 years he worked on many different redevelopments, achieved industry recognition and developed some expertise in the not-for-profit sector. This work, along with launching a photography museum at the same time, has led Geoffrey back to where it all started at Savills. He attributes much of his success and professional acumen to mentorship. Geoffrey acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge in front of CRE as B and C Class buildings strive to remain relevant. We are looking at a 15-year time horizon for the continued evolution of this very large segment of the market, to perhaps take on a new purpose or reimagined use. We had an interesting discussion about the connection between buildings and communities. Geoffrey offers a unique perspective on technology and the potential impact on the amount of real estate space needed, both in commercial as well as not-for-profit settings. I absolutely loved hearing about Geoffrey's journey, and I hope you will too. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Paul J. Massey, CEO of B6 Real Estate Advisors. Paul's career journey began while he was still in college in Boston. When a summer job at CBRE in that city didn't pan out, he instead made a bold decision to join CBRE in New York. Long story short, Paul immediately fell in love with New York and never left. While at CBRE, Paul met his long-time business partner Bob Knakal. Together, they left CBRE to start their own firm, Massey Knakal. By 2014, they sold the business to Cushman & Wakefield after taking a large market share, representing about a third of the people selling their buildings in New York. Hearing Paul talk about his partnership with Bob – who he refers to as a packrat – is inspiring. After several years at Cushman & Wakefield, Paul embarked on his next entrepreneurial endeavor, starting B6, which stands for “Building by Building, Block by Block”. He attributes some of his success to making every mistake in the book but never making the same mistake twice. As a part of his continued efforts to understand the changing needs of tenants and today's workforce, Paul shares interesting thoughts on hybrid working, vacation policies, and buildings providing common area facilities that reduce the need for individual build-out per suite. Paul has first-hand experience seeing technology being used to improve the customer experience. I am thrilled to have Paul on the show and especially proud that this marks the 50th episode of TEN! Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Mollie Eisler, Vice President, Technology and Innovation at Almanac Realty Investors. Mollie began her career journey with an educational foundation in hospitality, which allowed her to delve deeper into her interest in the intersection of people, technology and place. Early days of working at IBM with big data, analytics, cloud computing and AI exposed Mollie to the many ways that technology can help people do their jobs better. The experience served her well when she then made the leap to real estate, overseeing investment in Proptech companies as a VP of Ventures, before landing her current role at Almanac as VP of Tech and Innovation. Mollie sees two themes emerging that will define the future of commercial real estate. The first is data management, which she views as the most valuable resource, and the second is the creation of unique and memorable in-person experiences that can be shared with others. Mollie is seeing more building operators collaborating with their customers, and creating more opportunities to engage with them to gather feedback that will ultimately inform future decisions. I appreciated hearing the example of Neuberger Berman's use of art tours to connect people to their buildings and help foster community. In Mollie's view, tenant engagement and communication platforms are on the rise because they are helping to meet the needs of hybrid work and improve digital connectivity. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Michael Przytula, Managing Director, Intelligent & Digital Workplaces at Accenture. Michael began his career journey working in the early days of enterprise email systems and Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP), which led him to real estate technology. Michael now leads Accenture's workplace technology practice in North America, where he spends his time focused on experience in the workplace. Like me, what truly drives Michael's work is the realization that commercial real estate is ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE. We both want to help people do things better, faster and more easily while at work. Michael notes that the built environment has really pivoted to being about the experiences and spaces that make a workplace that people love to work in. His ultimate goal is to create a standardized, streamlined and unified experience, no matter where people work. Michael highlights the need for more collaboration between building operators and their customers to determine the right set of digital services – before construction and after. Michael and I are aligned in our thinking and views on properties using technology to enhance customer experience in the building and facilitate connections to the surrounding community. I'm looking forward to our next conversation! Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Antonia Cardone, Americas Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield. Antonia's career journey began with her training as an architect and her early interest in strategic facility planning. Her career trajectory took hold and she has been fortunate to be doing what she loves, solving a wide variety of problems for her clients. Antonia shared a glimpse into the data that Cushman & Wakefield is analyzing, including employee sentiments around the value of connecting to people in the workplace. Antonia shared a number of reasons people want to be in the office. In the past, being in the office was about having access to “stuff”, whereas today the new emphasis is on socialization and collaboration. She suggests that while amenities and environment are important, the “value” of being together is the real driver of spending time in the office. We both agreed that casual interactions are critically important to building great teams and doing great work, and are especially difficult to schedule spontaneously over Zoom. We had a great conversation about how building operators and occupiers can be working together to really shake up the physical workplace, across all building classes. Antonia's insights on how the way people work in buildings is impacting cities and local businesses, causing less stress and allowing for more streamlined operations, was really interesting and something that I had not previously considered. We also discussed how technology can help solve some of the challenges around improving collaboration in the workspace and supporting people continuing to work from everywhere. Antonia also recognized the need to be able to better track space utilization to deliver improved services and programs and provide more visibility of data for the users of spaces. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Kendall Pretzer, CEO at Grace Hill. We learn about Kendall's career journey, moving to Dallas after graduating from college and taking a position as a financial analyst in commercial real estate, moving on to various operational roles and finally making her way to the multifamily sector. She eventually started her own company providing policy procedure manuals for the CRE industry, which was acquired in 2018 by the software company that she now leads, Grace Hill. Kendal uses her experience as a customer to help run Grace Hill today. I loved hearing about how her Dad helped to set the stage for the kind of leader she wanted to be, and how a previous mentor taught her the value of making you feel smart… their approach was to question you into the right answer. Kendal believes that hybrid work may well be the new normal, and companies must be flexible and creative to help it succeed. Kendall reminds us that people are people, and there is a need for some in-person collaboration and casual conversation. She also noted that building occupants are more sensitive to the environment and ESG, and are demanding more attention be paid to this area of the business. Kendall shared how her company was able to support its clients through the pandemic by providing content that will help owners and operators to make better decisions. At Grace Hill, Kendall has made it a priority to recognize the efforts of her team members that have made a positive impact on the community. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Sara Tabita, Community Experience Manager at Granite Properties. We learn about Sara's career journey, from wedding coordinator to hotel sales and catering to software sales on the corporate events side of the business, and finally to Granite Properties as their Community Experience Manager – all with a focus on hospitality! As a result of the pandemic, Sara's role expanded beyond Southern California to virtual and in-person servicing of Granite's national portfolio. The company's growth mindset has enabled Sara to take risks in her work and has contributed to her success. Sara emphasized that even before the pandemic, Granite Properties was already focused on the emerging trends of quality, flexibility, wellness, and sustainability in CRE. She feels that office building owners need to partner more with tenants to help facilitate evolving workplace needs. Sara acknowledges the shift from office space to office experience, and the need for buildings to provide their tenants with unique and memorable experiences that will also foster a sense of community. She stresses the importance of communication to help inform customers of any changes that may be necessary to deliver a better workplace experience. Sara, her team and the company have a great perspective on customer engagement and are truly taking a leadership position in differentiating their properties. From building access to digital signage, Sara also recognizes the importance of utilizing technology to enhance the customer experience. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Rita Tené Ellison, Associate Director at T. Dallas Smith & Company. Rita's career journey started out in her junior year of college with an internship at T. Dallas Smith & Company. Upon graduation, Rita was offered a full-time position at that same firm but respectfully turned it down to pursue other opportunities at larger firms. As of November of last year, she rejoined T. Dallas Smith & Company. Rita acknowledged the uphill battle African Americans face in the industry and shared how T. Dallas Smith & Company has a mission to involve more women of color in their business. She does believe that hybrid work is here to stay, however, says it is not new. Employees are wanting flexibility now more than ever, and employers are responding by empowering their teams, resulting in improved productivity. Rita is firm in the belief that an office presence is critical to support culture and engagement. Buildings are not just a place to work and are beginning to offer more of a live-work environment. Using the office lobby as an example, she points out that they are now becoming places for people to collaborate, socialize, and more. She explains that access to local amenities is becoming more of a driving factor in real estate decisions, causing smart landlords to become more attentive to tenant needs, and respond with appropriate programming. With a “client-first” mentality, her firm has maintained a consistent approach throughout the pandemic in responding to the evolving needs of its customers. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Jamie Petten, President & Executive Director of the Kanata North Business Association. We learn about Jamie's career journey, having spent the last decade working in Kanata North Technology Park, Canada's largest technology park. She initially worked for the L-SPARK Accelerator program, transitioning more recently into leading the Kanata North Business Association and Hub350 Accelerator. Her story began on the west-end cliffs of Jamaica, supporting two Canadian entrepreneurs building a boutique destination hotel, restaurant and spa. Jamie draws on her experience in the hospitality industry as she continues to guide KNBA into the future. She discusses the need for human connection to feel our best mentally, but also highlights the need to think more globally and embrace the changes in thinking around how we live, work, play, learn and innovate. Since launching Hub350 in October 2021, Jamie shared that it has seen over 6,000 visitors – connecting in person for hot desking, larger events, community town halls, company gatherings and more. She facilitates a dialogue around how the technology park will continue to evolve in response to emerging needs. In order to attract and retain talent, a big part of the conversation amongst all of the stakeholders is adding new opportunities to live and play at the park, and making new investments to enhance physical workspaces. Jamie is very enthusiastic about the opportunity for HILO to play a role in helping to connect all the partners in the park and promote all of the park's activities. She loves innovation and Kanata North Technology Park's role in supporting its community members! Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Jamie Petten, President & Executive Director of the Kanata North Business Association. We learn about Jamie's career journey, having spent the last decade working in Kanata North Technology Park, Canada's largest technology park. She initially worked for the L-SPARK Accelerator program, transitioning more recently into leading the Kanata North Business Association and Hub350 Accelerator. Her story began on the west-end cliffs of Jamaica, supporting two Canadian entrepreneurs building a boutique destination hotel, restaurant and spa. Jamie draws on her experience in the hospitality industry as she continues to guide KNBA into the future. She discusses the need for human connection to feel our best mentally, but also highlights the need to think more globally and embrace the changes in thinking around how we live, work, play, learn and innovate. Since launching Hub350 in October 2021, Jamie shared that it has seen over 6,000 visitors – connecting in person for hot desking, larger events, community town halls, company gatherings and more. She facilitates a dialogue around how the technology park will continue to evolve in response to emerging needs. In order to attract and retain talent, a big part of the conversation amongst all of the stakeholders is adding new opportunities to live and play at the park, and making new investments to enhance physical workspaces. Jamie is very enthusiastic about the opportunity for HILO to play a role in helping to connect all the partners in the park and promote all of the park's activities. She loves innovation and Kanata North Technology Park's role in supporting its community members! Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Dara Friedman, Managing Director at BentallGreenOak. Following her graduation with a liberal arts degree, Dara started her career journey in investment banking, where she was given a choice between focusing on technology or real estate. Since choosing real estate she has never looked back and now specializes in investment management. Dara points out that many of the phenomena we face today have been around for many years – shorter-term leases, more flexible spaces, making live-work-play a priority, and the issue of affordability. Building operators and occupiers must focus on tenant engagement, creating alignment through their approach. Amenities, health and wellness, energy use and reducing operational costs, are all key drivers of supporting human capital and contributing to the delivery of great customer experiences. Dara shared a bit about completing a merger amid the pandemic, and how the company created opportunities to socialize and integrate people across the globe. I appreciated Dara's reflection on how difficult living through the pandemic really was. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Nicole Dallas, Global Head of Technical Services at Cushman & Wakefield. Nicole started her career journey by adopting the “fake it until you make it” strategy, which led to her first position as a Chief Engineer at a hospital. Nicole now focuses on leading engineering and operations platforms for service providers. She recognizes that she does not know everything and therefore has come to rely heavily on those around her to bridge the gaps, including the engineers that she works so closely with. I love Nicole's “bottom/up” philosophy, which comes from being in the field and engaging with all members of her team. During the height of the pandemic, Nicole did not slow down for a minute. Quite the opposite, she had to accelerate a process to develop the next generation of expert facility engineers. While COVID was causing tenants to add walls and plexiglass, Nicole and her team were busy adjusting air systems to reflect changes to the physical floor plate, and later repeating the process as these barriers started to come down. Nicole has always worked remotely with her team located around the world, however, she does recognize the role that amenities play in helping define great tenant experience, largely due to the need to increase tenant “choices”. Her line of business has actually ramped up with new demands to manage buildings that are “idle”, but still need to be maintained and ready for reactivation as needed, bringing about new challenges and opportunities for her team. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Marcie Williams, CEO of RKW Residential. Marcie started her career journey in CRE as a leasing consultant in multifamily, eventually turning her focus to operations where she worked her way up the ranks to her current role as CEO. Marcie was actually encouraged to get into real estate while working as a bartender, and she has never looked back. Her natural confidence and comfort around people have contributed to her industry success. Marcie shares insights from her experience managing over 4,000 homes in planned communities and finding a work/life balance in the hybrid world. Creating community has become RKW's #1 priority, with residents 70% more likely to renew if they connect with just 6 people in their communities. To achieve this goal, multifamily spaces are evolving to accommodate new use cases and provide more outdoor offerings. While Marcie is focused on meeting the new demands of their core business, she also prioritizes the changing needs of the corporate work environment through the introduction of new programs and activities that keep her team connected. I loved hearing about Marcie's “hotel industry” training program, inspired by the importance of adopting a hospitality approach in real estate. As Marcie describes, thinking about what people need entirely sums up her job. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Rasheq Zarif, Co-founder and COO of ReWyre. Rasheq shares his career journey to the Proptech space after 2+ decades in the automotive and mobility industry. Rasheq saw that commercial real estate was ripe for disruption and that many of the challenges were similar to the auto industry, so he was able to apply his experience and methodology to disrupt CRE. Rasheq is now partnered with Ricky Chera, co-founding ReWyre, to support the property technology that is leading the digital transformation of the industry. Rasheq and ReWyre envision an ecosystem that contributes to a common cause by creating a neutral party to help transact for multiple solutions. Data will be a big driver for CRE to see the bigger picture, and according to Rasheq, this is where HILO is uniquely positioned to be able to better understand the customer's needs and provide a higher level of service. I loved Rasheq's thinking around buildings as environments, rather than assets. This way of thinking aligns with mine, as I've recognized for some time that buildings are really places for people. The only way to optimize real estate again is to solve the root cause of the problem, challenging building operators to create better workplace environments that people will want to spend time in. Rasheq views Tenant Experience, Safety and Security, and Climate Change as three main components of the Proptech ecosystem that are driving demand for emerging technology solutions. I am convinced that Racheq's unique background is going to allow him to see opportunities where others don't, helping to “ReWyre” the built world and future-proof buildings through enhancement, without having to make major changes to the infrastructure. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Michael Beckerman, CEO of CREtech and CREtech Climate. Michael shares his career journey from public relations for commercial real estate to launching a small news aggregator that has grown into something much bigger, now CREtech. Michael saw an opportunity to put a spotlight on innovation in the built world and create a global audience of startups, commercial real estate operators and venture capitalists. Michael understands the stakeholders' pain points in the CRE ecosystem and felt he could provide helpful added value. In our discussion, Michael notes the significant change in power from the landlord to the tenant and the new recognition that customer demands and preferences are going to evolve the industry to deliver a hospitality approach to service. Now more than ever before, real estate companies must think of themselves as a brand. For Michael, it is less about how many days people are in the office, and more about the experience that is offered when they are there. Michael's perspective on the rate of technology adoption by CRE provides an insightful context to better understand the pain points for stakeholders. I love Michael's thoughts about the fluidity of the workplace, while he noted the paramount need to focus on the experience people receive no matter where they choose to work. Michael gravitates to the “hard things” and I so enjoyed our time together and learning about where he sees the industry going in the future. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Amy Carroll, President of Trademark Properties. Amy's family built custom homes, so it was natural for her to begin her career journey in an entry-level position at a multifamily real estate business. After 8 years of learning all she could, Amy leveraged that experience and transitioned to commercial real estate and property management, which led her to Trademark Properties and ascending to the position of President on her 1-year anniversary. Amy is a lifelong learner and feels strongly that this characteristic is essential to success. As a supporter of the new hybrid workplace, Amy has personally adopted this approach within her company. We discussed the need for buildings to be more competitive, especially when stacked up against newer construction. In Amy's words: “Commercial Real Estate is a dinosaur.” Technology has been focused on the operations side of the business, but it's not enough. With HR managers now involved in every real estate decision, now is the time to tap into what is most important – delivering what tenants really want. The operation of the building needs to be better connected to experience. I loved hearing about Amy's early response to the pandemic, and how she and her team positioned the company for success during a time of tremendous upheaval. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Josh Berger, Vice President at Norman Bobrow & Co. Josh shares his views on the return to the physical workplace and on the Manhattan real estate market. I loved how Josh expressed his learned belief that ‘there is no one size fits all,' and that every situation is unique. Savvy landlords see that helping their customers to attract and retain tenants is now a priority. While this phenomenon began pre-pandemic, it is certainly a bigger part of the conversation today. The question now is, what is really most important to tenants? Ping pong tables or conference centers? We both agree that Covid has awakened the real estate industry and that we can't do business the way we always had. Josh really impressed me with his commitment to ‘helping people,' particularly during the pandemic and his position that ‘it is never about the commission'. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Steven Rotter, Vice Chairman NY Investment Sales at JLL New York. After his first two years in the business, Steven really began to understand the importance of relationships and making connections as one of his keys to success. Over time he referred to that as “keeping the light on” and it has become a major contributor to his success. Steven is never shy about asking for an intro and has come to value the importance of caring about every deal, no matter what size. Working hard, building trust and being enthusiastic help breed success. There are certainly many changes continuing to emerge in CRE and in NYC specifically, but Steven feels strongly that businesses will continue to see NYC as an important location to have a physical presence, albeit with different use cases and purposes. Interestingly, a majority of the deals that are getting done today are with buildings that are offering new, or expanded services and amenities to attract new tenants. Now is the time to invest, and the benefits will accrue to building owners, employers and employees. Steven talked about how JLL is able to provide more data to support their clients and improve communications between stakeholders, and the importance that technology is now playing in the CRE space. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Bob Knakal, Chairman NY Investment Sales at JLL, with a career that spans over 38 years in NYC real estate. Bob shared his perspective on what makes anyone successful in what they do - drawing a connection to team sports, a competitive spirit and the notion of achieving personal excellence. Bob discussed his personal experience working through the pandemic and how his own thinking has evolved and changed. Bob believes that working in the office is more fun and hopes that people will continue to find their way back to the office and rediscover the many ways in which the commute can provide valuable time to read, listen to audiobooks or your favorite podcast. Developers are constantly trying to figure out what the “consumer” of CRE really wants today, and how this understanding impacts use cases and new amenities as a way to differentiate and be more competitive. Bob reveals how he first responded to the pandemic by using his new found time to actually drive and walk every single block south of 96th street, creating a lot of actionable data to help drive more activity for his clients. Bob's knowledge and enthusiasm for CRE in NYC is second to none, and I learned so much from spending time with him. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.

In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Chad Griffiths, Industrial Real Estate Broker, Investor, and Host of the Industrial Real Estate Podcast. Chad likes to say that he eats, sleeps and breathes all things industrial. He admits that much of his success can be attributed to being resilient whenever he was faced with receiving ‘no's over the course of his career. We both have a love and appreciation for building towers, and we discussed how the industrial sector is continuing to evolve. Chad shares his perspective on the office market in city cores, the opportunity for suburban office space to meet increased demand, and how industrial space is taking on different use cases to meet emerging needs. He believes that the building itself can be a significant determinant in making the physical workspace more appealing. Placing an emphasis on what tenants want can have a direct correlation to the value of that building. We both agree that people are the true asset in buildings, and they need to be engaged in a more meaningful way. Chad reveals that the industrial space has not fully tapped into the wave of new technologies that have hit the office and retail sectors. We both agree this new normal requires building operators to be more nimble to respond faster with more creative solutions. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.