At FPL Associates, we have found that one of the best sources of ideas already exists within the organization and the most effective approach for extracting these ideas is often the most straightforward one – ask your employees.

This paper analyzes key factors affecting historical returns and addresses strategic implications for those who manage or invest in commercial real estate organizations.

As of 2007, a dramatic increase in international real estate investment is underway.  FPL Associates believes that this is indicative of a permanent shift in the way the real estate investment management marketplace functions, prompting us to consider how the players in this market will need to evolve.  This whitepaper looks at the techniques successful firms used to build their businesses, the actions they took as their firms developed, and the innate characteristics that contributed to their success.

FPL Advisory Group recently hosted a panel discussion with several real estate industry leaders focused on the strategic, organizational, and human capital challenges they face in running increasingly global businesses. Participants included: Sonny Kalsi, Co-Head of Real Estate Investing, Morgan Stanley; Chuck Leitner, Global Head, RREEF Alternative Investments; Jay Sugarman, Chairman and CEO, iStar Financial; and Brett White, President, CEO & Director, CB Richard Ellis. Bill Ferguson, Co-CEO & Co-Chairman of FPL Advisory Group, led the conversation.

High performing companies in the real estate industry make succession planning a high priority.  It's an important responsibility of the Board and the CEO to investors, clients, and employees.  Succession planning is an evergreen process: it should be initiated in earnest with progress reviewed on a regular basis.  Importantly, the process should be flexible enough to allow for necessary (and sometimes major) course corrections.