Kiwi ingenuity & low-cost green solutions I’ve often talked about the trends towards sustainability and green buildings and how this is something that is with us to stay. Work environments that are both green and user friendly are definitely in demand with employees, and also with organisations wanting to walk the talk around their commitment to the planet and people. Being green is… I’ve often talked about the trends towards sustainability and green buildings and how this is something that is with us to stay. Work environments that are both green and user friendly are definitely in demand with employees, and also with organisations wanting to walk the talk around their commitment to the planet and people. Being green is Continue reading “Kiwi ingenuity & low-cost green solutions”
Literally thinking outside the square When people talk about innovation and smart business practices, we often hear the hackneyed cliché “thinking outside the square”. And usually it’s much easier said than done. So today I thought I would share a story about a case where true outside the square thinking for one of our clients ended up improving their productivity, service to clients and reducing their rental costs… When people talk about innovation and smart business practices, we often hear the hackneyed cliché “thinking outside the square”. And usually it’s much easier said than done. So today I thought I would share a story about a case where true outside the square thinking for one of our clients ended up improving their productivity, service to clients and reducing their rental costs. Continue reading “Literally thinking outside the square”
Double whammy in Auckland’s commercial rental market People often ask me what’s going on in the commercial rental property market. They’re all keen to hear the real oil, so I thought I would run through some current trends and some predictions. The current market is undergoing a double whammy experience of… People often ask me what’s going on in the commercial rental property market. They’re all keen to hear the real oil, so I thought I would run through some current trends and some predictions. I must as always qualify this by saying that there will always be exceptions to the rule and while these are broader trends, the situation will always vary on a property by property basis. The current market is undergoing a double whammy experience of… Continue reading “Double whammy in Auckland’s commercial rental market”
What “the lunch factor” says about a building’s location Where and what people have for lunch can be a really interesting indicator about getting the location of business premises right… Where and what people have for lunch can be a really interesting indicator about getting the location of business premises right. Continue reading “What “the lunch factor” says about a building’s location”
Commercial property lease costs & the iceberg effect It is extremely easy for most of us to be lulled into thinking a quoted rental price is the main cost when entering into a commercial property lease. But lurking beneath that highly visible tip of the iceberg are some nasty extras… It is extremely easy for most of us to be lulled into thinking a quoted rental price is the main cost when entering into a commercial property lease. But lurking beneath that highly visible tip of the iceberg are some nasty extras. I frequently experience people who enter into long term commercial property leases focussed on the rental cost per square metre. They see that as their main cost and don’t consider Continue reading “Commercial property lease costs & the iceberg effect”
How creative thinking & rigorous financial models can reduce property costs… As we clamber out of recession and look for ways to get some nutrients to the green shoots, it is timely to consider innovative ways to cut costs. And with property always a high cost on the P&L, looking at innovative ways to manage and reduce this cost with creative thinking and rigorous financial models can provide opportunities for savings we have never considered. We don’t know what we don’t know! As New Zealanders we pride ourselves on our DIY can-do attitude and it gets us a long way. But for a while now, business commentators have been challenging this approach saying the downside, particularly on the world stage, can be that a DIY approach is detrimental. Our top businesses have it mastered, and in Continue reading “How creative thinking & rigorous financial models can reduce property costs…”
With tough times come dirty tricks Desperation is biting in the commercial real estate industry. There are very few commercial tenants looking for space right now, and many agents that specialise in commercial leases are consequently struggling. With tough times come dirty tricks. One ploy that is on the rise is… Desperation is biting in the commercial real estate industry. There are very few commercial tenants looking for space right now, and many agents that specialise in commercial leases are consequently struggling. With tough times come dirty tricks. One ploy that is on the rise is where a Continue reading “With tough times come dirty tricks”
A time to be light on your feet I once heard a New Zealand export manufacturer talking positively about this country’s competitive advantage against some of the really big players in the world such as China and the U.S. He said our advantage was… I once heard a New Zealand export manufacturer talking positively about this country’s competitive advantage against some of the really big players in the world such as China and the U.S. He said our advantage was Continue reading “A time to be light on your feet”
Landlords woo tenants High vacancy levels in the commercial lease market are starting to see landlords make some real efforts to woo tenants. I’ve started to see landlords for a number of buildings undertaking… High vacancy levels in the commercial lease market are starting to see landlords make some real efforts to woo tenants. I’ve started to see landlords undertaking refurbishments to make their buildings more attractive to tenants. There is also a trend to not simply take on cosmetic improvements, but to Continue reading “Landlords woo tenants”
Opportunities & threats of the Rugby World Cup It’s now just over two years until the Rugby World Cup is staged in New Zealand. The biggest impact is likely to be in Auckland where there will be eight games including the semi finals and final at Eden Park. But stadia… It’s now just over two years until the Rugby World Cup is staged in New Zealand. The biggest impact is likely to be in Auckland where there will be eight games including the semi finals and final at Eden Park. But stadia Continue reading “Opportunities & threats of the Rugby World Cup”
