Commercial real estate investment is not just about the ‘deal’ and whether the numbers stack up, always make sure you are working with the right people before you get the cheque book out.

In reality people, from governments to lawyers, make the biggest difference in the success or failure of a commercial real estate deal. And during tough times of the last few years it was personal qualities that got people through the rough financial times with ‘patience’ cited as the most common virtue for survivors. So how do you know who’s good and what’s not? Confidence, market knowledge, experience? Below we asked investors and others working in the industry to share their views on how to pick the best partners for the job. Read more on Counting People…

Paul Oswald tells us what’s Possible – And Profitable – About Intelligent Building Systems

Rapid evolution of building automation systems (BAS) is significantly impacting facilities and those responsible for IT. For a long time, IT and BAS were developed separately, each focusing on individual technology developments and moving down the path of least resistance to market. But as buildings become “smarter,”

and there continues to be a growing need to interconnect building facilities spread over different geographical locations for remote monitoring, analysis and control, the convergence of the two is inevitable. IT is the basic infrastructure – cabling, networks, data gathering, database management and display – of all the systems used in a building. So BAS, and for that matter any building system, can fully capitalise on IT technology and trends. The convergence of IT and BAS is producing measureable benefits by merging business and building systems data across an enterprise. Read more on Convergence of IT and Building Automation Systems…

While the Shanghai Expo is on, providers of temporary and flexible office space for new business is the order of the day. Two serviced office providers tell us how it has affected their business.

1. What effect has the shanghai expo had on business in your centres?
Candi Yeung, Regional Marketing Manager – East Asia for Regus one of the bigger chains of business centres with several shanghai locations says “We have had various specific requests linked directly to the Expo. These related to office leases, meeting room bookings and video conferences. We also see that the general market in Shanghai is strengthening. It is very well possible that the Expo, as a ‘marketing tool’ for the city, has woken up a lot of interest and emphasised the great business potential and commercial infrastructure of Shanghai.” Read more on Shanghai Serviced Office…

This TV station project was designed to bring out the best in its staff through appealing to and stimulating their sense of creativity in numerous ways.

Staff working in television stations work long hours and are called upon to create, and continue to create, new interesting and exciting ideas on a consistent basis. As in most modern companies the ability for these staff to do just that makes or breaks the station. And a working environment that inspires rather than hinders creativity makes an enormous difference not just to quality of out put of existing staff but to the attraction and retention of new talent. This TV station project focused on the world of music and games to create a high-trend environment, combining work and entertainment in the same area. Read more on Creating Creativity…