Global Competitiveness           

Less than one-percent of the global populations have the wealth, health, political and cultural freedoms, family support and free time that makes up our lifestyle in the United States. We are a very highly productive nation.  High rates of labor productivity in China, India, and other emerging economies have many concerned that our U.S. workers are losing ground to their competitors in world markets.  This might be true, but maybe it's that those countries are simply in an "emerging" era and not in an "advanced" state like the United States and other older economies.  It seems to me that as the world markets emerge, they follow the path of human growth.  I see it like this.  

A small child could be looked at as being highly productive, because they grow by leaps and bounds up until age four and then continue this accelerated energy through their teens and early twenties.  In their 30's, as they "mature", this acceleration slows when they enter middle age.  If things go well there's continual "progress" for the next 30-40 years but it's at a more balanced pace.  This process of acceleration, slowdown and plateau doesn't need a cause for concern anymore than emerging countries should concern us.  But like getting older, we have to work a little bit harder on staying relevant. 

Being older has some great advantages and so does being a mature country.  It's the same with businesses.  They too, I believe, go through similar "life cycles" over the long term with lots of little milestones and setbacks along the way.  But the one thing that will cause great harm, to countries, people and businesses is doing the same thing the same way because it's "good enough".  I think that some "pain" is very healthy.  Without pain there is no compelling reason to do something different or look at a new way to do something.  If we're too satisfied or complacent, we tend to stop being innovative and miss so much that could help us be more productive which really leads to health.  When it comes to our companies, are we really happy with how we process things now?  Are we happy with our company's, departments' or our own personal level of productivity?  And by productivity, I mean the basics. You know, how we get things done day in and day out.   

I challenge you to quit worrying about other countries productivity and focus a bit closer to home.  It's been almost ten years since I first got excited about how our industry could be better by simplifying the deal management process and how we communicate with clients and prospects.  I sometimes get discouraged at how slow the pace of change has been.  But I haven't given up and I hope you recognize why.  I know having easy access to critical data and documents improves service, as well as increases productivity and profitability.  I know all too well what a challenge it is for the banker, broker, analyst, credit risk manager, lawyer, developer, et al. to manage disparate information sources.  I know that significant, sustainable change takes time.  I keep going along a path with somewhat of a natural pattern.  However, I sometimes wish it didn't have such a steep grade. 

Click here  to join our blog discussion or simply shoot me an email  when you get a chance.

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream operates 60 locations throughout IA, IL, MN, MO, ND and WI. The restaurants, offering pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads and ice cream, as well as breakfast items, occupy spaces of 1,500 sq.ft. to 5,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and strip centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout the midwestern region of the U.S. during the coming 18 months. A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required. Preferred cotenants include video stores and dry cleaners. Major competitors include national and local pizzerias. Preferred demographics include a population of 40,000 within three miles earning $75,000 as the average household income. The company is franchising, and will also consider locations outside of the Midwest on a case-by-case basis.  For more information, contact Tim Anderson, Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream, 2705 Happy Joe Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722

Qdoba Mexican Grill operates more than 500 locations nationwide. The fast-casual Mexican restaurants occupy spaces of 2,000 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations in addition to endcaps and inline spaces of shopping centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout northern DE, southern NJ and eastern PA during the coming 18 months, with representation by Michael Salove Co. Preferred demographics include a trade-area population earning more than $65,000 as the average household income. The company prefers to locate near central business districts, office parks, hospitals and colleges.  For more information, contact Douglas Green, Michael Salove Co., 1700 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Glass Garden, Inc. trades as Shop Rite Supermarkets at nine locations throughout NJ and NY.  The supermarkets occupy spaces of 73,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and lifestyle, power, specialty and strip centers.  Plans call for two openings within CT, NJ, NY or PA during the coming 18 months.  Typical leases run 20 years with options.  A land area of at least nine acres is required for freestanding locations.  For more information, contact Ben Focarino, Glass Garden, Inc., 204 Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662-3118

Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. trades as Marsh Supermarkets and O'Malia's at 97 locations throughout IN and OH.  The supermarkets offering bakery, meat, seafood, produce and floral departments, as well as offering a pharmacy in select markets, occupy spaces of 45,000 sq.ft. to 65,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and strip centers.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.  For more information, contact Brent Edstrom, Marsh Supermarkets, Inc., 333 South Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN 46219

Like these leads?  Want More?  Go to the Dealmakers website for a Subscription. Dealmakers, the nation's weekly news source on retail real estate.