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October 12, 2011

           Volume 13 - Number 41

      
Streamlining the Business of Commercial Real Estate
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In This Issue
Do You Use an Electric Toothbrush?
Hot Deals/Leads
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TOP OF THE WEEK TO YOU!
(by realwired! CEO, Brenda Dohring Hicks)

Brenda Dohring Hicks

 

Top of the Week to You! is designed to offer the inside scoop and latest of what's important in the world of technology as it relates to the commercial real estate industry.

Do You Use an Electric Toothbrush?         


Are you a manual or electric brusher?  Seems like a funny question for someone like me whose work centers on technology and improving processes doesn't it?  It really is not, once I explain.   I use an electric toothbrush.   Why? Because the electric one does a better job, I can afford it and I just like the way it feels. I use a manual toothbrush when traveling.  Why?  It does an adequate job, it's inexpensive (in case I leave it behind, which I'm prone to doing) and it's easier and lighter to pack.  I can say the exact same things about the "computers" I use.  I can just exchange the words like this.  At home and work I use a PC.  It does a better job, I can afford it and I just like the way it feels.  I use a laptop or tablet when traveling.  Why?  Ok, it's pretty obvious isn't it? But let's get back to the cost and convenience of why we use our various devices and even the software that runs on them.
 
For almost everyone, cost is always a factor.  We all make decisions about things based on cost.  But I'll bet it's never, yep, never the sole reason.  Do I need to spend $100+ on an electric toothbrush?  Nope.  But for some of the reasons I just shared, I did and will continue to do so. Do you need to make sure you're able to work wherever you want with as much convenience as possible?  I think so.  Over time, I'm convinced that my electric toothbrush will be better for my overall dental health and so the price isn't the issue.  When working mobile, having the right "setup" is much the same.  Cost isn't or shouldn't be the determinate factor.   And while I'm admittedly a gadget girl, I'm convinced that we can't be as productive if we rely on either a laptop or a tablet.  They are two different devices as I demonstrated to myself while traveling a couple of weeks ago.  Just as I want to be at a nice comfortable desk with one or more big screens when banging out a lot of "work", I like my laptop for moving around the office or home because it's solid, has an adequate sized screen and fits well on most surfaces including my lap (you got to love the name laptop when you think about it don't you?).  
 
Now I haven't said much about our smart phones for a reason.  They really aren't for working - viewing and editing documents and spreadsheets, reading long emails or even looking at maps and property floorplans and photos which is what those of us in this industry spend a lot of time doing. But the tablet, that's another story.  The right tablet is a really good travel tool like a manual toothbrush.  For a while I did the analogies like this:  electric toothbrush/PC, manual toothbrush/laptop, tablet/disposable toothbrush and smart phone/toothpick.  But I've moved the tablet up to manual toothbrush status.   
 
I did the test by traveling on business for four days with only the tablet.  Well actually only my iPad.  Cold turkey.  I was a bit nervous.  It worked pretty well, yet certainly different than having a laptop.  Of course I didn't have any 75 page leases to audit, but it sure made my carry-on lighter and there wasn't much I couldn't do with it.  The biggest issue I have with the iPad is that most of us work in a Windows world and while you can manage to get apps that let you do some stuff, it's not elegant.  
 
So after I get my latest tablet, the Idea Pad K1 set up, I'm thinking it will be sort of like those battery operated toothbrushes - a strong contender to the electric one.  Marking what I see as the evolution of tablets from fun and useful to viable remote workstations!
     

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

Hot Deals/Leads
CP Enterprise, Inc. trades as Chao Praya Chinese Eatery and as a franchisee of Menchie's Frozen Yogurt at six locations in AR, LA, MS, NC, OK and VA. The restaurants and frozen yogurt shops, respectively, occupy spaces of 500 sq.ft. to 650 sq.ft. in food courts of regional enclosed malls. Growth opportunities are sought for the Chao Praya concept nationwide throughout the lower 48 states during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 10 years. A vanilla shell is preferred. Preferred cotenants include Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Macy's and mid-range retailers. Preferred demographics include a population of 200,000 within 10 miles earning more than $30,000 as the average household income.       For more information, contact Brian Wiley, CP Enterprise, Inc., 1880 Lakeland Drive, Suite 3, Jackson, MS 39216

The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. trades as The Melting Pot Restaurant at 142 locations nationwide, as well as throughout Canada and Mexico. The full-service restaurants, offering a fondue-based menu and primarily dinner-only, occupy spaces of 4,000 sq.ft. to 6,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, regional malls, urban/downtown areas and entertainment, lifestyle, power, specialty and strip centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout the midwestern, northeastern and western regions of the U.S., as well as internationally, during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 10 years. Preferred demographics include a population of 300,000 within 10 miles earning more than $55,000 as the average household income. The company is franchising.  For more information, contact Dan Stone, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., 8810 Twin Lakes Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33614

Hyman Family, LP trades as Susie's Deals at more than 60 locations throughout CA, NV and UT.  The stores, offering family apparel and accessories, occupy spaces of 5,000 sq.ft. to 8,000 sq.ft. in strip and value centers.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout CA during the coming 18 months.  Typical leases run five years with two, five-year options.  A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required.  Preferred cotenants include Target, Walmart, Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx and grocery stores.  Preferred demographics include a population of 100,000 within three miles earning $50,000 as the average household income.   For more information, contact Sheri Vernon, Hyman Family, LP, 620 South Wanamaker Avenue, Ontario, CA; 91761

Au Bon Pain operates more than 200 locations nationwide and internationally. The casual bakery cafés occupy spaces of 2,200 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. in urban/downtown areas. Plans call for three openings in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas during the coming 18 months, with representation by Woodmark Commercial. The company prefers sites with a strong daytime population.  For more information, contact Anastasia Kharchenko, Woodmark Commercial, 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest, Suite 170, Washington, DC 20007
 

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

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