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TOP OF THE WEEK TO YOU!
(by realwired! CEO, 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. |
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First, What You Told Me Last Week, then, onto Ultrabooks!
Last week we talked about New Year's resolutions, which led to a discussion about doing things differently, which led into a question about whether we should try to connect on a more personal level in our day-to-day e-mails by adding a headshot to our signature line. I received some interesting responses and for those of you who sent them, thank you very much! Some of you even decided on the spot it was something that you wanted to do.
As I compiled all of the opinions, the clear winner was to use a current, professional looking headshot in some signatures but not in others. You told me it can be particularly important to have a person's photo when corresponding within their own company with people they email frequently or even speak frequently to by phone but have no face-to-face interaction. In other words, for people they've had a "relationship" with for a long time, but never met in person, many felt that having a headshot as part of the signature line was a good thing. The opinion was that service providers or people who interact with the service providers benefit from a headshot because it adds a personal touch and builds trust. Many of you referred to the influence of social media and imagery as a reason that the perception of having personal head shots in our electronic correspondence is more acceptable. Bottom line is headshots have a place in our signatures today but probably don't belong in every signature. So based on your feedback, our office is going to create signatures with and without headshots so that they can make a decision how best to communicate e-mail by e-mail. Thanks so much for your input.
And now onto something that's a little more technical. If you didn't get an iPad for Christmas do you want one or do you want something else? There are more choices out there than ever. If you recall, nearly a year ago I got my first iPad and I told you that one of the things I liked best about it was being able to read at night without having a bedside light on and disturbing my husband. And while that benefit certainly still holds true, I have to tell you I'm still working on finding or making the ideal pillow for propping it up. It gets a little heavy. I still love my iPad. However, there were certainly some shortcomings. Consequently, I have bought Android-based tablets as well. What I'm still waiting for is the right Windows-based product. Our industry is heavily dependent on and operates in a Windows world with Microsoft software and it's really disappointing that there's no great Windows tablet. But tablets are so convenient. They're lightweight easy to carry and part of their popularity is that they lie flat on a very slight incline and when in meetings they are less disruptive because there's no tall screen sticking up. So I'm wondering why ultra-books are becoming so popular. And will this popularity continue? It sort of reminds me of a time, probably eight or more years ago, when we carried around a cell phone and a PalmPilot. The phone was for calls and the PalmPilot was for calendaring. But that's all changed, so can the ultra-book become the "smart book"?
As much as I love tablets, I stand my ground that they are best for entertainment, (viewing videos and photographs), reviewing documents and informal discussions and presentations. They just don't work for the kind of business that we in commercial real estate need to do or anyone who had the need for intensive written input. So what is the "ultra-book"? It's a Windows version of the MacBook Air that is less expensive, uses flash storage, boots up in 10 seconds, has a great screen and weighs in between three to five pounds and is expected to be the big talk at this month's consumer electronics show where they are expected to come out in the $700 to $1000 price range. I think ultra-books are worth looking at even though they also aren't the perfect device. I don't think there will ever be one perfect device any more than there is any one perfect model of automobile. Thank goodness we can afford to buy multiples.
Lastly, I guess the fact is that I won't get my imaginary "smart book" anytime soon even though there have been attempts. There have been several "convertible" tablet laptops, but most just never took off. It seemed the main problem was with durability, weight, battery life and general functionality. An example that may be moving us closer is the new Dell Inspiration Duo. It looks like a step in the right direction and what might be kind of cool was to have that type of a flip screen viewable from both sides. There's probably a prototype out there somewhere already. Okay, now I'm just dreaming. But isn't that what technologies and gadgets are all about.
If you would like to join our blog discussion click here or I welcome your feedback through email.
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Hot Deals/Leads
Yuzu Frozen Yogurt operates two locations in Broward and Dade counties in FL. The self-serve frozen yogurt shops occupy spaces of 1,200 sq.ft. to 1,600 sq.ft. in downtown areas and entertainment, outlet, strip and value centers. Plans call for six to 10 openings throughout southeastern FL during the coming 18 months, with representation by Investment Management Associates, Inc. Typical leases run five years. A vanilla shell is required. Major competitors include Yogurtland and Yogurbella. For more information, contact Alexander Espinola, Investment Management Associates, Inc., 1575 San Ignacio Avenue, Suite 400, Coral Gables, FL 33146
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. trades as BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse at 115 locations throughout AZ, CA, CO, FL, IN, KY, LA, NV, OH, OK, OR, TX and WA. The restaurants occupy spaces of 7,500 sq.ft. to 9,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, malls and entertainment, mixed-use, power and strip centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 15 to 25 years with options. Preferred cotenants include entertainment facilities, movie theaters, restaurants and big box and lifestyle retailers. For more information, contact Brian Ulrich, BJ's Restaurants, Inc., 7755 Center Avenue, Suite 300, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
NYJ, Inc. trades as Gold Valley Jewelers, Italian Gold and New York Jewelry at 26 locations throughout AL, FL, IL, NC, SC, TX and VA. The jewelry stores occupy spaces of 1,500 sq.ft. in malls. Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run five to 10 years. Specific improvements are required. Preferred cotenants include Lord & Taylor. For more information, contact Mohammad Saleh NYJ, Inc., 108 West Club Boulevard, Durham, NC 27701
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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Featured Internet Site of the Week
Ultrabook Reviews
Latest scoops on ultrabooks and fancy mini laptops, with the best ultrabook reviews, guides and some news
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