Jacob of CBRE details her motivation and the challenges the industry faces

Alissa Jacob is a brokerage associate at CB Richard Ellis. Jacobs is affiliated with REBNY, YREPNY, ULI, USGBC, AREW and JNF Professional Circle What makes you an innovator? Working in a down market means thinking outside the box and finding opportunities where it may seem that none are to be had. I try to stay on top of the latest news and remain connected to people even if there is a slowdown in their sector at the moment- you never know when things will start to turn around. What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? I participated in the CBRE Wheel Program, and it was very difficult to become so involved with each division within the company only to be removed from it 3 months later. However, I believe this program also gave me the opportunity to expand my network within my own company and to understand the various service lines at CBRE so that I may better serve my clients in the future. What motivates you to succeed? Knowing that this is a long-term business reminds me that I am a real estate advisor and not just a deal by deal sales associate. Each transaction is not about the money, but about the relationship I am able to build with my client. I want to know that I am working in my client's best interest at all times and that they trust me. Building a strong understanding of the business and a noteworthy reputation motivates me to succeed. How do you stay ahead of the curve? Because I am of the younger generation of real estate professionals, I try to take advantage of all the networks available to me such as, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. I believe that this new social media allows me to be ahead of the curve, even as someone so new to the business. Who/what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? While both of my parents work in residential real estate, I believe it has been the professionals at CBRE that have played the biggest role in my career thus far. For example, Stephen Siegel always talks to us about optimism and looking for opportunities during the downturn. His advice has been something that has kept me going these past two years. I entered the business at the beginning of the economic downfall and without advice like his, I'm not sure I would still be here. CBRE has not only given me the knowledge I need to succeed, but they have offered me the education of renowned colleagues who have made their mark on the industry as a whole. What impact has social networking had on your success? I am a very active member of numerous fundraising organizations. I remain an active member of both my high school and college alumni boards. I do this because of my passion for helping others as well as maintaining connected to the institutions that raised me. Even though these are things I choose to do for a personal reason, my involvement has absolutely helped me create relationships that are integral to my success. How has the need to create a more sustainable environment influenced the way you do business? When I initially studied sustainability I thought, "this is a great idea, but can it really work?" After working with clients, I've seen that there really are cost benefits to sustainability. In addition to decreasing their global footprint, my clients have saved money, established their reputation, and created a healthier work environment for their employees. I am a strong supporter of green building, and I hope that once the economy starts to recover, sustainability will become more and more important. What excites you most about this industry? The real estate industry is so special because it is so pervasive. One can work in real estate as a developer, broker, investor, consultant, architect, and appraiser-to name a few. The industry is so multi-faceted, which means one can never stop learning something new. My goals for the future are... To be happy and proud of my career. I hope to maintain all of my relationships and establish myself as a trustworthy individual with innovative ideas and solutions. I hope that the future of the real estate industry will bring about more notorious female professionals. I can probably list 5-10 women who dominate the real estate industry. I hope that this number grows exponentially and that the women who excel in the field are seen as the norm and not the exception. The biggest challenge facing the real estate industry in 2010 is... 2009 was a year of uncertainty. I believe 2010 will be a difficult year and will require more diligence than ever. Inevitably, more mortgages will come due and more buildings will be taken back by the banks. Some landlords will find opportunities and some will dissolve. I believe that 2010 real estate industry needs to learn from the past. Tenants and landlords need to think strategically. We may not be at the bottom, but I personally believe we are close. I think 2010 will be the year that some professionals are able to take advantage of, and some will struggle to survive. The "silver lining" in the cloud of the current economy is... Opportunities can be born. Not everyone will be able to take advantage of these opportunities because they themselves are overleveraged or in financial trouble, but I think that it's important to remember that there is going to be a calm after the storm. Preparing myself for that calm is one of my biggest priorities. Alissa Jacob is a brokerage associate at CB Richard Ellis, New York, N.Y.