CRE Finds Benefit in Hiring Young Pros

HOUSTON—More CRE companies are replenishing the ranks with younger cohorts. And, one 2017 NAIOP Office Rising Star award winner is an example of the accomplishments that can be achieved in a short timeframe.

Bryant Lach has been added to the JLL office tenant representation team in Houston as vice president. Lach brings five years of real estate experience and during that time, his team completed more than 50 million square feet of tenant representation transactions. He is involved with NAIOP Houston, Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill Houston Young Professionals. In this exclusive, Lach discussed the appeal of CRE from the young professional standpoint and what’s appealing about hiring young professionals.

GlobeSt.com: What makes CRE an appealing career choice for a younger professional?

Lach: One of the main things that makes CRE an appealing career choice is the entrepreneurial aspect. It’s an industry in which you have ownership of your business and there is no limit to your potential if you’re willing to learn and work hard. This, coupled with the fact that the business continues to evolve and experience significant change, makes it an exciting industry to be a part of.

GlobeSt.com: Other than technology savvy, what sets younger CRE professionals apart from those who’ve been at it a while? What does this group have to offer the industry?

Lach: It is tough to exclude technological savviness because it is a major reason behind the success of younger CRE professionals. There is a real advantage to being comfortable adopting new technology. The ability to track and analyze data, visualize space and understand utilization have all been enhanced by technology, which helps clients make more informed real estate decisions, is very valuable. That aside, there are no shortcuts in this industry, and young professionals today will have to put in the sweat equity to build their business just like previous generations did.

In terms of what young professionals have to offer, I think that in many cases, we are the demographic our clients are trying to attract and retain with their corporate real estate. Each generation has an important perspective to contribute, and that includes young professionals today. In commercial real estate, we can advise on what the newest generation of talent is looking for in their workspace.

GlobeSt.com: For companies looking to hire younger professionals, what makes a company most appealing and exciting for the new hire?

Lach: Workplace culture, a company’s work environment, and the physical office space and location are important. Whether you’re talking about purchasing habits, work or anything else, today’s younger generations highly value lifestyle and experience. Top young talent will choose one employer over an otherwise comparable employer if the office space has more natural light, is within walking distance of amenities and provides a collaborative work environment, which is why real estate decisions need to be well thought out and tied to broader business objectives.

GlobeSt.com: What is CRE missing with regard to the benefits of hiring young leaders?

Lach: Young leaders are typically more willing to take a chance and implement new ideas; which is not a fit for every organization, especially ones that struggle with disruptions to the status quo. JLL is committed to finding and developing the best young talent and industry innovators, which is why I am excited to join this organization.