In a recent Agent Genius post, I stirred up the pot a little bit by stating my (god forbid) opinion about the lack of interaction  and communication within the Commercial Real Estate Industry.  Part of my reasoning had to do with the male domination of the industry itself.

Well….Hello Ladies

Might I have the pleasure of introducing you to THE CREW. This is an organization which specifically targets members in the commercial real estate industry, who just happen to be women.  The organization started in the 80′s  and is based in the Boston area.  It  has 68 chapters and 7000 plus members.  They have a great historical base and mission statement , which is nice but, I’m a little more interested in how they function.

This Is Not Tea And Biscuits

It’s called planned interaction.  It has been my personal experience that most any activity or events  involving the CREW will get you  Face to Face with their membership. WOW, what a cutting edge concept!  A little sarcasm in the last statement perhaps?  One of the CREW events I attended netted me no less than 11 business cards and several affiliate inquiries. Networking 101, they have it in spades.

The Ladies Have A Plan

If you were to step back and say “What are some of the best way’s to promote my industry and my business in my community?”  It would be?

1. Career Out Reach: Find the best candidates available and help get real jobs for the people already in your organization.
2. Scholarships: Find and recognize the best potential university candidates and help pay for their education via U-CREW.
3. Mentoring: Establish standards and levels of education necessary and then actually teach and mentor people.
4. Events: Educational ,interactive,off site, just for fun,for serious charity and causes.  Oh ,and meet people that you can do deals with and make money.
5. Recognition: Who doesn’t want that? How about Rising Star,Local Legend, Most Inspirational, Most active affiliate, Biggest Fish, Best Wine. Hey, I said they know how to have fun.
6. Affiliates: Interaction and relationship building with people and business resources you want to work with and absolutely need.

The Ladies Have Goals..And Are Not Shy About It.

They pretty much speak for themselves:

To achieve parity in opportunity, influence and power in the commercial real estate industry.

CREW Network will have achieved this envisioned future when:

CREW Network is the premier resource and referral network for the commercial real estate industry.

Women of diverse backgrounds have unlimited opportunities in the commercial real estate industry because of CREW Network’s success.

Women have attained an equal number of seats at the commercial real estate table.

Women control 50% of all commercial real estate activities worldwide.

50% of all real estate firm CEO’s are women.

50% of private real estate developers and owners are women.

50% of presidents of major lending and banking companies are women.

CREW network is the real estate industry’s choice of association for the business and leadership development of its professionals. As such, companies, employers, and sponsors value and seek out CREW Network and its members as critical components of their success.

CREW chapters are the strongest local real estate organizations in every major market in the world.

Take A Quick Look At Some Of The Chapters

Miami

Houston

Atlanta

Boston

Washington D.C

Do they let the boys play?   Sure they do.  Men are allowed and encouraged to join.  I would also like to challenge any and all “Big Boys” in Commercial Real Estate to seek out a chapter in your area and attend a meeting .  I think you will pleasantly surprised.  One little tip …you may want to wear a cup!