Since the big squeeze started four years ago, we’ve seen lots of retail companies go out of business, change locations or infill/ backfill. As survivors adjust to reality, innovative ideas continue to pop up. Two of these are on my radar at the moment: right-sizing big boxes and creative uses for excess second floor space. …
I’ve found that networking and connecting are two very different things. To me, “networking” means interacting with your contacts, having a clear objective top of mind. “Connecting” comes from a genuine interest in people and creates a bond based on shared interest. Most people would rather talk to a connector. Through the experience of years, …
Price? Transaction experience? A combination of the two? Judging from a few meetings I’ve had recently, seems like it depends on who you talk to. Investors. Last week, I was talking with the vice president of a publicly traded real estate REIT. He said that when considering all parts, pricing should theoretically be the same. …
If “your stitches reflect your character,” as Bettye Kimbrell’s grandmother taught her, then Bettye is imaginative, determined and enduring. We think Grandmother got it just right. Stewart Perry has been fortunate to know the talented Mrs. Kimbrell, a 75-year-old quilter from Mt. Olive, Alabama, for quite a while. Over the years, she’s made us a …
About this time last year, the Birmingham Business Journal published an article titled “Frugal by Design.” They talked with local architects about something that I truly think is national in interest: the changing landscape of the building business. Three trends were identified that I’ve seen do nothing but grow over the last year. In fact, …
Last fall, we broke ground on a project that was more than special. It’s an honor. Independent Living Resources provides community-based, non-residential services and advocacy for those living with disabilities. The new location we are building in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District seems more than fitting. As IRL Executive Director Dan Kessler, told The Birmingham News, …
Might be over-exposed. That’s what the Wall Street Journal, “Indecent Exposure: The Downsides of Working in a Glass Office” says, anyway. With all the talk about the benefits of open design, no one seemed to consider the pitfalls. Here are a few the WSJ identified: Privacy on personal matters, where human resources or other private …
Recently, we completed two projects using LED lighting for the parking fields. I thought it would be helpful to share a few basic observations and thoughts: PROS: Energy Efficiency. Conventional lighting wastes a high percentage of energy through heat, while LEDs remain cool. This makes these bulbs much more energy efficient. In total, LEDs consume …
We like to consider the folks we work with an extended family. And, like most families, Stewart Perry has a few holiday traditions. Every year, we pick a weekend in December for all the team members who work on job sites come to our home office. We get a few meetings out of the way …
Negotiation is a part of our business, and for that matter, most things in life. CBS MoneyWatch recently posted 12 Negotiation Tips for People Who Hate Negotiating, and I was inclined to listen. Here they are: Go first. Be quiet. Know what you want. Assume the best case. Avoid setting ranges. Have a reason for …
In the U.S. today, right now, we have more of everything than we need. More housing, more GLA of every type of space, more service providers, more developers and more building contractors. In order to survive this cycle, we’ve remained nimble, watched expenses and never forgotten what brought us to the party. Our goal is …
As an industry, the recent years have taken us through some lows. As we continue to look ahead and heal, it’s important to consider and overcome what could hold us back. At a recent breakfast, Brian Moore of FMI presented three challenges ahead of us, and some thoughts on how to keep them at bay. 1. Availability of entry-level employees. …