CCIM Q & A
By Nicholas Leider
HIGHER EDUCATION
While commercial real estate can be and is often a family business that extends back multiple generations , the expertise and skills to succeed in the business are quite different from the blacksmith of centuries ago , who learned to work metal through familial sources . Today ’ s CRE professional needs to be on the cutting edge of analysis , valuation , and financial information . The classroom — specifically the CCIM
Stanley A . Gniazdowski , CCIM , CRE Institute classroom
— is a great way to sharpen one ’ s skills in an extremely competitive marketplace .
And if you ’ re going to go back to school , you could do worse than seeing Stanley A . Gniazdowski , CCIM , CRE , at the head of the class . President of Realty Concepts Inc . in Guilford , Conn ., he has been teaching for CCIM Institute since 1985 . This year , Gniazdowski was honored with the Robert Ward Instructor of the Year Award , recognizing his excellence in the classroom . Commercial Investment Real Estate magazine spoke with him about his career , working with up-and-coming CRE professionals , and what to expect in the market as some sense of normalcy returns .
CIRE : RECEIVING THE ROBERT WARD INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD IS A TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT . WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE GIVEN SUCH AN HONOR ?
STANLEY A . GNIAZDOWSKI , CCIM , CRE : First , it was a surprise and a great honor — I never expected it . It was very special to me since Bob Ward was one of my mentors . Bob was the lead panel member of my instructor charm school . At the end , when I found out I was selected to be an instructor , he challenged me to be one of the best in CCIM Institute . That has been the underlying motive for all these years — to strive to be the best .
Over the years , the best reward is when I get an email or note thanking me for my instruction and that they closed their first transaction or a significant deal due to taking the courses .
CIRE : A CCIM INSTRUCTOR SINCE 1985 , YOU CLEARLY SEE VALUE IN GIVING BACK TO THE INDUSTRY . WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN YOUR TIME TEACHING UP-AND-COMING PROFESSIONALS ?
GNIAZDOWSKI : First of all , Listen ! Next would be do your research and verify your research . Present your results in a factual manner . Don ’ t fabricate data ; tell it like it is . Continue to learn and be willing to change as technology changes . I have learned the most successful people in this business recognize what they can ’ t do . They either get the education or hire someone who can complete the task .
CIRE : IS THERE A PARTICULAR MOMENT OR CLASS OR STUDENT THAT WILL ALWAYS STICK WITH YOU FROM YOUR TIME IN THE CCIM CLASSROOM ?
GNIAZDOWSKI : There ’ s one I see often . It is the student who comes into class the first day intimidated by the volume and depth of course material , and by the last day of class , they get it . Over the years , the best reward is when I get an email or note thanking me for my instruction and that they closed their first transaction or a significant deal due to taking the courses .
CIRE : SPECIALIZING IN MARKET AND INVESTMENT ANALYSIS , WHAT ARE THE MAJOR LASTING IMPACTS ON CRE FROM THE LAST FEW YEARS ? IS THERE SOMETHING UNEXPECTED THAT MAY HAVE FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED DUE TO COVID-19 ?
GNIAZDOWSKI : I teach CI 101 and CI 102 . The most significant impact has been in 102 , our market analysis course . Due to COVID-19 , some market trends have accelerated , while other trends and deficiencies have been exposed . It has placed a stronger reliance on market research to fully understand market demand dynamics . One thing that stands out is misreading the impact
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COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE FALL 2022