The Voice of The Occupier: Scott Wiley

Hosted by Adam Hoy, Past President of the CoreNet UK Chapter, this episode features an insightful conversation with Scott Wiley, CEO of CoreNet Global.

Together, they explore the key challenges occupiers face in today’s evolving corporate real estate landscape — and what it takes to stay ahead.

Listen now for expert insights that can help you navigate the future of CRE with confidence.

#VoiceoftheOccupier #CREInsights #CoreNetGlobalUK

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Transcript

 Welcome to the Voice of the Occupier, the podcast from the UK chapter of Cornet that dives deep into the world of commercial real estate from the perspective of those who truly inhabited. I'm your host, Adam Hoy, and I'll bring you insightful conversations with industry leaders, innovators and visionaries.

Shedding light on the challenges and opportunities facing occupiers today. Let's get started.

Hi everybody, and welcome to, uh, another episode of The Voice of the Occupier podcast, brought to you from the UK chapter of Cornet. Uh, Adam Hoy here with you today, and I'm really lucky. I have a special guest with us today. Uh, Scott Wiley. The CEO of CoreNet Global is with us. He's joined us on the podcast today.

Scott, welcome to the show. Adam, it's great to be with you. Thanks so much for having me. Yeah. We're really excited to, uh, to talk to you. I know we're, we're kind of right in the middle of, uh, summit season, right? We're recording this at the end of September. You're coming off a really successful, uh, European summit and, and about to go into to the American, so I know it's a busy time Yeah.

Uh, for you. So really appreciates, uh, really appreciates you being on the show today. It's great. Um, maybe we'll start there. I think from a, uh, from a Summit perspective, I saw a lot of positive, I was unable to attend this year, uh, which, which I, uh, definitely was, um, not happy about seeing everything, uh, on LinkedIn and other platforms.

But maybe you could talk a little bit about, uh, your views of the European Summit, some of the things that came out of that event. Yeah, well, and Adams, we certainly missed you, but, um, by all accounts, it was my first, but, um, it was an incredible EMEA summit, uh, our largest ever. Um, so that was, that was a real cherry on the top, so to speak.

But, you know, Amsterdam was an incredible host. Uh, the energy in the room, uh, the diversity of thought, the global reach, you know, I think it's a real moment for our community. It really emphasizes what I'm hearing across the board that our people are ready to lead through the change we're seeing in this environment, not just react to it.

And there's a genuine desire and expectation that CoreNet Global steps up to provide that leadership and candidly. I'm here for it, you know, so we're talking about ai, but we're also talking about human-centered design, sustainability and how we create spaces that actually work for people. And that was really at the heart of what we did in Amsterdam.

You know, when we're seeing that across the board in other places, you know, for example, this past May, I was in Northern California and our chapter there worked with OpenAI and we had an amazing event in partnership with them, and it really spotlighted how. Artificial intelligence is reshaping corporate real estate, you know, and what's possible and what's next.

And that was on display in Amsterdam as well. Um, you know, the North American Summit is just weeks away in Anaheim. I hope more people can be with us there in early December. Uh, we are gearing up for our India conference. It's likely gonna be the largest we've had there. Uh, so just another example of how our global chapters, our global community are driving innovation and relevance in regions all over the world.

Uh, I, I would just emphasize these aren't isolated moments. We're seeing, it's really part of a, a larger movement that's afoot and that's what showed up in Amsterdam. You know, one of the most exciting. Things I saw was a new change we introduced. We actually had the UK chapter and the central European chapter, uh, leading a global pilot we've initiated where we actually are curating local chapter content and bringing it to the global main stage.

And those were some of our most, um, exciting sessions. And so I just think the momentum that we're seeing inside of CoreNet Global is really propelling the profession forward. And, and that's kind of where we want to be. That we are all about the profession, we're all about the people in the profession, and CoreNet Global is becoming the platform for both of those things.

Yeah. Super exciting. I think, um, uh, we first met at the Apex Summit, and I think that was a couple weeks in for you, or not too long in Right. The, uh, into the role. 22 days, but who's keeping track? 22 days. Yeah. You know, and what's interesting, um, and you'll get the, the, the North American Summit, I think there's a, there's a little different feel in each of the, in each of the summits, which is, which is great.

I mean, we've got great chapters across the world and it's good that, that you're getting to, to go out there and see that. I think it's interesting if you look at the role that corporate real estate plays within corporations and the amount of impact that our. People, you know, people in our industry can have, I think it's only grown over the years, and I think, uh, the, the, the value that, uh, cornet brings to, to those people is significant since it's really good to hear that.

Um, it was, it was a record breaking in me a summit. And, um, uh, it's good that more people keep coming and, and, and, um, ke it keeps growing. I think that's great. And it's good to hear that you're, you're out talking with different chapters clearly. Uh, uh, the uk uh, chapter welcomed you, uh, which is, which is great.

What I think is one of the world class events that the summer party in the uk, um, is, uh, is one for the calendar for sure. Um, can you talk a little bit about, you know, your interactions with chapters and what you're seeing and what you're learning as you go around? And I think it's fantastic that you've been able to meet with so many chapters, uh, in the early days, uh, of your, you know, you being in the role.

Yeah. You know, I would tell you. My engagements, my visits with chapters, they've really been game changers for me and for my understanding of our environment, of our possibility, but also of what people's aspirations and expectations are. Um, what I have seen is that our local chapters are the heartbeat of CoreNet Global.

So I'm roughly, you know, as we sit here today. Uh, eight months in, give or take, and I have now had an opportunity to, um, engage directly either in market through some type of virtual event, et cetera, with just over half of our global chapters. Um, so, and, and the plan is to keep. You know, that listening tour going certainly through the rest of this year.

I'm not sure I'll get a hundred percent by March 31st, uh, but, um, you know, we're gonna make that happen. Um, and that's gonna continue to be part of this, um, experience for me. But I also hope for us, right? So the acumen I bring is, uh, and I said this to the search committee that was hiring me more than once.

Um, hey, if you're looking for someone to sit behind a desk five days a week. I am not your guy. Um, I want to be out engaging in our markets with our people. I want to be listening and learning. I want to see what's happening on the ground. I want to ask questions, probably the same questions over and over, so it gets through this next call, but I, I really wanna be building relationships and early on it's so important that the new CEO does that, but when I say I, I really mean we, and that's gonna be a fundamental shift in how I think.

CoreNet Global shows up for our industry, for our profession, right? Because that's what we lead and certainly for our chapters. Um, but what it's shown me is where community is built and where innovation is happening and where change is being tested and piloted. Is in local markets, is in regions, and the global organization can become the platform to accelerate that.

But we want to really make sure we are giving, um, the fuel and investing in those things happening locally because really our global strength, our, the core of our culture is the uniqueness of our markets and the people in those markets. Um, while we're a global profession, we'll have a global strategy and a global vision.

That's broad, uh, to include all and make sure this is a community where people feel, uh, they can belong and feel welcome and inclusive. It really needs to speak to the local culture and competencies of our markets. Um, so for example, you mentioned my time in, in London, uh, this summer. You know, I got to join the UK chapter, uh, leadership for a Meeting.

Got to spend some time in market meeting with executives and occupiers to hear their challenges, to hear their concerns, to hear what they think the opportunities are in the market, but also candidly for them to give me some feedback of where they thought Cornet Global could really up its game, where we might be falling short, and what it would take to get.

Them to come back because some of these are members we've lost. Um, and I say it just that way we have lost and so, you know, got to attend the summer party, which I agree was an incredible event. Um, and it was really more of a than just a celebration. It was just a reminder of how powerful our community can be when we come together.

You know, I mentioned events we are doing with corporate partners and chapters all around the world. You know, whether that's in the tech space, uh, really where we're trying to be hone in and make sure we're driving innovation across the sector. What we're doing with financial services is really we see a transformation afoot there, or, you know, even in some of the areas of.

The profession, Adam, where you spend time, you know, the fastest growing sector we're building out manufacturing and industrial. So there's opportunities afoot and chapters in markets are really creating space for that to occur. And so I could not be more proud to be a part of an organization that has that ecosystem.

And what I've said to chapters is I look at Cornet Global like a house. And you know, the global organization, we're the backyard and the backyard has a fence around it, and you can't get into that backyard if you don't come into the house. Well, the front porch, that's the chapter. And so if we're not being intentional, connected, and collaborative, that relationship isn't gonna work.

And I just want everyone to know who's listening. I'm listening and I hear you. Um, I know we've got work to do. I'm committed to doing that work. I think we're laying some of the right markers early, but chapters are leading uniquely in market in their own ways, and it's showing us that the future of Cornet isn't just global, deeply local, deeply human and deeply innovative.

That is our special sauce, and we are not going to run from it. We are gonna run to it. Yeah, really exciting. And, uh, you know, I think speaking on behalf of a member and a, you know, a, a leader within, um, chapters, I think we've definitely seen a lot of you, uh, uh, across the world, uh, in your early days, as you say, uh, eight months or so in, so That's fantastic.

You know what's interesting, um, and just, you know, I was thinking of this while you were talking. I think you, and you could talk a little bit about your vision for, for CoreNet in a bit. You know, to me, I've been a member for almost 20 years now, and, um, it's been something that's helped build my network and build my education as I've gone through my career, which has been a huge asset to me.

I've, I've had the opportunity to be part of big chapters, so I was. Part of the New York chapter, part of the UK chapter, and I've spent time in smaller chapters. I was in the Carolinas chapter a while back, um, and kind of danced around the Ohio chapter a bit. It's interesting that, you know, I've always found that the bigger chapters, there's, it's easy for the big chapters to do, uh, a lot because of the, the, the number of people and, and what they have.

But what I've seen, and I think this is a good thing, is I've seen the use of technology more so right in so that, that. As you said, uh, the, the, the organization is deeply local and I'm sure you want that to mean local for people that may not be in these big cities or in these big chapters. So I think it's been really interesting how, how the group has been able to connect more with some of these virtual events.

And, um, but any thoughts around that, how you're looking at some of these smaller chapters that might not be in these mega cities. Yeah, I mean, I, I think one, we've gotta recognize our, our world and as, as a result, our industry is more connected than ever, right? So many of the barriers that, uh, over time have been erected to connectivity and engagement in the world ha, have been reduced through technology and community.

And, and I think that's a real plus and possibility for us. We gotta lean into. Um, but we also need to recognize. The strength of our markets. And sure some of the larger markets, um, bring different strengths, uh, in more people. But we've got some really interesting things happening in some of our local markets that are perceived to be smaller.

You know, Amsterdam was a great example. You know, not as big as London, but just the energy there. You know, we had a number of senior occupiers there. You know, we did some tours. We had a VIP experience and just. Them getting to see how that market is approaching innovation and human connection to really influence design and influence how they're creating sustainable environments that really propel people, I think is powerful.

I spent some time earlier this year with our, you mentioned Ohio with our ICO chapter, which for folks who don't know, that's Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, and how they're bridging their community across multiple jurisdictions. Um. You know, it's really powerful. Like they're, they're having conversations about strategy and future focus and research, being intentional about how are we bringing the next generation in with those more senior in the field.

So what I, what I would tell you is the strength of the, the industry is really its people and those people operate in so many different waves. Now, I also wanna say. As strong as our chapters are and as important as they are, and they're gonna be the front always of cornet. I'm starting to think about some other areas that we can connect globally because global will matter.

You know, for example, if I'm a head of real estate in a fortune, you know, 1000 company or a foots E 100 company in manufacturing, there's value for me connecting with someone like me who's doing what I'm doing. But they may be in a different part of the world. So how are we building a global community, right?

That can run in parallel to chapter experiences around practice areas, whether that's manufacturing, industrial technology, financial services, life sciences. Um, I'm, I'm probably missing a whole host of other areas. So really wanting to create that space as well. And then, you know, I've got to spend some time with some of our young leaders.

And I'm really bullish about our future after spending time with them. So 715 people in Amsterdam, 120 of them were young leaders. Um, so as we think about value and how we do a better job of delivering value, um, I'm really thinking about how are we delivering value to early career professionals? Um, you know, one, you wanna launch your career with confidence.

How can we give you the skills, the credentials, the connections to stand out globally? But if you're at that mid-career, how do we help you advance with purpose? Right? How can we help you upskill lead change and really grow your impact in a evolving profession? But one of the things I'm hearing at the same time, Adam, from Candidly, people like you and your peers, is somewhere Cornet forgot about the senior leaders.

Whether that's doing away with the SLCR credential, or do we provide the right executive education or hey, do we bring a community together where we can talk to one another about our unique challenges? So we're building that. You know, we piloted the Apex Leadership experience in Amsterdam exclusively for senior global occupiers.

We're gonna take that on the road in Anaheim and then keep that going after those summits and really. How are we helping senior leaders shape the future of CRE? Right? Connecting around global insights, policy influence in a powerful peer network, driving with research, strategic insights, benchmarking data.

So I think that, you know, value is gonna be at the core. Um, but you asked me about vision. Yeah. My, my vision is pretty simple. Listen deeply, act boldly and lead together. Listen deeply, act boldly and lead together. And I really try to spend a lot of time listening and learning. Um, so people can feel heard and people feel heard when they start to see pivots, changes movement because.

If people can feel heard, then we can build confidence. And if we can build confidence, then we can create greater levels of trust. And what I am hearing is, Scott, you gotta create more trust in our rapidly devolving trust world and cornet global needs more relationships and confidence and trust can build relationships.

And if we have confidence, trust in relationships, then we can evaluate risk and we can take it. Together and people are probably tired of hearing me use that word, but I, I'm gonna keep using it as long as you'll have me. I envision our future as together as one collaborative working side by side. You know, I want the global organization to be your wingman in your sidecar.

Helping you on your path, knowing that we gotta pivot and change together. Um, you know, so we're building a globally connected, locally empowered community, relentlessly focused on creating value and impact for our people. Yeah. We gotta create space for every voice. Mm-hmm. Young leaders to senior strategists from the rooftops in London to the boardrooms in Bangalore.

Um, we're not just evolving. We're co-creating this profession, this future together, and I'm excited to be a part of it. Yeah, I mean, that's all. Really exciting. I think, uh, just maybe touching on a couple of those items, the, the young leaders have always impressed me and my time in the UK chapter. I think, um, selfishly, I think the UK young leaders are among the best in the world, if not the best.

I think a lot of the young leaders in, in, in our chapter, and probably the same for others. You know, tho they could be leading the chapter and, and many of them are, to be honest. I mean, they're remarkable in terms of their energy and their, their passion for what we do, which is great. And I think it says a lot for the future of corporate real estate.

I mean, it's a great time to be in the industry. Um, so I think it's, it's exciting for people to come in and I, I think that's, that's huge. So it's good to see that, uh, the global, you know, group is leaning into that, to that population. And I agree with what you say around senior leaders, you know, um. I think there is that, you know, how do you connect to all levels of people in their career journey and how are you giving them value, right?

So what, what might be valuable for a young leader coming to a summit or, or, uh, consuming content will be different from what somebody that's been in the profession for 20 or 30 years will be. So I think, I think it's excellent that the group is looking at, you know, how you hit those difference. Customer bases and, and what value you bring to them.

So it's really exciting. Yeah, no, I will tell you this is one of those areas where, uh, you know, our global board of directors has really been clear, direct and pushing. They've been, they've been patient, but they're also, I, I mean this the best way. They're hungry saying, Hey, Scott. The listening, learning is great and helping people feel heard, you know, they're feeling heard now what comes next?

We get, you know, talk about the wins, the things we've delivered, but now we've gotta deliver on that. So I think it also, there's this clear recognition of, Hey, let's meet this moment. Um, but what I see in this ecosystem is, is really clear to me. There is a lot of hunger and desire for Cornet Global to step into its lane, right?

Because it, it is ours and. I'm a pretty direct guy. Our vision is to become the industry leading advocate and voice for this, for this profession, for this industry. And for that to happen, we've gotta be able to convene the industry leaders. So I, I recognize we've got work to do, you know, eight months in, I've already met.

Um, we're engaged with 125 heads of real estate all over the world to ask questions, to hear their feedback. I'm gonna keep doing that, um, every day, every week I'm in this role. But we need more people contributing and feeling like this is our home and this is where we can drive change. And this is where we can network with our peers and get ideas, uh, but also share challenges.

Yeah. And I think you, you've got a, a willing community. Yeah, right? Yeah. People want to, they're open to sharing, which is great. And it's, it's, it's great to hear that that's part of the vision. I think, you know, being that voice of the industry, and I think I mentioned this to you the first time we met. I think there's an opportunity there, right?

So it's. Cornet should be the one, you know, the, the Wall Street Journal or CNN calls when there's a comment needed on something. So I think that's a great vision to have. Yeah. We're, we're, we're working on that. Yeah. That's good. That's good. Um, so thinking back to the summit, and, and I know you talked a lot about some of the takeaways, uh, you know, we, we talked to a lot of occupiers and, and our, our, our base is normally occupiers.

Are you, did you, did you pick up on anything coming outta the summits? Uh, or in any of your travels? Some of the, the, the challenges you're hearing, you know, AI is definitely an opportunity, but are you picking up on any themes in terms of what you're seeing or hearing from occupiers right now? I am, and you know, I'll say to to level some this in Amsterdam, you know, I convened a couple private sessions with.

Global heads of real estate, um, various industries, you know, intimate discussions. You know, I did some, um, Strat sessions, uh, with other senior leaders on these topics and what's clear to me, occupiers are navigating a lot right now. The biggest challenges I'm hearing in our, the market assessment data we we did shows, those are around really three key areas, workforce expectations, portfolio strategy, and the pace of technological change.

So I think there's a real need to rethink how space supports culture. Productivity and sustainability, uh, all while managing costs and uncertainty. Certainly AI is accelerating that shift. Um, that's a big part of the reason that we launched, uh, what we're calling the Apex leadership experience. This is an experience we're creating to give senior leaders a space to step back, think strategically, and connect with their peers who are navigating that same terrain.

So it's not about quick fixes, it's about a long-term high impact leadership experience. And so. We're bringing people together in intimate spaces because, hey, whether it's 700 plus people in Amsterdam, 800 plus in Singapore, or I hope 1500 plus in Anaheim, you know, I, I see that our community likes to be together in small ways.

So we're trying to create those sub communities for that to occur where the barriers can come down, the trust can come up and people can talk for real. Um. And we're gonna do more of that and think about how we create those communities within the community. Um, but we're starting in person. But I'm gonna keep those conversations going, you know, on a quarterly basis, gathering those executives one, just to update them on what we're hearing and seeing trends, data benchmarks, and ecosystem.

But I want to make sure it's a feedback loop. I'm hearing from them, you know, they're giving me some really great feedback, but they're also giving me some really direct feedback. Scott, we really need you to step it up on executive education. We really need to make sure we're creating a feedback loop to upskill and re-skill our team, and we wanna see more of a bold research agenda.

A unique research agenda. You know, Adam, we just did some great global, um, we did this membership and market assessment to inform where we're going, and I was looking at the data and one of the pieces came back that I think was really powerful. 72% of our occupiers who we, you know, surveyed globally, said that they work with a service partner.

Um, and they do that and they tie that back to the feedback and the research and the data they're seeing come out of CoreNet Global that we're partnering on with those companies. So that shows me that we are the connective tissue in this community that bridges occupiers and service providers. Um, but we've gotta do a better job, I think, of really demonstrating how the community comes together.

But we do that CoreNet Global uniquely can do that. A more global research agenda, localized insights, localized benchmarking data that really, again, speaks to that, where the power of our community happens. Yeah, yeah. It makes total sense, I think. I think the challenges that you mentioned are definitely things that, that I'm seeing as well, and I think.

Building the community and, and creating those opportunities for people to talk through those things, I think is hugely valuable. So it's great to hear. Scott, the one thing I'd like to ask as we wrap up our episodes is, uh, and you mentioned it, we both did. Uh, the, the younger folks that are coming into our industry, the lifeblood of what we do, um.

I'd like to, to to, to hear people's thoughts on, you know, the, the, the elevator pitch. So if you were going to say in, in from your spot, which is unique within our industry, if you were to, to see a young leader who was considering a corporate real estate career or in a corporate real estate career and, and looking for a bit of motivation, um, what would you say to them in terms of, um, you know, giving them some positive reinforcement?

Well, Adam, what I, what I am saying to them when I'm out on the pitch and been on campuses and been at events where we're engaging hundreds of students, um, is corporate real estate is where business strategy meets human experience. It's not just about buildings, it's about shaping how people live, work, and connect.

So if you are someone who's curious about tech, design, sustainability, global business, or solving complex problems with real world impact, this is the place to be. You know, if you are a part of our profession, you get to work across industries, cultures, and disciplines. You'll help companies navigate, change and create environments that inspire.

You'll be a part of a community that's not just growing. It's leading. So if you want to be, if you want a career that's dynamic, meaningful, and globally connected, corporate real estate, it's it. Yes. Couldn't have said it better myself, Scott. Thank you. Listen, we're, um, just a couple weeks away when we, when we, uh, published from the summit in Anaheim.

Uh, so we hope to see everybody there. Um, uh, I think the, the, the chapter and, and the, the global group is doing a fantastic job. Like I said, I've been a member for nearly 20 years and it's been the backbone of. Uh, my professional, the life from a, from a education, networking perspective, and I'm looking forward to continuing, uh, in that sense.

Anything else you'd like to, to, to, to talk to regarding the chapter on anything that's coming up? Well, I first wanna say, Adam, thank you for the opportunity today. Thank you for a great 20 years and we're excited for the next 20. So hopefully you're, hopefully you're signing up for 20 more 'cause We'll, we'll gladly do that.

And you know, I just wanna say particularly to our, our friends in the UK chapter and our, our incredible leaders there, past, present, and future. Thanks for what you're doing. Um, you know, when I am all around the world connecting with our members, you know, one of the things that's really clear to me is the power of our network is its people.

And when I got to first start at Cornell Global, you know. I got to meet some of the incredible leaders from the UK chapter who immediately invited me to come to the UK to spend time with you at an event. You know, I was just in the EMEA summit. Got to spend more time. And one of the things that shows up in our global community is where change is happening, where energy is happening.

Good things are happening in our community in the UK chapter is really so central to so many of those things. So we're grateful not only for your leadership, but really for your willingness to be out front and pushing the envelope about what comes next. You know, Adam, you mentioned young leaders. Well, yeah, you're right.

Um, the last, the current and the former, uh, head of our young leader, uh, global sig, uh, SIG group, both hail from the UK chapter. So you're doing something right and we're grateful for it. Yeah. Well, thank you Scott. I listen, we really appreciate your time. I, I enjoyed hearing more about kind of what's next, some of the things that you're working on.

Uh, like I said, I think this goes for leaders across the world. We appreciate your leadership. We appreciate you being out amongst the chapters. I think it's noticed and it's, um. It's welcomed and appreciated. So thank you for that. And listen, thank you for your time today. It's been a really great conversation.

A little different than some of the guests we've had on today, uh, are in the past, so we really appreciate it. Well, thanks for having me. Absolutely hope. See everyone in Anaheim in a few weeks. October 27th through 29th, registration is still open. Yes, thank you Scott. And thank you all. Uh, that's, uh, another episode of The Voice, the Occupier, and we'll be back with you again next month.

Take care.