The Leader - September 2007 - (Page 136) executIve developmeNt spotlIGht by megan mccann a quarter-century and counting master of corporate real estate celebrates 25 years Long before the merger that created CoreNet Global, the original Executive Development Program (EDP) helped corporate real estate (CRE) professionals expand their knowledge of the industry. In 1982, the Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) designation was developed to guide CRE professionals to further their expertise and advance their careers. Twenty-five years after its inception, that designation has evolved into the educational platform it is today, offering musthave professional skills to CRE executives on several continents. More than 1,000 people throughout the world hold the Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) designation and the Senior Leader of Corporate Real Estate (SLCR) certification. And, many employers recognize the MCR or SLCR as key indicators of potential candidates’ expertise. “As an employer, I use the MCR and SLCR designations as key differentiators during my initial candidate screening,” says Mark Gorman MCR, Leader of Corporate Real Estate, Nortel. “I’ve found the designation to be an early indicator of an individual’s commitment to our profession as well as their own personal development.” Bill Threlkeld MCR, Strategic Asset Manager for the Tennessee Valley Authority, agrees: “As the costs of goods and services continue to rise, more companies are paying attention to the alignment of corporate real estate with the needs of the business as well as workspace strategies both for achieving real cost savings and for employee retention. The MCR and SLCR designations guarantee that there is a capable work force of individuals with the capacity to understand the changing trends, develop strategic solutions in response and add value to the process.” “2007 is a milestone in many respects,” says Becky Binder, CoreNet Global Executive Development Program Director. “It is a tribute to the people, to the leaders who had the vision and passion to found the MCR program, to the faculty of industry experts who combine theory with hands-on application – they practice what they teach, and the motivated professionals who have earned the MCR credential for career development.” Over the years, the program has undergone a significant global expansion, Binder explains. Seminars are now held in Australia, Asia, and Europe with a consistent global curriculum supported by regional case studies. “The demand for this global expansion is a tribute to all professionals who are dedicated to furthering their critical competencies and skills,” Binder says. “For an employee of a multinational corporation or service provider, there is access to a global community of peers and industryrecognized faculty.” and, the program continues to develop and expand. “Looking forward, I am pleased to report that two significant initiatives are under way,” Binder explains. “A competency study has begun and when complete, the result will be a defined set of competencies that will be extremely helpful in guiding the direction of the MCR curriculum by ensuring that it is comprehensive and future-oriented. This will be complemented by the new learning management system which will be the online tool that conveniently provides access to a host of services including online courses, learning maps, competencies, self-assessments, and registration, and keeps a record of your learning history.” “The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the MCR Program is a time to reflect not only upon what has been accomplished, but to recognize those who embrace ‘lifelong learning’ as an essential component of their career development,” Binder says. th e le ade r 136 september / october 2007
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