Colliers has just launched a new integrated map search for properties. This new functionality will makes it easier for users to search and find the right property options for them.

What do you think? Check out the link here.

Video is finally cheap enough to produce to go mainstream Internet. I’ve always thought video, not pictures, best show off a vacancy or clients office space. That got me to thinking, why not use video to help a client leverage their brand by showing off their office space and corporate culture at the same time. One of my clients thought it was a great idea too.

This video was produced by myself (@ChrisFyvie), Colliers Canada and Crucial Films for TrendHunter.com. Great companies, need great spaces.

Below is what I consider a relatively easy, cool and engaging way to deliver your brand identity to thousands of potential clients and staff.

Would you like to be featured on OfficeSearchToronto.com and ColliersCanada.com? Would you like a video like this produced featuring your companies culture and corporate brand? Do you have the coolest office space in Toronto and want to show it off!? Reach out and let’s discuss next steps.

Chris@officesearchtoronto.com
416-643-3713

Colliers Canada Thoughts:
Say goodbye to the corner office. Employers are shaking up office traditions, putting employees first as they consider where they’ll move next. Welcome your new neighbour – your boss, who is giving up their office, opting for collaboration over closed doors. More business leaders are considering the implications of where they’ll move next, understanding its impact on company culture and brand image.

Great companies need great spaces and tech brands aren’t the only companies wanting open-plan work environments. Stuffy workplaces are a thing of the past and companies are seeing the value in choosing office space that reflects their brand personality. Whether it’s a slide, a beer fridge, an abundance of white boards for brainstorming or foosball tables, brands are creating a second home for their staff, who often spend more time there than anywhere else.

Check out Trendhunter, a Toronto-based company and client of Colliers International and Toronto broker Chris Fyvie’s featuring founder and Chief Trend Hunter Jeremy Gutsche.

I have just launched a new website to help both tenant’s and landlord’s market their office space for lease. The site will focus on marketing efforts through social media and internet pay per click ad’s. Have a look, report any bugs, let me know what you think!

Blurb:
The demand for small office space with flexible lease terms has never been so high in the Greater Toronto Area. Until now, an entrepreneur would have to scour the internet classifieds or hope to stumble upon the right website… Well, here it is!

OfficeZilla.ca is your one stop shop for Commercial Real Estate (CRE) in the GTA. We have office space listings from 1,000 to more than 30,000 square feet. With short and long term leases as well as shared office space and sub-leasing opportunities, we have it all. Search by region, size or price to find the perfect fit for you!

As a landlord or agent, you’ll be able to post a listing catered to your target market. With the option to choose pictures and description, the sky is the limit.

I had a blast filming this with Mike Dragnea. Check out his other episodes here: http://building-space.squarespace.com

Building Space Episode 5 from mdragnea on Vimeo.

Here are some interesting websites / idea’s / links I came across today.

Why You Should Carry Blank Business Cards – Site to buy them

24 Quick Actions You Can Do Today That Can Change Your Financial Life Forever

What Lucky People Do Differently than Unlucky People – interesting thoughts

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool that I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Creative Geniuses at Work – includes creative wisdom from Frank Gehry, Tim Burton and Paul Simon

Separating the Urgent and the Important

Almost all of those Urgent items are things that are interruptions that we react to and not things we have chosen to act on. I think that is the biggest difference. Too often we spend time reacting instead of acting. And I think that is where we most mess up our lives.

Here’s an interesting website tool too – https://www.readability.com

Readability – Enjoy Reading, Support Writing from Arc90 on Vimeo.

Love Prezi as a new alternative to Powerpoint. Check it out!

Chris Fyvie – chrisfyvie@colliers.com – 416-643-3713

And this is why I’m waiting for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Rogers is phasing in the Blackberry Bold 9780 over the next few months. I’ve heard you can pick one up for $149 with a 3 year contract. My plan is to go with this device over what looks to be the troublesome Torch.

The phone boots up very fast, even faster than our regular 9700 with OS 6. The 512MB of ram in the handset leaves around 300MB free at device start up, and like we said before, OS 6 really works great on a non-touch device overall.

Love these two quotes from the review:

“Call Quality was extremely good!”

and

“So if you are a bold user and you are looking for a new blackberry bold device, especially for those corporate folks out there, you are going to be thrilled when the 9780 hits your shores.”

For the full original post.

Unlike the hip and cool Mac workstations, this exquisite wooden office desk called thr “Siamun executive desk” appeals with its classic looks and neat design. But just before you dismiss it in favor of a hi-tech workstation, you should know it hides a 22” LCD monitor within, hidden from view until you are ready to use it with the simple push of a remote control button. The table features enough storage space to keep your desk space uncluttered with push system drawers in the front edge of the tabletop. Besides, there is huge storage space beneath to stow away your stuff along with an optional electronic safe to keep your important documents. The luxurious wooden frame is accented with 3” chrome columns and a beautiful high pressure laminate gloss top to prevent damage and scratching. The desk looks truly like it belongs to a CEO’s cabin, and it adorns a $5500 price tag.

BlogTO put this great list together. Personally, I like Jack Astor’s at Yonge and Dundas.

Here’s a roundup of 10 of the best patios in Toronto’s Financial District.

Bymark
At the south end of the TD Bank Tower overlooking Wellington (and across from Tory’s), one of Bay Street’s swankiest restaurants emerges from the PATH with a heated patio that’s partly covered with plenty of shade. An outdoor bar provides easy access to libations to wash down indulgent eats like the foie gras BLT or $35 burger.

Duke of Devon
Just east of Bymark near the corner of Bay and Wellington, the Duke of Devon offers a more casual, pub-like setting with a still Bay Street-ish menu featuring mini burgers, lobster caesar salad and watermelon mojitos. It’s the closest patio to the Design Exchange but something tells me that’s not really the draw.

Jump
Just as the name suggests, this bar and restaurant is really jumping come the late afternoon and early evening. The west facing patio in the courtyard of Commerce Court is large, attractive and comes complete with an outdoor bar and plenty of seating options. It’s more casual than Bymark but still sophisticated enough to inebriate clients with apple pie martinis and beer battered onion rings.

Ki
At the south-east corner of Wellington and Bay, this Brookfield Place destination serves up some of the freshest (if not priciest) sashimi in the city. The patio is perfect for couples or large groups and like most of the options in this part of town has an outdoor bar, heaters and comfy seating that’s a far cry from your typical plastic table and chairs setup.

Debut Cafe and Bar (121 King St. West)
What was that about plastic tables and chairs? For cheap suds in cheaper looking digs, the Debut Cafe and Bar is the place. Your’re much more likely to find temps here than traders but with a $3.99 all day breakfast and domestic bottled beer for under four bucks I don’t hear too many people complaining.

The Keg
One of Bay Street’s favourite hangouts, the Keg on York St. between Richmond and Adelaide has a small, covered street-side patio and a much larger one in the back. This is the patio to take large groups where fast and efficient service is made easy with a dedicated outside kitchen and bar area.

Reds Bistro & Wine Bar
At the north end of First Canadian Place where Adelaide meets Sheppard St., this high end wine bar draws an older crowd who come to its streamlined patio for housemade charcuterie, a 3,000 bottle wine cellar and a ridiculously large selection of cheese. With this large a wine list, it should be no surprise that Reds offers Toronto’s largest selection of by the glass wine options (currently 88).

Duke of Westminster
Located right next to Reds, this sister pub of the Duke of Devon (they have the same menu) has two small patio areas directly outside the north entrance of First Canadian Place. Green Moosehead umbrellas provide more than enough shade. Have a pint and then stop in and say hi to the friendly receptionists at the nearby Toronto Board of Trade.

Schezuan Schezuan
This Chinese restaurant makes for a good but greasy lunch-hour option on the second floor of the First Canadian Place. The south-facing patio overlooks King St. and is a nice alternative to the nearby food-court. Best during the noon-hour (read: don’t go after work).

Vertical
Also on the second floor of First Canadian Place, Vertical restaurant provides a stark contrast to its Chinese neighbour with white tablecloth service at its larger outdoor space where there’s slightly better views of the action on King St. below. The setting is much more elegant and attracts a well dressed executive-level crowd who rendezvous for mini meatball sandwiches and stiff margaritas.