Opportunity Knocks... Or Does It?

The ICSC RECon convention is almost here.  If you’re attending the conference, you’ll most likely meet a few new people and reconnect with others.  Hopefully you will have some fun along the way and learn a lot.  In order to do all of this, you will need to capture the opportunities that the conference presents.  Let’s talk about what that means.

They say that opportunity knocks.  However, in my experience, it quietly waits for the people who actively look for it.  In fact, the very definition of opportunity - “a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something” - supports this.  Opportunity makes things possible but you need to take the initiative.

Phillips Edison’s company culture, as defined by our associates, is deeply tied to the concept of opportunity.  Our business model is entrenched in our ability to find and capitalize on opportunities that others cannot and we frequently hear that the personal and professional possibilities we offer play a large role in associates’ decisions to join the company and also to stay with us.  The company invests heavily in programs dedicated to creating a “set of circumstances” that make it possible for our team members to achieve success.  Our efforts include:

• A comprehensive internship program meant to recruit and develop future full-time team members.

• PECO NOW which is an initiative designed to recruit, retain and develop women in leadership within PECO by promoting, empowering and supporting women in their careers.

• PECO University, a focused professional enrichment program designed to provide educational opportunities for our associates.

• Innovation Labs, a project-based learning program designed as an opportunity for emerging leaders to tackle real life business issues and produce creative solutions.

• Promoting from within whenever possible in order to give team members opportunities for growth and advancement.

• Tuition reimbursement to facilitate associate efforts to achieve higher educational goals.

These are just a few of the personal and professional enrichment resources that Phillips Edison provides.  All of the programs and initiatives have a major commonality.  They are opportunities.   They are “sets of circumstances that make something possible”.  The company provides the circumstances – the opportunities – it’s up to the associates to take advantage of them. 

So how does this relate to RECon?  Simple.  ICSC provides the conference – the circumstances to make whatever it is that you set out to do possible.  But you must have a plan and be actively looking for opportunities.  Opportunity won’t bang on your hotel room door. Don’t sit and wait for it.  Get out, put yourself in front of people, actively engage with others, find the opportunities.  If you’re at RECon, the circumstances are making success possible – it’s up to you to make it happen.