Inspiring Leaders in Our Changing Industry: Brian Malliet, BKM Capital Partners

This summer, Connect CRE is producing a series titled, “Inspiring Leaders in Our Changing Industry” as a follow-up to last summer’s “Leading in Tough Times” series. They have selected leaders around the U.S. and across the commercial real estate spectrum to discuss significant changes in the industry and their organizations. In this installment, you’ll hear from Brian Malliet, CEO of BKM Capital Partners.

A Triumph to Celebrate: What recent organizational accomplishment brings you the most satisfaction? What specific challenges did it overcome, and what key factors led to its success?

BKM recently introduced a carried interest Director pool incentive, giving team members a sense of ownership in the business and the brand. This initiative treats participants as true stakeholders, reinforcing the idea that loyalty and long-term commitment are valued and rewarded within the organization. By aligning the interests of the team with the success of the company, this initiative not only creates a deeper connection to the brand, but also incentivizes sustained performance and increased retention.

The direct collaboration of key BKM executives allowed this initiative to be implemented successfully, creating a key engagement opportunity for BKM’s next generation of leaders (those not included in C-Suite) and further solidifying BKM’s commitment to investing in its talent.

Catalysts for Change: What are the essential elements for achieving significant progress within your organization and the industry as a whole?

A catalyst for change within our organization is BKM Intel. BKM Intel is BKM’s proprietary Business Intelligence (BI) platform featuring interactive, customized dashboards designed specifically for the BKM teams. It provides secure access for leasing managers, asset managers, marketing, acquisitions, and portfolio management, to name a few, enabling them to connect from any device and visually track and analyze real estate data, including deal pipelines, competitive sets, and detailed portfolio metrics like property information, fair market values, and tenant data. In addition, this platform allows our teams to track and monitor rental rates by unit size across the market, creating pricing models similar to that of hotels and airlines.

BKM Intel 2.0 is currently in development, aiming to enhance the existing platform with more comprehensive data analysis capabilities and expanded functionality across all BKM departments. This upgrade will enable the company to make more informed, data-driven decisions.

A major catalyst for change in the broader CRE industry is the adoption of the Constant and Never-Ending Improvement (CANI) mindset. With this mindset, change is embraced and innovation is encouraged. CANI promotes continuous development in both individuals and organizations, enabling them to constantly seek improvement in an evolving market by embracing change, challenging the status quo, and investing in employee growth.

Guiding the Next Generation: As we acknowledge the industry’s rising stars, what guidance can you offer them to become catalysts for positive change?

Always be curious. Cultivate a mindset of curiosity by constantly asking questions and challenging the status quo. This approach not only drives learning but also encourages innovation and personal growth, helping you to stay ahead in your field.

Be present and always show up. Consistency is key to success. Even on days when motivation is low, showing up and being fully present in your work can make a significant difference in your progress and reputation.

Let passion prove your values and beliefs. Passion is a powerful motivator in your career. It fuels perseverance, inspires creativity, and helps you navigate challenges with resilience, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling journey of growth.

Click here to see the full Inspiring Leaders in Our Changing Industry series.