In 2024, Remit Consulting embarked on an exciting project in the Netherlands, focusing on the post-merger integration of Property, Asset, and Valuation Management processes. This initiative was for a Dutch asset manager, a relatively new company formed from the merger of the real estate investment departments of two large Dutch pension funds. Throughout 2024, property managers were selected and implemented, along with Valuation Management software.
As we move into 2025, our work continues with the implementation of a new asset management software product and the creation of a new property fund for one of the clients of this asset management company. Additionally, workplace automation has become a key focus of this project. In 2024, Remit assisted with optimising Microsoft tools to gain valuable insights into workplace management, a project that is extending into 2025.
Effective collaboration and document management are essential in the evolving landscape of real estate. Cheronne Clark, a change specialist and certified professional in Microsoft technologies, is currently leading the workplace management aspect of the project for Remit Consulting. We took the opportunity to talk to her and gain insights into her work, the challenges faced, and the transformative potential of Microsoft tools.
The role of a change specialist
Cheronne’s work with Remit as a change management specialist focuses on helping organisations adopt and optimise tools like Microsoft SharePoint or Teams, for example, effectively.
"My role includes analysing the technical setup, addressing functional challenges, and guiding employees to integrate these platforms into their daily workflows," she explains. This involves designing tailored training programmes, improving system configurations, and building sustainable change frameworks, such as ambassador programmes and e-learning initiatives, to ensure long-term success.
Current project at Remit Consulting: streamlining SharePoint for a Dutch institution
Cheronne and Remit are currently working together, to streamline the client’s SharePoint usage. The client implemented SharePoint to improve document management and collaboration. Many of our client’s staff had struggled to adapt to the new system, preferring older methods and systems that had functional limitations.
"My role involves analysing the current SharePoint configuration to identify and resolve technical and functional issues, such as challenges with document sharing," Cheronne notes. She also collaborates closely with departments to understand their workflows, introduce "quick wins" for immediate improvements, and deliver tailored training sessions to boost efficiency.
Differences between corporate markets and real estate
When asked about the differences between working with corporate clients from other sectors and those in real estate, Cheronne highlighted the unique challenges faced by the latter.
"Real estate businesses often deal with highly specific workflows involving the extensive documentation associated with property portfolios. They also, frequently, collaborate with external stakeholders. This requires a more customised approach to governance and system configuration," she explains.
Secure sharing and collaboration are critical for real estate clients, whereas corporate clients in other sectors often have more standardised workflows that focus on streamlining internal processes.
Tips for real estate professionals
Cheronne offers valuable advice for real estate professionals looking to optimise their use of Microsoft tools. "Using Teams is essential for ensuring seamless collaboration among stakeholders, both internally and externally. SharePoint is ideal for centralising property and compliance documentation, while Power BI can help visualise portfolio performance," she advises.
One key practice to avoid, she warns, is setting unique permissions for individual documents or folders within SharePoint, as this can lead to confusion and administrative burdens. Instead, adopting a structured permission model based on groups or roles ensures easier maintenance and scalability.
She also emphasises that MS Teams should not be used solely for chat but as a comprehensive collaboration tool. "Think of Teams as a house where you and your colleagues live. Everything you need for collaboration - documents, conversations, meetings - is in one place, just like all the rooms and amenities in a house. In contrast, using SharePoint alone is like navigating a vast library, where you must search for specific documents across multiple floors and shelves. Teams streamlines this by offering a unified, secure environment for all collaborative activities," she explains.
The potential of Copilot and AI
Cheronne is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of Copilot and AI in transforming real estate operations. "Copilot is an invaluable assistant for repetitive tasks, such as drafting documents, analysing large datasets, or generating actionable insights. Its integration with Excel for data analysis and its ability to suggest insights in Power BI are particularly exciting," she says.
However, she cautions that companies must ensure their document structures and labelling are properly organised before implementing Copilot. Without this, Copilot might produce results that overlook document sensitivity. For example, poorly managed document permissions could allow employees to access confidential HR records, which is clearly undesirable.
Ensuring long-term adoption
When it comes to change management, Remit recognises the importance of addressing business pain points and demonstrating the benefits of new approaches, a view shared wholeheartedly by Cheronne. "Once the business understands the rationale behind certain tasks or processes, adoption becomes much easier," she explains.
For instance, implementing a document labelling system can be framed as a safety measure that reduces the risk of cyberattacks. Cheronne cites a case where a Dutch organisation’s data was seized during a cyberattack, and a ransom was demanded - a situation that could have been mitigated with better document labelling and security protocols.
Ensuring the sustainable adoption of new tools and processes is another critical aspect of her role. "Ongoing support, access to knowledge through e-learning and intranets, regular updates, and maintaining a knowledge-sharing community is vital. Establishing an ambassador programme helps embed the tools into daily workflows, ensuring they remain relevant over time," she emphasises.
Conclusion
Cheronne’s work with Remit Consulting exemplifies the transformative potential of Microsoft tools in the real estate sector. By addressing functional challenges, providing tailored training, and leveraging the power of AI, she helps clients unlock new levels of efficiency and collaboration.
As real estate businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, expert insights and strategies, like those shared by Cheronne, are crucial for achieving success and why we at Remit bring in the expertise as and when needed