Is it worth getting the CCIM designation and is the networking effective?
I was scrolling through LinkedIn and came across a CCIM post for the top deals of the month and I was kind of like, what alternative universe is this.  I remember going to a CCIM networking event 10 years ago and it seemed to be a lot of one-man-shop old school brokers.  I hear the education is good though.  Anyone get any national/regional (US) leads from getting the CCIM designation and being part of the group??
[{"id": "i2agba5", "text": "No.", "replies": [{"id": "i2anzvk", "text": "Thanks.  It's like, if I'm a client, do I trust the kid from a big or well-known firm or the random dude with the CCIM who's profile photo highlights the veins in his forehead so it looks like he's a deep-thinker", "replies": [{"id": "i2ayjom", "text": "If you're the client you choose the broker you know whether he works at Colliers or Joe's Commercial Reality, Fried Chicken, and Thai Massage.\n\nBig brokerages get their reputation because they have the resources to handle a high volume of transactions and, in some circumstances, source their own financing. But a personal relationship will trump these advantages 9 times out of 10.", "replies": [{"id": "i2b5ef3", "text": "Tell me more about this brokerage with fried chicken though", "replies": [{"id": "i2bg2fz", "text": "Yeah, they'll get all my business. Fuck CBRE", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "i2b754p", "text": "It\u2019s not always what you know\u2026it\u2019s who you know. Relationships relationships relationships. \n\nGranted, I\u2019ve taken CCIM 101-103, passed flawlessly. Good foundational information/education if you didn\u2019t learn some of this in college or if it\u2019s something you need a refresher on. No doubt. But I\u2019m making an income that I\u2019m more than happy with that has evolved truly through relationships that I\u2019ve built through the years. My faith in God (for non-religious read this as faith in \u201cthe process\u201d, level of service/attention to clients, people skills, assertiveness and market knowledge is what got me here. Not 4 initials at the end of my name. \n\nSome would argue that you\u2019ll have a world wide database at your finger tip or other CCIM\u2019s around the world. Well, I only plan on working locally/state-wide, so for me, the only value here for me is the local CCIM chapter, of which you can still network with on an individual basis, broker to broker without the designation. \n\nHope that helps.  \n\nEDIT; I almost equate it to National Honors Society in High School or MENSA. It\u2019s an achievement to be respected, not everyone is in it\u2026but take that into an admissions interview to college or grad school several years later. \u201cCool story bro\u2014dime a dozen, but what can you do for us, and why are you a good fit here?\u201d", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i2awgkx", "text": "Yes.", "replies": [{"id": "i2azmqa", "text": "Name checks out", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i2b46mi", "text": "The education was phenomenal. That was my biggest takeaway, anyone I hire who interacts with our portfolio could benefit from CI101 even if they have experience. Just my opinion. \n\nThe networking, however, was the same as any trade show or conference. You build relationships in person at the events and hope to leverage them. They host regional chapter meetings so again you could leverage those for networking. \n\nIt probably matters how active your regional chapter is\u2026 and you might not need to be a CCIM to attend chapter networking meetings you might just pay $20 for a bar pass.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i2ivb6r", "text": "Depends:\n\n1) Market - Your local chapter could suck or be a good source of market info. \n\n2) Years in the Business - If you have been doing this 10 years then you likely will not get much from the classes. If you are just starting then you will get something from it. \n\nYou may want to check out SIOR instead. It is more exclusive - minimum gross deal amount proven over the past several years so not every joe broker can get in the door.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i2l59fs", "text": "It wouldn\u2019t hurt and it\u2019s better to have than to not have, but it\u2019s definitely unquantifiable. Resume padding/filler", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i2o4l93", "text": "CCIM classes were great. I know that\u2019s not exactly what you asked.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]