Jennifer Davidson is a transaction services specialist at Newmark, helping her brokerage team manage every phase of the investment life cycle process, including the preparation of offering packages, property marketing of investment sales listings, due diligence document management, and client reporting. We spoke to her about how LightBox RCM increases the speed, exposure, and security of investment sales through its streamlined online platform.
Tell us about your work at Newmark, and about the challenges you face.
I work with a capital markets office team comprised of eight members, three of whom are senior brokers with 70 years of combined experience. My team specializes in office investment sales with a multidisciplinary approach through integration with debt and financing. I ensure all deal closings happen in a timely manner. I also help my team access resources within the firm, and I champion new technologies. One challenge within the industry has been the preference for relying on hard copies of documents versus accessing them online. Helping my team adopt and use new technologies has been a rewarding part of my role.
How did you hear about LightBox RCM and what do you like about it?
I was a member of the Beta RCM user team at my former firm. As soon as I discovered it, I embraced it. Learning to use a new platform isn’t always easy, but I’m kind of nerdy that way and I immediately jumped in to navigate the intuitive tabs and features and launch some properties. It worked really well, and I provided my comments and feedback about it. I’ve been using it for about eight years, maybe longer.
Among other things, I like the cloning feature. When I start a new email, I can copy from one that I have already crafted perfectly, even when different people are on a deal. I use the broadcast feature as well, and I like the agreements page where you can download a list of who has looked at various documents. The Virtual Deal Room (VDR) allows me to organize and name documents as I see fit, which makes my life a lot easier. The security features are also powerful. Before using LightBox RCM, we had to manually change the security parameters on each document—we often need to limit who can access documents at various times—whereas now I just simply click a button. It’s a crucial function, and LightBox RCM makes it easy.
How would you say the LightBox RCM platform has helped you and your team?
LightBox RCM enables us to reach thousands of investors at a time and get our listings in front of them. I don’t know what we would do without it. I know there are similar products on the market, but LightBox RCM is much more streamlined. It’s directly connected to our deals, and that’s invaluable as we market properties to potential buyers. Previously, I had to create my own email templates, but LightBox RCM provides custom templates that allow me to quickly create marketing presentations, making my workflow easier. I also take advantage of the HTML code feature, which I can copy and manipulate when I need to.
How would you say LightBox RCM is different from the competition? And would you recommend it to others working in capital markets?
What stands out is the immediate support that I get from LightBox. That’s one of the biggies. I can contact my account manager, set up a meeting, and get help right away. I’d definitely recommend LightBox RCM. I would tell anybody in the business—and their teams—to get started using it as soon as possible.
