The Future of Real Estate, Remote Work & Culture: A Conversation with Zeishan Qureshi
As we close another year, I sat down with my good friend Zeishan Qureshi from Cushman to chat about everything from industrial real estate and the future of work to cultural trends and yes, even my hair. If you’ve been following me, you know I’ve been rocking the fade pompadour for a few years. Zeishan had some thoughts: the pompadour might be fading, but the fade is still very much in. And he stressed the importance of keeping the beard, otherwise, I’d start looking way too young.
Once we got past hairstyles, the conversation naturally shifted to more pressing topics: industrial real estate, the rise of e-commerce, and the challenges of remote work.
How Industrial Real Estate Surged During COVID-19
When COVID hit, everyone thought the world was ending for real estate. Panic set in. Who would buy, lease, or build? We expected bargains everywhere, a “shark mentality” where distressed assets would flood the market. But it didn’t happen.
Instead, the opposite unfolded. By the summer of 2020, confidence returned. Money was cheap, demand was pent-up, and people realized they could still operate in this new world. The result? A hot market that surprised everyone. People were investing again, leasing again, and industrial real estate was suddenly in very high demand.
Industrial real estate, in particular, exploded. Distribution and logistics became the most in-demand assets across the continent, fueled by e-commerce and supply chain shifts. Even with delays slowing new builds, inventory was gobbled up, sometimes even sparking bidding wars, something previously rare in many markets.
Capital flowed not just from local investors but also from Toronto, Vancouver, and beyond. Cheap bank rates and private money further fueled growth. The lesson? Confidence drives everything, and despite uncertainty, people were willing to bet big on industrial real estate.
The Amazon Effect and E-Commerce Acceleration
Of course, Amazon had a massive role to play. They completely changed the game for e-commerce, and the pandemic only accelerated their influence.
Retail storefronts shrank while logistics and fulfillment centers exploded across North America. Customer expectations shifted too, instant or near-instant delivery became the standard. That “Prime Now” mentality spread beyond retail. Even old-school industries like lumber and meat were being forced into the on-demand model.
Convenience and speed weren’t nice-to-haves anymore. They became essential. Every business suddenly had to figure out how to adapt.
Remote Work: Challenges, Burnout, and Culture
In the conversation with Zeishan, talking about remote work. Zeishan said he can’t stand it. Sure, he works from home like everyone else, but here’s the thing: it’s destroying company culture.
We lost those little interactions that made work human grabbing lunch, having coffee, bumping into someone in the hallway. Building relationships became harder, especially for people starting new jobs during the pandemic. Learn how the great reimagination of work is shaping company culture For leaders, it was even tougher. How do you earn trust or build culture over Zoom?
There are consequences. Company culture weakens. Employee affinity fades. Future generations might never experience what traditional offices were like. I even worry about creating “snowflake” employees who can’t handle feedback because they’ve never had in-person mentorship.
Remote work also blurred the lines between work and life. Calls spill into nights and weekends. Without separation, burnout became inevitable. People were working more, not less and it wasn’t healthy.
Mass Firing Over Zoom: The Better.com Case
We also talked about one of the most viral CEO moves of 2021: Vishal Garg of Better.com firing 900 employees over a Zoom call. Some people said it was cold and heartless. Others thought it was a calculated PR move. Either way, it got attention.
But it also revealed something about leadership in the digital age. Big, human decisions like letting people go were suddenly happening over video calls. It felt transactional, lacking empathy, and showed how easily shock value can overshadow good leadership.
Google Year in Search 2021: Canadian Trends
Every year, Google tells us what people are asking, and the 2021 trends were telling:
Top “how to” searches in Canada:
How to get a vaccine passport
How to buy Dogecoin
How to make money from home
These weren’t random. They reflected a society anxious about health, money, and opportunity. Many Canadians felt left behind financially, which is why so many turned to crypto or real estate as a way to catch up.
The traditional Canadian dream of owning a home and building security felt more out of reach than ever. People were searching for shortcuts, quick wins, and sometimes chasing trends impulsively.
Most Searched Actors in Canada 2021
Culture and curiosity collided in fascinating ways. I thought the most searched actor would be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson but I was wrong. The top searches surprised me:
Alec Baldwin - probably because of all the big headlines he made in 2021.
Pete Davidson - wild, unpredictable, funny. His looks, humor, and mysterious persona make people obsessed. That enigma keeps him trending globally.
It shows that certain personalities capture attention not just because they’re the best at something, but because they create a story people can’t stop trying to figure out.
Most Searched Sports in Canada 2021
On the sports side, Canada in 2021 was equally fascinating:
Basketball
NFL
Hockey
Yes, basketball overtook hockey. The NBA’s popularity in Canada has surged thanks to its players, compelling storylines, and the way every game feels like an event. Even the NFL is gaining traction. Hockey, meanwhile, is struggling to keep up. Sports, like entertainment, aren’t just about the game, they're about storylines, culture, and narrative. The search trends make that crystal clear.
Culture and Entertainment Trends
2021 gave us some unforgettable cultural moments. Kanye West and Drake reunited for a joint concert streamed on IMAX and online platforms, showing how music is moving beyond TV. Award shows are losing relevance, with artists like Drake opting out, as fans now care more about experiences than trophies.
Drake’s rise from Toronto to global hip-hop stardom proves Canadian artists can dominate worldwide. Stars like The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, and Shawn Mendes consistently top streaming charts and search trends. The Kanye-Drake concert was more than a show; it was a cultural moment that captured global attention and defined entertainment in 2021.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Change to Stay Relevant
From haircuts to real estate, remote work to pop culture, 2021 showed one thing clearly: change is constant. Trends fade, industries transform, and culture shifts faster than ever.
Whether it’s how we style our hair, where we work, or what we value in entertainment, nothing stays the same. If we want to stay relevant, we have to embrace change instead of fighting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 - How is e-commerce changing global business trends?
E-commerce is shifting how businesses sell and deliver products. Online shopping increases convenience, speeds up delivery expectations, and encourages companies to invest in logistics, digital platforms, and personalized customer experiences to stay competitive.
2 - What are the benefits and drawbacks of remote work?
Remote work offers flexibility, reduced commute time, and better work-life balance. However, it can weaken team culture, reduce informal collaboration, blur work-life boundaries, and make mentorship harder, which may lead to employee burnout if not managed well.
3 - What challenges does remote work create for companies?
Remote work can weaken team culture, reduce informal collaboration, and make mentorship harder. It also blurs boundaries between work and life, sometimes causing longer hours, burnout, and challenges in building trust and engagement across teams.
4 - Why is company culture important for business success?
A strong company culture fosters engagement, productivity, and loyalty. It helps attract and retain talent, encourages collaboration, and drives consistent performance. Poor culture can result in low morale, high turnover, and weak overall business outcomes.
5 - How can businesses adapt to changing customer expectations?
Businesses can adapt by embracing technology, offering fast delivery, personalizing services, and remaining flexible. Understanding market trends and responding quickly to customer needs ensures competitiveness and long-term growth.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.