Thoughts from recent travel

During the past month I have spent a little time travelling in Northern Europe. Those agents who have done deals with us over that time will be very aware that wifi works very well in that part of the world. If the phone has gone unanswered at times, then it was because I was sleeping. But email is a far better tool for communicating images and concepts, than talking to someone you have just woken up in the early hours of  the morning. And fundamentals, which after all is what industrial real estate investing is about, are much better communicated by email than phone.
 
Of the countries visited, by far the strongest impression was made by Estonia. A country with a population of only one and half million, and one that was under occupation by foreign powers for more than half of last century, it is now a hotbed for tech start-ups, with a very supportive government and tax structure. A flat tax is just part of that, as innovation and enterprise are encouraged, rather than obstructed. It’s also a sparsely populated little country, with great cycle touring – even if somewhat devoid of hills – and a long and rich history. And of course great wifi for doing deals while on the road.