Setting up Success for the New Hire
It can be difficult to adapt to any new job but for the unlicensed (and even licensed) new hire, it can be daunting to enter the world of property management and/or your company. When you are immersed in the business, it is very easy to forget that it is quite a different kettle of fish from many occupations. The newest member of your team must learn new procedures, handle frustrated clientele, put out fires, and know when not to overstep assigned duties or authority. It can be a tricky...
read moreJob Protected Leaves: Update
On April 29, 2014, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 21, Employment Standards Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2014, an amendment to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “Act”) that will come into force on October 29, 2014. The amendment introduces three new job protected leaves under the Act: a Family Caregiver Leave, a Critically Ill Child Care Leave, and a Crime-Related Death and Disappearance Leave. Family Caregiver Leave Employees are entitled to up to eight (8) weeks of unpaid leave a...
read more5 Questions Employers Should Ask Themselves to Avoid Bad Hires
Bad hires. We’ve all had them, no matter how hard we tried to avoid them. They looked good on paper, during the interview process and they managed somehow to provide some pretty good references. About seven or eight months later, however, something went horribly wrong. The new kid on the block languished and brought down the rest of the team. Obviously, the fit wasn’t good. If only the hiring manager had known. The “Id” Crowd and Your Property Management Company These employees are among the...
read moreLast chance to register for Canada’s most comprehensive Rental Housing Conference
CFAA 2014 Rental Housing Conference – Registration deadline: Tuesday, June 3! CFAA’s Rental Housing Conference is fast approaching. The deadline to register for the conference is Tuesday, June 3. The conference runs June 9-11, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel. This year’s conference is the most comprehensive CFAA has put on. In addition to the building innovations bus tour on Monday, June 9, there will be 31 education sessions, in 6 streams, and 4 keynote speakers from June 10 to...
read moreRESIDENT RETENTION TIPS
3 Steps to Successful Service Recovery These six words printed on a beautiful card a friend of mine received from a stationery company when they messed up her custom order. Along with the card, she received two free packages of monogramed stationery and a discount on her original order. As well intentioned as we often are in business, we all make mistakes. We underestimate, over analyze, forget, fall short, under plan, and fail. And no matter how hard we try, there’s always one time, some...
read moreWhy We Need More Gen Ys in Property Management
Millennials, or Gen Ys, have been on the minds of apartment industry leaders in recent years. The generation is expected to have a significant impact on the future of rental housing, both as employees and renters. Interestingly, a recent study by PwC reveals that many Millennial employees don’t believe that excessive work demands are worth the sacrifices to their personal life. This likely is a polar opposite belief for many more seasoned apartment industry leaders who grew up believing that...
read moreTraining and Empowering New Employees
“Call If You Have Any Questions,” Not A Foundation For Employee Development This short phrase, seven little words could be the first step to failure for a newly hired or recently promoted individual. As the supervisor, the team leader, it appears that we can be available; “just call,” “call anytime, day or night,” “I always have my phone with me.” Time goes by, critical deadlines are missed or errors continue in work product. The lament develops, “Why don’t they call?” Why is this...
read moreDon’t Let Rules Get in the Way of Great Resident Experiences
Employees need some freedom and resources to do what’s right for customers. They need to be able to make fast decisions that have a positive impact on a customer’s experience. Too often customers hear, “That is our company policy,” “I can’t,” or “You’ll need to speak to a manager.” What all these employees are really saying is, “I have to follow the rules and procedures or I will get in trouble.” Don’t let the rules be the obstacle to great customer experiences. In the book, Hacking Work:...
read more