Property Managers Need a Variety of Skills to Succeed
March 4, 2013
Property Managers Need a Variety of Skills to Succeed
Commercial buildings often become a central part of local communities. Businesses come and go, but the facilities and often their managers remain. It is the care and maintenance of these properties that often determine the overall success of the local economy. Poor management causes buildings to fall into disrepair and drives potential occupants to other areas. Regularly updating and renovating commercial properties can ensure the local community has a vibrant place of business.
Despite these efforts, building managers often go unrecognized for their commitment. The Victoria Advocate recently noted that a successful building manager will often outlast the occupants of the building and help owners reduce losses by getting the property ready to show. This was the case with one downtown Victoria, Texas, landmark which has had the same manager for nearly 40 years.
In his time overseeing the Main Street property, Lee Dean has dealt with changing tenants and owners and has managed both efficiently. All property managers can achieve this with careful planning and the right tools. Building Engines software allows building operators to become more organized by providing them with the programs they need to manage staff, track expenses and more.
Skills of a good property manager
Successful building managers deal with changing tenants, owners and technology during their careers, but there are some aspects of the job that will always remain the same. Communication is a vital part of any property management role. Building operators must coordinate between tenants, owners, visitors and staff members.
“It’s extremely important to communicate on a regular basis with clients through email or direct contact,” Michael Berenson, president of AKAM Living Services Inc. in New York City told The Cooperator. “Our managers communicate a minimum of two to three times a week with the client. We send them a detailed action list on a weekly basis that gives them an update on everything that’s going on in their building.”
Berenson added that building managers often need to be available 24 hours a day to handle any emergencies. A storm that knocks out power during the night needs to be addressed immediately to prevent the issue from impacting the tenants’ business. If an issue does occur, it is important that managers are able to convey the problem and its solution to tenants so they can make appropriate plans if their operations are affected.
The right tools for the job
Building Engines software is a valuable tool in creating, tracking and sharing emails and other files, which can help improve communication among a variety of groups. Maintenance staff need to be able to move quickly from one assignment to another. Building Engines’ platform can automatically sort work orders, sending them to employees on duty to keep teams working effectively. Regular communications and reports are often a part of building management work. Having the ability to quickly share files and send messages from anywhere through Building Engines’ mobile platform allows property managers to improve their communication and stay on top of regular maintenance.
“Our managers are given certain types of reports they have to do on a regular basis,” added Berenson. “They have to do a monthly walk-through report and they have to give it to the client and to their supervisor. They also have to do a detailed, comprehensive action list. It’s a to-do list of all the items they are working on with a status report and it goes to our client and to their supervisor.”
Dean was successful as a building manager in Victoria because of his ability to think like the owner. Maintaining regular expense reports can help operators track costs and identify potential issues immediately. Quickly resolving problems and making sure all parties are kept up-to-date is easier with the right building management software.
Source: Industry News