Running a successful business is about more than just finding great customers. It’s also about attracting and retaining great employees. But if the past year+ has taught us anything, it’s that employees are no longer willing to settle for just a paycheck. Today’s top talent wants to work where they are valued, supported and feel that what they do matters. If your property management company isn’t yet one of these places, here are a few key areas to focus on.

Cultivate Respect

Being treated with respect should be a prerequisite of any working relationship, yet so many businesses fail to create an environment in which this fundamental need is prioritized. When your company is one in which your employees feel trusted and appreciated, they will naturally become more engaged and motivated. As a result, your business will thrive. One simple way to foster an atmosphere of respect is to encourage ongoing feedback and practice active listening.

Offer Flexibility

The pandemic taught all of us how flexible we could become. Businesses in just about every industry learned that if they couldn’t adapt quickly, they wouldn’t survive. This experience has fundamentally changed employees’ expectations. Now that they know it’s possible to work when and where they are most productive, there’s little argument to be made for rigid schedules and antiquated in-office policies. By offering freedom and flexibility, you’ll demonstrate trust while attracting and retaining great workers.

Prioritize Communication

One of the most important components of a great place to work is good 360-degree communication. This begins by communicating what your core business values are, why it matters and how employees fit into the mix. Reinforce your commitment to communication by being open and transparent. Host regular meetings to ensure everyone is kept in the loop. Invite your staff to share their thoughts and ideas. And provide a safe place for them to share feedback with and about management. Communication, after all, is not a one-way street.

Promote Teamwork

When great employees are able to connect and collaborate, trust and respect each other, they’ll not only become exponentially more engaged, but they’ll also be able to innovate more effectively. This benefits everyone. To that end, focus on creating diverse teams in which individuals can apply their strengths and rely on one another. This may be more challenging with remote teams and/or flex schedules, but with time and effort, you can make it happen.

Embrace Diversity

When people feel comfortable being their authentic selves, they will be able to reach their fullest potential. In this way, diversity and inclusion is beneficial, both to your employees as well as to your company. Create a diverse workforce that brings together a variety of different individuals from many backgrounds and walks of life. Most importantly, establish an environment in which inclusivity and acceptance are foundational. As a result, you’ll attract a bigger pool of talent and keep them happy.

Being a great place to work doesn’t happen on its own, nor does it occur overnight. It takes time, dedication and intention. By focusing your efforts on the five things listed above, you’ll gradually be able to transform your property management company into a place where the best of the best strive to work.