The year 2014 is now in full force, and we’re already inching through the first month. If you haven’t done so already, it’s not too late to come up with some New Year’s resolutions to help improve yourself and your business in the coming months. What types of resolutions would make sense for property managers? Beyond the obvious of “be more successful”, here are 5 that you can claim for yourself and start working toward right away.
Turn to Tech
There have been so many advancements in terms of how property managers can leverage technology, such as property management software, to make their jobs easier and grow their organizations. If you’re not yet taking advantage of these valuable tools, you are most certainly missing out. Make your first resolution to research and implement some new technology into your business.
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Get Organized
This one is often easier said than done for busy property managers who are being pulled in a dozen different directions on any given day. Yet, organization is one of the most critical traits of those in our industry that are wildly successful. You can lean on resolution #1 to help with this, and also take a look at these simple “clutter busters” we shared a few months ago. Make it a priority to get your office and your schedule in order for the New Year and you’ll see big things happen as a result.
Be Proactive
Instead of having to deal with situations after they occur, such as maintenance emergencies or late rent payments, make 2014 the year you are more proactive about managing these types of things ahead of time. Use your software program to track and manage maintenance requests and routine service schedules, send out notices to tenants reminding them about things they can do to help keep properties running smoothly and offer incentives for on-time rental payments. Be as creative as you want, just do it ahead of time to avoid having to clean up a mess after the fact.
Gain Competitive Advantage
Property management is a highly competitive industry, and the only way to really succeed is to find a way to stand out amongst your competitors. There are plenty of ways to do this, and the options vary depending on where you are located and a number of other factors. The first step is conducting a competitive analysis and then determining what you can do different or better. Then, develop an action plan to begin accomplishing each of these things over the coming months.
Be a Better Manager
Any good business professional knows that running a successful operation starts with good management. Your team will look to you for guidance, leadership, support and respect, and if they don’t get these things, they’ll probably end up working for one of your competitors soon enough. Make 2014 the year that you evaluate your performance as a manager, and make sure that you’re providing your team with everything they need to be successful. When you do, your business will thrive as a result.
A new year means a new set of goals, both personally and professionally, so don’t miss this opportunity to prepare for the best year yet. Get these resolutions set and start working toward them today, and you’ll begin reaping the benefits in no time!
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Get your free copy of The Property Manager’s Guide to Proactive Management — and make the time necessary to plan for an extraordinary future.