December 29, 2005
New Year Resolutions
I just finished writing some resolutions for board members so I thought, why not a few for the managers. Here are a few to think about:
- When teaching board members and managers I like to remind them that "Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate". Angry owners often become angry board members. Resolve to reduce that number this year. Identify who they are and what their issues are and then make an effort to deal with it.
- Resolve to communicate with new owners as often as you can, and in a positive fashion, BEFORE you have to send that first violation notice.
- Take a look at each standard management service you provide and make at least one improvement in each that will impact the association residents in a positive way.
- Find a way to continually educate board members, who don't have the time or inclination to take classes.
- Review contract performance, with board members, before contract renewal. They often won't tell you what they are unhappy about until its too late.
- Sit down with your prime contractors and come up with solid ways to improve services to your associations. Find out where their problems are and work with them to find solutions.
- Find a way to organize the tons of information that is thrown at you (or is available) in a manner that allows it to be disseminated effectively. Information overload is only going to get worse, get a handle on it.
- Understand that community associations are becoming popular with the news media. Sooner or later you're going to have camera pointed in your direction or a reporter on the other end of the line. This is not something you want to learn how to do "after the fact". Resolve to put a media policy in place and learn something about public relations.
- Finally, resolve to not feel guilty if you turn the computer and cell phone off. Uninterrupted time spent with your family is a good thing.
Happy New Year to all of you and may 2006 be your best year ever!
Posted by joewest at 11:33 AM