Building Management Hawaii August/September - (Page 38)

On Site A Well-Run Association Teamwork is key when it comes to managing your building If there's anything I've learned in my residential management career, it's that creating an atmosphere of communication and teamwork enhances my role. Yes, I know that talking about teamwork may seem a little corny, but that's what it takes to manage expectations of the varied groups that make up a condominium association. Recognizing that everyone has something to offer, being a good listener and serving as a facilitator, when appropriate, lead to success. The groups I refer to are owners, tenants, board members, property managers and employees. While each brings a different perspective, these stakeholders often don't realize that they ultimately have the same goals and interests in mind. This is where a skilled resident manager can utilize his or her facilitation skills to encourage teamwork. First, let's talk about expectations. Whether it's the nonresident owner wanting to make sure his or her investment is being properly maintained or a tenant wanting to address a noisy neighbor, everyone has an expectation and, more importantly, a responsibility to each other for the greater good of the community. Next, consistency is extremely important on all levels-and it works in tandem with expectations. When it comes to day-to-day operations, take the time to ensure that procedures are clearly outlined and followed. Utilize available resources, such as a property manager assigned by the contracted management company; they can be your strongest partner and ally. A good property manager has a wealth of information and experience that can strengthen and improve the operation of the building. Your building's employees play an important role, too. For them to perform at their best, they need to 38 August-September 2014 BMH understand what is expected of them in order to perform in a consistent manner. Their activity, good or bad, is a direct reflection on the perception of how the building is being managed. Your board of directors is also a crucial component of the team. While you don't have much control in this area, it's essential to have consistency on the board level. Having a well-run building will usually attract talent to the board. And, hopefully your board represents a wide array of skills and industries. Once you have strong directors in place, each will serve as a knowledgeable presence and be capable of articulating information during meetings. Time spent educating them is time well spent; they'll not only understand how everything fits together, but also On Site is dedicated to the many BMH readers who are residential and commercial building managers in Hawaii. This page is your forum to address common problems and share insights that might help you in your profession. This issue's guest columnist is Jacob Roller, ARM®, resident manager at the 359-unit Aloha Lani in Waikiki. Roller has nearly 12 years of property management experience under his belt, and in 2013 was recognized as the Institute of Real Estate Management, Hawaii chapter's Accredited Resident Manager of the Year. they'll be more supportive of you as resident manager. Last, but certainly not least, you need to contract a competent management company. A good relationship between a resident manager and property manager sets the tone for the overall operation. You must work together as equals for the greater benefit of your building's owners, residents and employees. Resident managers take on many responsibilities, and it's simply impossible to be an expert in every area. Most property managers are very competent in proper accounting procedures for community associations as well as developing and managing budgets, a source of great trepidation for owners. Nurturing a steady stream of communication between resident and property manager on financial issues helps to ensure that expectations are being managed proactively. Once you have clear procedures and clear expectations in place, consistency follows. Add talented people-board members, property managers and employees-into the mix, and the result is a well-run association. www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii August/September

Roofing Warranties: Read Them
Heeding Pacific Cyclone Warnings
Eco-friendly Metal Roofing
Cool Roofing Technology
When Good Pipes Go Bad
Why Cast Iron Pipes Fail
Is Your Sewer Squeaky Clean?
Water Heaters Versus Boilers
Preventing Backflow
Safeguarding Your Building’s Water
Safeguarding Your Building’s Water
Why Regular HVAC Inspections Matter
Why Regular HVAC Inspections Matter
Industry News
Industry News
On Site: A Well-Run Association
On Site: A Well-Run Association

Building Management Hawaii August/September