Property management is a tricky industry and one where improving productivity is vital. Residents expect a swift response and/or solution when a problem arises that – at the very least – threatens their established level of comfort. And every missed call and miscommunication slows you down as a manager, while adding to your expenses and delivering a blow to your reputation.
Here are four quick – but critical – tips for property managers to save money and improve productivity.
- Be prepared: Your on-call staff relies on complete and accurate information to do their jobs and make you look good. When corresponding with residents, be sure to write everything down. This allows you to deliver explicit details to your employees, who can then respond more swiftly and efficiently to the crisis at hand. Property managers utilizing an answering service should make certain their on-call staff also employs detailed notetaking when corresponding with call center agents. This cuts down on callbacks significantly, subsequently reducing operator time and saving you money in the process.
- Provide an ETA. Anxious residents standing ankle-deep in water or trying to access their snowed-in vehicle just want to know help is on the way. Throwing them a lifeline – even if it’s just to let them know that you’ve received their call and have made it a priority – cuts down on frustration and frantic return calls to you or your answering service. It saves you time, money, and saves everyone stress – and it helps to contribute to your stellar reputation as a property manager.
- Offer Around the Clock Attention: You have to sleep You cannot be all things to all people, but at the same time, after-hours emergencies are inevitable. With 24-7 solutions, your phones and your properties will be covered at all times.
- Keep your contact lists current. On-call personnel come and go as a result of new jobs, dismissals, retirement, or… other journeys. There’s nothing quite so awkward as having your answering service reach out to an on-call at 3 a.m. to fix a leaky faucet, and waking up his or her widow, instead. Not to mention, every wrong number is a drag on your monthly call center package, adding unnecessarily to your invoice.
Property managers who hire Focus Telecommunications rest easy, knowing that emergency calls are handled with poise, precision, and a comprehensive knowledge of your policies and personality. Never send a resident to voicemail. Call Focus at 800-783-1972 to request a free quote and discover how we can help you.