As the host of "The Art of Property Management" podcast, I recently had the pleasure of welcoming back Jo Oliveri, an International business coach specialising in property management. Our conversation revolved around the topic of overwhelm in property management, a common issue that many in the industry grapple with.

The Paradox of Technology in Property Management

Jo, a seasoned property management professional, and I delved into the paradox of technology in our industry. While technology has undoubtedly improved many aspects of property management, it has also added to the chaos. Jo emphasised that technology should be used in conjunction with effective team management to maximise its benefits. However, she also pointed out that technology has not necessarily improved the capacity of property managers, often leading to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

The Importance of Strategic Technology Implementation

We discussed the excessive number of apps and programs used by real estate agents and the need for a strategic approach to technology implementation. The industry needs to be intentional in implementing technology and not just react to immediate needs. Joe also raised concerns about the race to the bottom in terms of fees and emphasized the importance of maximizing efficiency and capacity to ensure business viability.

Pushing Team Members to Grow

One of the key insights from our conversation was the importance of pushing team members past their limits to help them grow and improve. I shared an example of how I pushed one of my team members to handle 200 properties, which ultimately led to improved work efficiency and time management skills. Jo emphasised the role of business leaders in empowering and enabling their teams to achieve their goals, comparing it to how elite athletes are trained to believe in their abilities and achieve their best performance.

Aligning Team Motivations with Business Objectives

Understanding team motivations and aligning them with business objectives is crucial. I mentioned how I align my team's wage goals with the size of the portfolio they manage. We also touched on the importance of mindset and getting rid of the belief that property managers are hard done by.

Effective Time Management and Task List Creation

Jo and I agreed on the importance of effective time management and creating a daily task list. She suggested being strict with task management by writing down or using an app to keep track of daily tasks. She also emphasised the importance of including personal activities for relaxation and self-care in the task list.

Empowering the Team and Encouraging Productivity

Jo highlighted the importance of understanding the team's needs and empowering them. She suggested giving team members short breaks or incentives like vouchers for a coffee to recharge and increase productivity. Reflecting on the day and expressing gratitude for even the challenging moments is another practice that Jo recommends. 

The Power of Morning Huddles

Jo discussed the importance of morning huddles in a property management office. These huddles serve as a way for the business leader to direct tasks and ensure that the team is on track. I emphasised the significance of these huddles in creating a happy property management office and an even happier business owner.

A recap word from Ash...

I do have to admit that each podcast I host feels like my own dedicated personal training and coaching session! These opportunities allow me to continue my own personal development, and they also ensure the happiness of my team and sustainability of my own business.  I encourage everyone to reach out to Jo for more information and to check out the teaser I have done and schedule a demo.