We knew that moving would be a significant undertaking, especially as we transitioned to a remote business model, a new frontier for us and our industry. Whether it’s an office or residential move, relocating a business that so many rely on is a formidable challenge. As experts in real estate property management, we excel in finding solutions that support both our clients and team members.

The intricacies of packing and moving weren’t our top priority, given our busy days focused on finding solutions for our clients. However, this endeavor demanded continuous planning, flexibility, and the determination to overcome unexpected obstacles.

Here are some valuable lessons we learned from our move:

1: The Overwhelming Amount of Stuff We Forgot We Had
In our pursuit of embracing a remote work future, we decided to eliminate paper (almost entirely) from our processes and procedures. This involved extensive scanning and shredding, leading to moments of reflection like, “Why did we save 250 postcards from the 2009 marketing campaign?” or “Does Smart really need this many wigs?” We take pride in reducing our paper load by over 90%. As for costumes and wigs, we had a good laugh reminiscing about the trade shows we wore them to, making tough decisions like keeping the Flintstones Wilma wig but parting ways with the Katy Perry blue California dreaming wig. (Ok maybe that one got thrown back in.)

2: Everyone Experiences Change Differently
Not everyone responds to major changes like moving or going remote in the same way. Some team members embraced the changes immediately, while others needed more time and answers to feel comfortable. We realized early on that clear communication was vital. Over-communicating the steps of the move and discussing the future direction helped prevent chaos. We initiated conversations with our team early to ensure no one was caught off guard. Although business remained a priority, we acknowledged that the move was disruptive and kept our team well-informed about the timeline and logistics, despite the evolving information.

3. The Importance of Logistics Strategy
One recurring question was where to store supplies we still needed and how to turn this storage challenge into a solution. This question became the most frequent one, and our solution involved renting a small storage unit near my residence in Brighton, MI, for the 10% of paper items we were required to keep, along with half of our marketing supplies. We also purchased a small shed for our Staffing Coordinator in Makita’s backyard, containing employee uniforms and the remaining marketing supplies for outreach and job fairs. While we initially searched for a 24-hour storage facility with concierge service, we couldn’t find one near Makita, so the onsite storage shed offered convenience.

The change has been rewarding, and we are excited to see the new opportunities it will bring to Smart!

I am delighted to share that our new mailing address, effective October 1st, 2023, is:

100 Orndorf Dr
756
Brighton, MI 48116

For more of the story, check out our press release here:

https://smartapartmentsolutions.com/smart-staffer-updates/press-release-smart-goes-remote/

Check out our story on what led to going Remote here: https://smartapartmentsolutions.com/uncategorized/leadership/smart-goes-remote-our-story-about-our-path-to-remote/

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Throughout the tour, consistently follow the principle of “safety first.” Repeat this mantra out loud and in your head, “After you!” while indicating the direction you’ll be going with your hand, avoiding putting your back to the prospective resident as much as possible. I try to channel my best Vanna White “After You” I can muster! 🙂

During the tour, it’s essential to maintain visibility and keep the front door open. If there’s a deadbolt, turn it into the locked or out position. This way, if an attacker tries to slam the door shut, it will bounce back open, offering you an opportunity to escape or call for help. Additionally, it’s wise to carry deterrence items like pepper spray. One option is a discreet key ring pepper spray with a safety lock available at Walmart, capable of multiple uses.

Remember, having your phone with you during the tour is essential. Gone are the days when carrying a phone was discouraged; it’s now expected for safety reasons.

Modern smartphones have built-in safety features, such as ICE (In Case of Emergency) identification, special buttons for SOS, and GPS location tracking, even when the phone is off. Moreover, there are apps that can be installed on your device to dispatch help immediately, and some providers offer alternative equipment for teammates who may not have a phone or access to internet-enabled devices. Noonlight and Virtual Halo are personal safety apps that have check in capabilities as well as smart watch capabilities and both have a free account and very affordable Pro accounts starting at $1 a month. Don’t forget, most newer smart watches and phones have SOS and GPS tracking too.

As property professionals, it’s our responsibility to address safety and visibility concerns promptly. Overgrown trees, bushes, or poorly lit areas can create blind spots, making us vulnerable to attacks.

Enforce rules regarding loitering and unauthorized guests, as unsecured doors pose safety risks, allowing unauthorized visitors access to our properties at any time. Stay diligent, hold residents accountable and repair the broken knobs as soon as possible. One solution to consider is smart lock technology like Salto or my favorite, VIZpin, which have cut down on unauthorized guests considerably as well as deterring crime and giving Operators a record of who accessed, or gave access to the building, and at what day and time they gained access.

By taking these steps, we create a safer environment for everyone within our community.

Let’s prioritize safety and trust our instincts. By empowering ourselves with knowledge and vigilance, we can contribute to a safer leasing experience for everyone. Together, we can make our multi-family community a place where safety always comes first.

Stay safe and vigilant.

Smart Chick Megan

Check out The National Apartment Associations Leasing Safety Best Practices Here

The post Prioritizing Safety in Apartment Leasing: Trusting Your Instincts and Empowering Property Professionals appeared first on Smart Apartment Solutions.

Effective Monday January 2nd, 2023 Smart Apartment Solutions is updating the attendance policy in the employee handbook located in your employee PRISM portal, but here is a copy to review below.

Please let us know if you have any questions and as alaways, thank you for being a part of our clients Smart solutiion!

Your Smart Team!

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