Renoir Staffing Blog

As I’m sure we all know, tensions can get tight in the workplace, and often we don’t have the time to sit down and slowly, methodically, and patiently discuss the situation so that all parties can work productively and harmoniously together (although, this is how disputes should be handled so remember, your HR Manager can be the resource you need to get started).

So, this week we bring you some tips on how to diffuse tension before it gets out of control. When you are approach by an irate co-worker, keep these tips in mind:

First, listen! We are always quick to be defensive right of the bat, or to start listing the reasons why the other person is wrong.  Understanding the other person’s point of view is the key to solve the dispute; so listen very carefully. When you respond, do so in a way that will encourage a solution, such as “What needs to happen for this issue to be resolved?” Choose your words carefully; once you say something there is no turning back. It’s okay to disagree with the person, but it is not okay to engage in a non-professional manner. Don’t take their words personally, this is a work issue, and instead focus on that solution. When responding back, respond with a lower tone of voice and stay calm. By doing so, the person most likely will lower their voice and calm down. Then, you can both discuss the matter more efficiently (saving time and energy) and find a solution.

Maintaining a level of professionalism ensures that both parties will be treated with respect. Always remember that when you feel you’re not being treated with respect that you typically want the parties involved to hear you out, right? Keep that in mind, stay calm during the conflict, and then approach the matter with the only goal being one of a successful resolution. Not only will the tension be diffused, but all those involved will feel good about their awesome team work skills!

Mariela Ramirez, Staffing Associate

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Last week we attended the California Apartment Association Housing Education Expo (mouthful, right?) where we had a chance to talk to the people who make things happen in our industry. It was a busy day for us, we were blessed to have a lot of visitors to our booth!, but we hardly felt it because we had such a great time! Here’s a picture of us before the doors were open to the registrants:

We Build Winning Teams at Renoir Staffing! From left: 707/925 Account Executive Karen Quennell, 415/650 Account Executive Theresa Cannon, Marketing Coordinator Jessie Williams, and 408/831 Account Executive Amanda Landon.

The theme this year was ‘Go for the Gold,’ a play on the Olympics, so we gave out Gold Medal Cookies and water bottles at our table in front of the Olympic torches which flanked our banner. Both were a big hit but then again, who doesn’t like cookies?! Swag (the free promotional materials that companies pass out to attendees) is definitely a big draw to these events and adds to the fun, so we’re really glad that everyone liked our swag!

But the best part of our day was the opportunity to network with professionals in our industry! We introduced our new Account Executive for the South Bay, Amanda Landon, and she repeatedly stated throughout the day how much she was enjoying the chance to meet the people she was looking forward to working with in the near future. I don’t think she sat down once the whole day! But that is one of the reasons we love Amanda so much, her enthusiasm for the property management industry and customer service, coupled with her bottomless energy, are what make her such a perfect fit for Renoir Staffing and our dedication to the community we serve. If you didn’t get a chance to meet Amanda at the event, be sure to send her an email to say hello! She can be reached at alandon@renoirstaffing.com.

However, Amanda wasn’t the only one networking that day! Director of Sales Arisha Williams, and Account Executives Karen Quennell and Theresa Cannon were also having a great time meeting with the attendees, many of whom they have worked with extensively over years. Including previous temps who have now been working as permanent employees for the property management companies we placed them in! Catching up with these employees is the part I enjoy most about these events.

Check out the rest of our pictures from the expo here. And while you’re on our Facebook site, be sure to take a look at our other albums, including those Employees of the Month that have made this business a joy to be in, as well as last year’s RHA Expo where our booth was turned into a Parisian tea shop!

Happy Wednesday to all and it was a pleasure to see you last week!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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The CAA Expo is next week on Wednesday, April 25^th at the Santa Clara Convention Center-come say hi! The theme this year is “Go for the Gold” and we’ll be at booth #620 to tell you about how we can build your winning team!

There will also be a great raffle prize you can win!

Can’t make it? Be sure to check out our online resources: website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, where we keep you informed on the most pertinent industry news and events! We’re here not only to provide you with the best candidates in property management or to match you with the position that will propel your career, we are also here to make sure that you have the access you need to participate in the Property Management Industry like a champion!

We hope to see you next week!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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The busy summer season is nearly upon us which means all of us want to not only do our best on the multiple worksites we’ll be sent to, but also look our best, meaning professional! This week we are re-posting a great blog from last year outlining the type of clothing that is appropriate for all property management positions.

“Why does work attire matter? There are many reasons why you should and need to follow work attire policies. In today’s society first impressions mean a lot more then some would like to think. Just recently I walked into a property that I was interested in moving into. As the leaser greeted me, I couldn’t help but notice that she was wearing open-toed heels, old worn-looking jeans, a low cut t-shirt, and her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. As she gave me the tour of the property I noticed she had a difficult time walking around. It appeared she got tired very quickly (I think this might have to do with the high heels she was wearing) and as we cut across some grass area she almost fell when her heel got stuck in the grass. It was obvious that she didn’t consider her job and duties when she was getting dressed that morning.

I had a difficult time getting passed her appearance and based on her work attire I couldn’t help but question the professionalism of the property and the employee herself.  I know not everyone has an eye for fashion but this is why we have dress code policies. If the employee looks sloppy it makes the property look sloppy too. I thought to myself, “I don’t ever want to give that impression,” so I did some online searching and found some great work attire guidelines that I would love to share that may relate a little more to our industry.

Property Manager/ Leaser: Some properties will have standard attire, such as black, blue, or gray slacks with a black or white top with a collar. Some may prefer a pantsuit. Inappropriate pants would be leggings, spandex, exercise pants or sweatpants. Casual dresses and skirts (split below the knee) are acceptable. Dress/ skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti strap dresses are inappropriate for the office too. Dress or casual shirts, sweater tops, and turtlenecks are acceptable. Tank tops, midriff tops, halter tops and tops with bare shoulders are inappropriate. As for shoes; when you know you will be doing a lot of walking (ie: property tours) it’s best to wear flats with a rubber sole. High heels, open-toed shoes, flip flops, and sling-backs are inappropriate. Jewelry, make-up, perfume and hair should be in good taste. Keep in mind that some people are allergic to some chemicals in perfumes and make-up, so wear these substances with restraint.

Building Maintenance/Porter:There are properties that may give you a standard uniform to wear. Some may require you to wear coveralls. If you go to a property that doesn’t require either then the best way to go is with solid color t-shirts and/or sweaters. Inappropriate attire would include tank tops, shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans.  You don’t want to wear anything that may be new that you won’t want to get dirty or mess up. Keep in mind that, just because you work in building maintenance, it doesn’t mean you can show up to work dirty already. Work boots are best but talk to the property manager to make sure you are wearing the best-fitted boots for the job.

Remember that first impressions can make or break you. Make sure your clothes are pressed, clean, and that your outfit is safe for the type of work you do. Keep professionalism and safety in mind when getting dress for work and ask yourself, “What does my outfit say about me?” ”

Maria Torres, Fashion Expert and General Great Advice-Giver

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The staffing and property management industries are entering the busy season as the days grow warmer and longer. For residential and commercial properties, there is landscaping to be done, events to prepare for, vacations looming (aka, increased workload), and a myriad of other tasks, both large and small. Some days can feel outright overwhelming.

Last week I received an email from a colleague that contained some really good tips on staying calm during stressful days. You know, the kind of days when you feel like you can’t work fast enough, or the tasks you set out to accomplish fall apart, or even just those days when you wake up with a black cloud over your head, grumpy and exhausted for no apparent reason. Her email addressed all these unfortunate workdays and more, so I thought I would compile my own list of tips to get you through a frustrating workday.

First off, it’s always important to remember that although you may not have control over what happens around you (although you might be surprised at just how much you do), you do have control over how you react to them. Breathing. Staying calm. Giving yourself the time to think before responding. These are paramount to turning an unsuccessful event around. Here are more tips on taking control over a cloudy day:

1. Bad mood day? Accept your emotions (feel them, don’t bury them), don’t take them out on other people (apologize if you do), and give yourself plenty of time to take deep breaths and relax. Some days you’ll have to make the time, but you’ll find that no matter how busy you are, stepping away from the desk and/or task for ten minutes for some personal time can be invaluable. The following link is for an article on WikiHow that gives you tips on how to deal with your bad mood at work and it is excellent! Check it out: How to Turn Around a Bad Day at Work.
2. Ask for help. Are you bogged down in a project? Feeling resentful towards coworkers and employers who seemingly don’t notice that you’re working at maximum capacity and add more to your load? Remember that no one is a mind reader, and expecting them to be can lead to really bad consequences. They are focusing on their own projects. So speak up. If you need help or more time with a project, ask for it. Most people, when given the chance, will seize the opportunity to provide their assistance, especially when the outcome is beneficial to all involved.
3. Is stress distracting you from accomplishing your goals? Stress runs rampant in this country and can be a detrimental deterrent to our happiness and success. Maybe you’re not having one bad day here and there; maybe they are all becoming unpleasant in one way or another. If this is the case, you’re probably feeling rotten outside of work too. That’s no good. I went through a lot of online resources for stress, and the best one I found gives us sound advice on the options we have to control stress levels. It’s so good, I think I will let it speak for itself: Stress At Work. My favorite? Eliminating self-defeating behaviors.  

You know that Renoir Staffing is here to make these tasks easier for you and more successful with our database of talented property management professionals, but we’re also here to provide useful tips on making your day more successful, and therefore your career and/or business!

Have a happy and healthy workday!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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Last year, the Renoir Staffing team took a look at the company’s Mission Statement and decided it was time for a change. We liked the message it expressed, we’ve always stood behind it, but in the midst of the changes the company was experiencing (new ownership, new logo, a stronger online presence and even stronger dedication to excellent customer service), we felt a new Mission Statement could only showcase the professionalism of our company even more! We were an even better company and wanted to share that information with our industry.

We knew it should be a team effort so management decided to ask for volunteers from the company’s team members and from those eager to participate they made sure to cover all departments: Management, Sales, Marketing, and Finance.  Although volunteers from these departments were chosen to form a discussion group, no employee was left out. It was up to one individual per department to take note of what their colleagues felt was important to include in the Mission Statement. And once we had this information, we sat down together as a group and discussed itl.

It didn’t take us long. One of the principal components of our company culture is how well we work together and the enthusiasm we each have for this company and the values upon which it stands. Within the hour, we had a new statement that reflected not only the services we provide but the sincerity behind our efforts to solve staff dilemmas and build careers.  We are very proud of (and thrilled about!) our new Mission Statement and we hope you are too!

Mission Statement:

Renoir Staffing, LLC is committed to providing the most qualified staff for temporary and direct hire positions within the real estate market. With the goal to serve as consultants to our clients, we facilitate the success of businesses to operate at an optimum level of productivity and efficiency. Renoir Staffing is the source for providing Property Management Professionals employment opportunities that stimulate the growth of their careers. Since 1985, Renoir Staffing has enhanced our area of expertise and geographical presence to meet the challenges of the ever-evolving Real Estate and Property Management industry.

Carol Martinez, Payroll Administrator

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Being a business and finance student has really opened my eyes to what it takes to run a business successfully.

Firstly, once you’ve narrowed down your prospects while job searching, you should get as much information about the company you’d like to work for, including an understanding of their mission or vision. If you feel that their goals in business match your own, inquire about how your particular skill(s) can be maximized in furthering your career and the growth of the company. Learn all you can.

Secondly, be knowledgeable (and honest) about your strengths and weaknesses, and find the tools to help in your weak areas. If you are not the numbers person, leave that to the accountants; be your best at what you do. It’s always important to learn and grow but equally important not to stretch yourself too thin. Play to your strengths. Communicate your needs and concerns when appropriate. When making an employment decision, look for companies that have a track record of proven success and values. Make sure that the companies GOALS will allow you to grow with the business and that they are goals that you would set for your personal life.

Knowledge is power. Always be available to change.

JoElla Barkus, Accounting Assistant

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There has been a lot of positive movement and strong indicators of growth and opportunity that we have seen recently in that past few months in both the staffing and property management industries.  As the demand for rentals has increased in the housing market, the need for more qualified staff on both a temporary and direct hire basis is becoming even greater.  While this news is exciting, it is also very important to not only keep residents and tenants happy, but also to attract and retain qualified staff    There is a direct correlation between resident retention and  on site management staff.  In order to retain residents and tenants, it is critical to remember that it starts with customer service and the quality of staff members.   Some of the ramifications of not having the right staff on site include loss of productivity, low morale, overworked staff members, and most importantly, unhappy residents.

 Here are some ideas to help improve resident and tenant relations to consider:

Tenant Relations

 The cost of retaining satisfied tenants through a proactive appreciation program is much less than the cost of finding a replacement to fill a vacancy.

 Below are some of the ways that Renoir clients have created effective tenant relations programs.

 Activities that build unity and encourage involvement contribute to a successful community.

• Bring your tenants together at events to celebrate holidays or kick-off the summer BBQ season.
• Offer a kid’s movie night once a week during the summer and set aside a place for parents to gather and talk during the film. 
• Put together a team to participate in an event to support a non-profit organization.
• Join your city’s softball league or organize a community tennis, Frisbee or other sports tournament at your complex.
• Invite health professionals to an on-site health fair or plan a career advancement event with colleges and employers.
• Host informal happy hours on your patio or in your lobby with music and snacks.

Loyal tenants feel connected to their community.  Don’t be afraid to get your current staff involved in the creative planning process as well.  You never know what great ideas you might find by reaching out to your staff members!

So, now that you have great ideas for keeping your residents happy, how do you find and keep the right talent at your community and/or office to ensure that your residents and tenants are handled with the care and attention that they deserve?

In order to retain your valued staff members, it is important to remember that they need motivation and encouragement to keep up morale.   Management staff  should try to keep things fun and enjoyable in the workplace as well as  offer activities or incentives that will keep your leasing and maintenance staff engaged and excited.   This will not only keep up morale but also increase performance levels critical to the overall success of the company as well as to ensuring the retention of your valued residents or tenants.

When faced with the task of hiring for an open position, remember that it takes more than just a simple review of the resume.  It is important to effectively screen potential candidates thoroughly with detailed, open ended questions to allow the candidate to expand on their skills and qualifications as well as provide examples of how they  handle workplace situations.   You should also remember to evaluate skills through various assessment programs and verify any credentials that the candidate might have as well.  The cost of making the wrong hire could be enormous if you don’t have a systematic and detailed screening and evaluation process when hiring.   

Here are some things to keep in mind to assist you in making the right hiring decisions:

The Cost of Making the Wrong Hire

Filling an open position appears to be a relatively easy task. The challenge for hiring managers is that they just don’t have the time to effectively screen, interview and hire staff. And, hiring the wrong person can be an expensive waste of time. Follow these guidelines to reduce the risk and even consider using Renoir’s recruiting services.

 ·         Take your time – Interview several people to find the right candidate. Fill in with a temporary employee rather than rushing to hire someone.

• Write a Job Description- Written criteria will help you define your needs, attract appropriate applicants and be consistent in evaluating skills.
• Research Salaries – You’ll gain an advantage in negotiation if you know typical salary ranges.

Here’s a great way to reduce the costs and risks of making the wrong hire

Temporary to hire or direct hire

Have you ever considered hiring through a staffing agency on a direct hire basis?

Trying to recruit on your own is an expensive and time consuming process. Having to read through hundreds of resumes, trying to match skills to job descriptions, and endless interviewing can cause frustration and anxiety. However, there is a solution to the hiring madness. Turning to Renoir for your real estate and property management staffing needs will not only save you time, but it will also save you money.

•  Save Time- By using your human resource professionals at Renoir to screen candidates for your. we do the recruiting for you, then send you only the most qualified candidates to interview

• Depend On- Each candidate you see on having the specific skills you are looking for to fill your open position. We test our candidates.
• Save Money- By reducing the cost of advertising for your open positions. Simply let us know what you’re looking for and we take care of the rest- including the advertising costs.

Save Money Still- When you make a hire that is actually the right fit. We make sure that each candidate we send for you to interview “fits in” from skill set to company culture. We reduce the likelihood of making a “bad hire”; which positively affects your bottom line.

Arisha Williams, Director of Sales

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We have a phrase here at Renoir Staffing that we use in all our marketing materials and in our general correspondence with clients and candidates that we feel describes this company and its’ premier status as the leading staffing agency in the property management industry and that phrase is The Fine Art of Real Estate Staffing. This catchphrase is more than just a play on the name ‘Renoir,’ it exemplifies precisely the level of excellence in customer service we strive for everyday. And part of that service includes delivering the best candidates for the job, and that is the backbone to our company.

Our mission is to find the ‘gem’ candidates of real estate property management. Once they are identified, we can then place them on either a temporary assignment or direct-hire position with our clients, and because we commit to providing the best of the best, the intensity of our screening process is what makes us unique. Candidates do not get placed in positions unless they have passed our rigorous qualifying process with flying colors, and our clientele has come to rely on our company for individuals with professionalism and experience.

To be a world class property management agency in everything we do exemplifies our commitment to excellence, both in quality and service, and our in-house discussions, often centered around our client’s needs and how we can better boost local employment numbers, creates a company culture that is grounded, innovative, and informed, not to mention successful. And that, is what makes Renoir Staffing The Fine Art of Real Estate Staffing.

Mariela Ramirez, Staffing Associate

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Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC) opened its doors in 1980 with a vision of  supportive and affordable housing community in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco.

THC’s mission is and has always been, “To improve living conditions for Tenderloin residents, prevent the loss of affordable housing through conversion or demolition, and to enhance the quality of life for neighborhood residents.”

As an Account Executive with Renoir Staffing I have had the privilege of partnering with TCH to fill their immediate staffing needs for Janitors, Maintenance Technicians, and Property Manager. These employees acquired full-time gainful employment in a position and a working environment they have a passion for and can grow and thrive in.

 It has always been a pleasure working closely with the THC Management Team, I truly commend them on their professionalism and consistent outstanding customer service.

Thank you, Team THC!

Theresa Cannon, Account Executive

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