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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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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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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It’s busy around the office this week! Have you been running around, trying to play catch-up, move forward on certain projects, leave time to be innovative? In acknowledgement of the busy season’s swift approach, here is one of our most popular blogs from last year: on multi-tasking! Enjoy!

We have all been there, ‘there’ being the ever so isolating and energy-draining lure that every Monday morning seems to engulf us in once we walk into our work space ready for administrative combat.  From having to address numerous emails that all seem time sensitive to racing from meeting upon meeting while still fitting in the unpredictable tugs of each day, we can agree that the term ‘multitasking’ is an understatement.  With today’s economic challenges, many companies have felt the all-mighty sting of layoffs and downsizing which has thus drenched  the surviving staff members of these companies with an even heavier load, as they aim to pick up the slack where needed.  This creates an almost chaotic existence among an office that most likely deserves some serious organization and attention to detail, concentration and patience, and commitment to integrity and production.  How can those qualities be achieved may be the question we must ask ourselves and the answer lies with a realistic and solid approach to multitasking.

Prioritizing:  Understanding Your Position

First thing first, do you understand your position and what responsibility you have to your company and team overall?  If not, ask yourself how your job affects the team around you and how your deadlines affect the company as a whole.  What key repetitive tasks do you perform on the daily that aid in generating the overall success of your company?  Once this is realized a miraculous thing happens, you are now ready to prioritize!  Put in order all of the things that need to be done first while also understanding the tasks that need your complete focus without interruption and plan to carry them out from start to finish.  This will help you get them done with little to no interruption or distraction.  For best results, take a task one at a time.  Gage how long each task will take and comingle the time needed to complete it within the time allowed for you to be at work, which for most of us is an eight hour day.  The goal here is to get in the habit of thinking about everything that needs to be done in one day, not one week.  Remember, being realistic will promote a can-do attitude and propel you into feelings of accomplishment and endurance.

Knowing How to Manage Your Time

Technically, we have already addressed this subject with prioritization and since these two are close cousins as well as counterparts they need to be presented separately in order to produce the most potent results in your goal to be a master at multitasking.  Time management is self-explanatory and if implemented can really help you stay on the right road when trying to get work done.  Assess the time you have in a day and divide it amongst all of the important tasks that need to be addressed as well.  For example, block out a time when you are able to review and respond to email messages and voicemails if possible and stick to it.  For those of you that have jobs that require constant communication on email, filter through your emails and organize them based on priority.  This will help you focus on the more important emails that need an immediate response rather than the emails that can wait.  If you have meetings all day, communicate to your clients, customers, employees or anyone that will need to contact you in advance so that they know not to expect a response from you right away.  This could eliminate the amount of emails you receive while unavailable also.

Follow Through

Often times we consider the raw definition of multitasking as doing many things at once while effectively and accurately completing them from start to finish.  This is not advisable when so many people’s jobs rely on accuracy, efficiency, and professionalism.  Instead, consider multitasking the art of organizing and completing a variety of tasks one by one within an allotted amount of time.  This may assist you in viewing the task as something that needs to be done from start to finish, hence the ultimate goal.  Realistically, you may have a series of interruptions or distractions which is why planning can really be a plus in regards to getting things accomplished.  Even still, learn to roll with the punches if unexpected changes do occur in scheduling tasks out for the day.

Consistency

This is very critical in maintaining and mastering effective multitasking practices.  Without a ritualistic approach, how will you know what works for you and what does not?  Committing to a routine would be advisable and the best part about it is that you can always switch it up once in a while if it proves to be ineffective.

The power of multitasking lies with you and anything goes within the boundaries of professionalism and productivity.  So, start tackling your tasks with authority and confidence.  Make them work for you instead of the other way around.  Multitasking does not have to consume us; instead it should sharpen our skills by challenging us to be assertive and professionally poised employees.

Wakema Ligons, Multi-Tasking Extraordinaire

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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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I have already seen a popular trend this year.  Since the beginning of January, I have been working with several property managers and owners who want to replace thier current staff.  It seems that the current decision makers are standing firm on performance and if its not there, they replace them.  Owners want properties that are performing.  In this economy there are a lot of people that are still looking for rentals and the owners do not want excuses, they want production. Understandably!

With the economy still soft, apartments have the best opportunity to stay strong with fewer vacancies.  Now is the time to capture all possible traffic and rent to them, because if you don’t, being replaced is a strong possibility as there are many qualified managers and leasing agents that are hungry for work and will do whatever it takes to meet goals. 

If your property is not doing well, and the heat is on you personally, now is the time to buckle down, get creative, and ask for help!  The rentals and traffic are out there, so bring them in and make your goal and property managers happy!  Shop other properties that are above 95% occupancy and find out what they are doing differently, and make sure your property has “Disneyland” curb appeal (and if it doesnt- get your maintenance team out there)! If you need a special for pricing, be proactive in asking for one and then sell it on craigslist.com or ForRent.com.  Dont forget your residents, make sure they are being treated like kings and queens.  Not only will you get your renewals signed, but referrals go a LONG way!

The bottom line here is rent, rent, rent, and then rent some more!

Good luck!

Lia Lovelady, Account Executive

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Industry events are an important part of one’s growth in their line of work. While it can be difficult to schedule in an event with all your other duties, the rewards you can receive (such as meeting industry leaders, acquiring new knowledge that can improve your skills, and/or promoting your company) have the potential to move you higher up the business ladder.

We often hear that it’s ‘Not What You Know, But Who You Know.’ If this is occasionally true (because let’s not discount the fact that a strong skill-set will get you far!) then networking with the community of your industry can prove to be beneficial to you if you are looking to move into a new position, or simply want to make new contacts in order to promote your business. At the very least, you can demonstrate your knowledge and advertise your expertise with the people who can contribute to the growth of profession or business.

And speaking of expertise, what better way to increase all the knowledge you already possess than to attend functions that give you the all the latest, up-to-date information available in your trade? And, not only are many events designed to inform you, topics that includes increasing your business are often presented in a workshop manner in which you’ll not only been given examples of how a particular tool has been proven effective, but also the way in which you can utilize it to your own advantage!

Networking is also a great form of advertising your company. We all know that branding is only effective if our target audience is exposed to it, and therefore meeting with potential consumers is paramount. But use it not only as an opportunity to spread the word about your company but also as a way to build a relationship with your consumers. You may notice familiar faces at these events as you begin to attend them regularly. Use this as your chance to get to know people on a more personal level; it can only increase your chances of being relied upon when they have a need!

Wondering how to get started? The first place you should go is the Associations that are relevant to your industry. In our case, it’s property management and therefore we belong to, and attend events by, the Rental Housing Association (RHA) of Sacramento, California Apartment Association (CAA), and many more, and the events they have held, such as trade shows and luncheons, have proved an invaluable source of information and opportunities to network.

Another great place to get associated with your industry’s community is LinkedIn Groups. Simply by joining a few relevant groups can open the door to expanding your brand and skills tremendously. You’ll receive emails about current topics of discussion, invites to events, as well as the opportunity to reach out individually to these people, great for the follow-up message after meeting them at a luncheon!

If you’re looking for opportunities to strengthen your relevance to your business community, and we all should be, then attending events should be at the top of your list! The knowledge you’ll gain, as well as the people you meet, can only serve to boost your business or marketability!

Happy Event Browsing!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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Is your office ready to take on the New Year? We found an excellent website, Valen’s Point (www.valenspoint.com), and we had to share with you their tips on how to make 2012 the most productive and prosperous year yet! Here are their 4 recommendations in improving your business ventures this year:

1. Review Current Projects:

Capture lessons learned, customer stories, and case studies. Review and take note of any negative experiences that may have occurred and brainstorm ways to correct these problems before they happen again. The value of your business is in the stories and experience of your best projects and customers.

2. Survey customers to measure satisfaction and look for opportunity:

It is best practice to conduct periodic customer satisfaction in order to address issues or validate your process. Understanding their level of satisfaction and why they continue to do business with you is necessary input for your strategy and plans.

3. Update your business plans.

Be specific with your plans and establish the actions and the measurements you can use to gauge success. Your marketing plan should include the development of content, execution of seasonal programs, and advertisements.

4. Update your referral marketing system resources with current material:

Referrals drive many small businesses and word of mouth advertisement is a significant means of business growth. Optimizing your referral marketing system begins with delivering a remarkable experience and being referral-worthy.

By mapping out the year and taking care in the execution towards accomplishing goals, you can successfully make 2012 an excellent year for your business! Remember that Renoir Staffing is here to provide you with the best temporary and direct-hire employees in the property management industry, which can leave you worry-free to focus on your year’s goals while keeping your business running smoothly.

Here’s to a great new year!

Maria Torres, Staffing Associate

You can find the complete article on Valen’s Point by clicking on the following link: Checklist! Planning and preparing for the New Year

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One of the best ways in which you can succeed as a staffing professional is to attend industry events. They are empowering and give great insight into current industry trends and up-to-date sales strategies. Simple run an internet search on your industry along with ‘associations’ and you’ll see the many options you’ll have to choose from! In regards to property management, California Apartment Association (CAA) and Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) are two examples of the excellent associations available to become a member with and grow your skill-set.

As Renoir Staffing’s San Francisco recruiter, I highly recommend California Staffing Professionals (CSP). They offer a wide array of services including an Annual Conference and their upcoming Staffing Owners Retreat. To view their upcoming events calendar, visit their website at www.cspnet.org.

Another great resource for training in staffing sales is Barbara Bruno. She has over 25 years of successful staffing experience and her webinars (another great and affordable resource!) can improve your “game” significantly! Sign up at www.recruitertraining.net.

Whether your work in staffing or many of the other sales industries out there, events, online training, and being a member of an association, can strengthen your sales skills and increase the level of success you enjoy from your career!

Theresa Cannon, Recruiter

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Happiness has wide ranging effects- Like improving your motivation. A study shows that adults and children who are put into good mood select higher goals and perform better than those that are unhappy. The GREAT news is that recent scientific reports show your happiness level is something that can be increased with a minimum amount of effort and that a full 40% of your happiness level is completely within your control. You may have suffered unfortunate life events, but you get a clean 40% at YOUR command. Don’t you want to be happier and in a better mood?

The Myths of Happiness:

1.       Happiness is something we find. This is not true, so don’t wait around for a magical occurrence.

2.       Our circumstances determine our happiness. This is not true, so don’t think, “IF only this would happen, THEN I would be happy.”

3.       You either have it or you don’t. This is also not true. As you read above, you’ve got 40% to develop. You CAN make improvements.

Here are some simple tasks that anyone can do to improve their level of happiness:

1. Express Gratitude- You can tell others or you can write it down.

2. Avoid Over Thinking And Social Comparison- Cut down on how often you rethink your problems and compare yourself to others.

3. Practice Acts Of Kindness- Practice this at least once a day. Hold the door someone, give a compliment, etc. Putting a smile on someone’s face will naturally make you smile too.

4. Nurture Relationships- Spend time and energy in cultivating and enjoying a relationship, or healing an ailing relationship.

5. Develop Strategies for Coping- Practice ways to handle or get over stress, hardship, or trauma.

6. Learn To Forgive- Write a letter in which you try to let go of anger or resentment of someone. It’s necessary to write it, but NOT necessary to mail it.

7. Do More Activities That Truly Engage You- Get involved in something that really takes your mind away from things. Get in the “Flow Activities” – You know you’re in a flow when you lose track of time.

8. Savor Life’s Joys- Pay close attention and repay life’s momentary pleasures and wonders.

9. Commit To Your Goals- Pick one or several of your goals and devote time and effort to pursuing them.

10. Take Care Of Your Body- Engage in physical activity, meditating, smiling, laughing and some “ME” time.

Being happy with yourself will reflect on your work and at home so put a smile on your face and don’t worry yourself with things that you have no control of.

“Smile- it’s the most generous thing you can do and an inexpensive way to improve your mood”

Maria Torres, Staffing Associate

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