In conjunction with last week’s post about the importance of industry events, Account Executive Karen Quennell presents the must-attend events in the Property Management industry of 2012:

It is my firm belief that if you are going to work in the Property Management Industry that you must understand the industry and immediately get involved.

Both CAA Contra Costa and CAA Tri-County have well-rounded programs that provide networking and educational events.

Once a year you get a chance to make a difference by attending the Legislative Conference where you get a chance to personally meet with your individual state legislators and get first-hand knowledge on state legislative proposals targeted at the rental housing industry.  This event will be held on Wednesday, February 15^th at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

Last year both CAA Contra Costa and CAA Tri Country conducted Reverse Trade shows that have been beneficial to the Industry Partners and the Property Management Companies. This year promises to be a sellout event with six new property management companies that have signed up. It will be held at Concord Hilton on February 23^rd.

The 23^rd Annual CAA Tri-County Golf Tournament will be held in June 2012 at the Palo Alto Golf Club. This is a fundraiser to assist the Housing Industry Foundation.

One of my favorites not to be missed is the CAA Expo “Go for the Gold” Trade Show being held at the Santa Clara Convention Center scheduled on April 25^th.  This event offers educational seminars and a chance to visit with over 100 industry partner booths.

Don’t forget to save the date for the Ninth Annual GEMM Award Celebration being held on August 23^rd at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville.  This is a fabulous event that honors the Best of the Best for 2012.

The Housing Industry Foundation holds The Bay area’s premier Multifamily networking event on Thursday, September 6^th .  This is their annual summit to raise funds to help prevent homelessness.

These are just a few of the numerous opportunities to support and learn about the Property Management Industry. Get out there and enjoy, learn, and network!

Karen Quennell, 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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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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PPO = Professional People’s Opportunities

This is what I refer to Renoir Staffing, LLC as. Renoir has a plethora of professional people, resources, and opportunities to assist you in your career move, change of industry, sharpening of your skills, or just exploring other areas of interest. Some resources include: CAA – California Apartment Association and the NARPM – National Association of Residential Property Managers, to name a few. Also participating through a membership with CREW.

Never would I have known that such an industry existed when I found myself faced making some career changes about 5 years ago. Property Management Staffing; you mean there are temp agencies that find people to place as apartment managers and maintenance personnel for residential and commercial properties, as well as all other functions in property management? Yes there was and is. WOW!

In the years that I have been here, starting out as a temporary employee in the receptionist capacity, I was introduced to a whole new experience in customer satisfaction. Renoir had a mission statement that not only did they recite, but was exemplified in every aspect of their communication with me and with customer, vendor, and the like that came into contact with them. Professional, assuring, confident in what they offered, but also in the product they could deliver. I quickly became excited about being a part of not only an out-of-the-norm employment team, but even more so, what they represented I could relate to. This was me. I have always taken pride and ownership of how I present myself to others, whether personal or professional. Making sure that the beginning experience would result in a long-lasting relationship. This is what I see in Renoir.

As a receptionist I became very familiar with the temporary employees (as I was one myself). I had some advantages in assisting them and understanding their needs, and how to direct them accordingly and make their experience through the many transitions they faced more pleasant; the clients on a smaller scale at times when they called frantically needing a property manager 2 hours ago because someone had an emergency; these are just some of the needs and concerns they ALL had.

We (Renoir) are people providing people with professional people to fulfill opportunities as needed. Such as the need of taking care of a family (finance through temporary employment), having a property manager at the complex to make sure that the tenants needs are taken care of and the property is running smoothly and well maintained, supplying a support person when someone is on medical leave.
Being assured that when you can go away and return, things will be in order.

Renoir has impacted the Bay Area and Sacramento Area for years and now has presence in Arizona, San Diego, and the LA Area. We are on the move and ready to assist you in your next experience in finding employment or finding someone to help get your property ready for an inspection. Renoir wants each and every experience with us to be a fulfilling and long lasting relationship. See you soon.

JoElla Barkus, Accounting Assistant

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Encompass holiday events into your retention program and the goodwill will lead to higher occupancy year round.

Busy people are looking for ways to give back. You can help by having a food collection barrel at your property. Call your community food bank or the Salvation Army.

Everyone loves a contest. Invite residents to decorate their doors, offices or decorate their lobbies. Award prizes in numerous categories. Arrange for singers to escort groups around to see all the creative efforts and the winning entries.

Invite Santa to your party. Count on Renoir for a temporary employee to portray Santa at events. Take pictures for your newsletter. Santa can also deliver appreciation gifts.

Call now to reserve coverage while employees are off for the holidays. Renoir provides qualified candidates with real estate experience to handle leasing, maintenance, office support and property management.  Go to http://www.renoirstaffing.com/ or call (800) 573-6647.

For more information, go to the California Apartment Association. According to the site, CAA: 

“is pleased to offer the California Certified Residential Manager (CCRM) professional certification program, for students who are interested in advancing in a career in property management.

When you complete the California Certified Residential Manager professional certification program you will have the skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage rental property and to be an asset to any employer. If you are currently job seeking, your resume will stand out from the others due to the CCRM professional certification.

CCRM Professional Certification Courses can be taken individually or as a series. The Property Management series of courses provides professional training specific to the laws and regulations of California.

Property management companies find that the CCRM certification is a valuable employee retention tool. The CCRM is an excellent program for training new or inexperienced employees, or for giving current employees a refresher.”