Renoir Staffing Blog

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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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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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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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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Education is ongoing and has no boundaries to what is obtainable. Some of us prepared through high school what would be our career choice and obtained a college degree in our field of choice. Some may have stumbled into our professions while pursuing other areas of work. And passion may have driven others into meaningful fields of endeavor.

While all of us have been educated through various trainings that shaped our careers, there is always opportunity to enhance upon what we already know.

New process and procedures dictate that we re-educate ourselves continuously in order to stay marketable; personally and professionally. Our economy dictates that we become octopus-like creatures, being able to perform masterfully in various areas of skill in order to maintain our careers and manage our financial stability which in turn continues or enhances our quality of life.

As the New Year quickly approaches, look at what your current position is; is there room for improvement where you are? Are you financially satisfied? Could you be bored and have been complacent about looking at other opportunities where you can grow? What can you do to challenge yourself at work in order to grow?

Challenge yourself to learn something new in the coming year. It will take you as far as your vision will allow. Make 2012 a year for stimulating and fulfilling yourself intellectually.

To the New Year,

JoElla Barkus, Accounting Assistant

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Growing up I was always very good in math and it was actually one of my favorite subjects in school. When most students were taking art and music and other fun elective courses I was taking any and all types of math courses for my electives. I ventured into taking an accounting class in the 12^th grade and I knew then that was what I wanted to do. After graduating high school I took some accounting courses at a junior college. It was at this point that I realized accounting was what I wanted to do for sure and decided to enroll at Heald Business College.

After graduating, I had the privilege to work for some very good companies that allowed me to use the skills that I learned. Not only did I have the opportunity to utilize my skills but I worked with a lot of people that were willing to teach me areas of accounting that I didn’t know. That is probably where most of my knowledge in accounting comes from; on the job training and people that had confidence in me to teach me more. I know there is still plenty more for me to learn and I will continue to learn through education from accounting courses and asking how and why.

It’s always important to keep in mind that through work experience you can broaden your skills set and uncover new areas in your field of interest that you find interesting!

La Terra Francis, Accounting Manager

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With the New Year right around the corner, it’s important to know what the current trends are for job hunting and how you can be better prepared for the search yourself. The following links will take you to websites and blogs that can help you start 2012 on the right foot!

Getting Ready Now for Job Search 2012 This blog illustrates some of the tools you’ll need in hand when you head out the door to land your target job, including documents.

Six Things to Do Now for Your 2012 Job Search The author of this blog entry, Liz Ryan, guides you step-by-step on not only what you’ll need to take with you on interviews, but also on how to better construct your answers to questions posed by potential employers. A great guide designed to highlight your skills.

Eight Tips for Job Hunting During the Recession Monster.com contributing write Margot lester has compiled some great tips for job hunters in searching for employment in this less-than-perfect economy. One of her tips? Taking a temporary position. We like that!

And, of course, Renoir Staffing! If you’re new to our blog, be sure to check out previous posts because we take great care in providing you effective resources to help you in building your career.

And, on another note, don’t get frustrated! Always remember that there are resources available to you that can help you in your quest and that there are others in your position. 2012 is the year for the new YOU at your new workplace, and Renoir Staffing will continue to provide the workforce essential industry information.

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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