If it 'Aint Broke... It's Pretty Rusty!

By Saadat Keshavjee, CPM®, CMOC

A case for professional development of veteran property management professionals

Having been in the profession of property management for over three decades, I cannot help but smile when I hear my colleagues say that they’ve “seen that” or “done that”. We may be getting older and wiser, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we have all become smarter. Times change, issues change, attitudes change, technology changes and nothing ever stays the same. This fact alone behooves us to keep abreast of evolving dynamics, and embrace continued learning. The kaizen (Japanese for “improvement”) philosophy refers to a non-ending search for improvement, and excellence should be at the forefront of our daily professional processes until we stop working (or living, for that matter).

REIC, in partnership with IREM and real estate boards and associations across Canada, offers a diverse series of professional development courses that range from operational development to human relations, time management, technological advances, and changes to local laws and regulations (to name a few). Professionals who take refresher courses are often steadier in later years, specifically those who take the non-mandatory courses offered in our profession.

For veterans who, like me, work in the property management profession, there are many cross-training courses offered by institutes like REIC and IREM that complement and enrich what we do. If we do not take the next step in this everchanging world, I would argue that we are actually regressing, and doing ourselves and our clients a disservice. That in itself is a very important reality. We need to embrace the kaizen philosophy and continuously develop ourselves in order to remain on that professional curve.

Top reasons why professionals fail to develop their skill-set:

Lack of money: “I can’t afford the course.” There are company programs and scholarships available to help manage costs. If you look for them, there are avenues available which will allow your firm to cover part (if not all) of your tuition.

Lack of time: “I’m too busy making a living, or running my business.” Time is an investment; make sure you spend it wisely. Time management tools can help you achieve more.

Lack of confidence: “I’m too old to start learning”, “I’m embarrassed that younger students may outrun me in class exercises”, “What if my juniors are in the same course with me?” Just wait until these young professionals take over your position!

Formulas for Success:

1 Commit to taking the course(s) required. The first step is sitting down and developing a plan. Remember, if you do nothing, nothing will happen!

2 Do a personal needs analysis of areas you could improve, such as enriched software training, landlord and tenant laws, the

Condominium Property Act, BOMA specs on measurements, investment analysis, human relations, building maintenance, marketing and leasing… the potential for growth is endless!

3 Seek out the courses, delivery style and locations that best suit your needs. Some courses are offered in classroom settings; others are available on-line. Different people prefer to learn in different ways. There may be courses (such as those offered by IREM) that take place in resort settings like Las Vegas or Phoenix, which may entice you to take a break from mid-winter Canada and learn in a warmer location.

4 Plan some time off. Many corporations will readily offer this in order to promote advancement among their personnel. If you are self-employed, this may even become a tax-deductible expense. Either way, you should commit to doing a course (or two) each year.

5 DO IT!

I challenge you to take initiative and commit to completing one new course related to the work you do in your profession. I truly believe that you will return feeling invigorated by the new knowledge (or the reorganization of old knowledge) gained from the experience. Put a new spring into your professional step. Happy Planning! •

Saadat Keshavjee, CPM®, CMOC is an IREM and REIC Instructor. He is active in multifamily, single family and commercial condominium property management for Amhurst Property Management Ltd. in Calgary. He specializes in freelance corporate training and investment counseling , and has actively trained in-house staff for many Canadian property management corporations. Saadat can be reached at saadat@amhurst.net.