If you’re like most property management company owners, you spend money on business logos, publications, signage, and various forms of advertising to create a professional image that reinforces your brand identity. However, when it comes down to it, YOU are the business. Your office is an extension of you. You need to consistently project a top quality image or you may be wasting the money you spend on advertising.
Look in the mirror before you walk out the door to an appointment, to your office, or even to the grocery store. What do you see? Are you well groomed? Do you smell like smoke or heavy garlic? Do you look healthy? Do you exude confidence? Do you have a good attitude and a ready smile? Are you knowledgeable?
You are your own best advertising; make the best first impression you can! Personal appearance does matter to people. They will relate to a confident attitude, a pleasant smile, a clean appearance, and most of all, someone who knows their business.
When you drive to an appointment, is your vehicle presentable inside and out? You could put someone off if it is filthy, full of fast food waste, and smells of smoke or other obnoxious odors. Even if they are not going to be a passenger, they are going to notice.
When someone walks up to your office, is it clean? Does it need paint or repairs? If there is landscaping, is it alive and well kept? If someone is coming to see you about taking care of their property, they may walk away because they wonder how you can take care of their investment when you cannot even take care of your office.
When a client or perspective client enters your office, do your personnel acknowledge or ignore them while a phone call is completed. Although someone is on the phone, even a hand signal to those who entered makes a difference. Is the office clean and organized? Is there a place for them to sit? Is there a friendly, organized, and professional atmosphere?
Even if we shouldn’t judge people or places based on first impressions, we all do. In fact, we form these judgments within the first minute of meeting someone for the first time. As someone selling a business service, you want everyone who meets you to form a positive first impression. After that, they will be more inclined to think favorably of you.
It’s important to make a conscious effort and remind yourself that your business image affects your bottom line. You do not have to dress up to work in your yard, or wear a business suit when you’re working in your home office, but you do need to be physically presentable and mentally prepared. You never know when you are going to have an opportunity to promote your property management business. It could be in the grocery store, at the dry cleaners, stopping at the gas station, talking with your neighbor, etc. Be prepared so you never waste a chance to share your property management service offerings.
Talk to people wherever you go; show an interest in them, and they will respond accordingly. Make your image your best asset.
Jean Storms, MPM® is the founder/author of LandlordSource and has been a NARPM® member since January 1993.
Disclaimer: LandlordSource does not represent the article content in this website as legal advice. It is shared information only and up to the reader to use this information responsibly, seeking legal advice as necessary to their business.
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