2006 Feb
2006 Feb Vol. 26, No. 2
Focus on...Communications&Technology
Using Technology to Improve Service and Value
Last July, the corporate office of The Gale Company, a property management company handling buildings in 49 states and 32 countries, received a startling phone call. At the peak of London's rush hour, bombs were detonated in three subway cars, killing 52 passengers and injuring hundreds. Ian Marlow, Gale's executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief information officer, worried about Gale's 75 London employees. Read More
21st Century Managment Training Methods
Successful property management is as much an art as it is a business. A good manager needs to be able to think on her feet, respond quickly to problems, and exude sincere concern when faced with a homeowner's complaint. A manager needs to understand by-laws, accounting and marketing, then dig deep to find a knowledge of boilers and sanitation issues, even interior design. To achieve success in the property management business takes a creative, detail-oriented mind and the patience of a saint. Read More
Using Technology to Get Organized
Are you one of those people who have papers everywhere? You know, the bills and mail that you tell yourself you are going to file away next week but just never seem to get to? Disorganization in one private household can be troublesome enough—but extrapolate that situation into a property management office or a condo association, and you can imagine the chaos that ensues when papers pile up or are filed haphazardly. Important information can be mislaid or lost forever, maintenance and resident issues can lie unanswered for weeks, and penalties and fines may even accrue because of late bill payments. Read More
Hot Amenities for 2006 and Beyond
Remember watching the futuristic cartoon The Jetsons when you were younger and thinking how cool all the Jetson's family's high-tech gadgets and gizmos were? Well, if you've seen the show lately, you'll realize that most of those "futuristic" gizmos have actually become reality—in the form of modern conveniences like wireless global communication networks, customizable, integrated climate control, and remote-controlled security systems that have all become the norm. Read More
Bringing Computer-Phobic Residents Online
In an era when everyone seems to be working, paying bills and shopping via their computers, it's hard to believe that there are plenty of us who still don't know the Internet from a fishing net. That's the reality of the technology divide, however—many are plugged into the Information Age, but many are not. There may be unit owners or shareholders in your own building or association who either don't own a computer, or who do own one but are just too fearful of turning the thing on, much less venturing out into cyberspace. While some non-computerized people may be so for economic reasons or out of simple preference, many simply don't know what they're missing. Read More
How Does Your Board Measure Up?
Every condo building and HOA is different, and every association board is a unique blend of personalities. Two neighboring associations may take very different approaches to identical daily challenges, even if the issues facing them are essentially the same. New Jersey housing laws cover certain specific legal issues, but there's really no official handbook for boards to follow that covers the other stuff. The answers to questions like, "How personally engaged is your board with your association members?" for example, or "Does your board have a formal process for cultivating new board members?" are hard to quantify. Read More
A Look Inside Wilkin Managment Group
What separates one property management company from another? How would you go about choosing a management company? What are the most important characteristics of a company that will be responsible for the maintenance of your association? According to Gary Wilkin, founder and president of Mahwah-based Wilkin Management Group, it's the desire not to just meet a client's expectations, but to exceed them. Read More
Deluxe Amenities
The growth and development of high rise properties and active adult communities is at unprecedented levels in New Jersey. Developers are keeping busy with the boom of new construction throughout the state and rolling out new high-quality developments practically every day. The residents of these new developments are seeking the most luxurious amenities available in the marketplace, including fitness clubs, media and conference rooms, and social offerings. However, the most seemingly basic services, such as building maintenance, doorman/ concierge and security services, truly set the stage for the ambiance being created. Read More
Wireless Internet
In this ever-changing, technology-driven society, the importance of Internet connectivity is on a par with the importance of electricity in the early 20th century. Electricity's endless applications made it an essential household utility—and like electricity, the importance of the Internet has been reinforced by the innovations that make use of it. Read More
