TIP OF THE MONTH - July 2013
Relationship Advice
Source: Property Management Journal
By Karen Pharr
When you
develop a good working relationship with a vendor, it is a win-win for
everyone involved, particularly for your Client. However, should
a conflict occur, you will be presented with a true test. As a
property manager, you have been hired by your Client to take care of
whatever issues arise on the project, including vendor
performance. Like any relationship, the manager/vendor
relationship is ripe with potential pitfalls.
The Comfort Zone: We all have our go-to vendors;
the companies or individual contractors we can count on for
anything. In some cases, we may even think of them as
friends. We must remain objective, however, not to slip into a
“comfort zone”, and simply choose our favorites for every job. If
a job requires someone with more experience or larger crew, you must do
what is best for that project. Your ethical duty is to use the
vendor best suited for the project.
Blinded by the Bling: Accepting a gift of any
kind from a vendor is unacceptable. If you do accept a small
“perk”, it must be disclosed. You need to be cautious and make
certain the perk is not a cover up for the job not getting done
properly or at an inappropriate cost. We have all dealt with a
vendor who is all talk and no action. As a manager, you must
recognize this and quickly remedy the situation, perhaps by telling the
vendor that a job well done is the only reward you need.
(continued in August 2013)