Motivational March for Property Managers

Motivational March for Property Managers

Boost energy and motivation during the busy season

The busiest season for maintenance and new leases is almost here. Are you ready? Here are some essential tips to get you and your team organized and motivated.

Stock up and organize

Stock up on essential supplies and create a storage system so your maintenance team can find everything at a moment's notice. Check out our latest catalog or visit your nearest Dunn-Edwards store to make sure you have these essentials:

Sanding Sponges: almost every job involves sanding. Take some of the pain out of the process with sanding sponges—these flexible pads work on both flat and contoured surfaces, and they can be used for wet-sanding or dry-sanding. Sponges last longer than regular sandpaper and they're reusable. To keep them tidy, layer them sideways in a box and use office file dividers with tabs to organize them by grit.

Tape: Painter's tape, drywall tape, masking tape, duct tape - make sure you have it all on hand and organized. To store it neatly, you can hang it on towel rods and organize it by type. Pro tip: keep drywall tape in good shape by securing the loose end with a little painter's tape to keep it from unraveling. If you don't have painter's tape handy, use a dab of joint compound to "glue" the loose end to the rest of the roll. This will keep it from unraveling while being stored between drywall jobs.

Rollers: You can never have too many roller covers and frames. For storing a wet roller cover in the middle of a painting job, wrap it tightly in plastic or try this eco-friendly hack: clean and reuse old plastic potato chip containers (the kind where chips come stacked in a vertical column). Some brands just happen to be the perfect size to store and seal a standard-sized roller cover.

Primer and Paint: If you have multiple rooms or properties that use the same color, it's a great idea to have extra gallons of paint and primer on hand. But before you stock up, take advantage of free color and substrate advice to make sure you're getting the correct products for every job. Reach out to your local Dunn-Edwards Property Services Representative directly for assistance or use this form.

Get energized

If you're feeling low on energy, you might be tempted to reach for sugary snacks and caffeine. While it works in the short term, it isn't a healthy or sustainable long-term solution (we've all experienced an afternoon sugar "crash"). Instead, opt for best practices such as getting adequate sleep, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and saving heavier meals for the end of the day.

You can also improve your environment for optimal productivity: play upbeat music in your office, go outside and take a brisk walk in the sun every few hours, and regulate your indoor temperature so that it's not too warm. Did you know that the essential oils in citrus fruit can improve mood and alertness? Consider bringing an orange or lemon to work with you—simply peel and sniff a little (or add a wedge to your water) the next time you need a quick energy boost.

Make it fun

To keep your team's energy and motivation up as the busy season drags on, try gamifying your routine. Offering small prizes like free lunch or gadgets for meeting specific performance objectives can get your team engaged in a little healthy competition that breaks through the monotony of everyday work life. If you have multiple teams at different properties, consider making the competition team-based instead of individual-based to really maximize teamwork and efficiency.

Ready or not, the busy season is coming! Check out our video library for more how to tips and tricks. We hope these tips will help you have the most successful and productive busy season yet.