Expanding Property Managers' Role at the Holidays

IRVINE, CA—If property managers are interested in making the holiday season more enjoyable and meaningful for their tenants, there are several steps they should take, Wind Water Realty Inc.'s head of property management Naomi Suh tells GlobeSt.com. We spoke with Suh exclusively about what property managers can do to expand their role at the holidays.

GlobeSt.com: How can property managers expand their role at the holidays?

Suh: Property managers are the first line of contact between building owners and tenants. As such, having a proactive property-management company in that role often enhances the tenancy experience. At Wind Water, we have found that most everyone is willing to participate in the spirit of giving during the holidays if the right environment and charitable opportunity is provided.

If property managers are interested in making the holiday season more enjoyable and meaningful for their tenants, they should take the following first steps:

1. Identify local charitable organizations in the area.

2. Introduce themselves and find out how they can help.

3. See if an event or project is something that can be achievable.

4. Touch base with each tenant to see if they are willing to participate.

GlobeSt.com: What types of projects can be especially useful in bringing tenants together and creating goodwill at this time of year?

Suh: While there are many ideas out there, the following are examples of what the Wind Water Realty property-management team has done in the past that have worked well with tenants. These are just a few examples of what property managers can do to be an integral part of a greater community-like experience in the workplace.

• 5K walks—5Ks are a great option, especially if held on the weekend. Every year, we participate in a 5K walk that benefits a learning center for blind children. We encourage everyone to bring their friends and family. When the walk is over, there is food and plenty of fun activities for everyone.
• Blood Drives—This unique opportunity involves a local hospital and blood bank. Once a date and time were set, we would send out a sign-up sheet so tenants can set up an appointment that worked best with their schedule. On the day of the event, the blood bank vehicle would park outside the building and tenants would donate blood during their appointment time. Beverages and snacks were provided throughout the event.
• Food and Toy Drives—This is an easy and impactful way to bring joy to others. We would inform tenants of the type of items they could donate and where the items could be dropped off (main lobby, our suite, etc.). Once the collection phase was complete, our team would then gather the items and drop them off at the organization's donation center.
• Decorations—Building decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great added touch. To make this idea more fun, invite tenants to bring their own decorations (or provide them for everyone) and together, decorate shared spaces or common areas.

GlobeSt.com: Which activities don't work and should be avoided?

Suh: Although most activities promote a sense of community, events where alcohol is consumed should be monitored carefully. Safety should always be first priority. It's also important to note that tenants have different hours of operation. We suggest staying away from events/projects during the work week that require a lot of time during the day or involve travel. We're not saying it's impossible; it just entails more time to plan and coordinate details around everyone's schedules.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about property managers expanding their roles at this time of year?

Suh: Expanding the role of property managers during the holiday season essentially means going beyond business transactions to bring people together. It's about creating unforgettable experiences that remind people that they can truly make a difference. This is not just limited to the holiday season. At Wind Water, we like to extend our role as property managers with additional social and giving opportunities for tenants throughout the year.

IRVINE, CA—If property managers are interested in making the holiday season more enjoyable and meaningful for their tenants, there are several steps they should take, Wind Water Realty Inc.'s head of property management Naomi Suh tells GlobeSt.com. We spoke with Suh exclusively about what property managers can do to expand their role at the holidays.

GlobeSt.com: How can property managers expand their role at the holidays?

Suh: Property managers are the first line of contact between building owners and tenants. As such, having a proactive property-management company in that role often enhances the tenancy experience. At Wind Water, we have found that most everyone is willing to participate in the spirit of giving during the holidays if the right environment and charitable opportunity is provided.

If property managers are interested in making the holiday season more enjoyable and meaningful for their tenants, they should take the following first steps:

1. Identify local charitable organizations in the area.

2. Introduce themselves and find out how they can help.

3. See if an event or project is something that can be achievable.

4. Touch base with each tenant to see if they are willing to participate.

GlobeSt.com: What types of projects can be especially useful in bringing tenants together and creating goodwill at this time of year?

Suh: While there are many ideas out there, the following are examples of what the Wind Water Realty property-management team has done in the past that have worked well with tenants. These are just a few examples of what property managers can do to be an integral part of a greater community-like experience in the workplace.

• 5K walks—5Ks are a great option, especially if held on the weekend. Every year, we participate in a 5K walk that benefits a learning center for blind children. We encourage everyone to bring their friends and family. When the walk is over, there is food and plenty of fun activities for everyone.
• Blood Drives—This unique opportunity involves a local hospital and blood bank. Once a date and time were set, we would send out a sign-up sheet so tenants can set up an appointment that worked best with their schedule. On the day of the event, the blood bank vehicle would park outside the building and tenants would donate blood during their appointment time. Beverages and snacks were provided throughout the event.
• Food and Toy Drives—This is an easy and impactful way to bring joy to others. We would inform tenants of the type of items they could donate and where the items could be dropped off (main lobby, our suite, etc.). Once the collection phase was complete, our team would then gather the items and drop them off at the organization's donation center.
• Decorations—Building decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great added touch. To make this idea more fun, invite tenants to bring their own decorations (or provide them for everyone) and together, decorate shared spaces or common areas.

GlobeSt.com: Which activities don't work and should be avoided?

Suh: Although most activities promote a sense of community, events where alcohol is consumed should be monitored carefully. Safety should always be first priority. It's also important to note that tenants have different hours of operation. We suggest staying away from events/projects during the work week that require a lot of time during the day or involve travel. We're not saying it's impossible; it just entails more time to plan and coordinate details around everyone's schedules.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about property managers expanding their roles at this time of year?

Suh: Expanding the role of property managers during the holiday season essentially means going beyond business transactions to bring people together. It's about creating unforgettable experiences that remind people that they can truly make a difference. This is not just limited to the holiday season. At Wind Water, we like to extend our role as property managers with additional social and giving opportunities for tenants throughout the year.