Is it a Full-Time Job to Just Get Nothing Done?
Have you ever had a client board member tell you that their manager is a great guy, is smart, works hard, but just gets nothing done?
If so, do you know why that can be? I do. See, the problem is that in this industry, unless you use some vital efficiency systems, it is often a full-time job just to get nothing done. Of course, the term “get nothing done” is from the client’s perspective and they are referring to the lack of progress on task lists and “progress” indicators that are visible to them. But in reality, a lot is “getting done” each day in the regular course of running the day-to-day operations, i.e. handling homeowner emails and phone calls, renewing insurance, paying the bills, interaction with and direction of the association’s vendors, etc. These are all necessary activities, but is that really getting anything done? All of that activity generally does not chip away at the board of director’s task list, their goals, it is intangible, invisible. Indeed, they can’t see or feel it. This is a problem that we must all address in the industry.
Oh, and of course the second problem is that the fees that association’s pay are often not enough to allow us to expend the resources to get things done! And by the way, these problems also lead to the greater problem…..i.e. not working our tails off to not make any money! That’s right, it is often also a full-time job to not make any money! My belief is that we must systemize the recurring mundane processes as best we can and free up time to be able to complete the tasks that someone can see getting done. We also need to systemize those tasks as best we can.
These are the reasons that I build efficiency & profitability systems for association management companies in this difficult industry. Check them out & see if you don’t say, “why didn’t I think of that?”, or more likely you will say, “well yeah, I already thought of that, but I didn’t have time to create it”. Perhaps we at James Comin Solutions can help because we are not wrapped up in the “rat race” that is the day-to-day management of community associations.