Episode 16: A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships: The Importance Of Education
About the Episode:
Get the Guides:
3 Keys to Decision Making for Strata CouncilsMaintenance Planner Checklist
8 Steps for Going out to Bid
About the Guest:
Roger Williams
About the Hosts:
Brent Anderson
Business Development Director, FirstService Residential British Columbia
As Business Development Director, Brent is responsible for the continued growth and strategy of FirstService Residential’s Market throughout British Columbia.
Brent’s professional career in sales began selling souvenirs at Canucks games back at the PNE Coliseum. For the past 15 years, has been closely working with strata managers as a salesperson for various trades, including painting, high-rise window cleaning, and HVAC services.
The sales world is full of cookie-cutter reps who lead with their ego and put their needs ahead of the customers. Not Brent; he is passionate about the needs and goals of his clients and specializes in bringing them peace of mind.
Brent lives in South Surrey with his wife and their Jack Russell Terrier. He is an avid hiker and budding kayak enthusiast.
James Milne
Business Development Director, FirstService Residential British Columbia
As Business Development Director, James is responsible for the continued growth and strategy of FirstService Residential’s Market throughout British Columbia.
James takes a consultative approach to his role, recognizing that having the right fit between a community and its management is crucial to long-term success. Prior to joining FirstService, James worked in luxury hotel management and business-to-business sales.
James has more than 20 years of experience in customer-facing roles and a true passion for customer service. He is a licensed strata manager and has a degree in Business Management.
When not working, James is also an avid mountain biker and serves as the President of one of BC’s largest non-profit mountain bike clubs.
About Stratagize Podcast
Over 1.5 million people live in strata housing in the Province of British Columbia.
Let's face it, you'd rather watch reruns of the nightly news than read the Strata Property Act (And we can't blame you) Still, most people are at a loss when it comes to understanding such an important framework for how many of us live our lives in proximity with one another.
Stratagize with Brent Anderson & James Milne features conversations with industry leaders and experts who share their knowledge to demystify an industry that impacts the lives of more than 1 out of 3 British Columbians.
Whether you are a council member, owner, investor, or renter, if you're looking for content that will bring value to your strata and help you get to the next level… THIS is it!
Listen to our latest episode, subscribe and rate us on iTunes.
🚨 STRATA TIP
Negotiate price strata management price increases.
Price increases have become a four-letter word this year. No one wants to pay more for anything and if there is an aspect in our control to approve or decline we may choose the latter. The implications of keeping management fees stagnant mean the company has to make choices... Either they pay their managers less, they increase the size of portfolios, or they reduce or remove support. Declining fee increases means accepting a decreased level of service. In most cases, a 5% increase equates to around $1 per month per unit. An increase like that should be easy to handle and budget for. What you are looking to avoid is an over correction where in a few years you are hit with a double-digit increase or face termination and enter the market with quotes averaging higher than your proposed increase.
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MAIN TAKEAWAYS
🛠Two components to strata manager education: Compliance & Competence
🛠Strata management relicensing does not focus on competencies.
🛠Education is more robust for the 26,000 realtors in the Province vs 1000 strata managers.
🛠Strata management fees haven’t increased meaningfully since the 1980’s
💬 QUOTES
“You can’t get improvement without paying for it somewhere”
MYTH VS FACT 🦄
“Good service depends solely on the strata manager.”
(Myth)
The strata manager is an important piece in a big group of people that make your building and investment a healthy one.