Reputation counts for a lot across the residential sector. It takes a long time to build a positive reputation; tending to the needs of residents and championing best business practices while keeping the books balanced and investors happy.
But the time spent growing your development’s standing is worth it in the long run. Do you see those residents walking through reception with great, big smiles? They’re a lot more likely to sign a new tenancy agreement when their current one runs out.
And your front-of-house-staff? Well, as long as they’re happy in their role, what reason do they have to look elsewhere for work?
Building a positive reputation for your residential development is a continuous circle. When everyone is looking out for one another, that feel-good energy spreads, and that’s how your building creates a name (and a niche) for itself.
Below, we detail our top tips on how to build that winning reputation.
Go Above & Beyond for Residents
The most important thing to remember about BTR and PBSA properties is that it’s about people management just as much as it’s about building management. How your development is run for the benefit of your residents says a lot more about the company brand than anything else.
This is why it’s key to build the right culture from the get-go. Friendly staff who go above and beyond — and even those who just get all the little things right — will stick out in the minds of residents.
A big smile, opening doors, and helping to carry objects are simple things you and your team can do every day to create the right impression and spread a little positivity.
But to really wow your residents, a few grander gestures will never go amiss. Co-living spaces are all about community. Your residents want to form bonds with others who live in the building, so give them a nudge in the right direction.
Organise and host events from time to time, and give everyone a chance to mingle. It’s a great opportunity for you and the team to get to know residents in a more relaxed environment as well.
As the operator, residents will expect you to help build that community spirit. With the right attitude and a bit of planning, you can make your development one of the friendliest places to live.
And if your team isn’t sure how they can help, it leads us nicely onto the next point.
Team Training Sessions
Customer and client facing roles are a lot tougher than they’re given credit for. It’s not easy being the first port of call, especially if your staff is caught in a situation they’ve never been in, like juggling parcel management duties.
Training can admittedly be a little dull. Sitting around and watching a video before answering a bunch of yes or no questions shouldn’t really count. Arrange a few practical exercises with your team, and try to have a little fun with it. The more people you can train at a time, the better it will be too, as everyone can support each other and have a bit of a laugh.
With your team prepared for a wide range of scenarios and trained to use tech such as a parcel log-in system, their confidence will be sky-high. This then means they can provide residents with a top quality service, and your development will gain a positive reputation for having the most efficient, friendly staff.
Provide a Range of Amenities
Your residents lead very busy lives, and when they finish work, the last thing they want to do is travel across the city to go to the gym or to find somewhere good to eat.
Having one central point gives residents some balance. They save a lot of time when everything they need is already available under one roof. A parcel room, a gym, a restaurant or cafe, cinema rooms and gaming zones provide a great deal of convenience.
And that convenience is crucial to building a positive reputation and keeping residents happy. It’s one of the main reasons why we created Parcel SafePlace. Missed parcels can annoy residents, especially when a development has front-of-house staff who could take in packages. With a parcel room, incomplete deliveries become a thing of the past.
Parcels can be checked in within five seconds, and stored safely in a limited-access room, cutting the need for repeat deliveries or special trips to the sorting office.
Champion Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the hottest talking points among businesses. With goals to become carbon neutral by 2050, companies across the UK are already implementing environmentally friendly working procedures.
BTR and PBSA are no different. Thorough planning can create the perfect pathway for your development. This can include:
- Energy usage
- How your building handles waste management
- Incorporating sustainable materials
- Solving the last mile delivery problem for couriers
- Getting the most out of biophilic design
People these days want to be associated with brands and products that are doing good in this world. Young adults in particular are front and centre of this shift, and with the average age of a BTR resident being 28.2 years, creating a more sustainable development will certainly add appeal to your target market.
Building a Positive Reputation That Sets You Apart
There’s no easy way to build a positive reputation for your development, but the premise behind doing it is simple enough. Find ways to keep your residents happy, and make sure your staff have everything they need to do their jobs right and with smiles on their faces.
Talk to them. Send out surveys. Do whatever works for you, but just make sure you’re finding out what you can really do to help.
And of course, if you have any great ideas or want to learn more about how Parcel Safe Place can play a part in building your reputation, just get in touch with a member of our team.
