Why Block Managers Want to Become Estate Managers
In 2019, I wrote a blog about on-site staff running the show.
I concluded that, these days, on-site staff are extremely competent, in many cases more effective and just as technically proficient as their office-based block management cousins. Well, I didn’t put it quite as strongly as that, but a year on my viewpoint is even more pronounced.
Plate-spinning
Surprisingly (or maybe not) my children were not aware of this popular 1970s/1980s entertainment act, so in case you are similarly none the wiser; a ‘magician’ spins a plate on the end of a stick and repeats the humorous feat with a number of other plates and sticks, giving each a periodic wiggle to keep the plates spinning simultaneously. Occasionally the plates start to wobble and some are in danger of falling. The magician needs to react quickly to catch them before they smash on the ground. Sometimes they do smash to gasps from the audience who are reminded just how difficult this act can be.
Too many block managers’ experiences are that of the magician. They do their best to keep smiling as they are given an extra block of flats to manage, then another, then another, perhaps because someone has left and hasn’t been replaced. They might have had their existing portfolio under control (finally) but now they’re plate-spinning, giving each block of flats a wiggle to remind the client that they’re still there, smiling, getting through the workload. Eventually the wobbling starts and the block manager just about catches the issues before they become crises. Sometimes the block manager has a proper wobble – a metaphorical plate smash. In my experience, it’s rarely deliberate but some block managers have admitted to me that unless you let a plate smash, your heavy workload won’t be taken seriously. It’s a cry for help.
Transferable skills
Eventually, a plate spinner’s career comes to an end. Perhaps he’s got entirely fed up with it or perhaps too many plates were hitting the ground. So he evaluates his transferable skills and decides to focus on a less frantic (yet just as lucrative) performance.
A frantic block manager (the plate spinner) may be better suited to an on-site position – an estate management position perhaps, with duties comparable to an office-based block manager yet just one site to manage. And that is what we are seeing – a move from the office to site.
On-site benefits
A busy block manager with a few years’ experience may be a shoo-in for an estate management position. We know because we frequently recruit for estate managers but only recently have we been more bullish about chasing down block managers to make the switch.
Here are some benefits:
If great customer service drives you on, an on-site position puts you front and centre, directly serving (and keeping happy) the residents who pay your wages. On site, you are likely to be thanked face to face many times a day. Compare that to your current role.
Managing one site of say 150 units can pay more than your role managing numerous sites and hundreds of units. Let that sink in.
Being responsible for one site gives you the chance to get to know every corner of it. No more delegating blindly to contractors – see every problem yourself and achieve a first-time-fix more of the time. At the same time, you are far less likely to be ‘wasting’ the leaseholders’ hard-earned service charge monies. The hands-on nature of the site role means you will gain practical experience far faster.
Many block managers are dreading the onerous H&S obligations coming down the road on the back of new (and much needed) legislation. An on-site position means it’s far easier to stay in control of your health and safety duties. And that will surely give you peace of mind.
On-site vs office based – for us, this is a quality over quantity argument. If you can put 100% of your time into one site, of course you will be able to deliver exceptional quality and that will give you an immense feeling of satisfaction.
When on site, you genuinely feel like you are ‘managing’ rather than ‘coping’. The job remains busy and yes there will be some plates to spin, but fewer of them, and you’ll be far more motivated to prevent the plates from hitting the deck.
And finally, there ARE career progression opportunities. Any on-site position need not be forever. As the larger managing agents are getting larger and consolidation is happening, the importance of supervisory positions over on-site teams will grow.
Some caveats
On-site positions aren’t for everyone. You are based in the thick of it so there is no hiding place. You need to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and face problems head-on. You may be interrupted during the working day many times by unannounced visits from residents and some may just be stopping by for a cup of tea. You just have to build in the time for these interruptions and even embrace them!
Your employment status needs to be understood. On site, you may be lucky enough to be employed by Cledor – nurtured, trained, supported and appreciated. You may be employed by a managing agent, which means you could be forced to move to a different site under their management. Often you will be employed by the client directly. Do speak to us about the pros and cons of each.
Take a spin
In my view, plates are designed for serving dinner, not spinning on the end of sticks. Hopefully you have a long career ahead of you, but that does not mean you need to spend large parts of it miserable.
At Cledor, we work in partnership with BBL Property Recruitment, who act for block management companies and the candidates they seek for office based positions. If despite reading this blog, block management is still for you but you know you could do better, then great – give BBL a call. They do their utmost to ascertain the size and shape of the portfolio you may be walking into if managing 1000 units isn’t for you. If however you would like to explore possibilities on site, get in touch. I’d love to talk to you.
Nick Regnier