Like in any industry, effective communication is paramount in condominium corporations. In the condo industry keeping clear and timely communication is essential to keep the wheels running smoothly in every condominium corporation's community. With numerous parties pushing that "send" button, including condo managers, condo boards, residents, and condo vendors, keeping an inbox organized can make a world of difference in ensuring smooth operations and timely responses. Streamlining email communication in condominium corporations is an ongoing battle, but property managers can use this easy 7-step system to start and organize their inbox to (near) near-zero for their condos, stratas, and HOAs!
The only thing worse than spam is email - Matt Mullenweg
In our last blog post, we explored 10 Proven Strategies for Stress Management for Condo Managers, which included how to cope with emails (unsurprisingly!) in order to prevent burnout, as well as other tips crucial to effective property management of condominium corporations.
One lesser-known aspect about harassment in condos is that it can also look like a resident incessantly bombarding property management with communications and expecting responses in an unreasonable timeframe.
“A common basis for harassment is a resident sending persistent and repeated communications, in the form of emails or phone calls, to management demanding information. Some people do not realize that this conduct may constitute harassment and that there is no legal right to demand answers from management.
Let me emphasize that: an owner's rights do not include the right to make written interrogatories of management and then complain when answers are not provided in what the unit owner considers to be a timely manner” - Deborah Howden, Condo Lawyer and Partner at Shibley Righton LLP.
If you believe that you're being harassed through email bombardment (or other means), contact a condo lawyer now.
Of course, even without inappropriate email bombardment, that electronic communication can really add up for property managers dealing with condos, and especially those with multiple portfolios and no administrators!
Here's how to streamline your inbox to achieve (near) zero clutter with features that are already available in your inbox's settings!
Streamlining Email Communication in Condominium Corporations:
7 Steps to Organize Your Inbox to (Near) Near-Zero for Property Managers in Condos, Stratas, and HOAs
While a near-zero inbox is much (much!) easier when starting fresh at a property management company or property, these 7 steps can help any property manager dive into inbox organization at any time to optimize electronic communications and free up valuable time for the many (may!) other tasks on the ever-growing list.
While this quick guide is divided into steps, the bonus part is that you don't have to follow them in order or complete any step in its entirety - even tackling one step, or one part of one step, can make a huuuuge difference!
Step 1: Set Up Folders and Labels to Separate your Condo Matters
Start by creating folders or labels within your email client to categorize incoming messages. By “Client” we mean anyone that can usually expect something from you. Depending your role in the condominium corporation (or condo industry), your client’s might be different. For a condo vendor their clients will be the different condos that require their services. For a board member their “clients” will be the residents and condo management.
Consider organizing emails by topics such as "Board Meetings," "Maintenance Requests," "Financials," "General Inquiries," and any other relevant categories specific to your role in the condo corporation / industry. This initial step lays the foundation for efficient email management by providing a clear structure for organizing and accessing messages.
If a topic falls under more than one category, you can choose to classify it only under the most relevant category or under several categories. Even its usual that condominium corporation's issues touch several areas, what we would recommend is not to classify one email under more than 3 categories.
Step 2: Utilize Filters and Rules
Take advantage of email filtering and rules to automate the sorting process. Most email services offer robust filtering options that allow you to set rules based on sender, subject keywords, message content, or other criteria.
By creating rules to automatically route emails to specific folders, you can minimize manual sorting efforts and ensure that important messages are promptly directed to the appropriate destination. For example, you can set up rules to route emails from specific condo associations, vendors, or residents to their respective folders, streamlining your inbox management workflow.
Step 3: Implement a Response Protocol
Establish a protocol for responding to emails promptly. In the fast-paced environment of the condo industry, timely communication is essential for addressing issues, resolving inquiries, and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders across condominium corporations. Consider setting aside dedicated time slots each day to review and respond to emails, ensuring that messages are addressed in a timely manner.
Additionally, utilize email management tools and features to schedule responses for later delivery, allowing you to draft replies during non-peak hours and send them at optimal times. Aim to acknowledge receipt of emails promptly, even if a detailed response is not immediately possible, to reassure senders that their message has been received and will be addressed.
Step 4: Prioritize Urgent Messages
Identify urgent messages that require immediate attention and prioritize them accordingly. Urgent matters such as emergency maintenance requests, legal inquiries, or time-sensitive communications from regulatory authorities may arise unexpectedly.
Flag or mark these emails for follow-up to ensure that they receive prompt attention and do not get lost in the shuffle. Consider implementing a color-coded system or using email tags to visually distinguish urgent messages from others, making it easier to prioritize your inbox management efforts.
Step 5: Delegate and Collaborate
If you're part of a team or work closely with colleagues, consider establishing clear lines of communication and delegating responsibilities for managing certain types of emails. Collaborative tools such as shared inboxes, project management platforms, or team chat channels can facilitate teamwork and ensure that important messages are addressed promptly. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of your team, you can streamline email management processes and improve overall responsiveness to stakeholders.
Step 6: Unsubscribe and Optimize
Take proactive steps to reduce email clutter by unsubscribing from irrelevant mailing lists or promotional emails. Over time, email subscriptions can accumulate and contribute to inbox overload, distracting you from important messages and tasks. Regularly review your subscription preferences and unsubscribe from newsletters, notifications, or promotional offers that no longer serve your interests or are not relevant to your role in the condominium industry.
Additionally, consider optimizing your email settings to reduce distractions, such as disabling non-essential notifications, setting up email digest summaries for recurring communications, or utilizing email aliases for managing multiple roles or identities.
Step 7: Regular Maintenance and Cleanup
Make inbox organization a regular habit by scheduling periodic cleanup sessions. Set aside time each week or month to review and archive old emails, delete unnecessary messages, and declutter your inbox. Consider implementing an email retention policy to ensure that your inbox remains tidy and manageable in the long term. By regularly maintaining and cleaning up your inbox, you can prevent email overload, improve searchability and accessibility of important messages, and maintain a clutter-free workspace for efficient communication and collaboration within Canada's bustling condominium industry.
Effective inbox organization is essential for streamlining communication and maintaining productivity in condominium corporations. By implementing strategies such as setting up folders and labels, utilizing filters and rules, establishing response protocols, prioritizing urgent messages, delegating and collaborating with team members, unsubscribing from irrelevant emails, and conducting regular maintenance and cleanup, you can achieve near-zero clutter and stay on top of your inbox management tasks.
Whether you are a condo manager, board member or a condo vendor, a well-organized inbox, you'll be better equipped to manage your workload efficiently, respond promptly to the needs of stakeholders, and contribute to the success of any condominium corporation.
-Stratastic Inc.
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