Name: Tauheedah Wilson
Title: Community Manager, Kansas City Region
Company: Capreit
1. My grandmother. She raised me to treat people how I would want to be treated, and I applied it to my life. In property management our main focus is customer service, and you always want the customer to be satisfied.
2. My daughter. As I raise my own child, I want her to see that I’m fair. She may not always like my answers or decisions, but she’ll know that I’m making the best decision for her. Similarly, with any resident or potential resident, I want them to know that I’m reasonable in all I do.
3. My staff. I started as a Leasing Consultant and was promoted to Assistant Manager and then Community Manager. I picked up trash on the property, I delivered packages to residents, I walked units and I leased apartments. I’ve worn many hats, and I’m not going to ask someone to do something I haven’t or won’t do.
4. My supervisor. My manager challenges all of his community managers to exceed occupancy. If you’re budgeted for 90 percent, think like you’re budgeted for 95 percent. Always try to exceed—and not just meet—your goal.
5. My budget. I manage my budget like it’s my own wallet. Being a single parent, I always am cautious when spending. Even if I have a little extra, I always think, “Is this a need or a want?” As I try to beat NOI at my community every month, I ask myself the same question about community spending.
6. Time management. Everything is a priority, you just have to know how to prioritize your daily tasks and stick to the list.
7. My computer. It challenges me on patience: Some days it works, and some days it doesn’t.
8. Raspberry cheesecake. Everything that looks good is not always good for you.
9. Taking breaks. Everything cannot get done in one day. I have to make sure that I take a lunch to regroup and clear my mind.
10. Me. I am my worst critic. I strive to be the best I can be. Before I got into property management, an incident occurred at the apartment community where I lived that ultimately inspired my decision to enter apartment management. After the incident, I vowed that if I had that job, I would never treat someone the way I was treated, so I challenge myself to be the best in whatever I do.
If you would like to be considered for a future End Points column, please contact Jeff Lee at 703/797-0647 or jeffreylee@naahq.org.