November 2017
In management it is best to be proactive. Proactive management strives to anticipate events and prepare for them. Reactive management responds to events without a well thought out plan.
Condo management is no different. Reactive management is more likely to result in higher costs, more problems, lower quality of life and unhappy owners.
Poor Communication
Proactive management includes proactive communication. It means owners are provided with information about everything going on in a building. It means anticipating what is to come, managing owner expectations and sharing information with them as it becomes available.
Reactive management remains silent until something happens. Then they decide if owners should be apprised, what to tell them, when and how.
Financial problems are not communicated until condo fees increase or a special assessment is implemented.
When equipment fails, owners are expected to understand why their heat or hot water is not working.
This is what we call a failure to communicate. It creates an adversarial relationship between owners and management.
Ineffective Maintenance
Proactive management implements regular inspections and a preventative maintenance plan to ensure all equipment continues to run without failure.
Reactive management waits until something breaks before having it serviced. Equipment failures take longer to repair and cost more.
Relationship Building
Proactive management has a list of approved vendors to contact when their services are required. They develop working relationships outside their condo corporation that include other condo corporations, police and fire departments, and local businesses. There is a trust relationship with vendors that is important when problems arise.
Proactive management is willing to offer their services and support to others in times of need. Reactive management has no relationships. There is nobody to turn to for advice, assistance or support.
As in life and business, it is best for condo corporations to be proactive.
