Tag: ethical

Pitfalls of Competitive Advantage for a Managing Agent

The management of leasehold developments is a hugely competitive market.  In what is an unregulated market, many leaseholders take their chances with one or another managing agent who can talk the talk. But how many of them can actually walk the walk? And how do the attitudes and behaviour of managing agents in the industry reflect on reputations and work ethics? 

Picture the scenario – you have decided you need a new managing agent and you want good service. So, you begin your search to find out who will serve your development the best. Perhaps you want the biggest managing agent as you feel peace of mind knowing that so many other leaseholders use them.  Or maybe you want a local managing agent, one who knows your area and perhaps your building already. Alternatively, you might want the agent who offers the cheapest rate, believing you are getting value for money.

You may want a recommended managing agent via an industry body (RICS or ARMA), or perhaps you had an introductory letter through your door. Some leaseholders use Google and others may have seen an advert on Facebook. Whichever way you find them, managing agents want your business and they will do what they can to get it. Once they get it, they of course, want to protect it. But surely the best form of protecting their business, is by giving the best service and keeping their promises? It seems that many agents unfortunately don’t do this.  Perhaps these competitors should turn their focus onto serving their customers in better ways. It is sadly, indicative of a wider problem in the industry. Concordia’s ethical stance is a threat to some, but we don’t apologise for that, the leaseholder is paramount to us and we will continue to try to affect change for them.

We recently attended the Institute of Residential Property Management’s Annual Conference in London, where it was clear that the industry has a certain culture. Comments from speakers such as “self-regulation won’t work” (Lord Best), “culture change is needed to focus on customer service and treating the leaseholder as the end user” (Mark Prisk MP), and “the number of complaints is rising” (Katrine Sporle), all indicate that something has been very wrong in the sector for some time. Many managing agents see the leaseholder as a commodity – a cash-cow that they can milk dry of all their hard-earned money. All the hidden charges add up – paying by standing order (up to £50.00 a year with some managing agents!), paying for permission to let (even when it is not the managing agents permission to give…), extortionate debt collection fees charged out as soon as possible (even if you paid, but forgot your exact reference), excessive insurance commissions (sometimes leaseholders will be paying up to 60%! Imagine that – of the £1,000 insurance charge per year, £600.00 of it goes to the managing agent). All these added extras, and more, go into the managing agent’s pocket. This is not making a fair living – it’s extortion in our opinion and it’s not morally right. It’s no wonder that managing agents don’t want to lose any clients and that they are fiercely competitive!

So, when a new agent, such as Concordia Residential, comes onto the market with their competitive edge of doing business ethically and without all the hidden extras, it is understandable that some managing agents may become twitchy and uncomfortable. Professional courtesy and healthy competition would radically change the culture of our industry for the better. Everyone in the leasehold management sector caters to different desires of the end user and surely, we should all be respectful and courteous of each other, supporting the different ways we can all help our leaseholders. 

Concordia Residential welcome with open arms the upcoming mandatory regulation in the industry to ensure that malpractice is filtered out. As Lord Best stated, ‘self-regulation doesn’t work’. The culture of the industry needs to change in order to benefit the end user – the leaseholders and tenants. And this is a huge part of Concordia’s mission and reason for existence.   

Emotional Intelligence

It’s the buzzword of the moment – Emotional Intelligence or EI as it is also known. The ability for the understanding of the self as well as others around you, and to use that intelligence to motivate, communicate and consider. We noted an article on the RICS website this week by Gary Williams which touched on the subject of emotional intelligence and how it can give businesses the edge over competitors. 

Concordia Residential are whole heartedly in agreement with Gary’s article. The subject of emotional intelligence, in our opinion, is utterly fascinating as well as totally relevant to business. Emotional intelligence was first highlighted to our founder, Abigail Teece, during her time at university.  It was a subject that was completely overwhelming to start with, but our founder soon became addicted to finding out more and more. Learning about what makes people tick, as well as finding out the reasons behind why people act and react the way they do was hugely interesting. During her time as an employee in the industry, Abi made a conscious effort to apply emotional intelligence wherever possible. To herself, to colleagues, to clients and customers.  It didn’t always work as well as intended and some people around Abi were adamant that she was “too soft” in her approach. They claimed she didn’t know how to “do business”.  There was even a “stupid woman” comment at one point (our eyes rolled at this too!). Many do not seem to realise that being understanding and showing consideration in business can benefit companies so much. Showing empathy and having understanding towards people makes for a better manager, a better colleague and a better person all round.

Our Core

As any astute business does, we keep an awareness of the market around us. We note that there are some competitors who are, as Gary notes, really focusing on “technological innovation, pricing structures, expertise and experience”.  And that’s great.  Indeed, Concordia Residential does have those factors in our eyeline. However our true core and the depth from which our mission statement is built gives utter kudos to emotional intelligence and its surrounding factors. We are big believers that business doesn’t have to be hard-headed, money grabbing or lack understanding.  It can show empathy, be generous and kind.  A good days work for a fair salary.  We must at this point, credit academics Carl Jung and Myers-Briggs for enlightening Abi’s journey through business with emotional intelligence. This has resulted in Concordia’s aim in that emotional intelligence within our company will spill over into providing the best customer service for clients and customers. Concordia Residential is here to make a difference.