Ok, so we were taking over the management of an apartment community in a couple of weeks. The current
apartment owner and property management company were gracious enough to let us
go onto the community early. I was assigned to go take a look.
As I drove onto the
community grounds I was pleased with the appearance. There was a little
trash blowing in the breeze, but the shrubs were trimmed and the flower beds
were weed-free. I didn't notice any junk cars and the dumpster areas were
clean. I remember thinking, “Not bad, not bad”. I parked and walked
inside. It was a little after 9:00 AM so I assumed everyone had a chance
to get their bearings and start their day.

When someone walks into the apartment leasing office you stop, stand,
smile and greet!
They were at least already standing.
They were at least already standing.
Let’s think for a moment if I was a rental
prospect looking for their new apartment home. Odds are they would not
have the same perception that I had. The general public or in our case
rental prospects and residents do not expect anything more than mediocre
service.
That is
what they expect.
That has become the norm.
That is very sad.
That has become the norm.
That is very sad.
What if this was a Treat’em R.I.T.E community? The situation
would be different. As I walked into the community club/office area the
two ladies would hear the door and agree to stop their conversation. One
would return to her desk and the other would walk in my direction with renewed
energy and a cheerful smiling face and greet me with, “Hi, how are you this
sunny morning?”