Vanessa Burch, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

Going with her gut

After a long day of shuttling from the office to her associations and then to board meetings in the Texas heat, Vanessa Burch repeatedly finds “that in matters of the home, everything is personal.”

“I started my professional career at a large financial services company, helping small businesses manage their credit card operations and training account representatives. That led me to discover that I too wanted to be in a smaller business environment, but I didn’t want to give up the opportunity to still be able to help and interact with lots of people,” said Vanessa. The community association management profession affords individuals, such as Vanessa, the opportunity to assist and work with many different people, all of whom are trying to protect and safeguard their biggest asset—their home.

She has found community association management to be a challenging, yet rewarding career. “My adventure in community management began in October 2002. Just by luck, an ad for a community management position caught my attention. It’s a perfect fit for me.” Vanessa went on to obtain her CMCA credential in 2005.

CMCAs are trained to handle what Vanessa describes as “little tests to keep me sharp and challenged.”

“Some homeowners need a sympathetic ear, and some need a little more guidance and education,” said Vanessa. “I know these neighbors, I know the street they live on, and whether or not I’ve ever met them in person or by phone.”

CMCAs are not only committed professionals; they “can be a preacher, a teacher, or a parent depending on who is calling,” said Vanessa. She has relied on her education and certification to assist her in navigating the world of community association management. Her motto for success: “I always go with my gut.”

Tradeshows offer excellent opportunities for you to learn more about
numerous new or improved products and services tailor-made for
community association managers. Even if you are not looking to buy
right away, tradeshows are a quick, efficient way to stay abreast of
industry trends and new technology.

Make the most of these avenues for achieving growth. Too many
attendees meander through the aisles, hoping to spot something of
interest. Dazzled by the colorful displays and the sheer volume of
information, they lose focus and stumble through without gaining any
real benefit.

Start with a Plan

Often, registration packets at conventions include a tradeshow
brochure. Back in your room or some other quiet spot, you can then
start making your list of “must-see” exhibits. If the brochure
includes a floorplan, mark these exhibits to create a personalized map
to guide you. Otherwise, write the names of the most promising
exhibitors, their booth numbers, possible questions and other
reminders on a legal pad.

If the brochure is unavailable until the tradeshow opens, avoid
heading immediately to the show floor. Take a few minutes to pull
together your roadmap.

However, if you already know what you want to see as soon as the show
begins, consider heading straight to the back or the far side of the
floor. That way, you may be able to avoid crowds and command the
personal attention of vendors.

In addition to learning about intriguing companies you have never
before done business with, your map should also include your old
favorites. You may discover ways to better use products you already
have purchased.

Realizing the importance of tradeshows, top executives often station
themselves at their exhibits. Their conversations with customers or
prospects give them ideas for new or improved products and services.

Although you should plan on stopping by every exhibit on your list,
stay open to new possibilities. As with vacations, the unexpected
encounters often result in the most pleasant memories. You may even
learn valuable information in a brief chat with fellow attendees along
the way.

As you go, write brief notes to yourself about noteworthy aspects of
the exhibitors or possible actions to take later. Several words on the
back of a business card may be all it takes to refresh your memory
once you have returned to your office.

Keep in Touch

If you are interested in a company, feel free to leave behind your
business card. Sometimes, you may end up entering a drawing for a
prize in the process. However, you should think twice before filling
out an entry form or using your card for a drawing if you have
absolutely no plans to do business with a company.

You can expect to receive phone calls, direct mail or e-mails in the
weeks following the show. Who knows? You may even have won that prize.
But you also may be a winner by learning of new special offers from a
company that had already piqued your interest at the tradeshow.

If salespeople call you, remember how hospitable their companies
treated you at the tradeshow. Try to return that kindness. Remember,
they are only doing their job. You may be pleased to discover they
have done their homework and know a great deal about your company or
community and its needs.

Keep an open mind before saying, “I’m not interested.” However, if you
decide after reviewing the product literature or discussing the
company with your colleagues that you truly are not interested, you
can do yourself and the salesperson a favor by trying to keep the call
short and sweet.

The Justice Department says all swimming pools in public accommodations must have special access points so people with disabilities can partake in recreational activities. Community associations will have to comply with the rule inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act if they have a pool that is open to the public. Read the full story.

Poll results released by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) revealed that 54 percent of 498 hiring managers surveyed make their final decision to hire based on chemistry. A closer look shows that 15 percent of the managers polled say “chemistry” is 75 percent of the final hire decision while 39 percent of those polled report chemistry is 50 percent of the final decision. 

Highlighting the importance of chemistry, 30 percent of respondents said the “not-to-hire decision” is made within 15 minutes of meeting the job candidate. Another 28 percent make the decision to not hire someone within five minutes of meeting. Fifty-six percent of the managers polled rank first a candidate’s “skills directly related to the job” while 42 percent say “a good fit with team members/the organization.” The HR professionals surveyed also say that candidates who stand out during the job interview demonstrate professionalism and a strong work ethic (32 percent), passion for the job (20 percent), and are personable (14 percent).

Among the 16 interview don’ts cited, HR professionals report the worst offenses to be:

• Typos or grammatical errors in cover letters and resumes – (58 percent say “deal breaker” and 41 percent say “somewhat of a problem”)
• Arriving late for the interview – (58 percent say “deal breaker” and 39 percent say “somewhat of a problem”)
•   Dressing too provocatively – (67 percent say “deal breaker” and 28 percent say “somewhat of a problem”)

Additionally, HR professionals polled said they are 86 percent less likely to hire a job candidate whose social networking profile or tweets showed evidence of unprofessional behavior. Unprofessional social networking profiles include drunken party photos, sexually suggestive content, and indiscreet comments about a former employer or boss.

How job seekers act after the interview also matters to hiring managers. Fifty percent of HR respondents surveyed say post-interview thank-you notes are best delivered via e-mail, compared with regular mail (28 percent) or combination of both (17 percent). Also, they prefer candidates keep to a minimum inquiries about the status of the job opening. Specifically, 76 percent of HR respondents recommend job candidates call or e-mail no more than once a week. Five percent say that a candidate should never call or e-mail to inquire about the job opening post-interview.

Are you a hiring manager with something to add?  Tell us in the comment section!

Dawn Bauman has left NBC-CAM to pursue an excellent opportunity as CEO for the US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA).  We appreciate her leadership and dedication to the community association management field over the last 16 years and wish her well in her new endeavor.  As NBC-CAM transitions to new leadership, the CMCAcorner show much go on!  I am pleased to be the new facilitator of this vibrant community.

I am the NBC-CAM Board of Commissioners Chair, Rob Felix.  I also chair the NBC-CAM Exam Development Committee.  Currently, I am President & CEO of N.N. Jaeschke in Southern California.  I have been involved in the community association management industry since 1979. I have served for over 20 years managing large-scale resort communities across the country.  I began consulting in 1998 with builders, managers and communities assisting them with project administration, operational and financial analysis, community-building practices, leadership development, strategic planning, and board training retreats.

I look forward to bringing my experiences to this forum.  If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section or e-mail directly at info@nbccam.org.

Training your brain to be positive at work is just like training your muscles at the gym. Sounds simple, right? Well, think about how easy it is to make yourself go to the gym. The key with any new resolution is to make it a habit. New research on neuroplasticity — the ability of the brain to change even as an adult — reveals that moderate actions can rewire the brain as you create “life habits.”

Try one brief positive exercise every day for 21 days. Only through behavioral change can information become transformation.

• Write down three new things you are grateful for each day;

• Write for two minutes a day describing one positive experience you had over the past 24 hours;

• Exercise for 10 minutes a day;

• Meditate for two minutes, focusing on your breath going in and out;

• Write one quick email first thing in the morning thanking or praising someone in your social support network (family member, friend, old teacher).

The greatest cultural myth in modern society is that we cannot change. Research done by Shawn Achor, CEO of Good Think Inc., proves that you can not only become more positive, but if you prioritize happiness in the present, you can reap an extraordinary advantage.  Read more about Shawn’s work here.

Tell us how you stay positive at work by posting a comment.