Training and Development
Virginia Love | Collective Conversations
Release Date: 08.08.2023
In this episode, Mike Brewer sits down with Virginia Love – Industry Principle at Entrata. Virginia is a highly respected expert in the multifamily industry with a long history in multifamily leasing, marketing, and operations. She is a champion of the people in our industry and has a deep understanding of the ways that technology impacts the front-line teams and believes that it is our responsibility to elevate the role our team members play in the success of our industry.
Key Discussion Points:
- Lasting impact of the pandemic: The pandemic shed attention on the importance of the site teams and led to the current focus on them as the drivers of performance and doing what is right for the site teams, recognizing the need to reconsider appropriate wage levels. The pandemic accelerated the pace and adoption of technology and forced companies that were sitting on the sidelines to engage with virtual tours, self-guided tours, and more.
- Culture Matters: Entrata is a technology company that actively engages its customers in the Entrata culture – so much so that they become invested in the Entrata brand.
- Economic Inclusion: For decades, the only impact for residents who paid their rent on time was not incurring late fees and being sent to collections. Entrata offers a program that reports resident payment history to the major consumer credit reporting agencies. Giving renters the ability to build their credit by simply paying their rent is a significant economic empowerment tool.
- The Value of Yes – Advice if you desire to grow your multifamily career: Get involved. Make Yourself Indispensable. Do whatever other people don’t want to. Get active in your Apartment Association, IREM, or NMHC. Take every opportunity to learn and don’t wait for someone to teach you. There are countless ways to build your knowledge so take charge of your education and growth.
In between the non-stop camaraderie and laughter, Mike and Virginia share practical tips and advice based on their extensive knowledge and expertise in the multifamily industry.
Whether you’re a seasoned investor, property manager, vendor/supplier, or someone interested in learning more about the multifamily market, this series offers valuable insights that can help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in this dynamic industry.
About Mike Brewer
Mike Brewer is enthusiastic about people, technology, and the world of multifamily. He serves as President of RADCO Residential and COO of The RADCO Companies. As the Founder of Multifamily Collective, Mike draws on his deep understanding of the multifamily space and is passionate about sharing insights and wisdom through a series of Collective Conversations with others in this industry. This podcast creates a platform for industry professionals to connect, learn, and grow together.
About Virginia Love
Virginia Love, Industry Principal at Entrata is directly involved with marketing, product and sales as a liaison from the multifamily industry to these departments. Before joining Entrata, she held prominent leadership roles for apartment owners and operators such as Trammell Crow and ING Clarion. Immediately prior to coming to Entrata, she was Vice President of Leasing and Marketing for Waterton Residential. With nearly three decades of industry experience, Virginia has served on numerous multifamily committees and boards for industry organizations including the Atlanta Apartment Association, Georgia Apartment Association, National Apartment Association, National Multifamily Housing Council and Zillow Multifamily Advisory Board. Love served as the 2018 Chairperson of the Georgia Apartment Association and the 2011 Chairperson of the Atlanta Apartment Association. Virginia is a National Apartment Association Lyceum graduate. In 2021, she was named a Multifamily Influencer by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum and was honored by Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate Awards for 2022. Virginia is also a part of the Apartment All Stars.
Additional Resources:
Some of the world’s largest owners and operators use Entrata’s vast suite of products to manage their entire portfolios using one operating system. Multifamily, Student, Affordable, Military, or Commercial – Entrata has the technology solutions to meet your needs. www.entrata.com
Sponsorship Info:
This episode is sponsored by: Updater
Updater is the app that gets residents move-in ready faster. Did you know that residents who are happy with their move-in experience are 59% more likely to renew their lease? Move-ins matter. Get them right with Updater. Visit go.updater.com/mike, and as a special gift to our listeners, Updater is offering a special gift when you book a demo.
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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MultifamilyCollective or any other organization mentioned during the episode. The podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional or your organizational leadership before making strategic, professional, financial, or investment decisions.
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Advantage of the Generalist
Photo by Jordan Madrid on Unsplash
Being a generalist has become increasingly advantageous in today’s fast-paced world. The ability to navigate and excel in multiple fields, rather than becoming an expert in just one, allows for greater flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
This concept is explored in depth in the book “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World” by David Epstein. In it, Epstein argues that “generalists, those who dabble in many things, are more innovative, adaptable, and resilient than specialists.”
One of the key advantages of being a generalist is the ability to bring diverse perspectives and skills to a problem. A specialist may only see the issue through the lens of their field, while a generalist can approach it from multiple angles and find novel solutions.
Being a generalist also allows for greater career mobility and the ability to pivot in new directions as the job market and industry change. In contrast, specialists may have limited options if their field becomes obsolete.
In today’s world, where technology and innovation are advancing rapidly, being a generalist may be the key to staying relevant and successful. Epstein states that “generalists are better equipped for an unpredictable future.”
Do you believe him? Or, do you think being a meaningful specific is a better philosophy?
The benefits of being a generalist are clear. Embracing diverse interests and skills can lead to greater creativity, adaptability, and success in today’s rapidly changing world. Epstein’s book Range illustrates that generalists are better equipped for an unpredictable future.
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Self-Awareness
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Self-awareness is understanding one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development, enabling us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and make necessary changes to improve ourselves. However, self-awareness is not always easy, as we may sometimes be in denial of our problems and blind to our faults.
Marshall Goldsmith, a renowned leadership coach, and author, once said, “even though we may be able to deny our problems to ourselves, they may be very obvious to the people observing us.” This quote highlights the importance of feedback and the role that others play in our self-awareness journey.
We often think of feedback as something negative, but it is essential for self-awareness and personal growth. When we receive feedback, it helps us to see ourselves through the eyes of others and gain a different perspective on our actions and behavior. It can be difficult to hear criticism, especially when it comes to areas where we are struggling, but it is essential to remember that feedback is not a reflection of our worth as a person but rather a tool to help us improve.
One way to increase self-awareness is by seeking out feedback from others. And not just from those who will tell you what you want to hear. Seek out your toughest critics. In my head, your real friends are the ones that tell you what you need to hear. It’s also important to remember that feedback is not always easy to hear, so it’s essential to approach it with an open mind and be willing to listen.
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The Road to Damascus
The Road to Damascus is a biblical story from the book of Acts in the New Testament. It tells the story of Saul, a devout Jewish leader who persecuted Christians, and his dramatic conversion to Christianity on the road to Damascus.
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This story has become a powerful metaphor for personal development and transformation. Like Saul, we all have blind spots and biases that prevent us from seeing the truth about ourselves and the world around us. The Road to Damascus represents the journey of self-discovery and change we must undertake to overcome these blind spots and become the best version of ourselves.
Recognize
The first step on the Road to Damascus is recognizing our problem. For Saul, this came in the form of a vision of Jesus on the road, which made him realize that he had been wrong in his persecution of Christians. For us, this might come in the form of a wake-up call, such as a failed relationship or a job loss, that makes us realize that we need to make changes.
Seek Guidance
The next step is to seek help and guidance. Saul was blind and confused after his vision, but he was guided by a man named Ananias, who helped him to understand the true nature of his experience and to be baptized as a Christian. Similarly, we need to seek mentors, coaches, or therapists who can help us understand ourselves and guide us on our development journey.
Act
The third step is to take action. Saul immediately began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and spreading love and forgiveness to others. He went from being a persecutor of Christians to being one of the most influential figures in the early Christian church. Similarly, we must take action to change our lives and become the person we want to be. This might involve changing our relationships, career, or lifestyle or working on personal growth practices such as meditation or journaling.
Journey For Life
The final step on the Road to Damascus is to continue growing and developing. Saul’s conversion was not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. He continued to learn, grow, and serve others throughout his life. Similarly, personal development is a lifelong journey, and we must continue working on ourselves and improving ourselves daily.
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The Surprising Importance of Soft Skills
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As technology advances and automation becomes more prevalent, it’s easy to assume that hard skills like coding and data analysis are the key to success in the modern workforce. However, a study by Google, known as Project Oxygen, has turned this notion on its head. According to Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post, the study found that STEM expertise comes in dead last among the eight most important qualities of Google’s top employees.
So, what are the principal characteristics of success at Google? According to the study, they are all soft skills.
What Are Soft Skills?
But what exactly are soft skills, and why are they so important? Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or social skills, are personal attributes that enable an individual to interact effectively with others. They include communication, empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to coach and support colleagues. While hard skills are y necessary for specific jobs, soft skills set top performers apart and are increasingly valued in today’s workplace.
Why Are They Important?
One of the reasons for this shift is the changing nature of work itself. As more and more tasks become automated, the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others becomes even more critical. In addition, the globalization of the economy has led to a greater need for individuals who can work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
So, what does this mean for job seekers and professionals looking to advance their careers? It’s clear that having a solid technical set is not enough to succeed in today’s workplace. It’s also important, as they can make a huge difference in your ability to work well with others and effectively navigate the complexities of modern work.
How Do You Improve?
There are many ways to improve, including taking courses, participating in professional development workshops, and seeking mentorship and coaching. It’s also helpful to pay attention to feedback from colleagues and superiors, as they can often provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve.
The results of Google’s Project Oxygen study serve as a reminder that in today’s rapidly changing economy, it’s not just hard skills that matter. To stand out and advance your career, it’s critical to focus on developing these valuable personal attributes.