eKourier Jan 2014

FEATURES

So You Want to be a Manager?

company success.

skill to have to fuel personal growth.

Previous manage- ment skills are a great advantage and form an important part of our consideration process when selecting the right applicant. A sales focused Team Member! We aren’t looking for a Property Manager or Customer Service Manager. We

Tips for writing your Expression of Interest for a Managers Role

Do’s Be honest about your personal strengths and opportunities. We need to know what you will bring to the role and what assistance and development you need from us. Be specific and focus on areas you can influence:

A re you ready to take the next step to become a Storage Centre Manager? This is a question many Team Members ask themselves at some point in their journey with Kennards. I am often asked “what it takes” to become a Centre Manager. That is a really good question and the answer is worth sharing. Perhaps this will inspire more Assistant Managers to take the first steps towards leadership. One of the most rewarding parts of the Operations role is the opportunity to mentor Team Members wanting to take the next step in their career. Seeing people achieve goals that they have worked hard for is an awe-inspiring leadership experience. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it beyond deciding they “want” to be a Manager. Those that are successful show a desire to learn, grow and develop; to do whatever it takes to achieve their goal. We call it “Grit”! What are we looking for in a potential Manager? Attitude is the most important ingredient to becoming a Manager. If given the choice between an applicant with the necessary hard skills, that has a poor attitude or a Team Member with a great attitude, and no hard skills; we will choose a great attitude every time! We can change hard skills through training, but we can’t change attitude. Committed and Engaged Team Members are enthusiastic about their work and organisation. They make an effort to contribute to both Team and

need someone who isn’t afraid to fight to close each and every sale. A person, who won’t accept the status quo, isn’t afraid to ask for the business and knows how and why they lost or gained each sale. Good communication skills are perhaps the most invaluable skills one can have. When appointing a Manager, we are looking for a person who can communicate clearly, constructively and with confidence. This skill will help them create positive relationships with their customers and Teammates. “Grit” is the mental strength, tenacity, optimism and unfailing ability to achieve results, without focusing on setbacks. How to prepare yourself for a Managers Role - Make sure you have a realistic understanding of the responsibilities and the challenges that come with the role. - Start with the basics. Be a sales superstar and focus on your enquiry handling techniques, follow ups and Mystery Shopper results. - Spend time with our HUB Managers; get an insight into effectively running a storage centre from some of our highest achievers. - Have a thirst for knowledge; be open to learning and developing yourself. - Be open to constructive feedback. Having the ability to receive feedback, without taking it personally, is a highly valuable - Complete our Step up to Manager Training Programme

- Enquiry handling - Mystery Shopper results - Current Follow up Practices - Centre Presentation - Dynamic Pricing - Current Rent Increase Practices - Scoty Results - KPI Opportunities

Don’ts - Don’t focus on areas you can’t influence. - Remember you don’t have a million dollar budget, so changing our whole website, paying a plane to fly over the local area with a KSS sign attached or a national advertising campaign in every magazine and newspaper isn’t realistic! - Don’t be vague about figures, results or goals; i.e. “improve occupancy”…. Now tell us, how will you plan to do it? - Don’t rush your expression of interest. Take your time, write it, leave it for a day, read it again, change it and then send it! Applying is the first step. If you are fortunate enough to be appointed into a Manager’s position, the hard work is about to begin. Don’t forget the goals you set and don’t be afraid to use the people around you for support and guidance. If you didn’t get the job this time, it’s important you don’t take it personally. Just because it isn’t your time now, it doesn’t mean you won’t get there next time or the time after that. Be patient! Lynda Walsh NSW Operations Manager

Kennards Kourier January 2014

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