Clear, concise and compassionate communication is at the heart of all great relationships. Whether it’s personal or professional, the way we keep in touch matters – a lot. In today’s world, the niceties of everyday interactions sometimes get lost in favour of a focus on productivity. It’s a faulty perspective though. Courtesy and kindness cost us little and repay us so much.
Today we are spoilt for choice in how we can communicate with others. Synchronous, real-time two-way communication, like telephone calls and video meetings, are not always ideal. More and more, many of us are opting for asynchronous channels to get our message across and pick up information when we need it. Text messaging, collaboration platforms, document libraries and FAQ pages enable us to do this.
In terms of communities with building and strata managers, committee members and residents, communication, and the way we use it, becomes ever more important. Each community member wants an environment that is supportive and enjoyable for all. When communication breaks down or is simply unclear, that goal becomes harder to reach and everyone suffers.
Streamlining communication across multiple channels
With so many communication options at our disposal, it’s important to ensure the way we communicate is consistent, synchronised and our message doesn’t get lost in the noise of modern life.
Strata and building managers should make use of email and text notifications to keep committee members and residents informed about matters concerning them – imminent works, changes to building policies and rules, or quotes from contractors for planned improvements or maintenance all fall into this category. Communication tools that facilitate this are crucial for happy and healthy community management.
Information that needs to be accessible at all times – by-laws, handbooks, warranties, emergency procedures, committee meeting minutes and action plans can be made available 24/7 with a committee portal. Residents can also be empowered to access what they need when they need it, with a residents portal. Additional communication tools that are part of a comprehensive management system can make reaching out to committee members, residents or building managers simple and instant with email and text notifications.
This style of streamlined asynchronous communication means all members of a community remain informed and able to work together, without impinging on each other’s time or personal schedules. It keeps communication flowing and open too, as these channels record communication threads automatically, creating a documented chain of interactions that can be referred back to if ever needed.
Of course, telephone calls and zoom meetings will still be needed sometimes. A system that incorporates these as part of the wider communication thread will enhance interactions and the communities they are for. This helps management, committee members and residents to keep on top of their roles in the community and creates greater cohesion for all members.
Standards of communication
Not only should we be mindful of the communication channels we choose to share our message through or retrieve information from, but we should also be considerate in the way we compose our messages. Taking the time to share a smile in our communication – whether verbal or written – will keep our interactions transparent, open and enjoyable for both parties.
When choosing a management system for your community, it is helpful to consider the communication channels that are supported. Think about how these can be integrated into everyday interactions and whether or not each interaction will be recorded and timestamped if needed later.
BuildingLink have the highest level of communication functionality of all property management systems available in the proptech space today. This is because we understand how important communication is in raising the quality of life and creating harmonious and supportive communities that people want to be a part of. You can learn more with a free tailored demo of our software.