Contact Katie for a complete list of sessions.
Katie is constantly creating new content. Below are a few of her fan favorites. Please contact her for customized sessions and to discuss your specific needs. Her onsite, corporate, training and consulting experiences allow her to offer a wide range of session topics. Please note that most of these sessions can be offered in person or via webinar.
TOPIC: LEADERSHIP
Leadership vs. Management, What’s the Difference?
Audience: Property Managers, Regionals, Owners, Potential leaders
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 6 hours
Does being a manager automatically make you a leader? Does a leader have to be a good manager? Does being a leader mean you are in charge? This session provides an in depth look at the attributes of both effective leadership and productive management. Participants will leave with the tools to empowering team members and the knowledge to successfully manage a leadership role.
Key Takeaways Include:
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Recognize the differences between a leader and manager and the importance of being both
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Identify the role of a productive manager
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Understand the aspects of effective leadership Learn how to motivate and empower your team
TOPIC: TIME MANAGEMENT
Are You Packing Too Much in Your Life’s Luggage
Audience: Anyone and everyone who wants to more time
Time: Minimum 2 hours up to 4 hours
Are you stressed, tired, always running late or seem to never have enough hours in the day? If you said yes to any of these, you MAY be over packing. This time management session takes you beyond the workplace for a deeper dive to identifying and then making time for what matters most to you.
Katie will guide attendees through 4 stages of time management:
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Your Journey: Knowing where you are headed is key to identifying both your short and long-term goals.
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Your Plan: Create a “Packing Plan” to ensure you are packing the essentials.
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Your Obstacles: Identify the possible roadblocks and be prepared for detours.
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Time Saving Tips: Use time saving tricks to help you PACK it all in!
TOPIC: CUSTOMER SERVICE
Handling the Haters
Audience: Anyone who deals with customers, co-workers, employees and bosses that may be difficult at times
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
We all deal with difficult people on a daily basis. Whether, you are dealing with residents, co-workers, employees or bosses, this program uses examples from pop culture to provide members with the tools necessary to respond professionally and effectively to difficult people. Attendees will leave with:
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The 7 steps to handling any hater
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A better understanding of the three types of haters and what sets them off
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Methods for handling the three types of haters that appear as residents, co-workers, employees and bosses
TOPIC: MARKETING
Marketing: Taglines, Tools & Tight Budgets
Audience: Property Managers, Assistant Managers, Leasing Professionals, Regionals, Owners and anyone who is responsible for marketing a property
Time: Minimum 1 hours up to 4 hours
There are so many facets to marketing and as property management professionals we are expected to do it all! This session is packed with ideas and resources to help property management professionals, at any level, with any budget, maneuver through marketing. With tools you can use to be seen, Katie’s Top 10 Marketing ideas for tight budgets and Tag lines full of fun and puns, this session is a must!
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Understand the various aspects of marketing
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Learn how to create a marketing plan
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Obtain resources and tips that can be put to immediate use
TOPIC: TEAM BUILDING
Keeping the Team Happy While Keeping Control
Audience: Property Managers, Regionals, Owners, Potential leaders, Anyone who leads a team
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
Do you find yourself trying to please everyone but it seems as if you’re pleasing no one? Or worse, have you become complacent and just don't care, "It's my way or the highway!" In this session, we’ll explore the multiple aspects of your team, learn how to deal with different personalities and the role management plays in producing a productive and cohesive team. Members will leave with:
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Methods to support various team members while getting the job done
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Keys to keeping employees productive and responsive
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Tips for staying in control and not letting the job get to you
TOPIC: SALES
Sensory Sales: Making the Sale without Saying a Word
Audience: Anyone in a sales position (includes vendors!)
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
You may have heard that first impressions are made in the first seven seconds of meeting someone, however studies have shown that one tenth of a second is actually more accurate. While the use of technology has made reaching the masses a more achievable feat, the personal connection that is needed to close a sale can sometimes be lost. If you want your customers to be ready to buy in the blink of an eye, join Katie in this interactive session where attendees will learn how to impact a customer's buying potential by appealing to the 5 senses. As the saying goes, "You only have one chance to make a first impression”, make your first impression matter by:
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Understanding the effects that non-verbal communication and appealing to the 5 senses has on your sale.
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Recognizing obstacles you may have in place that inadvertently deter buyers.
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Learning small things that you can do to create a connection and help close the sale in seconds!
Sales Isn’t for Sissies
Audience: Leasing, Asst. Managers, Managers, ANYONE in a sales position (including vendors)!
Time: Minimum 4 hours up to 6 hours
This three part, interactive program uses the acronym SISSY to highlight what it takes to be successful in sales. Learn the Do's and Don'ts of social media marketing and what you can do to market your community for FREE! Participants will be challenged to share common customer objections and work together to create thoughtful and understanding responses in order to overcome the objection and bring the sale to a close. Attendees will learn how important a positive customer experience is to reducing turnover, increasing occupancy and maintaining a positive reputation. Whether you're a management company, owner or vendor you don't want your team to miss this day of motivation and education!
Key Takeaways:
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Learn what it takes to be an effective sales professional
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Generate your own traffic with effective marketing
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Improve telephone techniques to turn calls into visits
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Master the art of overcoming objections to seal the deal
Leasing Bootcamp
Audience: Leasing Professionals, Assistant Managers, Property Managers, Regionals, Anyone in Sales (or potentially in sales)
Time: Minimum 2 hours up to 6 hours
Whether you are new to residential property management or have years of leasing experience, this basic training session is ideal for anyone working to survive the challenges of being on the front lines of property management. By taking attendees through the vital stages of the leasing process, you will be armed with the tools to achieve success in a competitive market.
Key Takeaways:
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Identify the core values of a successful Leasing Professional.
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Learn how to recruit new residents through creative marketing.
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Improve telephone techniques to turn calls into visits.
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Obtain skills to confidently overcome objections and seal the deal.
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Understand the impact of customer
TOPIC: FAIR HOUSING
Fair Housing Feud
Audience: Anyone working in Residential Property Management
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 3 hours
Fair Housing can be confusing and sometimes a point of contention. Reduce your risk of a "Fair Housing Feud" by ensuring your team is properly trained and equipped to handle the most sensitive of Fair Housing issues. Fair Housing training is not a one and done type of education. With ever changing laws and new cases popping up daily, it is imperative that property management personnel and service providers are well informed and trained regularly. In this fun and educational Fair Housing session, Katie addresses hot topics such as disabilities and service/support animals. A game show themed session for ALL multifamily personnel, at any level. Attend with your entire team and you may just get a chance to play to win!
Contestants and audience members will:
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Obtain basic Fair Housing knowledge to reduce your risk of a violation
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Receive tips for handling Fair Housing related questions
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Identify tools for assessing accommodation and modification requests
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Understand your responsibility as industry professionals and how to protect your asset while complying with federal laws.
Top Ten Fair Housing Fails
Audience: Anyone working in Residential Property Management
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
Fair Housing mistakes can be costly and many of the common complaints are avoidable if personnel is knowledgeable and well trained. In this interactive session, attendees will hear 10 of the most common Fair Housing “fails” and learn how to prevent discrimination by handling questions, complaints and resident issues with professionalism and according to Fair Housing guidelines. Ideal for those new to the industry or needing continuing education, participants will leave with a thorough understanding of the Fair Housing laws and their responsibility as industry professionals.
Fair Housing: Bogus or Busted!?
Audience: Anyone working in Residential Property Management (can be geared towards your demographic)
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
An interactive basic Fair Housing session using real case studies to educate members on the regulations of our industry.
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Knowledge of basic Fair Housing laws
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Increased awareness of situations in which members could be inadvertently discriminating
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Tips for handling requests for reasonable modifications
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Best practices for vendors and associates
Surviving Fair Housing without Fear
Audience: Anyone working in Residential Property Management
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
Being aware of the repercussions of a Fair Housing discrimination complaint can be scary. Using the acronym FEAR, attendees will learn about basic Fair Housing guidelines, recent updates and best practices to educate members on the regulations of our industry. Whether you are new to Multi-family or an industry veteran, this engaging session is certain to be informative and empowering!
Doggonit! Do I HAVE to Approve that Animal?
Audience: Anyone working in Residential Property Management
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
Service Animal, Emotional Support Animal, Guide Dog, Companion Animal, Therapy Animal, Comfort Animal,
Psychiatric Service Animal, whatever you call it, just don’t call it a PET! Navigating Fair Housing laws while working to protect your asset is at times rather challenging. As public awareness continues to increase, our management teams must be educated and equipped with processes and language to successfully navigate this sensitive topic.
TOPIC: MAINTENANCE
Looks Don’t Matter & Other Lies Your Mother Told You
Audience: Maintenance and Make Ready Teams & Support Staff (painters, housekeepers, groundskeepers, etc.)
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 4 hours
Statistics show that the maintenance and support staff directly impact resident satisfaction and play a significant role in resident retention. When the support staff has a thorough understanding of what matters most to prospects and residents they can ensure their first impressions, attention to detail and customer service leave a lasting impression (a good one)
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Recognize the vital role of the Support Staff
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Understand how your role directly affects occupancy, resident retention and profitability
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Learn what you can do to be a valued company asset, promotable and earn more money
The Truth about Safety (for the Invincible Maintenance Tech)
Audience: Maintenance and Make Ready Teams & Support Staff (painters, housekeepers, groundskeepers, etc.)
Time: Minimum 2 hours up to 4 hours
Sometimes in the haste to get the job done, (or worse) to save money, important safety precautions are overlooked. Other times, team members get aggravated with uncomfortable or ill fitting personal safety equipment and set it aside. Cutting corners when it comes to safety is a HUGE risk; it's risky for the employee and the employer. Using examples of actual events, this interactive session showcases the importance of personal protective equipment, taking appropriate safety precautions and the repercussions of being lax. Intended for maintenance team members at all levels and ideal for anyone responsible for the safety of onsite employees, attendees will:
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Identify the hazards that put your team and residents at risk
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Discover how you can reduce injuries and accidents on the job
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Understand the necessary steps to take in the event something does go wrong
TOPIC: VENDORS/SUPPLIERS/SERVICE PROVIDERS
How to Be a [Service Provider] Rock Star
Audience: Anyone who provides products or services to multi-family communities
Time: Minimum 1.5 hours up to 3 hours
Includes Fair Housing for vendors along with tips for successfully servicing property management teams.
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Understand Fair Housing laws and how they relate to service providers
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Tips for making property management teams your “groupies”
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Best practices for site visits
TOPIC: MOTIVATION
Living Your Dream
Audience: Property Management Teams
Time: Minimum 30 min. up to 1.5 hours
Have you lost that lovin’ feeling? Have the demands of your job gotten the best of you? Join Katie as she helps us find the find the “why” in what we do, identifies the opportunities that lie ahead and helps us recognize the rewards and celebrate our wins!
How to Avoid Burnout and Get the Job Done
Audience: Property Management Teams
Time: Minimum 60 min. up to 3 hours
The everyday grind of property management can get to you if you aren’t careful. In order to be your best you and preform at your highest potential, you must recognize the signs of trouble and take action to avoid becoming burnt-out and jaded. In this session, we will:
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Identify the causes of burnout
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Hear strategies for recognizing the warning signs and avoiding burnout
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Find your motivation
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Learn the 4 steps to beating exhaustion