News from the Chicago Chapter

Creativity Key to Success for Commercial Property Managers, Says Customer Experience Expert Jeff Tobe at IREM Chicago April 11 Luncheon

Steve Schimmel, Treasurer; Chrsitna Wilson, ARM; Michelle Harris, ARM; Crystal Stude, CPM; Sarai Irizarry, ARM; Kris Haskins, President; Colleen Needham, Secretary

Four Members Installed for Earning IREM Designations, News Shared on Chapter Events for 2019 

The property management profession is likely to change every seven months, meaning managers will have to use creative thinking to increase value in customer’s minds versus the perceived cost of what is expected in exchange.

That was a key message delivered by Jeff Tobe, an author, customer service expert and professional speaker who addressed the IREM Chicago April 11 chapter meeting and luncheon held at Gibson’s restaurant in Oak Brook.

Author of the book, “Coloring Outside the Lines: Creating a New Property Management Experience,” Tobe defined the customer service experience as the ability to step back and ask ourselves, “What’s our customer’s experience from the minute they contact us until the minute they are done?”  

He asserted that the more we encourage teams to engage internally, the better the experience externally.  He also advised managers to keep in mind one main tenet to shatter the stereotype of the experience your customer expects to have with you.

IREM Chicago 2019 President Kris Haskins, CPM®, welcomed those in attendance to the first Chapter luncheon and meeting of the year. During the meeting, Chapter Secretary Colleen Needham, CPM®, led the installation ceremony for these members who recently earned IREM professional designations:

• Crystal Stude, CPM®, B & A Associates
• Michelle Harris, ARM®, Brainerd Park Apartments
• Sarai Irizarry, ARM®, Hispanic Housing Development Corp
• Christine Wilson, ARM®, Related Management
  
  

During the meeting, Chapter Treasurer Steve Schimmel, CPM® shared news on upcoming Chapter events, including:

• The Lunch ‘N Learn program April 25 on HVAC preventive maintenance hosted by Westside Mechanical.
• The May 9 “Chip In” for Charity event at TopGolf.
• A tour of the AMA Building at 330 N. Wabash Av. on May 16.
• The May 22 Lunch ‘N Learn event, “Going Keyless,” sponsored by Kastle Systems.
• The always-popular Mid-Year Market Review July 10 luncheon.
• The IREM Chicago Golf Outing and Silent Auction August 5 at Kemper Lakes.
• And, a Wrigley Rooftops event September 17 when the Chicago Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds.
  
  

Chapter member Crystal Stude, CPM®, shared insight from her participation in the Capitol Hill Fly-In meetings March 5 and 6.    "The 2019 DC Fly In was centered around educating and advising our congressman, and state representatives, on The National Flood Insurance Program and Companion Animals," Stude said.   "Witnessing the inner working of the Capitol was unforgettable. I encourage all IREM members interested in politics to join the assembly next year."

And, June McCrory, CPM®, provided an update on the work of the Silent Auction Committee on behalf of LYDIA Home, the Chapter’s official 2019 charity.

These IREM Industry Partners and their representatives sponsored the April meeting and luncheon:

• Allegiant Fire Protection - Jill Nottke & Mike Carli
• Bulley & Andrews Concrete Restoration – Don Redar & Todd Lawford
• CenterPoint Energy Services – Vicki Farina
• Clarence Davids & Company – Stephen Borden & Alan Watkins
• Community Investment Corp. – Jessica Sivels & Katie Elmore
• Kastle Systems – Michael Hayford & Chris Vilona
• M & J Asphalt Paving – Russell Thomason & Keith O’malley
• Moore Landscapes LLC – Mike Beltz
• Painters USA, Inc. – Matt Nichols & Ryan Thomas
• The Patching People – Dan Whalen
• Smart Elevators – Suzy Martin & Mark Christensen
• Weathershield, LLC – Peggy Glenn & Eric George