Many similarities exist between a rowing team and the management of a condominium or community association. As with rowing, condominium management involves many parties, each of whom plays a specific role, but all of whom, collectively, are greater than the sum of their parts. Like the coach of the rowing team, the board of directors of a condominium association sets the strategy for the team: the goals and objectives for the association. The coach also selects the members of the team to execute that strategy: the community management company, who functions as a team manager, bringing together the resources and personnel necessary to execute the board’s strategy.
Clear and interactive communication is critical between the coach and the team members in advance of the event because the coach is not in the boat with the team during the race. Similarly, the board is hiring a management company to execute its strategy, rather than the members of the board being required to take on day-to-day management responsibilities for their community. The communication between the management company and the board needs to be open and continuous.
One team member is essential to keep the team coordinated and focused on achieving its goals and objectives. In rowing, that team member is the coxswain, the oarless athlete sitting in the rear of the boat, looking towards the finish line. The coxswain manages the rowers, keeping them focused and pulling together in unison. The coxswain must be alert to changes in circumstances to, among other things, prevent other boats from colliding into his or her team’s boat. The coxswain must build a sense of trust and team spirit with the other team members to motivate them until they cross the finish line.
In community association management, the community manager is the coxswain. To be successful, a community manager must engage in an open dialogue with the board about the opportunities and challenges that exist in achieving the board’s goals and objectives and must manage a team to achieve those objectives. The community manager’s team consists of traditional team members such as members of the on-site management and maintenance personnel, but also includes off-site management company resources such as human resources, accounting and information technology, as well as various third-party vendor partners. We know that to be successful the team must work together, transcending organizational boundaries to meet the changing needs of the board and association.
42 | COMMON INTEREST®
Therefore, it is important to develop a collaborative strategy to ensure that everyone remains in sync. This allows every team member to contribute to the best of his or her ability as an individual and to the team. Teamwork improves the quality of decisions and their execution. Teamwork also perpetuates a spirit of excitement, fulfillment, pride, and passion for what we do.
Regardless of the individual talents and skills of a community association manager, if he or she is unable to tap into the strengths of his or her team, such a manager will be limited in what he or she can achieve. The coxswain calls out the commands, critiques the rowers form and provides direction to achieve better results. Similarly, the community manager cultivates a productive environment by soliciting input and feedback from the team members, focusing the team on a common plan. As the saying goes, “There is no ‘I’ in TEAM.”
Rowers experience many environmental variables such as wind and weather. Community managers know too that some events are out of their control. However, keeping a team well-informed, focused and prepared enables a community association manager to have the team successfully achieve the board’s goals and objectives and deliver a victory for everyone.
A history of responsiveness and reliability
Cukierski & Associates has been a family business for more than 40 years, and in the past year alone, we’ve partnered with over 1,200 Chicago-area HOAs and condominium associations. We provide the boards of directors with stateof-the-art audit, review, and compilation reporting services to help them prepare more accurate annual budgets, make more informed operating decisions, or
At Cukierski & Associates, we’re not only experts in this area of accounting, but we also have several team members who sit on boards of directors in their own associations, so we can relate and are well versed in the dynamics and intricacies of community associations.
Want to know how we can help your association?
Check our website and reach out to start the conversation. We’d love to hear from you!
3850 N. Wilke Rd. Ste., 100, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-496-7180 |
info@cukierski.cpa |
www.cukierski.cpa
• Summer 2024 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
retention
98% client
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