Rachel Atkin: 10 Powerful Lessons to Redefine Property Management Growth in any market

From hyper-growth strategies that’ll supercharge your rent roll to mastering the art of personal branding in a digital age, this episode of The Elevate Podcast hosted by Samantha McLean is a goldmine of practical wisdom.

Highlighting personal branding, work-life balance, and practical strategies for rent roll growth, Rachel provides actionable advice for property management professionals and leaders, including some of the challenges and changes in Victorian legislation and the importance of psychological safety and mental well-being in the workplace.

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, Rachel’s two decades of experience offer incredible and actionable insights to elevate your career.

“When we lose business, we’re grateful for the opportunity, and we can always go back. And I think those relationships stick most. When you turn a negative relationship or a bad service experience into a positive, they’re likely to be your most referring clients.” – Rachel Atkin

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. The importance of connecting with people – and seeing potential in every opportunity when growing a rent roll.
   Timestamp: 5-minutes
2. How to use creative referral sources, like a community market, to build your network.
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3. The importance of psychological safety and mental well-being in property management teams.
   Timestamp: 7-minutes
4. Strategies for simplifying complex processes in property management, including embracing ChatGPT for repetitive tasks
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5. The importance of personal branding for property managers, including some tips for elevating your brand
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6. Rachel’s best tips and strategies to grow a rent roll in any market.
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7. Tactics for securing new managements when facing competition with lower fees.
   Timestamp: 20-minutes
8. Why Rachel likes to time block and turn off email notifications at times
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9. The Five-minute tip that Rachel uses to help the team get the most out of the day.
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10. How to handle overwhelm and get clarity
    Timestamp: 27-minutes

Links and Resources mentioned

• Cut the noise: Better Results, Less Guilt – Chris Helder
• I get you: How communication can change your destination – Warren Tate
• ChatGPT
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
• ARLA Propertymark
• REIV

Connect with Rachel

• LinkedIn

Detailed Episode Guide

This is a key message from Rachel Atkin, a seasoned professional with two decades of experience. Recently, Rachel shared her insights on the Elevate Podcast, hosted by Samantha McLean, where she discussed the future of property management and strategies for fostering growth in any market.

Gaining Clarity and Focus
Rachel’s career in real estate began with ambitions in sales, eventually leading to a passion for property management. Throughout her journey, she learned the value of stepping back to gain clarity before making significant decisions. “Your mind can reach a point where it simply shuts down,” she explains, stressing the importance of taking a moment to breathe and refocus. This philosophy has helped her excel in leadership and encouraged her teams to “slow down to speed up.”

Reflecting on 20 Years in Property Management
Rachel’s extensive experience stems from various leadership roles, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry. As a Property Management Operations Manager at Harcourts, she supports the growth of franchise offices in Victoria, offering training and ensuring compliance with ever-changing legislation. Rachel’s focus is not only on managing properties but also on strengthening teams and driving business development.

Navigating Challenges and Legislation
Rachel points to the constant legislative changes, especially in Victoria, as one of the main challenges. She highlights the importance of compliance and maintaining healthy homes for tenants. Balancing personal well-being with professional duties is essential in this demanding environment, and Rachel advocates for fostering psychological safety within teams to achieve high performance.

Strategies for Growth
Rachel firmly believes that connection is key to growth. “Be curious, be interested, and be interesting,” she advises, stressing that building relationships with clients on their property journeys fosters long-term partnerships. Even with limited marketing spend, cultivating personal connections can drive substantial business growth. She recalls using creative approaches, such as engaging with local markets, to highlight the human element in property management.

Embracing Technology
Technology integration is another key area of focus for Rachel. She views tech and AI as tools that enhance efficiency, allowing property managers to focus on relationship building. By leveraging technology, property managers can shift their attention towards proactive client engagement, evolving into a more professional service sector.

Empowering Teams and Personal Development
Rachel emphasises the importance of developing personal brands within property management. As property managers step into more prominent roles, digital platforms provide opportunities to showcase their professional skills. Equally crucial is mentorship and shadowing experienced professionals, enabling aspiring managers to explore business development while continuing to provide top-tier service.

Work-Life Balance and Boundaries
Maintaining a work-life balance is essential for longevity in the industry. Rachel advises setting clear boundaries and managing time strategically. She underscores the importance of prioritising personal well-being, reminding professionals that they serve others best when they are at their best.

Summary
Rachel Atkin’s approach to property management blends clarity, technological savvy, and a focus on human connections. Her insights provide valuable guidance for professionals navigating the complexities of the industry. By prioritising personal development and strategic growth, property managers can thrive even in challenging markets. As Rachel puts it, “It’s hard work in heels,” but with the right tactics and mindset, the journey is both rewarding and fulfilling.

FAQ for Elevating Success with Rachel Atkin

1. Who is Rachel Atkin?
Rachel Atkin is a property management professional with over 20 years of experience. She currently serves as the Property Management Operations Manager at Harcourts in Victoria, where she supports franchise offices with growth strategies, training, and compliance.

2. What key themes does Rachel discuss in the podcast?
Rachel covers several key themes, including:

• Finding clarity and focus in property management.
• Navigating challenges related to constantly changing legislation.
• Growth strategies through client connections.
• The role of technology in property management.
• Building personal brands and empowering teams.
• Maintaining work-life balance and professional boundaries.

3. What does Rachel mean by “slow down to speed up”?
Rachel emphasises the importance of taking time to gain clarity before making key decisions. This approach helps her and her teams maintain focus, avoid burnout, and make better strategic choices.

4. How does Rachel approach growth in property management?
Rachel believes in building long-term relationships with clients through curiosity and genuine interest in their real estate journeys. She suggests that even with minimal marketing budgets, cultivating personal connections can drive significant growth.

5. What are Rachel’s thoughts on technology in property management?
Rachel views technology and AI as essential tools to improve efficiency. By automating administrative tasks, property managers can focus more on building relationships with clients and offering higher levels of service.

6. How does Rachel suggest property managers build their personal brands?
Rachel encourages property managers to use digital platforms to showcase their skills and professional expertise. She also recommends seeking mentorship and learning from experienced professionals to grow both personally and professionally.

7. What advice does Rachel offer on maintaining work-life balance?
Rachel advises property managers to set clear boundaries and manage their time effectively. She stresses the importance of prioritising personal well-being, which enables professionals to perform at their best in their careers.

8. What are some of the challenges Rachel identifies in the property management industry?
One of the key challenges Rachel mentions is keeping up with frequent legislative changes, particularly in Victoria. She highlights the importance of ensuring compliance and maintaining healthy, safe homes for tenants.

9. How does Rachel view leadership in property management?
Rachel sees leadership as a balance of personal and team empowerment. She advocates for creating psychologically safe environments where team members feel supported and motivated to perform at their best.

10. What are Rachel’s key takeaways for thriving in property management?
Rachel’s key takeaways are:

• Focus on clarity and taking time before making decisions.
• Build strong relationships with clients.
• Embrace technology to enhance efficiency.
• Develop personal brands and seek mentorship.
• Prioritise well-being and work-life balance.