

Multifamily Collective Podcast
Mike Brewer
My mission is to tease out Human Potential in the Multifamily Space. Multifamily hinges on people, yet we fail to fully unleash their potential. Investing in coaching, training, and leadership unlocks peak performance. Engaged teams provide exceptional service, solve problems creatively, and innovate. A culture of growth attracts/retains top talent seeking purpose and mastery. Embracing development drives occupancy, reduces turnover, and boosts profits. When people thrive, so does business success. Nurture your driven individuals—the path to industry leadership starts there.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2024 • 3min
1,790 Boundaries
The Power of Boundaries in Business | Multifamily Collective
Welcome to another episode of The Multifamily Collective! Today, let's discuss the importance of setting boundaries.
With the advent of the internet and email, many businesses have developed 24/7 expectations, often leading team members to feel like they're always on call.
This can create an unsustainable work environment and unnecessary stress. My message today is simple: establishing boundaries is crucial for maintaining your well-being and productivity.
People who set clear boundaries are often more respected than those who don’t.
If you find it difficult to say no or feel obligated to always be available, taking control and establishing limits is essential. Don’t respond to emails outside of your working hours, and don’t feel pressured to take on tasks you don't have the capacity for. Remember, saying no is a complete sentence.
You don’t always need to justify it.
Respect yourself enough to set boundaries, and do so respectfully.
It's okay to prioritize your health and well-being over constant availability.
Healthy boundaries will help you perform better at work and enjoy a more balanced life.
If you found this advice helpful, please like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and multifamily industry trends.

Jul 22, 2024 • 3min
1,789 Excellence in the next five minutes
Pursuing Excellence in Every Moment | Multifamily Collective
Imagine how different your life could be if you pursued excellence daily.
There's a Greek philosophy called "arete," which means striving for your highest potential in all aspects of life.
Embracing this mindset means waking up each day focused on achieving excellence.
I admire Tom Peters, a management guru who talks about "excellence in the next five minutes."
This concept challenges us to focus on being excellent in the immediate future.
However, our emotions often get in the way, hijacking our logic and pushing excellence aside.
Emotions can derail our best intentions, whether it’s road rage or frustration with a customer service issue.
I encourage pausing and thinking about excellence in the next five minutes.
When faced with a catalyst, take a deep breath before responding.
Consider why a person might be a roadblock and try to think logically about the situation.
This slight shift can make a significant difference.
Next time you encounter frustrating customer service or deal with traffic, remember to prioritize excellence.
Embrace this philosophy and let it guide your actions, steering you towards a more fulfilling and productive life.
If you found this discussion helpful, please like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and multifamily industry trends.

Jul 21, 2024 • 3min
1,788 Anticipate Needs and Prefill Them
Anticipating Needs in Multifamily Management | Multifamily Collective
Welcome back to the Multifamily Collective!
Today, let's explore the power of anticipating and fulfilling needs before they are recognized.
Imagine if you could predict when an apartment unit's air conditioner, refrigerator, or dishwasher was about to break down.
With advancing sensor technology, this is becoming a reality.
These sensors can notify service technicians about potential issues, ensuring repairs happen before a complete breakdown occurs.
While this is straightforward for mechanical issues, how can we apply this concept to customer service?
Understanding and anticipating your residents' needs through conversation and observation can make a significant impact in the multifamily space.
By noticing behaviors and listening to your residents, you can anticipate their needs and provide memorable, differentiating experiences.
Consider this story: a regional manager discovered a St. Louis, Missouri resident who was a massive Rams fan but had never attended a game.
Arrangements were made for him to receive tickets and enjoy the game from great seats. This wasn't just fulfilling a need but creating an unforgettable experience based on understanding the resident's interests.
Incorporating this anticipatory approach into your property management can set you apart. By preemptively addressing needs and providing remarkable experiences, you differentiate your property and build stronger connections with your residents.
If you enjoyed this discussion, please like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into leadership and multifamily industry trends.

Jul 20, 2024 • 4min
1,787 Inspect What You Expect
Why Actions Speak Louder Than Words | Multifamily Collective
Welcome back to the Multifamily Collective!
Today, we discuss the powerful concept of "actions speak louder than words" and how it impacts leadership.
Have you ever wondered why seeing an action carried out is more impactful than just hearing about it?
In leadership and management, it's crucial to remember that trust is important, but verification is essential.
There's a lot of noise and constant delegation in today's world, and sometimes communication breaks down.
Leaders must adopt the "inspect what you expect" philosophy to combat this.
This means delegating tasks and verifying their completion to the expected standard.
Doing so shows that you care about the outcome and set an example for your team.
A great example is Elon Musk, who personally moved a server to prove it could be done faster than his team believed. This hands-on approach demonstrates commitment and sets clear expectations.
As leaders, it's essential to randomly check on tasks to ensure they're adequately completed. This isn't about micromanaging but maintaining standards and showing your team you are invested in their success.
If this insight is valuable, please like, comment, and subscribe for more leadership tips and multifamily industry trends.

Jul 20, 2024 • 4min
1,786 Diffident
Navigating Diffidence in Leadership | Multifamily Collective
Welcome back to another episode of the Multifamily Collective!
We're transitioning to a new home in a different part of Atlanta, Georgia, amid a significant change.
Stay tuned for more updates, but let's dive into today's topic: diffidence in leadership.
Have you ever encountered team members who seem to hold your organization back?
These individuals are often slow to act, resistant to new ideas, and prefer incrementalism over bold moves.
While thoughtful incrementalism has its place, leaders must recognize when diffidence becomes a roadblock.
As a leader, addressing these subtle yet persistent challenges is crucial.
Holding onto such individuals too long can undermine your team's culture and progress.
Remember, if you can't change people, change people. Set clear objectives and deliverables; if there's no improvement, it's time to make tough decisions.
Your decisive actions will inspire confidence and trust in your leadership. Don't let diffidence hinder your organization's growth. Embrace bold and transformative leadership to drive your team forward.
If you found this discussion helpful, please like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and multifamily industry trends.

Jul 18, 2024 • 5min
1,785 Ethics
Building a Legacy of Ethics in Multifamily Leadership
What legacy do you want to leave in the multifamily industry?
Let's explore the impact of choosing principles over profits in your business and personal life.
In this episode of the Multifamily Collective, we discuss the importance of ethics and integrity in the multifamily sector.
Do you want to be remembered for prioritizing profits or principles?
Mike emphasizes the significance of embedding non-negotiable ethical practices in your organization, ensuring that your actions reflect a commitment to integrity.
By examining real-world examples like Patagonia, he illustrates how steadfast principles can build loyalty and trust.
Regularly evaluating your business practices and their outcomes is crucial for maintaining a legacy of good ethics and leadership.
If you found this discussion insightful, please like the video and subscribe to our channel for more episodes on multifamily leadership and PropTech innovation.
Let's build a community committed to ethical leadership!

Jul 17, 2024 • 7min
1,784 Event v Experience
Are you tired of events that inspire you for a week but leave you unchanged?
Let’s explore transforming an event into a memorable, remarkable experience.
Many industry conferences, like the National Apartment Association's Apartmentalize, fail to make a lasting impact. Attendees often leave inspired but struggle to implement what they've learned once they return to their routines.
The typical conference setup is transactional: a trade show floor, educational sessions, and networking events. These formats fail to create a lasting impression, resulting in attendees returning to old habits.
Shift from an event-centric model to an experience-centric one. Create immersive, memorable experiences that leave a lasting impact on attendees, much like the Savannah Bananas baseball team does with their extraordinary fan engagements.
Consider the Savannah Bananas, a baseball team that creates unforgettable experiences for its fans.
They personalize engagements based on social media insights, ensuring each visit is extraordinary and memorable. This model can be applied to industry conferences to make them more impactful.
By transforming events into experiences, you can create lasting memories, foster deeper connections, and inspire meaningful action long after the conference ends. Attendees will remember the experience and become advocates, sharing their stories and bringing more attention to your brand.
Map out the customer journey of your event. Identify key touchpoints where you can add extraordinary, unexpected elements.
This could be personalized interactions, unique activities, or exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
Don’t just plan an event—craft an experience.
Take a page from the Savannah Bananas' playbook and make your next conference one that attendees will discuss for years.
Start by identifying one touchpoint you can enhance and see the difference it makes.
1. Map out the customer journey and identify critical touchpoints.
2. Personalize engagements to create memorable experiences.
3. Continuously innovate and add unexpected elements to keep the experience fresh and impactful.

Jul 17, 2024 • 7min
1,784 Event v Experience
Are you tired of events that inspire you for a week but leave you unchanged?
Let’s explore transforming an event into a memorable, remarkable experience.
Many industry conferences, like the National Apartment Association's Apartmentalize, fail to make a lasting impact. Attendees often leave inspired but struggle to implement what they've learned once they return to their routines.
The typical conference setup is transactional: a trade show floor, educational sessions, and networking events. These formats fail to create a lasting impression, resulting in attendees returning to old habits.
Shift from an event-centric model to an experience-centric one. Create immersive, memorable experiences that leave a lasting impact on attendees, much like the Savannah Bananas baseball team does with their extraordinary fan engagements.
Consider the Savannah Bananas, a baseball team that creates unforgettable experiences for its fans.
They personalize engagements based on social media insights, ensuring each visit is extraordinary and memorable. This model can be applied to industry conferences to make them more impactful.
By transforming events into experiences, you can create lasting memories, foster deeper connections, and inspire meaningful action long after the conference ends. Attendees will remember the experience and become advocates, sharing their stories and bringing more attention to your brand.
Map out the customer journey of your event. Identify key touchpoints where you can add extraordinary, unexpected elements.
This could be personalized interactions, unique activities, or exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
Don’t just plan an event—craft an experience.
Take a page from the Savannah Bananas' playbook and make your next conference one that attendees will discuss for years.
Start by identifying one touchpoint you can enhance and see the difference it makes.
1. Map out the customer journey and identify critical touchpoints.
2. Personalize engagements to create memorable experiences.
3. Continuously innovate and add unexpected elements to keep the experience fresh and impactful.

Jul 16, 2024 • 3min
1,783 Book Review: Stop Asking Questions
Boost Your Interview Skills: A Review of "Stop Asking Questions" by Andrew Warner
Welcome back to Multifamily Collective! It's been a while since we delved into a book review, and today, I have an exciting recommendation inspired by Mike Wolber from the Modern Multifamily Podcast.
Mike is back with his insightful podcast, and he recently shared a gem that caught my eye: Stop Asking Questions by Andrew Warner.
This book is a goldmine for anyone looking to master the art of interviewing.
Warner, who has conducted over 2,000 interviews, shares invaluable tips on leading high-impact conversations and learning from anyone.
While it's perfect for podcasters, the insights are also relevant for broader business contexts.
Stop Asking Questions covers essential strategies like managing monopolizing guests, engaging less talkative interviewees, and structuring pre-interview preparations to ensure high-quality discussions.
Warner advises landing great guests, promoting your content, and securing sponsorships.
At just 188 pages, this book is packed with practical advice that I've already started incorporating into my interviews and daily podcasting routines.
Whether you're a seasoned interviewer or just starting out, Stop Asking Questions is a must-read for enhancing your skills and making your conversations more impactful.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insightful reviews and tips from Multifamily Collective!

Jul 15, 2024 • 3min
1,782 Collision Points
Building Community Through Design: The Power of Collision Points
Welcome back to Multifamily Collective!
Today, we're exploring an innovative concept that can transform your community: collision points.
Inspired by design and architecture firm Mackie Mitchell, this idea focuses on fostering interactions and building a stronger community.
In a rehab project in downtown St. Louis, we had the choice to place storage units on patios. Instead, we opted for basement storage.
This design choice encouraged residents to visit a communal bicycle room equipped with DIY repair tools, creating natural opportunities for interaction and connection.
Similarly, placing fire pits at crossroads within the community rather than secluded areas ensures they become vibrant hubs of activity where residents can naturally encounter one another.
These strategically designed collision points help foster friendships and a sense of belonging, turning our properties into true communities.
By integrating collision points into your community's design, you can create spaces encouraging connection and enhancing resident engagement.
Embrace this concept to activate your community and make it more dynamic and connected.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more innovative ideas from Multifamily Collective!