WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB ?
of governance . Dealing with a volunteer board of directors is different to say the least ! Many boards of directors task the manager with seeking qualified business partners . But , in many cases , boards operate with a “ hands on ” attitude . Goods and services providers are then left to deal with multiple personalities , communication styles , decision making criteria , and goals . There is no CEO with which to deal and many decisions have to wait for a vote of approval at board or membership meetings . Then there are all the statutes and administrative rules to which associations must adhere . And if that isn ’ t enough , there is this collection of papers called the “ governing documents ” that board members have taken an oath to uphold . Services providers are usually well versed in the statutes and state and local regulations that govern their areas of expertise , but not necessarily those laws the board of directors is obligated to uphold . partners understand the need to network , volunteer , and give back to the local area and to the community association industry . They fully understand that passing out flyers or cold calling or chapter memberships or hit and miss print advertising won ’ t make the telephone ring or customers beat down their doors . Spending time with people who are in a similar industry as you , volunteering together , sharing success and failure stories , collaborating , struggling together in a poor economy , and doing the most they can to make life better is what it takes . Taking the time to develop those personal relationships improves any business . Relationship marketing works – it makes the telephone ring .
Whether you provide goods and services to the community association industry or not , it ’ s a good prescription for any business -- Prune , educate , and give back .
Finally , there is a way for Florida businesses to learn and understand community association governance so they will be great business partners for associations . Cudos to Florida Community Association Professionals , LLC ( FCAP ), for recognizing service providers and offering them an opportunity to rise above their competitors . FCAP has designated the course Doing Business with Community Associations ( offered exclusively by Florida CAM Schools ) as a prerequisite for a company to be awarded the CASP ( Community Association Service Provider ) credential and seal . This credential shows associations that a company has taken time to educate its staff , opened itself to a strenuous vetting process , and committed to a high level of ethical business practices . Association boards and managers should look first to those companies with the CASP credential for their goods and services . They can be found at www . casponline . net . Look for the CASP seal on their marketing materials .
Management is doing things right ; leadership is doing the right things .
PETER DRUCKER
Third , service providers who are truly your business
SUPER RESTORATION SERVICE CO . 1701 NW 87TH AVE # 200 MIAMI , FL 33172 13