Monday, November 3, 2014

Two Ways to Put More Profit in Your 2015 Expense Budget


1.       Reduce the expense that continues to surround ‘evictions and collections’ processing.

Over and over I see the following:
o   It’s like every case is almost a new experience….OK, for some it is…
o   Gathering the necessary paperwork remains a medieval practice.
o   Physically get the needed paper files.
o   Maybe, even then copy, pack and pay to ship them to a central office.
o   Make multiple copies of the files.
o   Pay to re-ship the copied files to the collections service or the law firm.
o   Review paper docs to determine what’s missing.
o   Make multiple copies of the files.
o   Hold multiple, multi-site conference calls to explain what is yet needed, from whom and why.
o   (Collections probability inexorably slides ever more negative due to time delay.)
o   The preparation of eviction packages with multiple law firms in multiple jurisdictions and are thus scattered on desks in paper packages across the legal country side.
o   Constant follow up (nagging?) to source missing documents.
o   The time and effort that goes into on-going ‘tracking and reporting’ is a huge time sink.

In this digital age it is possible to set up (1) electronic files to store all resident related documentation (2) create ‘shared secure electronic files’ for each resident case, providing real time access by collections services and law firms and (3) run compliance documentation audits to be sure that what might be need is there. Eliminate the copying and shipping cost and time. The property management company and the collections service or law firm can all now have real time shared access to needed documents-instantly.

Done properly all this documentation can be electronically sourced directly from property offices. No need to fill out shipping labels and pay for shipping! What is the shipping cost times how many packages?

We seem to understand the need for electronic maintenance task tracking. We all seem to understand the need for electronic A/P processing. Why should ‘evictions and collections’ task processing - which means REAL MONEY TOO - be treated so poorly and remain a paper based process?
Electronic document exchange and electronic workflows can easily handle all of this – stunningly well.

2.       Portfolio wide printer fleet management and support by using an outsourced ‘managed print service program’. (I have reviewed many and have suggestions.) Lower your printer equipment purchase and supplies costs, practically eliminate IT support expense and lower the cost of paper.

A managed print service program is no different in rationale than why you would hire a landscaper or a painting contractor. They probably can do the task quicker, better and cheaper. So it is with a managed print service provider. If you have more than 25 office printers in your portfolio and you are not subscribed to an outsourced managed print service program. What can I say? 

Why do you want to pay more than you should in printing, support and supplies? Do you think that all those cartridges and ink toner tanks that line the walls of office supply stores are there because they are low margin products for the retailers? Do the math on printer support. If you are good, 10% of IT help desk time is taken up with printer issues. How much do you pay an IT person? What does it mean to ‘leasing’ when the printer is not working? Do I really need that model of printer that can do 5,000, collated, stapled, three-hole punched copies a week? (What would it mean as a paid resident amenity if residents had access to a printer at the community to support their personal 24/7 printing needs?)

Too often we think that because our printers are spread out at local community offices and not all in a central location that an outsourced managed print services program will not make sense. Wrong. The savings can be stunning. And, you can find out just how much savings for FREE!

So, there you have it. Two ways to reduce your expense budget!

As I always offer - if you want to learn more about taking advantage of systems and programs that can provide these specific benefits, send me an e-mail at mike.radice46@gmail.com I’d be happy to help.

Mike



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