Your Professional Network Should Help You Solve Real Problems

When something unexpected happens at a building, it helps to know people you can call. That might be another property manager who has handled a similar issue, a service provider who understands your systems, or a colleague who can point you toward the right city contact.

That kind of network is built through regular, useful conversations. It is more than collecting names at events.

Start by getting to know people whose work connects to yours: engineers, security teams, janitorial professionals, owners, managers, architects, consultants, and building technology providers.

Ask what challenges they are seeing and what has worked for them. You may discover an approach you can use at your own property.

Then keep the connection going. Send a short note after a conversation. Share an article or resource that relates to what you discussed. Introduce two people who could help each other. These small actions make it easier to reach out when you need advice and easier for others to reach out to you.

Please also consider joining a policy committee where these conversations happen naturally. 

A strong network also helps you see career paths you may not have considered.

Conversations with people in other roles can show you what skills a future position requires and how they developed them.

Your weekly challenge: Reconnect with two people you have met through BOMA/GLA. Ask what they are working on, and share one useful idea or resource of your own.