Customer service is, of course, the biggest way we can keep our residents. Be friendly, get their work orders done in a timely manner, etc. But I don't want to beat that dead dog. We all know these things and I'm sure we all do them.
But there are so many other things that we can do to make our residents happy (or at least happier).
Residents love to know they are important to you and your staff. Just waving "Hello" when you see them out and about is a simple and easy way to do this. Not to mention it is a very, very inexpensive way to let them know you are happy they are living on your complex.
Another way is by giving them things. Like for their birthday. Yes, you heard me, Birthday gifts. These "gifts" don't have to be expensive or time consuming. Here is a list of simple ideas that can make your residents feel special:
- You can purchase inexpensive Birthday Cards or type up a "standard" birthday letter, only make sure you address it to them personally and add a paragraph at the end just for them and put them on their doors, so when they come in or out, they will see them.
- Get those inexpensive party hats, tip it upside down and put things in it. You can put a handful of mints, some miniature candy bars, or a box of animal crackers for younger children. Anything small that doesn't weigh very much and wrap them up in colored plastic wrap that you tie off with a little ribbon and then put this little "package" inside of the party hat. Insert a card or a birthday letter that you and your staff has signed and hang it from their door knob.
- Make Birthday signs on your computer. Decorative paper doesn't cost that much and a simple Happy Birthday typed in large letters and posted to their door might get them some birthday wishes from their neighbors. (and as we all know - if your residents get along with each other, life runs a lot smoother on a complex)
- Start a Birthday of the month club. Each resident who has a birthday in that month gets their names put in a drawing. You pull a name out of hat (you can pick more then one name if your property has the money) and give the winner(s) a small gift. It could be a birthday cake/cupcake from Walmart/Food Lion, etc. or a gift card to the grocery store/gas station, etc. or give them a "Birthday Menu" and list 5 different things they can choose from. The amount you spend depends on the money your property has. It could be 5 different items that cost $5.00 each or $50.00 each. You could have a different list for the adults and the children.
- Purchase the candy bar "100 Grand" in the mini sizes and give each birthday person 10 of them with a note that says "Here's a million to spend anyway you want for your birthday"
- Do a Birthday bulletin board up and put snapshots of your birthday residents on it...have balloons, etc.
These are just a few ideas and I'm sure you can come up with even better ones. The important thing is to make your residents feel special on their special day.
If you do a newsletter, make sure to include the Birthday'ers in the newsletter. (I will have more on newsletters later).
p.s. These ideas can work for your staff birthdays also...
