Expert On: Conflict Resolution, Fair Housing, Financial Management, Leadership Skills, Maintenance and Marketing

About Brenda McClain:
Brenda McClain is a noted national speaker, trainer and marketing consultant celebrating 21 years of Property Management expertise. In 1990, she established Brenda McClain & Associates LLC in Washington, D.C. to promote quality training and further the professional development and marketing of the multi-housing industry.

BMA, LLC provides lease-up expertise for new construction properties and has a successful track record of quick and effective marketing strategies. Her company determines client needs for training, lease-ups and consulting. Brenda 's seminars deliver knowledge, motivation to do things the right way, and a unique blend of creativity and focus through her engaging style. Ms. McClain established a train-the-trainers program for companies to identify internal talent and utilize their “best and brightest”. Brenda is the former National Director of Training for NHP Management, which is now AIMCO. She was responsible for the education of 3,500 employees for eight years. She received her knowledge of apartment management from “hands-on” experience of 2,000 apartments in seven states as a Divisional Manager of Operations.

Brenda began her career as an on-site assistant manager. Two years later, the Knoxville Apartment Council presented her the award of “Manager of the Year”. She received her CPM designation in 1983 after taking all three courses in one year. She was the first woman to receive the coveted “RAM of the Year” award in 1985. The American Biographical Institute in 1996 named her “Woman of the Year”. She was the Chairman of the RAM Board of Governors in 1989 and given the status of Life Governor in 1992.

Ms. McClain has developed over 100 courses and presented Property Management classes in front of over 30,000 people in her career. She co-authored “How To Excel in Leasing Apartments” which is the NAHB best selling Property Management marketing book. This textbook serves as the class text for the Certified Leasing Professional (CLP) designation. She also co-authored of the “Advanced RAM Financial Module” with John Richards for NAHB’s national distribution effective December 1, 2001. She has published numerous articles in the Journal of Property Management, RAM Digest, and Habitat.

Topic Descriptions

Change Management
Think you have been through enough change? Hang on! Attitude management is a must for the twenty-first century. Flexibility factors and ability to make necessary changes are taught in order to survive the information age. Key issues covered include strategies, the stuck factor and survival of the fittest exercises.

Communication - Are you succeeding or failing?
Effective communication is a must in everyone’s day-to-day operations. Study what management expert’s feel are the most critical tools in the most important order of usage. Key issues include: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Say, write and hear the right message.

Conflict Resolution
Learn to recognize and resolve conflict in Property Management and in your own personal life with people whether they are residents, subordinates, friends or foes. This quality session promotes interpersonal skills to deal with difficult employees, supervisors and how to deal professionally and efficiently to assist with day-to-day conflict and crisis. Enjoy this win-win session.

Leasing in the Twenty-First Century
So you think you have the right stuff to close the sale? Move past some of the same ways of leasing skills with one of the authors of “How to Excel in Leasing Apartments”. Interactive session with energy and impact! Everyone goes away a winner with this timely information.

Fair Housing for Property Management
A question and answer session taught in conjunction with the newest available Fair Housing textbook. Keep in touch with the latest changes regarding the largest liability we face in Property Management.

Financial Management for Property Management
The basis of making decisions rests on the opportunity for logic. Understand how strong financial knowledge makes a difference in Property Management. Value-added decisions discussed for the seasoned and newest managers understanding level.

Marketing Yourself, Property & Community
Realistic marketing ideas that work specifically for new leasing agents or seasoned veterans.
Brainstorming is included in this session. Learn what customers are buying and how to sell to their individual needs. Hit your target market and save money on advertising.

Management Organizational Skills – Taming the Paper Tiger
On your mark, get set - get organized! Assessment of your skills and opportunities to see what other companies are doing. Bottom line ideas to take back to your office for immediate implementation.

Mold in Property Management
The next legal issue (which parallels lead-based paint) is currently in the forefront of issues multifamily housing faces from a liability standpoint. Learn what measures to take and which proper testing facilities to use. Brenda is the author charged with writing the training module for the Multifamily Division of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Resident Retention - Your Bottom Line
Residents are still voting with their feet – they move. Retention is the only tool we have to regain marketing dollars and maintain common sense customer service. Key issues: Service is more than just a job, fostering feedback and appreciation for staff and employees.

Service - Not just Services
Real customer service is an amenity to every property. Learn how to manage the moments of truth and the power of customer choice. Complaint handling included.

Sexual Harassment
Don’t be harassed or confused regarding the legal side of the equation of any source of harassment. This powerful training session is a must for new hires and the most seasoned employee. Includes harassment exercises and role-play.

Speak Like A Pro
Want to be an effective public speaker in a meeting of 2 or 1000? Group or individual sessions taught to customize individual’s need for public speaking. Here a national leader for Train-the-Trainers courses taught throughout the country.

Teams and Teamwork – Bridge the Gap
Insist on the finest TEAMS you can obtain for productivity and quality assurance. Team building exercises will make your team a great one instead of an average team. Why settle for less? The issue of “real” teams is an easy one to understand and break through with guidance and awareness.

I don’t have TIME to be STRESSED out!!!
A fun, upbeat class to pinpoint issues in the arena of individual time and stress management needed for successful operations. This class was combined due to the fact most people get stressed out over time management and need a realistic approach. We manage everything else. Why not manage our time and not stress out, as well?

Maintenance-Related Topics
How Fair Housing and Sexual Harassment Impact Maintenance
Communication for Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance
Maintenance for Managers 101
Advanced Maintenance