Day-to-Day Operation & Facility Management

The professional self-storage manager has two primary responsibilities: to rent space and collect rent. Sadly, managers often aren't given the tools they need to effectively complete these tasks, particularly the latter. Some people have a natural inclination for sales; few have a talent for collecting money. This session will focus on the skills a manager needs to master the art of collections. Attendees will learn how their ability to collect rent has a critical impact on the success and profitability of their facility, how to understand important revenue numbers, and how to create a system that will ensure a high collections rate and lower accounts receivables.

Get the latest and greatest techniques and tips a self-storage operation of any size or age needs to close unit rentals at full price. Discounting is rampant in this business, but unnecessary when you have the right customer-service skills and tools. Our speaker will talk about how to use your competition survey as well as your phone and onsite presentation skills to make it easy to close every sale. She'll also share the newest rate structures being used online and in store by the real estate investment trusts.

Self-storage operators generally invest a great deal of time and money into protecting their facilities from obvious threats such as fire, flooding, theft and vandalism. One threat often overlooked, however, is that posed by pests. There are insects and rodents that can reduce the most valuable goods to confetti in relatively short order. The best defense against pests is a working knowledge of the enemy and a few simple concepts. This session will review the most common self-storage pests and simple steps operators and customers can take to protect their units, and the items inside, from damage.

When you hear the word Apple, do you think of fruit? Do you think an Android is something out of a 1970s science-fiction movie? Do you believe a tablet is an ancient writing device? When someone mentions the cloud, do you think of the weather? At the same time, have you wondered how technology could help you streamline your self-storage operation and increase efficiency? Then this session is for you! Gain a greater understanding of the technology available and how you can use various tools to save time and money. Our presenters will cover technology from the stand point of hardware, software, the Internet and even marketing, walking you through 10 concrete things you can do to improve your operation with minimal investment.

As a self-storage owner or operator, you may manage multiple locations as well as a corporate office. How do you quickly spread company information among your employees? How do they communicate with each other and share resources? Social media can help you give employees the important information they need to grow your business and serve customers. Our presenters will show you how to set up an internal social network exclusive to your company, one that can be safely used to house a myriad of documents and increase employee knowledge about items such as benefits, policies, special offers, promotions, company announcements, acquisitions and more.