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PM Collective - The ART of property management
The ART of property management with Ashleigh Goodchild is a leading platform supporting collaboration not competition through an online community and events throughout the year with one purpose: to create happier property managers. She creates connections for property managers looking to create momentum in their careers and personal life. Join Ashleigh and her guests as they discuss challenges, struggles, mental health, mindset and give advice to property managers and anyone in the industry. To get the support in your property management career, join our PM Collective Facebook and Instagram community.
PM Collective - The ART of property management
Breaking Into BDM
Nadia Rawson shares her journey from Dubai to Australia and how she balances dual roles as both a property manager and BDM while maintaining family priorities and professional growth. Her experience highlights the importance of finding the right workplace culture that offers support, mentorship, and flexibility for property professionals.
• Moved to Australia in 2016 from Dubai, noting significant differences in property management approaches between countries
• Initially joined a family-focused boutique agency that allowed her to bring her baby to work from three months old
• Left real estate temporarily but returned after experiencing poor property management as an owner herself
• Currently balances property management with a newly added BDM role since January 2024
• Values workplace relationships where colleagues support rather than compete with each other
• Emphasizes the importance of dedicated time for proactive BDM work rather than just reacting to inquiries
• Struggles with time management and learning to read potential clients' needs as primary challenges
• Finds networking and putting herself "out there" the most difficult aspects of the BDM role
If you're juggling property management and business development responsibilities, try dedicating the first hour of your day to proactive BDM work before property management tasks take over.
PM COLLECTIVE - GUIDE AND SHAPE AN ENJOYABLE FUTURE
We believe in making industry-leading education and support accessible to everyone. Our community is packed with free resources, expert insights, and innovative training designed to help business owners, property managers, and BDMs thrive.
This podcast is sponsored by Property Assist.
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Today we have a new guest joining us and that is Nadia. Nadia, welcome. Thank you, hi, ash. How are you? I'm good, I'm good. So Nadia is a. Are you in BDM or property manager? I'm both, Both Fantastic, and it's your first podcast. Yes, it is so. In the one the week before, we were just talking about how there's two different people in the world, and there's the guests that like the planning and the questions and those that aren't too worried. You are the first option. We like questions. Yes, I do.
Speaker 2:I do like planning. I do want to know what we're going to talk about.
Speaker 1:And so I have sent you some questions. But what I find generally is when I send the questions, I sometimes forget to sort of talk about them, because we talk about other stuff, which you'll be absolutely fine. But is this your first podcast? Yes, first ever, great, excellent. So I'm a very gentle host, I promise you.
Speaker 1:But what I wanted to say just before was that the people that listen to the podcast really love just listening to other people's stories, because there are so many different stories out there that we all resonate with. So we've had guests that have been, you know, people that have just started up their own businesses, people that are established like there's just so many different types of people in the world, and so some people are listening and going oh, that sounds just like me, and they just really enjoy the story. It's like they like just being a fly on the wall listening to a conversation. Maybe they're out doing inspections and they just may. They work on their own and they don't really have other property managers to work with and they just love hearing that. So that's really the purpose of the podcast and that's why they're quite relaxed and more yeah, just more that relaxed conversation, fly on the wall type episode.
Speaker 1:So I met you at the BDM Wine and Cheese Night we had and there was a couple of things that stood out for me, for you, and that was that you came on your own, which I love.
Speaker 1:I love that, and you were really embracing the evening and really sort of putting yourself out there, which I think there are so many property managers who never take that first step. They never. They want to come with a lot of people, want to go with friends. You know I always say that Coffee and Conversations you can just come on your own, like you don't need to come to the events with a buddy, like they are a safe place. So that was probably one of the things that I loved about you doing that. And then, you know, did a reel and you did some socials, which we're going to talk about today as well. But before we get started, I would love to find out, because I actually don't know this and I would love to find out a little bit more about you and what you've been doing now, but what you were doing before as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, sure. So I moved to Australia in 2016. Before that, I was living in Dubai and then I met my husband in Phuket and then we moved to Darwin. So when I came to Australia, I thought, what am I going to do? I actually was thinking, no, I'm not going to work, he's getting money, that will be enough. But then one month later I'm in real estate.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so in Dubai, what property managers do or any real estate agent there they just rent it out and forget about it. They never follow up, they never take care of the property. So they don't really have that sort of property management taking care of things. They just get their commission and go. And when I came here to Australia, I thought, like well, that's different. Here, people really like to invest in the property and they want someone to take care of the property. So I thought, okay, I will start from property management, because I don't have any sales experience. I'm an investor myself, but I never sell. So I thought, okay, that's the beginning and I study. It took me two weeks because it was a very short course if you do it in the class and I've done it.
Speaker 2:And, yeah, I started to work. I was working for a family business, a boutique agency, and then I just slowly moved to Strata as well. So I was touching both property management and Strata and 2019, we moved to Perth and I was doing a remote job. Every time we need to do meetings for Strata, I was flying to Darwin. So, yeah, that was the goal. Yeah, I had a little one in 2018, but I was working with him in the office since he was three months. Yeah, so I had a very good licensee at that time and he's like, yeah, just bring him in and people enjoy what I was showing. Home opens, I was showing with the baby on my hands. Everyone is like, oh, so cute. So, yeah, people like, really, yeah, appreciate it, appreciated I don't know, it was good, good vibe.
Speaker 1:Yeah, people find I remember when my um, when my little one was a baby and I would have her just in the baby born and if I had an appointment or a new management I would just make sure that I timed it where I had just fed her, then I would just put like um, put her in the baby born but put like a blanket sort of over her as well, so that she wasn't sort of you know, I guess I was just sort of judging it.
Speaker 1:I remember there was rumours going around our area how about how unprofessional I was for taking a baby, you know, out to the appointments. And I had the same response no one was bothered, everyone loved it, it didn't interfere with what I was doing. And then as she got older, I would put her in a bouncer, actually at our window display at the office, so she would be out looking at outside all day. People would come past and you know they just saw this baby in the window while they're looking at window cards. People actually don't really mind. And this is a real big topic that we have just been talking about in previous episodes, about the personal human factor and becoming not necessarily friends with your clients but your clients knowing that you've got children at home and you are a human first and people are pretty good with all of that these days I don't think it's a big concern.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I totally agree, yeah.
Speaker 1:I would love to find out a little bit more about Dubai real estate. So when you say that they sort of lease out the property, are you suggesting that they does the tenant handle all the maintenance and stuff? Is that why there's not much contact?
Speaker 2:Well, even now, like I'm renting my property there and whatever he wants me to do something for him, I just arrange it, or he arrange it, he pay himself, and then I just transfer him the money.
Speaker 1:Oh the tenant you mean yeah, yeah. And is that quite a normal setup.
Speaker 2:Well, I think it's more normal when you have someone there or you leave yourself in Dubai, but my mom is still there, so she told me that she did meet one woman who is actually property manager.
Speaker 2:Yeah, she told me that she did meet one woman who is actually a property manager. Yeah, and I think right now it's more coming of become more often that someone is hiring a property manager. Yeah, because Dubai is very quick, quick, quick, quick and people are losing the job, trashing the place, moving out, leaving the furniture there, like all sorts of things, and, yeah, owner needs to deal with it, and then when owner lives somewhere in US, for example, or UK, they have to fly in or something. But right now I think people realize that having a property manager, it's better for investment.
Speaker 1:Okay, how do you love living in Perth in comparison to Dubai?
Speaker 2:I was single at that time. It was different life. Yeah, I love it here. So for me, perth is well, I'm getting used to it. I'm networking right now because nobody knows me In Darwin, like I knew a lot of people. I actually were walking in Perth and I see a woman walking to me and she's smiling and I'm like I don't know you, I don't know you, I don't remember you. And she's like Hi, nadia. I'm like hello, I was renting out apartment. You were manager in Darwin. I'm like oh, hi, how are you?
Speaker 1:That's like my worst nightmare. Whenever I see a tenant on the street or someone says, oh, you guys, you know we're one of your tenants, I'm like, oh, is it good or bad? You know I always cringe yeah, that was good, that was good I have a lot of good tenants in Darwin, and, yeah, and Darwin again.
Speaker 2:It's also a lot of nationalities there. People are coming there from different countries and it's more like a party trendy. I love it, yeah, yeah. And then, well, in 2022, my licensee at that time he sold his business. Yeah, and I thought to myself that's it, I'm done with real estate. I never get back there. I didn't like that's it. I mean, it was a family business. We were so close to each other, we were like a family there and I didn't feel I can find someone like that again.
Speaker 2:And then we decided to go for one year to Phuket yeah, again. And then we decided to go for one year to phuket yeah, um, we live there for one year just training, doing things, enjoying our life while I was doing some social medias and just having fun, yeah. And then, um, I had my property manager here in secret harbor. Yeah, um, we were renting out our house and, unfortunately, it went very badly. Yeah, no routine inspection done, no vacate were done. It was a nightmare, yeah. And when I got back, I said to myself listen, I don't want those property managers to be there and I want to be better property managers to be there and I want to be better and I want to show owners that there are property managers who are taking care of your property. And then I said, okay, let me go and study and I've done my REVA certificate in one month and a half. I finished it fully and yeah, and now you're back into it.
Speaker 1:I'm back into it. So one of the questions I've got for you is how do you you talked a bit about the family, businesses and all of that what has been important for you with finding the right employer, like what are some of the top things that you're looking for in an employer?
Speaker 2:Well, support, mentorship and flexibility. What's happening in the office, my colleagues, how they are. We are not competition to each other, we are together. Yeah, it's again it's like a family. We like it's yes, it's again it's like a family. And I found that the smaller the business, maybe closer people are and they are support each other, like I have all my colleagues I know I'm here today and they're like oh go, nadia, they are very supportive, so that's important. And healthy, strong relationship between team members. I think it's's important and healthy, strong relationship between team members. I think it's very important. And then again, the leadership my licensee, he supports me as well. Yeah, that's very important.
Speaker 2:And flexibility. I think, like we all have kids, we all have pets. Who doesn't have kids? And they get sick, school holidays happening, all that things, and we have hobbies, our kids have hobbies and et cetera, and it's very important. Then your licensee or the owner or your manager will not sit on your head and asking what did you do today? Did you do your job? Well, at the end of the month you will see my KPI and you know that I'm doing my job and I'm a very responsible person and I'm a very loyal person and I'm loyal to owners, I'm loyal to my colleagues and I'm loyal to people who I met. So I'm going to do the job anyway.
Speaker 1:So I'm going to do the job anyway. So question for you how did you know that where you start working is going to have that flexible and family environment? Or is it something that you found that you had to just trust your gut, see if it works and then make a decision whether it is or not?
Speaker 2:Well, you see, right now I'm working for Abod Real Estate, which is in Kota, slo, and the reason why I apply for them there was Michelle, who used to work there, and I came to know about her at the River training Aaron Sharp. He introduced me to Michelle by showing the Abort website, saying Michelle, I know her, she's great and yeah, if you come across her, give it a go. And yeah, they have a position maternity leave position and I'm like maternity leave, so it means it's a short time 12 months but I'm new to Perth. I need this experience. I'll go.
Speaker 2:And when I was in an interview I had a feel like I know her. Same with you when I saw you first time at your event. That's the first time I saw you. Even though I follow you on socials, this is the first time I see you and I feel so comfortable and that's the gut feel. And then I met the team. First day I came, I met the team and the way how they support me, answer questions, never say no to me on any question and yeah, that's.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so gut first, and also that referral, I think as well, probably was helpful Absolutely.
Speaker 2:If it was not referral, I would not apply for maternity leave. Yeah, yeah, yeah, so good. If it was not referral, I would not apply for maternity leave.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah, so good, and I think it's really good for employees and employers to sort of hear that, because it's good for them to know what people are wanting, you know, in terms of that flexibility and the family environment. So that's really great to hear. Now I would love to hear a little bit more about your current role that you're doing, so tell me a bit about it. You said you're doing some property management and BDM. What does that look like?
Speaker 2:Yes, so I started BDM from January this year, so I'm very newbie.
Speaker 1:Property manager. Oh hold on, was there a BDM prior, or is this a new role? New role, well, it's additional to my property management.
Speaker 2:Additional role. I started what March 2024 as a property manager. I had my portfolio. I just start straight away managing it. And then I had a feel that I want more. When I start meeting people, when I start talk, when I start networking, I got some listings for sale, brought some clients to the company and I thought, ok, I think that's where I want to slowly, slowly move. And yeah, I started talking to licensee and, yeah, we decided that, okay, let's give it a go and start training me, because that's a new role for me, it's something different, and I'm really happy that I'm doing it right now.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, how are you balancing your? Are you like putting aside because there's a lot of people in this position where they're doing property management and then BDM? Do you put aside so many hours or like time block, bdm time? Do you just integrate it? How do you set your week up with that?
Speaker 2:Well, that's a challenge we're still working on it yeah we're still working on it, but I would never say no when someone is calling for appraisal, I would find a slot between and we do have between our team of property managers. We do have assistant, so sometimes if there is appraisal while I'm doing routine inspections, I would ask her to step in for routine inspection because, yeah, she can do that and I can focus on new business. So it is still there. I really want more time for my socials and to put myself out there meeting people and et cetera, but yeah, still working, but yeah, still working.
Speaker 1:Do you find that like with the BDM role? One thing that I do find that some property managers who are just like adding on that BDM role is that they are very just reactive to the BDM. So, for example, when people call up they'll be able to deal with the BDM inquiry but they're not actually putting that time aside for that proactive work. And I guess my thoughts are on people that are in that situation is that you are never going. If you're not spending full-time hours doing BDMing, you can't expect a full-time result, which is everyone knows that. So there's a point that you might get to where you will be having to say I need to make a decision and I'm just going to take the risk and go like full-time BDM and spend my Monday to Friday or whatever hours you work doing it. Do you think you will get to that point, like, are you sort of feeling like you're really enjoying that BDM role and slowly deal off?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I would say that will be my goal, yeah, yeah, I know you have the next question to me, but what's my goal and that's what I'm working towards, but that will depend how I go. And yeah, I mean, I love it, I enjoy it. Do I want to have full-time BDM? Yes, I do.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah, excellent. Last question for you what do you think is? Oh, actually, two questions. What's been the hardest thing with? Maybe finding new business, because that's a new role for you, and what was? I had a second question, I've lost it, let's just go with that one. What's been the biggest struggle with finding and like just going into this new role where you're a complete newbie with it? What are you struggling most with?
Speaker 2:I would say at the moment, to read people, to understand their needs. But I'm working on it and it sounds like crazy to understand the needs, because everyone needs one thing get investment going and get money out of it and for us to take care of it. But for me, I think the most difficult it's the time, but also, at the same time, I do find the time to follow up with people. I think it's very important and I cannot put that aside. I would say, time management, the time, time and time to go there, be out there and for people to know you. So the networking, I think it's the most difficult.
Speaker 2:And, of course, I'm facing cold calling and I'm facing cold leads and that's a bit challenging. That's a bit difficult, yes, but yeah, I think I'm getting there and I know that I don't need to think that I'll get it right now or I'll get them all. I just need to. And do not take it personal. I do take it personal when someone is not choosing me. Yeah, I feel like, oh, it's something with me, it's something there, but yeah, no, it's not me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no you'll get over that soon. Yeah, that's right. My thoughts would be maybe something just to build in is generally with those jobs the BDM jobs is maybe just having that, even if it's just one hour a day, but it has to be at the start of the day that you do it, one hour at the start of the day that you do it, one hour at the start of the day that you do anything proactive. So that's whatever you want to post on your socials, any videos you want to create, maybe for YouTube, maybe it's the follow-ups, maybe it's the cold calling, dedicating that one hour and then just slowly build up on it. Next time it's two hours or whatever. But for me that would be what I do, because I think that that's probably the biggest mistake that people make is that they try to fit in once they finish their property management jobs. You're never going to finish your property management jobs.
Speaker 2:That's the problem and actually it's a very good tip for BDM, who is doing both PM and BDM, because, as you said, at 4 o'clock, I'm looking at 4 o'clock and to post a video at 4 pm when people are going to work and they have all these kids there, need to prepare lunches and et cetera, they don't look at your socials, they're busy with their job and actually that's a great tip.
Speaker 1:And it's really great, like I said, to hear other people's experiences and stuff like that. So if you're listening to the podcast and you've got questions for the position that Nadia's in or anything in regards to that whole trying to manage BDM to property manager, let us know because we can get Nadia back and have a bit more of a chat about it.
