Who am I? Well ...

 
I’ve spent a long time in property management, and I’m still learning.
After more than three decades working in property management, I’ve seen this industry from just about every angle.
I’ve managed portfolios, led teams, run businesses, owned a property management company, consulted to agencies, trained property managers, guided teams and their leaders through restructures and worked in senior operational leadership roles.
I’ve seen businesses grow spectacularly.
I’ve also walked into businesses where things weren’t going quite so well.
And if I’m being fair, I’ve probably made enough mistakes of my own along the way to know the difference.
That’s part of what experience should give you.

Not knowing all the answers — but the knowledge and ability to ask better questions.

 
PROPERTY MANAGER | BUSINESS OWNER | LEADER | TRAINER | COACH | CONSULTANT
I know what the job actually feels like.
My property management career began on the front line in the early 1990s.
Australia was in recession, and the first rent roll I inherited had around 220 properties with both vacancy and arrears sitting uncomfortably in double figures.
It was something of a baptism of fire.
Two years later, the turnaround of that portfolio contributed to me receiving my first Property Manager of the Year award. Another couple of years later and the rent roll had doubled organically and profitability had increased by even more. 
Those early years taught me something that has stayed with me ever since:

Property management problems are rarely solved by one big idea.

They’re solved by good people making good decisions, supported by clear processes, strong leadership and a business that gives them the tools to succeed.
That philosophy has shaped pretty much everything I’ve done since.
 PROPERTY MANAGER | BUSINESS OWNER | LEADER | TRAINER | COACH | CONSULTANT
People. Processes. Potential.
Those three words sit underneath the new Property Management Coach brand for a reason.
They’re also a pretty good summary of how I approach a business.
People
Property management has always been a people business.
You can have brilliant technology and beautifully documented procedures, but if your people aren’t confident, capable, supported and communicating well, none of it will deliver the result you want.
I’ve always had a particular interest in developing people — not by telling them exactly what to do, but by helping them develop the judgement and confidence to work it out.
Processes
Good process should make people’s jobs easier, not create more work for them.
I’ve spent much of my career looking at how property management businesses actually operate: structures, workflows, technology, compliance, service delivery, profitability and all the little things that happen between “this is our process” and what actually happens on a Tuesday afternoon when everything goes sideways.
Sometimes the answer is a new process.
Quite often it’s simplifying the one you’ve already got.
Potential
This is probably the part I enjoy most.
There’s something enormously satisfying about seeing potential in a person, team or business — and helping bring it out.
That might mean mentoring someone into leadership, helping an experienced property manager rediscover their confidence, working with a director to reshape a department or helping a team realise they’re capable of considerably more than they thought.

I’m far more interested in where you can go next than I am in telling you where you’ve been going wrong.

Don't just take my word for it ...

“Kirk would have to have the most acute comprehension on the workings of the residential tenancies act and has an innate ability to assess property management complexities and train and nurture the relationship between clients and the property managers.” 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Robyn Adair – Real Estate Strategic Solutions

“Kirk Stafford is the ‘go-to’ guy for anything real estate and specifically Property Management. He has a huge wealth of knowledge and is always on hand and happy to assist with any PM question, no matter how tricky or trivial. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending him to anyone if they need a coach or general business advice.” 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Renee Whitehouse – Your Property Mentors 

 

“Kirk Stafford is a huge wealth of knowledge and has been my mentor ever since I worked for him in 2002. He has helped me immensely over the years, from giving me my first opportunity in Property Management – teaching me everything I know, to remaining a good friend and business acquaintance over the years. I can always rely on Kirk for sound advice and help with any curveball thrown at me and there are plenty in this industry! His skills and ability to think quickly, keep up to date with the latest legislation means he the “go to” person, especially in the current climate.” 

                                                                                                                                                                                           Amy Lawson – Director, Adore Property Management