Samuel Allie, Assistant Property Manager

Further training

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"To work as an assistant property manager at Shindico, you require some level of post-secondary education and some administration or accounting background. Typically, they like to train staff and build people up to get into a management position. There are a whole lot of organizational skills and leadership skills required to succeed in that department."

Workplace images

Where I work

I work at Shindico Realty, located at the corner of Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue. There are about 35 employees in the office.

The company carries out a very broad spectrum of activities in real estate. We do commercial property management, leasing, tenant representation, and project development and marketing sites. We deal with the day-to- day issues that come up with tenants who lease properties owned by Shindico or third party representation.

Wal-Mart, Safeway, Dollarama and Sobeys are some of our major clients.

Assessing tenants

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"For commercial leasing there's a long process. There are a lot of things that are involved in how we assess who we choose. We acquire a lot of information about the potential of them becoming a successful business. We succeed by helping others succeed. It is very important for the property managers to understand the tenant's business profile."

More than assistant

As an assistant property manager I have administrative duties, but my job is much more than that.

I would classify my job as more of a middle management position. There is a great deal of leadership and decision making in what I do that goes beyond the work of an administrative assistant.

Keeping organized

A cell phone, vehicle and computer are important tools for my job. I use Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express to help me organize my time up to the minute.

I primarily work in the office but occasionally visit tenants and do building inspections.

We are required to be very professional at all times. My dealings with clients or potential clients could cost the company significant amounts of money. It's important that I communicate effectively, present myself professionally and represent the company well.

Working with others

Collaboration with my co-workers is very important. We regularly meet to discuss properties and actions that have been taken. It keeps everyone informed and helps us use sound judgement to make decisions.

We have monthly housekeeping meetings to discuss issues and possible solutions. We also have regular meetings with tenants. Occasionally, depending on the complexity of the service contract, vendors occasionally come to our office and offer a business presentation.

From Africa

I was born in Njala, Sierra Leone and we moved to Freetown when I was very young. We were there for seven years before the war started in our country. I lived with my grandma for a couple of years before the rebels came. I moved between living with my mom and grandparents.

We later moved to the Republic of The Gambia as refugees where we filed for permanent residence status to Canada.

Cold weather

Before we came to Winnipeg, my uncle called and said we should dress warmly, so I brought a windbreaker. When we got to the Toronto airport I didn't experience the cold because we were indoors. When we landed in Winnipeg, I was surprised when I saw a huge ice block and thought, "What is this?" It was a shock. It was minus 46 Celsius plus windchill that day and we were coming from 46 degrees above.

I woke up the first morning, saw the sun and thought it would be warm. I ran out the door to go to 7-11 across the street, and the cold hit me. I went inside to get my jacket!

Manitoba is home

I recently got married and my wife and I moved into our own place. My mom, step-dad and two younger brothers are in Winnipeg, too.

Manitoba is very peaceful compared to places I've lived before. I enjoy the fact that there are lots of opportunities here. Manitoba is also very diverse. I've met up with a lot of people from Sierra Leone who I knew from back home, friends that I never thought I would see here. It really is a small world.

Enjoy leisure time

One thing I like about my job is having leisure time to do the things I enjoy. I love music. I am a choir leader at my church and enjoy hanging out with people from church. I play the keyboard and am learning to play the guitar.

I also like researching things on my computer. Learning about a variety of subjects fascinates me. My wife often teases me about the hours I spend reading and researching things online.

Rewarding myself

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"If things are going really well at the office and I have an ‘A' in class or in any of my grades, I call my wife and say, ‘Let's go to the music store and buy that one thing that we talked about two months ago.' I use that as a treat."

Some overtime

I work approximately eight hours a day. I'm on salary so I'm not paid by the hour. Sometimes I work overtime. When our work load increases, I stay and get it done.

Lately, with the support we have in our department and since we have added more people to the team, I work less overtime. When I first started, I had to put in a lot of extra hours.

Freedom in schedule

A lot of my work needs to be done by a deadline. I have freedom to work in a way that works best for me, as long as the work is done on time. If I have a personal appointment in the afternoon, it's not an issue for me to keep it as long as I produce what's needed.

Being in the office keeps me informed so I rarely work from home. When I started this job, I did the research and data inputting for developing projects from home. Now if I log on from home, it's usually to just check my email and to do some other minor tasks.

Unpredictable days

No two days are the same. Sometimes we are in the office while others we are meeting with tenants. We might plan to go into the office to write letters or emails and we'll receive a voice mail requiring a site visit. We will have to arrange for someone to go or I will go to inspect it myself.

Proactive company

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"You can't define how you live your life a hundred percent because the tenants are always first and the properties are a priority. You could be sleeping at 3 a.m. and somebody could call you that there's a burglar alarm somewhere. You have to get up and go there.

"But if you work with a good company that is very proactive, they don't wait until everything falls apart before they fix them, then you have those kinds of experiences less often."

Important skills

Marketing and organization skills are very important. We always have to be a seller while being professional as we communicate. I work with people from various cultural backgrounds and need to work effectively with them all.

I also have to pay attention to details. I have to be able to read a 100-page lease and pick out that one sentence to address a particular issue at any point in time.

Leadership is important too. I manage other people's assets. People rely on my judgement and decisions. I've earned their trust and it's important for me to keep it.

Good advice

I was working as a security guard when I met a senior staff member of Shindico who then assisted in my placement with the company. He gave me good advice: be hardworking, nice, communicate with people and everything would come together. He was right. I've learned so much on the job. My previous work experience has also helped prepare me to do this job.

Dealing with stress

My stress level is moderate. I have control over what I do and can plan accordingly. But emergency issues with tenants can be stressful because those aren't planned. And it's easy to lose sight of something that seems insignificant. For example, not making a phone call to a tenant could mean that tenant moving out.

If I'm stressed, I go for a walk or watch TV for 10 minutes in the lunchroom, or I'll work on something else. When I return to my initial task, I have a fresher perspective.

Respectful workplace

At Shindico, the company owners like staff members to treat everyone in the office like we would customers. We use the same respect and commitment when we talk to each other that we use when we talk to clients. I like that. It sets a considerate tone for dealing with everyone and it creates a supportive work environment.

What it takes

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"If you want to become a successful property manager, you have to be able to set goals, and work towards achieving them.

"You have to have a very positive attitude always: be outgoing, motivated, you have to be marketable*, which means your communication skills are very, very critical."

*Note: When a person is "marketable", they have the skills, experience and knowledge to promote themselves to potential employers.

Communication skills

I'm proudest of developing my communication skills. As an immigrant, I faced the challenge of learning to speak and write in English professionally. Prior to coming here, I did a lot of different jobs that were routine work so I needed to improve my communication skills.

Shindico management has helped me improve those areas. It was a challenge, but I have been able to get my skills to a professional level where I can take them anywhere and work successfully.

Entrepreneurial spirit

When I was 17 in Gambia I met a man from Nigeria who was trying to build a hairdressing salon. I had building experience and he had barbering experience. He had no money to pay me but I told him I'd rather be busy and it was okay not to pay me. We built a kiosk and made it a salon. When he was ready to move, I took the business over.

I learned to manage a business and cut and style hair. People were intrigued by someone my age doing this so it drew a lot of attention. That's one reason the business was so successful.

Grade 12 important

Studying for grade 12 at the McLeod Adult learning Centre* gave me the chance to explore my potential. I have tried things I never thought I would have tried.

Taking that first step helped me to be able to see the rest of the stepping stones I can take. With my grade 12 I can get into any post-secondary program and take my career in any direction I choose. The possibilities are enormous.

*Note: This is part of the River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg.

Researched options

I met with counsellors at McLeod Adult Learning Centre, the University of Manitoba, Red River College and students in the Business Administration Program. I told them how I wanted to address my needs for finance and schooling. I asked them all kinds of questions. I also looked online for more information to see how I should pursue my studies.

CGA studies

While I work, I'm doing my studies online through Red River College to achieve my Level Three Chartered General Accountant accreditation. I haven't done my final assessment yet. Once I have completed that, this will mean a possible shift in my current position, and hopefully a promotion, as it is my desire to advance my career with Shindico.

Great opportunity

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I had two objectives: I wanted to have some post-secondary education and to get a job where I can sustain myself and sponsor my education.

"I was always looking for job opportunities that would bring me a little bit more income while schooling. As a result I had done all these petty jobs before I found this one. When the opportunity was brought to me, I saw it as a great advantage for me to have one job, focus on school and have some social life."

My goals

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"What I want most in life is to be able to provide opportunities to other people. I want to succeed financially, go back to any other third world country, possibly Africa, and help other people who have not had opportunities to succeed.

"Currently, as it stands, I want to finish my CGA, and I want grow within the industry and possibly with Shindico. I love the industry I'm working in. I want to expand or grow in this area of work. To what degree? I guess it's unlimited."

In five years

In five years I want to finish my studies, advance my career and have a child. I would also like to possibly make a visit with our family to Africa.

Travel plans

My first trip I would like to take is to visit Niagara Falls. I'm really looking forward to experiencing the falls. I've seen pictures and heard good things but I would like to be there to see them.

My wife and I are planning on going home to visit but we want to be fully prepared before doing so. That trip will take some time to plan.

I would change

I've found that if you feel like you haven't gotten to where you want to be financially, it impacts a lot of things, particularly the choices you can make. If you feel financially secure, you feel you have different options available to you in creating your future.

If I could change one thing, I would have stayed in school and finished my CGA before looking for work. If I had finished my education, I would probably be working here as a property manager, which would pay for whatever my education would have cost.

Career prospects

I don't necessarily see a high demand for property managers based on the current economic situation. I would say in the next 7 to 15 years, there may an increased demand.

There is always a period of transition during economic downturns like the one we're experiencing. Properties become vacant as business slows down, but it comes back. When the economy comes back, Winnipeg will benefit and there will be more opportunities in this area.

Job Market Info

The links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.

The official title for Samuel's occupation is "Property Clerk" and its NOC* code is 1441.

Job Futures

Working in Canada Career Research Tool

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupation Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Education

Useful High School subjects

- Business
- Computer basics
- English

*Source: JobFutures.ca  

For those out of school, Adult Learning Centres can help you get or upgrade your high school diploma, including adding subjects that are required for work or further education. All Manitobans are normally entitled to four free courses.

Below are links to various programs and courses that will you on the path to a career as an Assistant Property Manager:

Colleges & Universities

Red River College

Business Administration

Manitoba Real Estate Association

Principles of Property Management

Essential Skills

The most important Essential Skills* for Property Clerk and other related occupations are:

- Document use
- Oral communication
- Job task planning and organizing

*For more information on Essential Skills and their importance to this occupation, go to: Essential Skills NOC.

Professional Resources

Professional Property Managers Association
A professional association in Manitoba for property owners and managers

Related Careers

Administrative Officers (NOC 1221)

Executive Assistants (NOC 1222)

Personnel Clerks (NOC 1442)

Supervisors, General Office and Administrative Support Clerks (NOC 1211)