That’s an outstanding question! Below are some of our best characteristics…
Pod Management Model
At Acumen Group, we believe that it is our job to design a system that promotes enthusiasm, efficiency and an overall better product in this market. Community Managers are often called “Jacks of all trades, and Masters of none!” This is because the traditional model of community management provides that each manager operates their own portfolio of clients, relying heavily on their own skills and talents (and limited time) to provide excellence in every area of management. Unfortunately, individuals have a hard time developing the needed talents for handling ALL that community management entails and one or more areas suffer greatly because of it. Our model allows managers to perform duties they excel at, and in streamlining their job tasks, they are more productive and provide better service.
With the Pod Management Model, our clients have access to a group of managers who work together to manage their community to its fullest capabilities!
Acumen Group LLC is excited to provide the Pod Management Model to its clients. Pod management lends itself to the following benefits:
- Increased efficiency from Managers – Mitigate delay in day-to-day operations
- Better communications with Board Members by management group – Rather than waiting for one overwhelmed manager to respond, Communications are produced routinely and on time
- Reduced Bottle-necking of Action Items – Management Team has more available resources to complete tasks quicker
- Eliminated Voids in Staffing – No more sudden halts in work-flow due to illness, vacation or termination of employment.
Deferred Billing of Variable Homeowner Charges
Most management companies invoice their clients as services are performed, whether the homeowners reimburse them or not. The association spends thousands of dollars for delinquency letters and statutory notices well before any results are seen from these communications. With other management companies, Association funds are largely depleted on administrative fees rather than other necessary expenses.
Collection/Compliance Charges – All variable management fees related to collection and compliance actions will be held until paid by the homeowner.
Administrative Charges – Administrative fees for routine mass mailings, emails and certain other items, will be cumulatively “bundled” and then paid monthly in installments to eliminate a dramatic increase in billable hours from one month to the next. Additional administrative fees will be detailed in the Management Agreement.
Education a Priority
Managers with Acumen Group are educated in all facets of community management through continuing education classes offered by industry professionals who specialize in association operations. Specific designations are offered to managers upon completion of other classes offered through Community Association Institute™, an international organization designed to educate industry professionals.
Specialized Management Positions
Senior Compliance Manager/ Associate Compliance Manager – Our Compliance Managers are trained to work with communities to set up procedures that uphold the overall standards of the Association so that Boards can have confidence that all homeowners are treated fairly and consistently and that no issues are being overlooked.
Senior Vendor Manager/ Associate Vendor Manager – Vendor Managers have become a necessity in today’s community management culture. When Boards demand timely service as well as thorough guidance with the proposal process, they need a professional who better understands the operations of their common areas and has the ability to make things happen faster than most.
Senior Community Manager/ Associate Community Manager – The responsibilities of our Community Managers include most of the remaining operations such as board meetings, budgets, paying invoices and assisting homeowners with amenity use and access.
Community Specialist Team Members – Acumen Group has a team of Community Specialists who are trained to implement a “One Point Resolution” whenever possible. This means that a homeowner who calls management to request a payment plan, a copy of their statement, to make a payment, to reserve a clubhouse or to handle other business items should be able to get a resolution while on the first phone call.