If you had to choose between stronger administrative skills or stronger people skills in a self-storage manager, which would you choose, why?

__________________
StoragePro

People skills no contest!

Interacting with various types of people is not a trait that is easily taught. It is usually an inherent quality in a person.

Filing paperwork and the necessity for doing things in a prescribed fashion are easily teachable skills. My vote is always for a 'people person' first and foremost.

__________________
Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
twitter.com/CochraneStorage

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!
I am not an attorney, just an experienced manager who is willing to share what I have learned. Your thoughts, practices or opinions may vary and neither of us may be right.

As Gina said - people skills.

If you aren't good with people you wont make it here.

I personally hate people, but I have always had the "BS" skills needed for one on one sales - I was even a Foot Locker shoe salesman at one time. First month there I was the top salesman in the Northwest

- been told many times that I could sell ice to an Eskimo.

I still hate people - most of them are DumbAs*es

Have a wonderful day.

__________________
Wayne
Jamestown, ND


All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!

Wayne, your post has filled me with optimism for my day. You truly are a ray of sunlight.

__________________
John Carlisle
Community Manager, Self-Storage Talk
Online Content Editor, Business Solutions Network
VIRGO
jcarlisle at vpico dot com
480-990-1101, x1214

John - just doing my part - now bite me

__________________
Wayne
Jamestown, ND


All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!

You guys are crazy, however I know that if I am having an off day I can just sign in here and start reading, that day will turn around in no time. I too have to say People Skills, you cant teach personality so they need to come through the door with that, filing general office skills can be taught to most, I did say MOST! and I think you really do like people, you are just the shy , sensitive type that does not want us to know your softer sideLOL!

__________________
Lovin it.

Being in here is like being in my office, full of smart alecks! Just like being at home. Okay, wow, that's just weird!

Example; a new older couple is in renting a unit and the gentleman comes to the part of the contract about not storing hazardous items. He asks; "Would you consider an outboard motor to be hazardous? Before I could spit out a smary comment, my co-worker said "Only if it's running." We all cracked up.

Sure we are very professional, treat people with respect but as soon as the first smarty pants comment comes out from the customer all bets are off! Too much fun, just like our people-hating Wayne. He's just a sweet teddy bear in a cranky old man disguise!

__________________
Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
twitter.com/CochraneStorage

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!
I am not an attorney, just an experienced manager who is willing to share what I have learned. Your thoughts, practices or opinions may vary and neither of us may be right.

Thank goodness that what's his name is back from vacation. It was just so dull and smiley here. Now we are all back to reality.

I have always thought that I can teach you all that you need to run a storage facility fairly easily. I can't teach your ability to get along with the people that come through your door, and to have a good time with what we do.

__________________
Bob Taylor (Astro)
Blue Ridge Self Storage
Cashiers, NC

Disclaimer: What Gina said....'cause the the cheese fell of my cracker.

Glad to see I have so many fans out there

I tell everyone " we like to have a good time around here - we laugh, joke and generally have fun, but if you cause a security issue I get REAL MEAN!"

Everyone take that for what it is and understands - some even thank me for being so serious about security.

You also learn real quick that some customers you can joke and have fun with - others are all business!

In this business it helps to be able to read people.

I wonder how storage managers would do at playing poker?

Like Astro said - we can teach everything you need to know about Storage - you just have to bring personality (and a sense of humor around here!)

__________________
Wayne
Jamestown, ND


All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!

I was once told the key to success is sincerity, once you learn to fake that you have it made. I agree with the people skills.