A frequently asked question in property management training is, “As a training administrator, how can I help employees find time for on-the-job training?” Part 3 of this three-part blog series addresses this question by looking at ways to prioritize training with busy onsite employees.
How to Make Time for Training in Property Management
Part 3 — Prepare To Prioritize
Learning to make time for training in property management is a challenge. And because it’s not something that just “happens” — either quickly or without intention — we’ve created this three-part series to give each step proper attention.
So, if you’re just joining us here at Part 3, we’d encourage you to start from the beginning of our FAQ Series, “Making Time for Training in Property Management.” To simplify that, you’ll find quick links to Part 1 and Part 2 below:
Okay! Now that you’ve read Parts 1 and 2, let’s dive into Part 3. This third and final step of the process is where the magic happens because it’s all about keeping the training appointment — planning so that training is prioritized, not left to flounder on someone’s “To Do” list.
4 Ways To Prioritize Your Property Management Training
- Maximize Training Time
- Optimize the Time You Have
- Use Motivation and Rewards
- Check Back and Reassess
1. Maximize Training Time
It’s easy to let training fall by the wayside amid maintenance emergencies, resident needs, and operational demands. However, training time is a vital investment in your team’s growth and effectiveness, and it should be treated as sacred.
To make training a genuine priority, start by ensuring the scheduled training time is respected by everyone involved: the employee, their supervisor, and even higher management. This time should be viewed as non-negotiable, just like a critical meeting or deadline.
This doesn’t mean that things won’t come up that make it hard or impossible to keep the training appointment. They will, especially at first, so acknowledge and expect it because it’s normal! But don’t let it discourage or derail your commitment.
Instead, approach each day as a fresh opportunity to honor the training appointment. Even if you need to reschedule, make sure the training time stays visible on the calendar and top of mind for everyone.
This consistency reinforces its importance and sets a clear standard that professional development is a priority, not an afterthought. Over time, this mindset shift will lead to training sessions being kept more often than missed, creating a culture that values continuous learning and improvement.
By treating training time as sacred, you empower your team to develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, fostering both individual growth and overall property management excellence.
2. Optimize the Time You Have
In property management, time is a precious resource, and dedicating even 30 minutes to training is a significant investment. To maximize the value of this time, it’s crucial to focus on engaging, efficient, and impactful training courses and content.
Property management training content should be thoughtfully designed with short, easily digestible modules lasting no more than 20 minutes. This allows employees to absorb the material without feeling overwhelmed.
💡Did you know: It’s possible to “over-train,” and doing so not only decreases knowledge retention but also can negatively impact your company culture. Learn about some of the risks of over-training.
To keep learners engaged, your training should incorporate diverse elements like voice narration, videos, and interactive, responsive questions. These features help make the experience more dynamic and improve information retention by catering to different learning styles.
In fact, you can transform a 30-minute session into a highly effective training experience by leveraging modern instructional design techniques.
→ For more about what makes training programs effective, you might also like this blog: 10 Quick Tips To Better Training for Property Management
Another essential factor in making the most of training time is reinforcing its value. Acknowledging and celebrating successful training efforts — through praise, rewards, or even small incentives — encourages employees to stay committed to their learning goals.
When employees feel their efforts are recognized, they’re more likely to engage fully with future training opportunities, helping foster a culture of continuous improvement across your team.
3. Use Motivation and Rewards
Acknowledging progress and celebrating success are key to maintaining momentum in property management training. The first win is simply keeping the training appointment, and employees should be recognized for this commitment.
Regular check-ins with employees can help you gauge their training progress. During these conversations, offer genuine praise when they stay on track and provide thoughtful encouragement if they face challenges.
To further enhance motivation, incorporate a variety of incentives that align with your team’s culture. Some ideas include:
- Friendly competition: Whether tracking progress on a leaderboard or creating team-based challenges, friendly competition among teams and employees can foster engagement.
- Public acknowledgment: Never assume people know you appreciate them or respect their contributions. Instead, plan to acknowledge your employees’ contributions by highlighting employees’ dedication and achievements during team meetings or through company communication channels. Public acknowledgment is a powerful tool.
- Tangible rewards: Often, it’s the simple things that make a big difference. Rewarding employees with gift cards, extra time off, or fun prizes can boost morale and keep enthusiasm high.
By blending recognition, encouragement, and meaningful rewards, you can create a culture where training is prioritized and eagerly embraced.
4. Check Back and Reassess
After implementing a new training routine for several months, it’s essential to pause and evaluate its effectiveness. Take the time to reflect; ask yourself:
- Is the scheduled time working as planned?
- Has anything changed — operationally, personally, or professionally — that now makes this training time less ideal?
- Is there a better window of opportunity for training?
Be patient and give the initial routine a fair chance before making changes. Adjustments are part of the process, not a sign of failure. Remember, consistency builds habits, and habits drive success. Your commitment to carving out time for training in property management sets an example for your team, showing that professional development is a priority.
Moreover, this belief in making time for impactful property management training has a ripple effect. When your team sees the routine working and delivering results, it reinforces the idea that time invested in learning is worthwhile — and they’re more likely to follow suit.
By regularly reassessing and fine-tuning your approach, you can ensure that your training program remains effective and aligned with your evolving goals.
Commit to a Culture of Continuous Growth
Making time for training in property management isn’t just a task to check off a list — it’s an intentional commitment to the growth and success of your team and business. By analyzing your needs, planning purposefully, and prioritizing training with consistency and care, you can foster a culture where learning becomes second nature.
Remember, effective training requires effort, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt over time. Celebrate progress, keep motivation high, and consistently reassess your approach to ensure it continues to meet the needs of your team and the demands of your property management operations.
With these strategies in place, you’re investing not only in your team’s professional development but also in the long-term success of your business. After all, when your people grow, your organization thrives.