HOA Strategic

An August 7, 2011 article published in Business Insider described what leaders in business and government could do to boost spirit in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Business leaders could focus on fundamental values by pricing products and services fairly and competitively and by bringing value to consumers, the author of the article suggested more than five years ago. Elected leaders in government could "focus on doing the peoples' work...In real terms, rather than just paying lip service to addressing important human needs," and by debating issues "through constructive discussion, without all the made-for-media, mostly negative sound bites." A year later the Montgomery Advertiser published an opinion piece about banking and Wall Street written by the same author. In this August 3, 2012 guest article, the author suggested that perhaps the most hated industry in the post-Great Recession era was "in the best position to renew hope and prosperity...

Hopefully this never happens at your HOA...someone's teed off about something. And all at once during an association meeting, there are allegations, even rumors. A couple of things to consider if this happens. Listen thoughtfully to what's being said, even if comments and allegations are rough, even nasty. When people are upset about something, it's human nature to bring up all the worst. Can you and/or others -- your property manager maybe -- balance the conversation? By mentioning positive, constructive things about your HOA...good things that bring value to your HOA community. As long as you have in mind what those good things might be. Keeping track of them can be, in and of itself, a good thing. (We welcome your comments about this post. Or contact hoastrategic@gmail.com.)

Suppose candidates for president of the United States were running for election to an HOA Board. And some of the candidates were using words like losers, dummies and morons to describe their opponents in the HOA election. And suppose there were veiled and not so veiled observations about certain anatomical features of an opponent's body. And F-bombs and other cuss words, too. What would an HOA election like that be like? Whether an election is nationwide to pick a nation's president or very local to elect homeowners to serve on an HOA Board, the way in which candidates choose to conduct themselves is what it's all about.

Whew!! What if it took as long to pick an HOA Board president as it takes to pick the nation's president? Thank goodness it isn't a multiyear process. Two or more years of campaigning. And all the caucuses, primaries and political rhetoric. How would you get any work done at an HOA if you had to take so much time? So when you hear complaints about HOAs, think about how streamlined their presidential picking process is. Plus...there's probably less mudslinging.

Is your head about to explode? From the barrage of rhetoric at political debates? Awfully destructive! We've heard better, more constructive debates at homeowner association meetings. Civilized discussions among everyday folks. Among people elected to HOA boards and between them and homeowners living in HOA communities. Now that's pretty amazing. That everyday people in organizations like homeowner associations can constructively debate issues. That they can, so to speak, reach across the aisle. And that after coming to agreements or even agreeing to disagree, they're getting things done...constructively.  Kind of restores your faith.

First, you find something most people might think is off-the-wall. Even preposterous. Then you suggest why whatever that preposterous something happens to be maybe isn't so preposterous after all. That's what a retired executive is doing to build positive opinion of homeowner associations. During his career, Harvey Radin managed PR and crisis communication for multinational companies. He suggests in an article that "well-run homeowner associations" can teach governments a thing or two about spending public money prudently and efficiently. He points out that while governments are much bigger than HOAs, financial management for organizations, no matter their size, is similar in many respects. Elected leaders in well-run homeowner associations know how important it is to allocate the money homeowners pay in HOA dues to fund ongoing and long-term needs in their HOA communities. They also understand what it takes to balance the budget. In other words,they take thei...

Clarity, transparency and caution...three words to keep in mind when writing a newsletter, memos and letters, meeting minutes or just about any other communication for an organization. Balancing clarity and transparency with caution is maybe the toughest challenge. Because it's important to communicate clearly. And it's important to be transparent. But caution also plays a role because unfortunate words can cause problems, unfortunately. Words that cause misunderstandings, for example, can do that. Sometimes it's some seemingly little thing. Some word with a flippant meaning or tone. Something someone didn't really mean to say, but it's out there...and all hell breaks loose. Blending all three -- clarity, transparency and caution -- may not be easy, but it's very necessary.