Delivering Value and Service
To IREM AMO of the Year winner Draper and Kramer, client service is critical—and so is employee advancement.
2015 IREM® REME Award Winner: AMO® of the Year
Draper and Kramer Inc., AMO®
Chicago
Draper and Kramer Inc., the 83-year-old family-owned provider of property and financial services, places great weight on its designation as an IREM Accredited Management Organization. “Our IREM® membership has been a key component of our success. Today, we employ 22 CPMs and 14 ARMs,” said president & CEO Forest Baily. “Our AMO® status is promoted to the public and our clients via our website, in our e-mails and in our capabilities package. IREM® is and always will be an important part of our company vision and strategy.”
The company prides itself on its reputation as a trusted and upstanding organization. “The interests of our clients, the community and the company are placed above personal interests,” stated vice president & senior regional property supervisor Kimmberly Donnelly, CPM®.
It is also focused on delivering value and service. “We create value by delivering exceptional living experiences,” Donnelly said. By incorporating feedback into its services, Draper and Kramer has increased ratings to 78 percent—higher than the national average. That has resulted in long-term relationships with residents. “Our company culture is proactive and responsive, delivering the best possible service to each and every customer.”
Internally, Draper and Kramer is a results-oriented business, fostering a collaborative environment that rewards team members who contribute to its success. “Being good at what we do is just the beginning—we always look for ways to improve. We are not afraid to take responsible risks and see challenge as opportunity,” Donnelly said. “We take pride in proactively crafting innovative solutions across all our business lines.” The company moved to the Yardi integrated property management solution to manage more than 130 rental and condo buildings, along with other business facets, which Donnelly said enabled it to more effectively manage and grow portfolios, as well as enabling employees to work from any location, streamlining training and standardizing property reporting.
Employee development is a top priority. Many employees are promoted from within—25 people in 2014—and more than $150,000 is invested per year in education and training. “The dedication and tight-knit culture are reflected in our commitment to our community and to our co-workers,” observed Senior Vice President Julie Johnson, CPM®. “We seek to attract, develop and retain the best talent by providing the tools, training and support needed for each person to thrive and grow. By embracing individuality and diversity, we foster an enriching and welcoming culture.”
Three hundred employees receive training on fair housing practices. All leasing agents, property managers and supervisors are licensed. Draper and Kramer offers tuition reimbursement, and in 2014 invested $23,703 in tuition. It also invests $20,000 in conferences per year so employees have opportunities to network and presents internal awards throughout the year based on exceptional service, financials and teamwork in order to motivate its employees and elevate service to the next level.
Check out Draper and Kramer’s AMO® of the Year award video.
The IREM® REME Awards recognize real estate management companies and individual practitioners for innovative, leading-edge business practices and initiatives. For more information about the 2016 IREM® REME Awards, visit www.irem.org/REME.
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