Team Talk with Louise Mitchell
Louise is a natural when it comes to property management and the reason why she is Head of the department at Love & Co Reservoir.
Her genuine passion for the industry and local knowledge has made her a force to be reckoned with, a sentiment echoed by many past and present tenants.
With a portfolio that is constantly growing, Louise ensures she places the same amount importance on every property, not only earning her the respect of colleagues and landlords, but also reassuring tenants that they are most definitely in good hands. We actually can’t keep up with all of the positive reviews she receives – see for yourself here!
We spoke to Louise about what she loves most about her local area and the Love & Co team.
What do you love about living/working in the North?
The culture! In the North we are lucky to live and work with a wide variety of people from all walks of life providing us with endless entertainment from festivals, local music and gigs, and exciting restaurants.
What does a typical day at work look like for you (pre-Covid and the new norm)?
At Love & Co we pride ourselves on being relationship managers rather than the everyday property managers. Lockdown has provided me with the opportunity to strengthen my connection with landlords and tenants by talking on the phone more and spending more time having one on one conversations rather than a quick email. Pre-Covid a typical day was busy rushing in and out of the office on appointments, having a laugh with my team and analysing the department to ensure we are hitting our targets and provided exceptional service. Now I have had the chance to slow down and focus more on my clients and less on appointments and general office chit chat, which I certainly miss some days! I think after lockdown it will exciting to find the perfect balance between relationship management and team bonding!
How are you working with the current restrictions? Do you think there will be any positives that will come from this time?
As stated above my relationship with clients has certainly improved since having more time to pick up the phone and have those lengthy chats or even just shooting through an “are you ok?” email has proven to be valued by our clients! I have also picked up new hobbies such as reading and have completed a short course which has helped me not only become more confident in myself and my abilities but become a stronger manager. Although I miss “normal” life I have seen the lockdown as a once in a lifetime opportunity to stop and work on myself.
What do you like most about working at Love & Co?
The family culture. I truly feel blessed that both Graham and Michael Love gave me a chance as a young girl from the country. They have given and continue to give me the opportunity to develop and grow myself and my skills I couldn’t be prouder of myself. Love & Co truly has a family feel and I don’t only consider the Loves as my family but the whole team, we lift each other up when we are down and support each other in every success. I’m excited to enjoy a night out with the team once lockdown is over!
What are the most important skills and qualities that you feel make your team successful?
A value we all possess in my team is that we treat each other as though they are a member of our family, whether that be another team member or a client. If a team member is sick or is away everyone is happy to jump in and volunteer to help. If a client needs something urgently everyone is happy to stop what they are doing to help. Over the last 6 months our department has taken quite a few knocks and blows, and I am so proud of the team for stepping up to the table and taking on extra tasks and clients. The best part of managing the department is watching my team flourish during the current climate.
What’s your favourite local business and why?
Two come to mind, Lukes Bakery and Sycamore Meadows. For a quick easy lunch, I can never go past Lukes, their service is exceptional, they cater to all dietary requirements and the food is cheap and tasty, not to mention it’s only a short walk from our office. And Sycamore Meadows is such a great environment and is perfect for staff birthdays or celebrations, we all love their coffee and service and again they offer delicious food for all dietary requirements and have spoilt us on so many occasions.
Feel free to reach out to Louise for all of your Property Management needs here.