Any parking management company would agree that the highest overhead line item in a given budget is labor and outside payroll, one of the main drivers to this overall expense is hiring. Ironically, the hiring process is often overlooked in financial reviews and yet, it's likely one of the most controllable expenses.

I can sum up in one phrase what leadership entailed when I first came to the parking industry: "Tell 'em what to do and if they don't like it, tell 'em they can leave." It's kinda comical some twenty years later to think this was the essence of leadership and at the same time amazing how far the industry has come in supporting our parking leaders to better their ability to drive results through their teams' performance.

Parking companies differentiate themselves from each other in a variety of ways, but one of the most effective is developing and maintaining strong client relationships.  When a company does this well enough to improve contract retention rates by 5%, a study published by Business Week demonstrated that this translated to a boost in profits of 125%.  Those managers who are successful at establishing themselves as trusted advisors play a key role in fostering positive relationships and retaining clients. 

Believe it or not, job descriptions play a big role in both talent acquisition and HR compliance.  As part of my presentation at the Ohio Parking Association Conference this week, I reviewed sections of a job description and the purpose they serve for the company and employees.  Whether you’re drafting a parking attendant job description or General Manager, below are tips for writing three specific sections and their value. 

Marlyn Group is presenting a session at the Ohio Parking Association Conference next week on successful parking human resources strategies. We hope to see you there on Wednesday, May 10, but in case you can’t make it, here are a few highlights of regulatory requirements and best practices that we will discuss.

As the end of the year approaches, many companies are making plans for an annual holiday celebration. These events are opportunities for everyone to relax a bit and celebrate the accomplishments of the year. It’s not unusual for alcohol to be served at company holiday parties, which raises the question: does your company have a plan for a safe holiday celebration?