Month End Sales Pressure

The first day back to work this week was a typical day for an end of the month - high sales pressure. Between conference calls with upper management and phone calls to prospective residents offering nice discounts to sign up, the day went pretty fast. We did get another contract - 5 for the month - and we are now at 77% occupancy. We were at 67% when we arrived in January, but we are still at the bottom of the pack in our region. Remember the 14 move-outs that we had in November and December? That is what dropped the percentage so low and has resulted in the slow climb back to normal which should be in the 95% range. We still have a couple of move-outs scheduled for March which need to be off-set by new move-ins in order to stay even. One resident is being evicted for non payment of rent and another is going to higher care - an assisted living community.

The day was not without another ecall. A brand new resident was reaching for her phone and got her hand caught in the ecall cord and set it off accidentally. She didn't even realize what she did until we showed up at her door to ask if everything was OK. We need to make sure that all new residents understand the ecall system and realize that it is used in emergencies only and to watch out for accidental pulls on the cord.

Today we will probably see even more pressure to get contracts as it is the official end of the month. As far as I know, there are only a couple more that would be considered that close to a decision for our community. Like most other things in this bad economy, it is a good time to make a deal for an apartment. We are giving away the farm in order to get a commitment. All you need is some money (very little) and in need of a place to go.

It's an early start today and we are scheduled to get off work at 3 PM. With it being the last day of the month, it will take a miracle to get off work that early...