By Richard Evans – South Australian Business Journal 16/06/2020
Bulking up staff numbers and an increasing reliance upon new office planning are just two of the approaches taken by commercial property companies to ensure they emerge from the post COVID-19 landscape in better fettle than ever.
A determination by Adelaide CBD outfit McGees Property not to waiver in the face of declining revenues has – un-typically in a market where nearly all the major property companies have laid off staff – seen the 38 staff strong company stick to its five year strategic growth strategy to enhance existing divisions and expand to additional service lines.
McGees has not only committed to keeping the team together on full wages but promoted and appointed new staff, managing director Simon Lambert said.
Ella Germein has been promoted within its facilities management division as the number of properties under asset management has increased significantly and it is undertaking several third party projects including upgrades to major CBD and metropolitan assets together with NABERS and BEEC rating assessments. Alex Caprile has been promoted to a full-time qualified valuer, Jaimee Young is now a full-time admin team member and McGees is recruiting within asset management.
Growth strategy forms part of the firm’s overall strategic plan, Mr Lambert said, and while it was reviewed in light of COVID-19, the firm did not want to change tack given its longer term views. “As to when and how all this will bear fruit, I don’t think it’s a matter of looking for a particular payday,” said Mr Lambert who recently celebrated 35 years with McGees. “It’s a matter of building a sustainable business that always bears fruit, sometimes more, sometimes less. I think the principles I learned early on at McGees remain at the core of the business now, and that is we care. We care for our staff and we care for our clients.
“So I guess I expect these investments in staff and growth to continue well into the future while we keep true to our principles.”