Alayshia Payne Career Background
What is your biggest career achievement?
- My biggest career achievement to date has been successfully leasing up of a 442 unit property within a remarkably short span of just a few months. This achievement showcased my exceptional skills, dedication, and ability to meet challenging goals. In August 2021, Hurricane Ida struck New Orleans, Louisiana, and had a devastating impact on the property. More than half of the units were damaged, leading to an alarming decline in the property's occupancy rate. Despite these unforeseen circumstances, I remained resolute in my commitment to bringing the property back to its former glory. Throughout the reconstruction period, my main focus was to devise innovative strategies to attract potential tenants, ensuring a steady stream of new residents once the property was ready. Through proactive marketing campaigns, personalized outreach to the local community and industry networks, I successfully navigated the challenging circumstances and increased occupancy rates. By leveraging my expertise in leasing, negotiation skills, and effective communication, I managed to bring back the property's occupancy to its highest level ever. This achievement not only demonstrated my resilience and adaptability but also highlighted my ability to turn obstacles into opportunities and deliver exceptional results even in the face of adversity.
Given your past experiences, what event/ project or moment would you revisit and how would you go about it differently based on your current frame of mind?
- Reflecting on my past experiences, I would revisit the moment when I first started working in the apartment industry. When I first started in the industry, I was extremely shy. I attended many industry events in my first year as a leasing professional and I barely communicated with anyone outside of my company. Being extremely young in a new professional environment I did not know the importance of networking and making connections. As I continued to grow in the industry, I realized that networking is a key factor in any industry, including the apartment industry. Building relationships and connecting with people who have extensive knowledge and experience can open doors to opportunities, collaborations, and personal growth. I now understand that there are many remarkable individuals who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry. If I would have known the importance of making connections from the beginning, I would have embraced networking opportunities from day one.
From your perspective, what is the industry lacking to support the modern renter and how do you plan to help supply that need?
- From my perspective the industry is lacking technology along with the technological support for modern renters. Integrating more technology into the apartment industry can bring numerous benefits, such as streamlining processes, improving communication, and offering convenience for renters. Technology is continuously advancing, and it can be overwhelming for individuals to keep up with the latest developments. Recognizing this I believe increasing technological support and guidance is a proactive step towards enhancing the renter experience. It's essential to ensure that users have the necessary guidance to navigate and utilize these technological solutions effectively. One way to address this need is by creating user-friendly interfaces and intuitive platforms that provide clarity and ease of use. I think that offering comprehensive onboarding and training resources can also empower renters to understand and leverage the technology available to them. These resources may include user guides, video tutorials, or even dedicated support personnel who are readily available to address any questions or concerns. I plan to help supply the need of technological support by being apart of the dedicated support personnel.