Shirley Alvarez Career Background
What is your biggest career achievement?
- Since starting my career with the multifamily, I have come across many obstacles especially starting as an Account Executive with CORT Furniture in November of 2019. I have to say my biggest career achievement would have to be exceeding my goal in 2021 with CORT Furniture. Where I was able to reach 150% of my goal. After a challenging year of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we did not know what to expect in 2021 nor what challenges we would face. Like many companies across the world, CORT had come across a few challenges in 2021. According to the James Madison Institute, “from April 2020 to April 2021, almost 330,000 people moved to Florida, equal to roughly 903 people moving to the state each day.” As an Account Executive, 80% of my job requires in person visits, it was very challenging, and I wondered how I would be able to reach my goal. There were many communities that closed their doors and were working from home or even had to cut their staff due to the downturn they came across. Because of these issues I had to find different channels to reach my accounts. For example, I was able to use digital platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram and Vidyard. Vidyard is known to be an online video platform for businesses that assist with maintaining contact with your customers. It was fun to get creative and challenge myself on how I was going to make this happen. I believe by doing this, it helped me to achieve and exceed my goal.
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?
- There have been many moments in my life that I would revisit and do differently based on my current frame of mind. Growing up as a Hispanic woman in this world, I used to feel very unsure of what I was capable of. Especially in college, I didn’t trust myself working on any assignments or group projects. As a Finance major, there was a course that was a requirement, to be exact it was called “FIN 3403- Financial Management of the Firm.” This was a course that my peers spoke about being difficult and unfortunately those negative thoughts got into my head very quick. I went into the class already thinking I was going to fail. Have you ever heard of the saying “Mind over power”? I needed to hear this saying back in college! I went into the course so insecure; I didn’t allow myself to take in the information of the class which led to a bigger issue. I dropped the course and changed my major altogether. I later found out that the teacher curved the grades of the class since the course was so difficult. Knowing what I know now, I would have pushed myself and believed in my abilities more. I would have not let my insecurities get in the way. I made a promise to myself that I would no longer let my background and insecurities hold me back from achieving my goals. I let this course take over my thoughts and how I felt about my career path. Marketing the major I changed to, was a great change for me and the courses I ended up taking led me to where I am today. I have to say I use things I learned from my marketing major in my everyday life. I actually took a “Services Marketing” course which benefited me in my current role! Although this moment is something I wish I took better advantage of, life is full of obstacles and without this one, I would not be where I am today!
From your perspective, what is the industry lacking to support the modern renter and how do you plan to help supply that need?
- We live in a world that is extremely trendy. However, one of the biggest upward trends is the advancement of technology. During the pandemic, many companies had to adapt to the new norm of technology and find solutions on how to help their prospects without in person communication. From virtual tours, to facetiming prospects and so much more! I believe since the pandemic the multifamily industry was able to see that we are not using technology to its full capability. For example, self-leasing and virtual tours but now what else is the modern renter looking for? There are many solutions the industry can offer to the modern renter in the application process. The modern renter is looking for a simple and easier process that solves all of their solutions at once. As I mentioned, there has been improvement however, I believe there are gaps that can be closed. How I plan to supply this need, is by offering integration into their applications of different type of services. I believe we should give the modern renter the option to self-serve any type of service online for example, to getting a moving company set up to ordering furniture or even getting a dog sitter set up. For example, CORT Furniture conducted a google survey in February 2022 asking people who are moving in the next 12 months if they would consider a furnished apartment. CORT had over 2,000 responses, 37% of the responses said that renters are looking for furnished units! Therefore, CORT has found a tool to assist their renters on making that process easier by integrating into their applications. How is CORT integrated? When a prospect is applying, there’s a question on the application that will pop up asking, “Would you like this apartment furnished by CORT?”. I would like to supply this need by offering this feature and encourage to add other features onto an application process. I believe furniture rental is a service that the modern renter is looking to get set up before they move in. By offering different type of servicing options on an application, the modern renter will be able to get everything set up and running by the day they move in!