Case Studies: Investor Organizations

A firm had grown rapidly and wanted to ensure that its organizational structure, processes and systems were the right platform for future growth.

After careful review, Sight on Site recommended changes in the organizational structure, reporting relationships, performance and reporting procedures, information flow, and systems. Best Practices were implemented. Employees were excited about improvements in communications and the reduced time to prepare reports. Asset Managers could focus on property issues while Principals were able to spend considerably more time on finding new investors and growing the business instead of getting mired in operating issues.

A firm had started up a portfolio and wanted to ensure that it was able to oversee and manage properties efficiently and effectively as it continued to acquire assets and grow the company.

Focusing on organizational objectives and culture, Sight on Site established property management systems, an incentive based compensation program, and a new budgeting process. Sight on Site also created templates for such functions as strategic planning, goal-setting and performance reviews, vendor tracking, bonus calculations, budgeting, property start up, and 3rd party contracts. Additionally, Sight on Site trained personnel on the use of the systems and processes. Principals were able to focus on acquiring assets and growing the business; employees focused on solving problems.

A real estate organization was concerned that its lease administration services business unit was not providing a satisfactory level of services or operating as profitably as it could.

After thorough assessment, Sight on Site identified areas which were functioning properly and those which were not. Sight on Site made recommendations on ways to alter the organization and its processes to improve profitability. Client was very satisfied with the quick response, thorough analysis, and practical solutions offered. Client revised it operations and improved profitability significantly.

A Client needed help overseeing its assets on a short term basis; it also wanted an evaluation of its systems in place which supported the asset management function.

Sight on Site acted as a part-time Asset Manager on 30 properties while developing and implementing various tools and templates (for investor reporting, property reporting, abstracts of major documents, etc.), and creating guides to dispositions, strategic planning and property reviews. Client determined that a full time Asset Manager would be practical and effective. Sight on Site prepared a job description, identified candidates for the position, and helped in the training of the newly-hired Asset Manager. The partners were able to focus on raising money and doing deals and were no longer bogged down with day-to-day asset issues.

A real estate group lost a key employee overseeing a 10 MM sf facility management assignment.

Sight on Site stepped in before the employee departed, picked up all operational issues and strategic needs, and handled day-to-day operations until new management was hired. Sight on Site restructured certain operating processes, successfully managed cost savings initiatives, and implemented new programs for energy management, work order management, vendor contracts, and insurance standards. Sight on Site also sourced the new manager for the assignment. With a temporary human capital replacement, the management assignment never missed a beat and the Client was positioned to expand its management assignment shortly thereafter.

A real estate firm completed several acquisitions and wanted to eliminate the overlap of corporate support services.

Sight on Site Principal established plans to review the acquiring and the acquired firms’ processes and operating protocols for human resources, information technology, risk management and administrative services, and set up working teams from both firms to evaluate and recommend practices going forward. Senior management approved and implemented approaches that successfully laid the groundwork for integration of the firms. Sight on Site Principal also participated in the due diligence evaluation of the companies being acquired. Senior management was freed up to focus on business strategy and growth opportunities for the newly expanded firm.