Key takeaways
What property managers can take from Carla’s career
- Be teachable and say yes. Carla puts her hand up for everything, whether that means a day on a roof or a lunch with an owner.
- Starting at the front desk is an advantage. Handling calls, invoices, and correspondence gave Carla a view of the full cycle of property management.
- Let tenants know they’ve been heard. Most tenant emails are about problems, so Carla focuses on quick responses, empathy, and solutions.
- Prioritize and plan ahead. Each summer her team reviews every asset, plans capital work like aging roofs over 5 to 10 years, and looks for savings in areas like utilities.
- Get involved in industry groups. Groups like CREW Calgary and BOMA build the relationships that help you find opportunities and answers.
About the guest
CB
Carla Barney
Senior Property Manager, Atlas Development Corporation
Carla leads Atlas Property Services, the in-house property management group for Calgary’s Atlas Development Corporation. Originally from Newfoundland, she earned a Bachelor of Education, moved to Calgary in 2008, and started as a receptionist with a downtown property management firm. She holds a certificate in construction management from the University of Calgary and has been a member of CREW Calgary since 2011.
Episode summary
In this episode
Jared Sarbit talks with Carla Barney, who leads property management at Atlas Development Corporation in Calgary. Carla moved from Newfoundland planning to teach, took a reception job with a downtown property management firm in 2008, and worked her way up through companies including Manulife and Hungerford.
Carla explains what she learned from starting at the front desk, why she never stops taking courses, and how she builds relationships with owners, tenants, and contractors. She covers how her team prioritizes repairs and capital planning, what it took to roll out new software, and how workplace strategy is changing since the pandemic.
She also tells the story of getting a high-end tenant moved into 11 floors of a building still under construction, explains what CREW Calgary is, and shares what she looks for in a janitorial partner.
Chapters
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:19Introducing Carla Barney
- 1:36From teaching to property management
- 3:11Starting at the front desk
- 5:24Traits behind her success
- 6:41Mentorship
- 7:04Atlas Development Corporation
- 8:15Lifelong learning and designations
- 10:02Building relationships with stakeholders
- 11:39Prioritizing repairs and capital plans
- 13:43Rolling out new software
- 15:02Workplace strategy and trends
- 17:04Advice for aspiring property managers
- 18:56What CREW Calgary is
- 20:26A tenant move-in during construction
- 24:23What she looks for in a janitorial company
- 27:06The property she would love to manage
- 28:24Book recommendation: The Leadership Challenge
Jump to a chapter (18)
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:19Introducing Carla Barney
- 1:36From teaching to property management
- 3:11Starting at the front desk
- 5:24Traits behind her success
- 6:41Mentorship
- 7:04Atlas Development Corporation
- 8:15Lifelong learning and designations
- 10:02Building relationships with stakeholders
- 11:39Prioritizing repairs and capital plans
- 13:43Rolling out new software
- 15:02Workplace strategy and trends
- 17:04Advice for aspiring property managers
- 18:56What CREW Calgary is
- 20:26A tenant move-in during construction
- 24:23What she looks for in a janitorial company
- 27:06The property she would love to manage
- 28:24Book recommendation: The Leadership Challenge
From the conversation
Transcript excerpts
There’s you know days I’m on the roof and then there’s days I’m at a fancy lunch and… you have to just say yes.
Carla BarneyPlay from 6:25
Be teachable, be open to that knowledge, that training.
Carla BarneyPlay from 6:33
This industry is so relationship based. You know, my contractors that I use currently I used 10 years ago when I started my career.
Carla BarneyPlay from 0:31
Need a cleaning partner for a diverse portfolio?
We’ll walk your properties with you and send a written cleaning scope and price. Free, no obligation.
Read the conversation
Full episode transcript
Show transcript
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FAQ
Questions about this episode
What is Atlas Development Corporation?
Atlas Development Corporation is a locally owned Calgary real estate company whose owners have been in business for more than 40 years and tend to hold assets long term. Carla Barney leads Atlas Property Services, which manages retail, office, and light industrial properties on behalf of several ownership groups.
What is CREW Calgary?
CREW stands for Commercial Real Estate Women. It is part of a global network that supports women in commercial real estate through networking, education, scholarships, and research. Carla says the Calgary chapter has grown to more than 200 members, and its events are open to everyone.
What does Carla Barney look for in a janitorial company?
Customer service comes first. She also wants a company that understands the specific needs of each property, such as medical facilities, and that does regular quality assurance, like monthly inspections.
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