Key takeaways
What property managers should know about security
- Look for the best of both. Guard Tower aims to offer the hands-on service and transparency of a small company with the experience and capability of a large one.
- Guards are the face of your building. Appearance, local knowledge, and customer service training all shape how tenants and visitors see the property.
- Training and communication close the biggest gap. Too many companies place guards without proper post orders, leaving property managers to fill in the blanks.
- Grow slowly to protect quality. Small teams with dedicated supervisors keep service consistent as a security company takes on new clients.
- Use technology to build trust. GPS clock-ins, checkpoint scans, and a client portal show property managers exactly what guards are doing on site.
About the guest
NM
Nael Malaeb
CEO, Guard Tower Security
Nael founded Guard Tower Security in Calgary after working as a security guard for several companies and seeing gaps in how guards and clients were treated. He holds a business administration degree in finance from Mount Royal University and is mentored by Picture Perfect Cleaning’s Jared Sarbit.
Episode summary
In this episode
Nael Malaeb started Guard Tower Security after working as a guard and seeing what the industry was missing, both in how guards were trained and how clients were kept informed. He credits his work ethic to his father and his drive to wanting to build something of his own.
He explains how Guard Tower is building its client base one property at a time, why appearance and customer service matter so much for guards, and how security and janitorial teams can work together. He also shares the technology Guard Tower uses to give clients real-time visibility.
Nael closes with his growth plans, advice for property managers who are unhappy with their current security, and the book he recommends to anyone in property management.
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:46Nael’s background
- 6:17Work ethic and problem solving
- 10:43Business education
- 12:51Building trust one client at a time
- 16:20Security as the face of a building
- 19:06Gaps in the security industry
- 21:11Security and janitorial working together
- 23:19What makes Guard Tower different
- 24:15Building team culture
- 25:31Technology in security
- 28:20Growth plans
- 30:59Advice for property managers
- 35:29Book recommendation
Jump to a chapter (14)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:46Nael’s background
- 6:17Work ethic and problem solving
- 10:43Business education
- 12:51Building trust one client at a time
- 16:20Security as the face of a building
- 19:06Gaps in the security industry
- 21:11Security and janitorial working together
- 23:19What makes Guard Tower different
- 24:15Building team culture
- 25:31Technology in security
- 28:20Growth plans
- 30:59Advice for property managers
- 35:29Book recommendation
From the conversation
Transcript excerpts
We provide the quality and the transparency of a small company and the capability and the experience of a big company.
Nael MalaebPlay from 0:36
If you work hard every day, you’re not going to miss a lucky day. If you work 30 days a month, you’re not going to miss… a lucky day.
Nael MalaebPlay from 7:27
When I’m talking to someone, I… don’t just listen to respond. I listen to understand.
Nael MalaebPlay from 7:45
Want janitorial and security that work together?
We’ll walk your building with you and send a written cleaning scope and price. Free, no obligation.
Read the conversation
Full episode transcript
Show transcript
Paste the edited transcript here.
FAQ
Questions about this episode
How can janitorial and security teams work together?
Both represent the property and the client. On the right sites, cleaners can finish their shift by locking up and checking that the building is secure. Nael notes there are limits, because security work requires a licence.
What should property managers do if their security is not working?
Start by defining the problem, whether it is break-ins, vandalism, or front desk customer service. Then share it with your security provider and ask for a specific solution, not just a guard on site.
What book does Nael recommend?
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. Nael says its lessons on going above and beyond for people apply directly to property managers, who deal with tenants and clients every day.
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