When Sherry first made the switch from the residential to commercial sector, she found that she had to adjust the way she interacted with different sets of customers.

Today, the Senior Building Manager at China Square Central is well-versed with vastly distinct types of interactions involving stakeholders from the various real estate sectors.

In her current role, she is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and operations of China Square Central. We find out more about what she does, and how she deals with the different personalities she encounters at the workplace.

Communication style for every situation

Sherry’s 12 years in the real estate industry has taught her to understand and focus on her customers’ needs when communicating with them.

Her first job right out of university was managing the handover of units at a residential property. Since then, Sherry has worked for different real estate companies in the residential, commercial, and retail sector.

When asked which property sector she enjoys working at the most, she said, “I don’t have any preference, but working in the different sectors has allowed me to hone my communication skills.

Communication with residents takes a more personal approach, because we are talking about their homes. We need to be receptive to their needs, and make them feel comfortable.

When managing commercial properties, we must remember that we are representatives of our company, and so there is a need to form a professional relationship with tenants and vendors.

In the retail sector, much of our interactions are with the retail staff, which makes relationships less formal. We need to show them and reassure them that we have their best interests at heart.”

Celebrating tiny victories

Sherry’s optimistic nature helps her keep a positive outlook on life, and she is a firm believer that we all learn from our mistakes.

“With experience comes wisdom. I am much better at anticipating potential issues and doing my due diligence to nip these problems in the bud.

Having a positive mindset goes a long way for everyone, and Sherry’s bubbly and outgoing personality shines when she speaks with us.

“Our days are unpredictable, and sometimes we may need to drop everything to attend to a particular situation. I remind myself and the team to always stay positive! A lot of effort goes into ensuring that everything at the development is run smoothly. I encourage the team to celebrate tiny victories because it’s important to move forward and not be discouraged by setbacks.”

Unwinding after office hours

To de-stress, Sherry engages in a myriad of different activities such as running, playing games, and doing handicrafts.

“I play mobile games such as Plants Vs Zombies, Pokémon GO and MapleStory to unwind after work. I also enjoy getting creative with my hands. My friends and I would attend pottery, or flower craft workshops on some weekends, and I would continue to practice at home.

Family time is precious to me, as I have two young children at home. Playing games and doing craft activities also present different ways of interacting with them.”

As shown, Sherry’s positive attitude and infectious energy has allowed her to gain insight into the needs of the people she interacts with. These traits have helped her be a better communicator, as she continues to connect with her customers.