The switch from a software you've been using for years to a newer software can be exciting and challenging. It is important to familiarize yourself as soon as possible, which means training! Today, we share some of the available resources to help you and your team become comfortable with AppFolio, Buildium, or Propertyware.

‍

Those Post-Switch Butterflies

You've made the switch to AppFolio, Buildium, or Propertyware - congrats! Now what? Well, first off, don't panic. There are a number of resources out there to help you and your team learn all of the in's and out's of your new system. Everyone has different learning styles, so it's important to accommodate those when training your team. Below are some resources that can help start you off in the right direction:

‍

• AppFolio, Buildium, and Propertyware's free training resources - These include articles and videos on a variety of topics, as well as live and recorded videos with AppFolio, Buildium, and Propertyware team members
• Request a practice website - This is a website that looks and acts just like your company database, but you can practice on all of the features before actually carrying out the action in your live database (AppFolio only)
• APM Help - We can help you navigate your database, clean it up if you've had a rough start, and get you on the right path with our team of Propertyware and AppFolio experts
• YouTube - This is a bit of a gamble unless you are going to Propertyware, Buildium, or AppFolio's YouTube directly, but it can prove to be useful if you find the right videos

‍

Everyone on your team should be able to find something that works for them with this mix of visual and written material. Videos are useful if you are meeting as a large group, and the articles are good for one-off or department specific needs. Add a game or two to heighten interest and retention of information. When a game is involved, people are sure to have fun absorbing the new material!

‍

10,000 Hours...Or Not

In Outliers, a book published by Malcolm Gladwell, he states that it takes 10,000 hours to truly become a master at something. If you were to spend 2 hours a day studying Propertyware or AppFolio, that would amount to about 14 years (whoa). Now, I don't know about you, but 14 years is too long for our taste. Tim Ferriss agrees, and has done studies on how to shorten these 10,000 hours to just 6 months. He claims that you can do this by creating a feedback loop, practicing, and by teaching others.

‍

Through our work with new users, we've found that it is helpful to find one or two days a week that work with everyone's schedule to study the new material. Once you find that time, be sure to stick with it until you and your staff feel confident. In addition, APM Help can train your office on all of the features found in both AppFolio and Propertyware as well (in 6 months or less)!

‍

There will be features that you may not find a use for, or maybe you'd rather have a third party managing the accounting side. In this case, APM Help can show you the ropes on leasing, reporting, maintenance, and communication features. In addition, we can manage everything in your account with a dollar sign - a one-stop-shop! If you are ready to familiarize with those features that have been haunting your dreams, then reach out to us on our website or you can call or text 281-949-8755.