Say hello to Kajal and Carolina
We are delighted that two of our concierges have been shortlisted in the Onsite Staff category for the Doyenne Awards 2024.
We’d like to introduce you to Kajal and Carolina, who are both very good at their jobs and deserving of this recognition.
SAY HELLO TO KAJAL
Kajal first came to the UK in 2021 and right away signed up with Cledor. She had all the right skills and was instantly a hit with our managers. Her first placement was at one of London’s largest schemes, Beaufort Park. It’s a lovely development (and massive too – 4,000+ units!) but can get quite feisty at night.
“I was on night duty, 7pm to 7am, and at around 2am, I heard shouts coming from the direction of Tesco. I grabbed the duty manager and we both ran out. Someone was trying to steal a resident’s purse. We scared him off, making lots of noise ourselves and we got her purse back! I comforted the resident, helped her call the police and took her back to her apartment.”
A CONCIERGE FOR ALL BUILDING TYPES
Balancing her Business Management studies with her work with Cledor, we placed Kajal at a wide range of residential properties to expand her experience. In not quite 3 years, she has gained so much experience and impressed wherever she has gone. Because she is so flexible, she is ideal as an immediately impressive temp concierge.
Kajal is really good at reading people and understanding their needs. She puts residents at ease, especially when they are anxious about something, which makes her suited to her current super-prime placements. High-end living is perfect for her skills and character.
ADAPTING TO THE RESIDENT, REACTING TO EMERGENCIES
“In high-end apartment buildings, some residents are very self-sufficient. They love having concierges, but they don’t need our help so much. We are always there to meet, greet, and offer our help anyway. Others need more... and I prefer that!
If they need help with their luggage, or to use our fob to keep the door open, just to receive and hold parcels for them, or to let them know about the area – we are there without hesitation.
But it can be more serious, such as a leak in their apartment. We had a leak in December just gone, not in an apartment but in a plant room... it wasn’t very pleasant smelling (!) so we acted fast, got facilities involved and all was organised overnight, so the residents were not affected – they didn’t even know there was a problem, which was perfect.”
ALWAYS LEARNING
We have been really impressed with Kajal’s thirst to learn. She has aced our training programme and shadows senior concierges in such an attentive way that she is going to be fast-tracked to take their jobs. Strangely, she really enjoys H&S too! She recognises that she is in a very male dominated role, but she feels she is best placed to keep the residents content. She is polite, helpful and is driven to make people happy, and she does it effortlessly. The senior concierge at Kajal’s current site says Kajal “diffuses anger with politeness”.
Kajal would like to be a development manager and she will get there for sure, especially because of her can-do attitude and temperament.
SAY HELLO TO CAROLINA
Amazingly, being a concierge is new to Carolina, but she has taken to it like a duck to water!
It’s been very pleasing indeed to have our instincts about Carolina backed up by her performance on site and the feedback from residents and the managing agent.
CARACAS TO LONDON
“In 2015, I swapped Caracas for London, seeking new horizons and opportunity. Little did I know my path would lead me to the vibrant heart of Soho, where today I am concierge in a charming and bustling building.
Every day brings a kaleidoscope of faces and stories. I’m the first and last they see, the friendly ambassador at the building’s doorstep. It’s more than opening doors; it’s weaving connections, wielding local knowledge like a superpower. From laundry woes to restaurant recommendations, birthday party tips to late-night Uber hails, I navigate the city’s pulse, making life smoother for my residents.
But my role transcends convenience. I bridge the gap between residents, management, and estate agent giants like Savills. I’m the trusted go-to, the calm amidst the storm.
A recent prime example? October 2023. An aggressive homeless man camped outside, causing distress and disruption. Tirelessly, I contacted social services, council, and landlords...so many calls and emails to see if he could be re-housed. Finally, on October 15th, the police intervened. He was gone. I hope he’s ok.
My reward? Not just a safer building, but the strengthened trust in my eyes. That’s the essence of concierge work: building trust, one interaction at a time. We’re the community weavers, the problem solvers, the human touch in a digital age.”
STAR CONCIERGE
Cleaning, contractors, cctv... Carolina’s daily tasks include an hour of common parts cleaning, dealing with the trash, helping people move in and out, taking in the dry cleaning, holding keys for family members and cleaners to use, checking and replying to emails on her smartphone, showing contractors maintenance issues, holding Amazon codes to take receipt of packages, ordering taxis, and really importantly, acting as security guard too, monitoring the CCTV and making sure the front entrance door is secure and no-one is loitering!
LEARNING LONDON
Where she has really stood out to us is how well she has learned ‘London’, particularly Soho and the West End, ready to help new owners and tenants to make practical and social life choices. She was laughing when a group of youngsters (family members) quizzed her on where the best party was that night… She knew exactly where to send them!
OVER AND ABOVE
A family was arriving from Bahamas, and they knew nothing about London. Carolina explained the transport system, including Uber (installing the app for them on their mobiles). The more that Carolina helps, the more the residents want more help! And that makes Carolina feel more important and more willing to assist. What we love about Carolina is the way she actively listens. She doesn’t make assumptions and she doesn’t finish other people’s sentences.
We hope that Carolina will use her International Business degree at some point. At the same time, we know she has what it takes to become a brilliant head concierge or estate manager for a larger scheme.
Whilst she nurtures her residents, we will nurture her.
Good luck to all the nominees!
We have our fingers crossed for Kajal and Carolina, but we wish all the nominees for the Doyenne Awards 2024 good luck! It' will be a wonderful evening celebrating women in the property industry.