WOMEN IN THE PROPERTY BUSINESS…COMING OUT TOPS!
Media Release
August 2021
WOMEN IN THE PROPERTY BUSINESS…COMING OUT TOPS!
The past year has been a year like no other. The impact of the covid pandemic on the workplace and women in particular, is staggering. A recent survey by Deloitte Global, of 400 women across nine countries, showed a variety of impacts from upending their work/life balance, to affecting their physical and mental health and working longer hours, as they juggle extra care-giving responsibilities because of covid-related consequences. In addition, many women have questioned how their careers will be affected in the long-term and whether they’re still in jobs that make them happy.
While it may be many years before we comprehend the full ramifications of covid-19 on our society and places of work, a few things are for sure: employer support is going to be more critical than ever before and each one of us will have to adapt our daily lives as we learn to navigate the new status quo.
In August, we celebrate International Women’s Day and Month and we recognise the role of women in the workplace (and at home) and how they navigate the day to day challenges of the current situation, with optimism and passion.
We spoke to the women at ZDFin – Taylor Daniels, Nicola Schaefer and Michelle Yutar and asked them what, besides spending time with their children and families, got them ‘up and at it’ each day!
Michelle Yutar is ZDFin’s financial manager, who has worked in property management and maintenance for seven years. “Woman not only bring a high standard of professionalism to the property management industry, but also a level of empathy and patience,” Michelle says. “These traits ,which come naturally to women, are integral facets to relationship-building that create the foundation for a successful business.” Michelle cites Golda Meir, the first female prime minister of Israel, as her role model, for a woman in leadership and Erin Brockovich as her favourite movie with a female lead.
Words she Lives by: ‘Believe you can and you are half-way there
Attorney, Nicola Schaefer oversees the management and of the group’s property holdings, as well as adding additional capacity on ZDFin’s legal capabilities. Nicola, who describes herself as loyal, determined and passionate, found inspiration in her Mom who, she says, ‘never gave up no matter how hard a situation was’. “She put a smile on her face and just got on with it. She made me believe that I could conquer everything and anything.’
Nicola believes that women thrive in the property management industry because they’re much better at details and administration than men. “It never ceases to amaze me how the women in this sector, manage to balance being the perfect mom /wife and perfect employee / manager, while caring for their clients’ properties, as if it was their own.”
Words she Lives By: ‘You Do You’ ( don’t worry what the world thinks, do what makes you happy)
Taylor Daniels is the most recent female addition to the team at ZDFin, although she has eight years of industry experience under her belt. “I’ve always seen Women’s Day as a day to celebrate the achievements and success of the women in our lives,” notes Taylor, “but over the last almost two years, it’s also helped to focus the worlds’ attention to the plight of and challenges experienced by women.“
Women in Sectional Title (WIST) was launched in 2020, and this has provided an amazing platform for women in the Sectional title industry to network, as well as to learn from each other, in what is still seen as largely a male-dominated industry. Taylor who describes herself friendly, versatile and conscientious, believes that a women’s biggest contribution to the workplace is emotional intelligence.
“My grandmother is my favourite role model,” Taylor says, “because of her determination and ambition in all aspects of her life. No matter the challenges she faced she also took time to help those who were less fortunate than herself.” Inspiration indeed!
Words she Lives By: ‘You cannot live a positive life, with a negative mind’
ends
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Joanne Hayes, Tumbleweed Communications
Tel: +27 (0)83 6277249
E-mail: tigerjo@iafrica.com
ABOUT ZDFIN – https://zdfin.co.za
ZDFin is a specialist finance company providing smart solutions for Sectional Title Bodies Corporate, Home Owners’ Associations and Share Block companies. We service all residential Community Schemes affected by the Community Ombud Service Act, including non-profit companies and voluntary associations governed by a constitution. ZDFin has a wealth of practical experience in property and financial management. We understand these challenges and our range of targeted financial products can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual scheme. Schaefer was previously a director and shareholder at Trafalgar, the country’s biggest residential property administration company, started by his father over 50 years ago.
