My NPP today is Jonathan Senior who runs a national inventory clerk company, inventoryclerk.com.
1. Please introduce yourself. Say a bit about yourself and your company
I’m Jonathan Senior and am based in Bournemouth from where I run the company branded as inventoryclerk.com.
The company has been in operation for over 15 years as an inventory company, mostly serving the Bournemouth and Dorset area in that time, however more recently it has become an organisation training and supporting other inventory clerks operating within the inventoryclerk.com brand.
Each trained and licensed inventory clerk, as we call them, operates within a designated geographical area serving clients with inventory, check-in, mid-term and check-out inspections and reports.
Clients book their needs through a sophisticated online calendar system, from where they control the booking from start to end at which time the report is delivered back through the system online direct to their PC.
All clerks are highly trained in the requirements for the TDS as well as in Health, Safety and Fire Regulations, giving clients peace of mind with all that is needed to meet such regulations.
Inventoryclerk.com currently has over 40 inventory clerks nationwide with a goal to have over 300 within the next 5 years.
2. How did you first become involved in property?
My previous life was within the airline industry travelling worldwide and in latter years I had much spare time within contracts. During one such period I worked for a company training people in the use of Voice Dictation Software.
At the same time, my parents were responsible for the forerunner of the current business, and it was the introduction to them of the software that had me become involved in supply letting agents with inventories produced with this technology.
3. What do you think is your greatest achievement so far?
Creating a user friendly online booking system along with a training model for licensed clerks to become competent in the industry.
4. Do you or your company have any exciting plans for the future?
Apart from the growth of the network of licensed clerks, we plan to raise the awareness through our partners of the need for adequate documentation to meet TDS needs. The brand is one of our strengths and we aim that this becomes a household name within 3 years.
5. What do you think are the greatest problems facing the
private rented sector today?
A lack of regulation allowing some letting agents and landlords to operate without adequate knowledge and sometimes poor value service.
6. What do you think are the greatest opportunities?
Due to a cultural shift in attitudes towards renting, the greatest opportunity for those of us linked to the industry is previously un-thought of growth. We ride on the back of this growth allowing us to succeed following others.
7. We have a new government. What would you like them to do for
the private rented sector?
More regulation for the private rented sector as well as support for social housing landlords to become more main stream in the private rented sector.
8. Do you use social media (blogs, twitter, LinkedIn etc)? What
place do you think it has in the future of the property industry?
All such online media are part of our future as we adopt the internet as a means of primary communication. Its such communication that allows each and everyone of us to research our needs at near zero cost.
9. What is the most important lesson you have learned during
your time in property?
To offer the best service one can deliver including high value at a fair cost.
10. What advice would you have to someone thinking of entering
the property industry today?
Become trained, keep training and become an expert in their field.
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Many thanks Jonathan, and I wish you and your company all the best. If you are interested in Jonathans company, it can be found at www.inventoryclerk.com.