Page 2 - The Clare Connection_Fall 2019 Flipbook

LETTER FROM KYLE
Kyle Exline, Executive Director
Gold Coast Retirement Living Your Way and honesty about expectations and performance. Our talented employees certainly
55 E. Pearson Street | Chicago, IL 60611 make it look easy, but details matter. That’s why our Directors remain focused on even
312.784.8100 | info@theclare.com
www.theclare.com
Editor: Kourtney Liepelt
Strategic Communications
& Relations Manager
Designer: David Hunter
www.dhdd.net
Copyright ©2019
Overall, I have found that the keys to strong
management are constant communication and
honesty about expectations and performance.
O ccasionally in the elevators, residents or family members tell me, “This place is
very well managed!” I always take this as a huge compliment. And since we have
so many residents who started their own businesses or served as leaders in their
organizations, I thought you would enjoy a snapshot of what it looks like to manage
The Clare day-to-day.
The Clare operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 11 different departments
in place to oversee all aspects of the community. Each department has a Director to
lead individual projects and manage employees:
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Plant Operations
• Accounting
• Environmental Services
• Nursing/The Terraces (which has another 10 departments)
• Resident Experience
• Resident Services
• Security
• IT (Information Technology)
• Dining Services
To start each morning, all Directors convene for a daily stand-up meeting, where they
review updates and identify issues with which they need assistance. As a team, we
prioritize and discuss the best solutions for any problems that arise. Through it all, we
focus on details and the resident experience, seeking to execute events and mitigate
resident concerns with care.
From there, Directors go about their days, and they typically lead daily stand-up
meetings with their own departments. For example, the Dining Services team has a
staff meeting before every meal to go over what’s on the menu, review reservations,
train staff on new techniques, and ensure dining rooms are prepared. Every department
pays extreme attention to detail to guarantee that everything has been thought of in
order to provide exceptional service.
Personally, I hold individual meetings with each Director on a weekly or bi-weekly
basis. During these meetings, we review departmental projects, evaluate any items of
concern, consider their goals, and initiate future plans.
Of course, every day at The Clare is different. We might have a leak in the Fitness
Center, an elevator out of service or a resident or staff member handling a serious
issue. We have a structure in place, but flexibility as well to adjust to real-time issues
as needed.
Overall, I have found that the keys to strong management are constant communication
the smallest details, so that The Clare continues to be a “well-managed” community
for years to come.