Special mention for the YouFirst Managers

Every year, we call on IFOP, France's leading opinion polling company, to conduct a satisfaction survey. Our tenants and their staff were questioned on a range of topics as part of the survey,’ says Clara Sellès, Senior Product Manager at Gecina. Once again this year, occupants gave high marks to the office space and services provided (89%) and to the energy-saving measures put in place (86%)’. Above all, users gave the YouFirst Managers rave reviews. When asked ‘Are you satisfied with your YouFirst Manager, your main contact in the building where you work?’, over 90% of them said they were satisfied. 

For Clara Sellès, ‘The YouFirst Manager is that extra touch that makes all the difference! It's a day-to-day facilitator who is always present and reassuring. It's a highly demanding role, governed by precise specifications. My first role is to guarantee a high-quality welcome in the building lobby,’ explains Marie Palenzuela, YouFirst Manager at 16 Capucine. I make sure that I can answer any questions employees may have and simplify their day-to-day lives. The YouFirst Manager also ensures that the building runs smoothly. During the day, he or she checks the service areas and communal areas to make sure that everything is in perfect order from a cleaning point of view and that there are no technical incidents. Any problems need to be sorted out as quickly as possible, by notifying the service providers or the technical team. They also have a very important role to play in providing information about services...’. And to encourage interaction between occupants, I organise events in the communal areas, so that everyone has access to them,’ she continues. It's a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of meeting in lifts! 

The YouFirst Manager will carry out solidarity actions, in the form of collections for associations, for example. Other events are designed to raise awareness of a social issue, such as Pink October or Sustainable Development Week. They can be quizzes, such as a quiz on heritage using the YouFirst Bureau mobile application, with a small gift as the prize. I also offer fun workshops during break times,’ enthuses Marie Palenzuela. How about an example? Last week it was the Mario Kart tournament on Switch. For World Chocolate Day, it was a chocolate snack with invitations to the Salon du Chocolat... We always try to vary the pleasures.’ Another possibility is occasional sales, often inviting artisanal producers to taste delicious macaroons or honey harvested on the roof of the building. 

The YouFirst Manager is Gecina's signature combination of rigorous hotel service and human warmth. Marie Palenzuela takes a genuine interest in the occupants, going out to meet them and forging special relationships, to create a real community and anticipate their needs. ‘Gecina was the first property company to introduce these ‘link builders’,’ says Clara Sellès. The YouFirst Managers are proof of our raison d'être: to create human experiences at the heart of our sustainable living spaces.  

To maintain the commitment of the YouFirst Managers themselves, our marketing department supports them. Clara Sellès provides them with various documents to help them on a day-to-day basis, such as communication kits and a complete book detailing the YouFirst approach. They also have a dedicated Teams messaging service, where they can exchange photos of their events, tips and contact details for service providers. Each year, a Summer and Winter Party are organised to bring them together. These events enable us to see that we share the same energy to constantly improve our activity in the service of users,’ concludes Marie Palenzuela. This profession offers us a playground that stimulates our imagination and creativity in favour of well-being, and makes us feel valued and proud!