What three improvements would increase your level of satisfaction with the communication between the property industry and property occupiers?

Occupiers want to build relationships with property owners	'There needs to be an honest and open dialogue in an effort to build a long-term business relationship.' 'There should be more effort to work as a partnership and not just dictate.'
Occupiers appreciate face-to-face, personal contact	'If people are prepared to meet face-to-face you will have a more frank and honest discussion, the relationship deteriorates if this does not happen.' 'In some ways the electronic age hasn't helped. It's speeded things up but people are hiding behind their emails. They must stop hiding behind their desks and start to meet people again. We need to re-educate the younger generation and show that deals are done face-to-face.'
Direct communication with property owners is preferred by some	'There needs to be better communication between landlord and tenant. Middle men are useless. There needs to be a direct route of contact. Those that don't use any agents are better.'
Others would like a designated contact	'There should be a nominated person to contact and speak to. Landlords outsource to managing agents and it is a nightmare working out who to speak to. You end up speaking to a faceless agent.'
Some would like their business needs understood and acted upon	'We find it staggering the way that landlords seem to take so little interest in their occupiers' needs. Each of our main landlords owns about ten of the retail parks where we have stores. You would have thought it would be in their interest to spend a couple of hours a year talking to us, and trying to understand our needs. A few of the landlords do appear to be trying to build relationships, but every landlord should understand what we are striving for.'
Responsiveness needs improving	'Speed of response should improve. There should be an instant response, not complicated by being referred on, for example when seeking approval for alterations. It can be sent to three or four people for different purposes.'
It is vital to recognize occupiers as customers	'They don't recognise occupiers as customers. I used to work for a pension fund that viewed occupiers as an irritant and just an income stream.' 'Old fashioned terminology like 'tenant' and 'landlord' is the pre-cursor to everything! If we could be called customers or occupiers, I think that this would help the mindset.'
Openness and transparency are important	'We need more openness and transparency and they should focus on the needs of the customer rather than selling them their tool bag of solutions.' 'Whilst communication is good, landlords need to be more transparent with information, particularly with regard to service charge costs.'