Real Estate/Property Management
Introducing New Technology? Top 10 Effective Strategies for Multifamily Property Managers
Are you introducing a new technology in your multifamily property management company? It’s not a flippant process; it requires careful planning and execution.
Here is a suggested plan:
Identify the Need
- Analyze the current processes and pain points in the organization. Enterprise Business Planning is one way to unearth the points.
- Determine the areas where the new technology can significantly improve, such as enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, or improving resident satisfaction.
- Remember team-member engagement and satisfaction. Just because you can introduce a new system doesn’t mean you should.
Research and Evaluation
- Conduct thorough research on the available technology solutions in the market.
- Evaluate different supplier partners’ offerings based on functionality, scalability, integration capabilities, security, and cost.
- Talk to your current supplier partners; they may have the solution in their offering.
- Consider seeking input from industry experts or consultants with experience implementing similar technologies.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Identify key organizational stakeholders, including executive leadership, department heads, property managers, and other relevant team members.
- Find your biggest cynics and turn them into raving fans. They will be a big part of a successful roll-out.
- Also, enlist your sneezers (influencers). They tend to have an overweight influence on the company regarding change.
- Organize meetings and presentations to educate stakeholders about the potential benefits of the new technology and gather their feedback and input.
- Address any concerns or objections raised by stakeholders and ensure their buy-in.
Pilot Implementation
- Select a small group of properties or a single location to pilot the new technology implementation.
- Develop a detailed implementation plan, including timelines, resources, training, and support requirements.
- Closely monitor the pilot implementation, gathering user feedback and addressing any issues.
- Evaluate the pilot’s success based on predetermined metrics and make necessary adjustments before a broader rollout.
Training and Change Management
- Develop comprehensive training materials and programs for team members using the new technology.
- Consider hiring a change management consultant or designating an internal team to facilitate the adoption of the new technology and address any resistance to change.
- Provide ongoing support and resources to ensure successful adoption and utilization of the new technology.
Phased Rollout
- Based on what was learned from the pilot implementation, a phased rollout plan for the new technology should be developed across the entire company.
- Divide the rollout into manageable phases, prioritizing properties or locations with the greatest need or potential for immediate impact.
- Continuously monitor and adjust the rollout plan, addressing any challenges or issues.
Continuous Improvement and Optimization
- Establish processes for gathering feedback and suggestions from users and stakeholders on an ongoing basis. Feedback is key!
- Regularly review the performance and utilization of the new technology, identifying areas for improvement or optimization.
- Collaborate with the technology vendor or internal IT team to implement updates, enhancements, or integrations to enhance the new technology’s value further.
Communication and Promotion
- Develop a comprehensive communication plan to keep stakeholders, team members, and residents informed about the new technology and its benefits.
- Promote the successful implementation and adoption of the new technology through internal and external channels, such as company newsletters, social media, or industry events.
While no plan is flawless, winging it ensures failure. This plan may have gaps, but following it gives your company the best shot at nailing the new tech rollout.
One last tip – don’t be afraid to pull the plug!
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Unlocking Organizational Harmony: The Art and Science of Building Trust in Multifamily Leadership
Photo by Johannes Andersson on Unsplash
In a volatile market landscape that’s been hyper-accelerated by technological disruption and societal shifts, building trust within your organization is more than just a noble pursuit; it’s a strategic imperative. How about that for a lead for an article on trust and leadership? Said more simply – leaders, it’s crazy out there, and trust is critical to your company’s success.
Decoding ‘Trust’: A Multifaceted Currency
When you think of trust, consider it social capital—something intangible yet invaluable. In a multifamily enterprise, this capital makes negotiations smoother, enables the flexibility of roles, and, most importantly, fosters an environment conducive to innovative thinking. Trust isn’t merely a product of consistent interaction but is highly correlated to perceived competence and ethical conduct.
Dismantle Information Silos
In multifamily operations, real-time information sharing is crucial. PropTech solutions like data dashboards can help ensure everyone can access the same, up-to-date information. Gone are the days when information hoarding could be used as a power lever. Today, transparency is the true power.
Commit to Leadership Training
Ongoing training initiatives emphasizing emotional intelligence, active listening, and open communication equip your team with the skills to build and maintain trust. Contrary to mainstream business culture, strong leaders are those who show vulnerability and practice humility.
Cultivate an Inclusive Decision-making Process
Encourage participation from various roles in strategic decisions. When individuals feel their input is valued, trust naturally escalates. Smart algorithms can facilitate weighted voting systems to make the process more democratic.
Be a Catalyst for Autonomy
Promoting autonomy does not mean a lack of control. Advanced Project Management Software like Asana or Monday.com allows individuals to manage tasks while leadership can monitor project statuses and timelines.
Foster Psychological Safety
An atmosphere where people feel safe to express ideas without fear of judgment is a breeding ground for trust. AI-driven sentiment analysis tools can provide invaluable insights into the organizational emotional climate.
Focus on Accountability, Not Blame
A future-oriented approach that encourages learning from mistakes rather than punishing them can significantly elevate trust. Platforms like Jira or GitLab provide excellent accountability tracking without the stigma of blame.
Implement Ethical AI
With AI becoming more prevalent in decision-making processes, ensuring that your AI algorithms are transparent and unbiased can significantly elevate trust. AI ethics consultants can help in the process of auditing algorithms for biases.
Showcase Success and Acknowledge Failure
Regularly celebrating team successes and transparently acknowledging setbacks motivates and engenders trust. Real-time recognition platforms like Bonusly can be incorporated for this purpose.
Sustain Trust Through Consistency
Consistency is key in terms of organizational policies or how leaders respond to challenges.
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Unlocking Confrontation: A Guide for Multifamily Leaders
Photo by Aditya Wardhana on Unsplash
The stakes are high in the multifamily space. We’re not just managing assets; we’re choreographing the human experience within the context of apartment communities. As multifamily leaders, how you lead your team can make or break your company’s culture and, by extension, its success. One of the most underplayed yet vital skills in leadership is mastering the art of confrontation and handling emotionally loaded conversations. Whether it’s redirecting a team member who’s deviated from strategy or broaching a delicate subject, knowing how to approach these talks is a non-negotiable skill.
Let’s confront this head-on: Avoidance is not a strategy. As you encounter team members struggling with confrontation, the pivotal first step is to direct them toward the source of their difficulties. Emphasize the need for self-awareness by encouraging them to leverage introspection tools. One solution in this area is the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, which provides a tailored strategy for improving EQ competencies like social awareness and relationship management.
Another avenue worth exploring is conversational intelligence platforms. These tools use AI to analyze communication patterns and provide actionable feedback, allowing your team members to get an external view of their informal dynamics and giving them the empirical data they need to improve.
Training programs focusing on confrontational skills and emotional intelligence are abundant, but consider options with experiential learning components. Role-playing exercises (everyone’s favorite) and real-world case studies bring theoretical knowledge into practical reality, making the learning stick. You can also use augmented reality platforms to facilitate realistic role-playing scenarios without the inherent risks of a real-world confrontation.
The real pioneers take this a notch higher by setting up internal ‘Confrontation Labs’. Here, team members can practice difficult conversations in a safe and constructive environment. The idea is to iterate and evolve, learning from each encounter to develop a nuanced approach that respects individual emotional landscapes while achieving desired outcomes.
Of course, technology should augment, not replace, the human element. In that light, leaders should also consider bringing in experts for dedicated workshops or one-on-one coaching sessions.
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Simplifying Business: The Art of Focus
Uncover the True Power of Concentration in Property Management Without Complexity
Photo by Chase Clark on Unsplash
The multifamily property management industry often feels overwhelmed with complexity. An old saying goes, “Anyone who is engaged in really important things is very simple because he does not have time to create unnecessary things.” This idea rings true even in our complex industry.
It’s no secret in the multifamily property management space; leaders often find themselves lost in endless tasks, responsibilities, and objectives. The risk of losing focus and getting tangled in unnecessary details hampers growth and efficiency. This complexity affects productivity and leads to disorganization, leaving leaders constantly chasing clarity.
One solution is to embrace simplicity and concentrate on what truly matters. Leaders can begin by identifying their core responsibilities and eliminating or delegating the excess. Recognize what activities add real value and focus on improving those areas.
Embracing new technologies and automation can simplify processes, allowing leaders to concentrate on core strategies and relationships. Aligning the entire team with the primary vision and values creates a unified purpose and promotes focus across the organization.
Another essential aspect is nurturing a culture of learning and adaptability. Encourage continuous learning, improvement, and adapt to the ever-changing environment without adding unnecessary complexity.
Lastly, cultivating a positive mindset and practicing mindfulness can create a calm and focused leadership environment. Leaders can make more informed and wise decisions by paying attention to the present moment without getting lost in chaos.
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Virginia Love | Collective Conversations
Release Date: 08.08.2023
In this episode, Mike Brewer sits down with Virginia Love – Industry Principle at Entrata. Virginia is a highly respected expert in the multifamily industry with a long history in multifamily leasing, marketing, and operations. She is a champion of the people in our industry and has a deep understanding of the ways that technology impacts the front-line teams and believes that it is our responsibility to elevate the role our team members play in the success of our industry.
Key Discussion Points:
- Lasting impact of the pandemic: The pandemic shed attention on the importance of the site teams and led to the current focus on them as the drivers of performance and doing what is right for the site teams, recognizing the need to reconsider appropriate wage levels. The pandemic accelerated the pace and adoption of technology and forced companies that were sitting on the sidelines to engage with virtual tours, self-guided tours, and more.
- Culture Matters: Entrata is a technology company that actively engages its customers in the Entrata culture – so much so that they become invested in the Entrata brand.
- Economic Inclusion: For decades, the only impact for residents who paid their rent on time was not incurring late fees and being sent to collections. Entrata offers a program that reports resident payment history to the major consumer credit reporting agencies. Giving renters the ability to build their credit by simply paying their rent is a significant economic empowerment tool.
- The Value of Yes – Advice if you desire to grow your multifamily career: Get involved. Make Yourself Indispensable. Do whatever other people don’t want to. Get active in your Apartment Association, IREM, or NMHC. Take every opportunity to learn and don’t wait for someone to teach you. There are countless ways to build your knowledge so take charge of your education and growth.
In between the non-stop camaraderie and laughter, Mike and Virginia share practical tips and advice based on their extensive knowledge and expertise in the multifamily industry.
Whether you’re a seasoned investor, property manager, vendor/supplier, or someone interested in learning more about the multifamily market, this series offers valuable insights that can help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in this dynamic industry.
About Mike Brewer
Mike Brewer is enthusiastic about people, technology, and the world of multifamily. He serves as President of RADCO Residential and COO of The RADCO Companies. As the Founder of Multifamily Collective, Mike draws on his deep understanding of the multifamily space and is passionate about sharing insights and wisdom through a series of Collective Conversations with others in this industry. This podcast creates a platform for industry professionals to connect, learn, and grow together.
About Virginia Love
Virginia Love, Industry Principal at Entrata is directly involved with marketing, product and sales as a liaison from the multifamily industry to these departments. Before joining Entrata, she held prominent leadership roles for apartment owners and operators such as Trammell Crow and ING Clarion. Immediately prior to coming to Entrata, she was Vice President of Leasing and Marketing for Waterton Residential. With nearly three decades of industry experience, Virginia has served on numerous multifamily committees and boards for industry organizations including the Atlanta Apartment Association, Georgia Apartment Association, National Apartment Association, National Multifamily Housing Council and Zillow Multifamily Advisory Board. Love served as the 2018 Chairperson of the Georgia Apartment Association and the 2011 Chairperson of the Atlanta Apartment Association. Virginia is a National Apartment Association Lyceum graduate. In 2021, she was named a Multifamily Influencer by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum and was honored by Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate Awards for 2022. Virginia is also a part of the Apartment All Stars.
Additional Resources:
Some of the world’s largest owners and operators use Entrata’s vast suite of products to manage their entire portfolios using one operating system. Multifamily, Student, Affordable, Military, or Commercial – Entrata has the technology solutions to meet your needs. www.entrata.com
Sponsorship Info:
This episode is sponsored by: Updater
Updater is the app that gets residents move-in ready faster. Did you know that residents who are happy with their move-in experience are 59% more likely to renew their lease? Move-ins matter. Get them right with Updater. Visit go.updater.com/mike, and as a special gift to our listeners, Updater is offering a special gift when you book a demo.
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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MultifamilyCollective or any other organization mentioned during the episode. The podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional or your organizational leadership before making strategic, professional, financial, or investment decisions.