ILS
RTC
Let me start by saying this arctic blast is for the polar bears. As a runner; I cringe every morning when my 5a alarm goes off. Just the thought of putting on three layers of running pants – two layers of long-sleeved shirts, two types of running jackets along with gloves a ski-mask and a wool cap – makes me tired. Makes me want to do some real-time communication (RTC) with the winter-master himself.
How do you like that for a transition?
RTC is not a new technology by any stretch and in the same respect I don’t consider it a mainstream business tool in the multifamily space. At least not as a sales tool. But that all may change soon.
Skip over here for a more precise definition. In the meantime – trust me, there are some extremely cool implications related to this technology.
It’s finally catching up with the visionaries.
Virtual Tour 3.14159265359
My imagination tells me that we will soon lead guided on-line demonstrations. Demonstrations that will include activities like swiping the screen to open doors to your clubhouse/leasing office, the front door of a model apartment, closet doors, appliance doors, cabinet doors, storage doors and the like. All the while a leasing/sales person engages the customer in a real-time conversation.
RTC will give both the apartment shopper and the leasing person the ability to control each others device. At least as it relates to the tour/demonstration. Want to hear jazz in the background as we walk – no worries. It automatically cues based on the persons listening preferences as shared by their iTunes, Spotify or other platform. Care to look at the pool, fitness room, etc – will do as directed by the shopper. A sort of pick-your-story-ending type tour.
Want to complete an application? Already pre-populated with Chrome like instincts and signed with any of a number of on-line signature apps.
ILS
Mark Juleen so aptly points out that
the ILS is dying. He is right but not for long. RTC is part of the answer and the ILS’s will beat everyone to this point. Why? Dollars and Cents.
They just have to look at it from a different angle. Certainly not the Jeff Goldblum angle (although – he is cool). And not from the bickering like small children (see flier – funny but really?) angle (my click is bigger than yours).
Your looking forward to what will come of RTC Multifamily Maniac,
M
Multifamily Five Years From Now….
My annual prediction post…of sorts. Just a few quick hitters…
Remembering last year before we look forward to the coming five….
Assume that:
Predictive analytics point people to the perfect Experiential Apartment Community (EAC) for them. One stop shop – if you will. Marketing as we know it – even today – will be rendered uninteresting and borderline useless.
Apartment prices are predicated on twenty times the metrics they are today – think big social data.
Interactive Digital Signage trumps the kiosk and does most of the heavy lifting as it relates to leasing and service after the sale.
People choosing to do business with you do so by telling Siri (or, any equal) what they need and she taps into your community IDS and together these two Digital Experiential Monitors take care of it all.
Personal Experience Agents pick up where the DEMs leave off. If there is anything left to do.
The term social media finally gives way to something deeper and more meaningful.
Business newcomers continue to fragment people’s attention by inventing 300 new variations of review sites, ILS’s and niche communities.
ILS’s, middlemen and other business newcomers stay in better contact with your residents than you do.
ILSs service after the sale.
ILSs create loyalty programs.
Middlemen reinvent themselves such that he comes back with a crushing vengeance.
The Nest finally prices for the masses.
The Internet of things is near saturation.
Smart appliances, mechanics and hardware schedule their own maintenance calls.
Those same appliances, mechanics and hardware, once repaired, follow-up via the preferred method of communication.
They also, order up the part used to repair the problem.
They also, order in bulk for your portfolio assuring you bottom dollar pricing.
Your current apartment related job is either gone or looks 100% different from today.
What then?
The Renter’s Voice
Update: TRV responded to my questions via email and agreed to let me post them here.
Checking out The Renter’s Voice this morning.
Bullet point thoughts thus far:
1. Listings powered by an ILS – does that mean you have to do business with the ILS, Ellis or Renter’s Voice? If so, bunk.
TRV: No you don’t, many of the listings will begin with the robust content from a large content source – AF.com – so helps jump start a positive review platform.
2. I see zero activity thus far so hard to form an opinion about it. Even the listings in the side bar on the left seem plugged. When you click on them and go to the actual review page, it is void of the aforementioned review.
TRV: It will take time to build the reviews as with any web presence.
3. Not sure how managers can/will respond or participate (see point number 1)
TRV: Joanna Ellis is working with the PMC companies on building this review site for our industry. It is an open forum for renters to share experiences about apartment living. Over time, there will be other opportunities to use reviews for marketing in the apartment space!
Build Your Own Mouse Trap
I am still a firm believer that apartment management companies can build and equal if not better mouse trap right on there own website.
Ratings and reviews are a driver of business – no doubt. But, not if you have to pay to participate.
Your always wondering about the definition of advertising partner multifamily maniac,
M
Some Feedback from Twitter –
@mbrewer curious- what’s going to be the difference between them and the other rating/comment websites? Did I miss that?
— Nicole (@NYork75) June 21, 2012
