Fresh, single farm-sourced coffee now available to residents at participating multifamily communities
CHICAGO, IL - April 18, 2024 - WithMe, a leader in technology-enabled amenities for multifamily communities, has launched its innovative bean-to-cup coffee solution, SipWithMe, in the Pittsburgh market. WithMe’s exclusive coffee partner for the region is The Coffee Tree Roasters, a certified family- and woman-owned business serving the finest single farm-sourced coffee from around the world.
Through the partnership, residents at participating multifamily communities in Pittsburgh can visit SipWithMe machines in their common areas to access over 20 barista-quality beverages at the touch of a button.
“Pittsburgh is a city with a long history of quality coffee and has been a target market for SipWithMe for quite some time,” said Jim Carbone, Vice President of Operations at WithMe. “Partnering with The Coffee Tree Roasters will allow us to provide residents with convenient and thoughtfully sourced coffee products on a broader scale."
SipWithMe provides property managers with a cost-effective and time-saving amenity solution to elevate the living experience for their residents. Ordering coffee is fast and simple, typically taking less than 60 seconds. The solution’s Cup Allowance feature gives residents the perk of free coffee, with limits that support cost control for the property. Fresh coffee and ingredients are regularly delivered, the machines are monitored remotely, and live support is available seven days a week. Additionally, usage data makes it easy for owners to track return on investment.
The Coffee Tree Roasters was founded as a single coffee shop in 1993 by father and son Bill and Bill Swoope II in Squirrel Hill, PA. Since then, the company has grown exponentially and has been named Best Coffee Shop on Pittsburgh Magazine’s “The Best of The Burgh” list since 2018.
“At The Coffee Tree Roasters, we believe that coffee is a ritual,” said Jean Swoope, President and CEO of The Coffee Tree Roasters. “Through terroir, the unique sensory experience derived from a single origin roasted coffee that embodies its source, we celebrate our devotion to the highest quality coffees and the farms that produce them. Our roasting team personifies the human element of coffee on its journey from bean to cup. The unification of the two results in the ritual known as your daily coffee; a ritual The Coffee Tree Roasters has been proud to share with our communities for the last 30 years. Having the opportunity to work with SipWithMe, and to be a part of the daily coffee ritual in the communities it serves, aligns with our mission, 'To bring people together in a space where lifelong friendships are forged.' We look forward to a successful partnership."
SipWithMe serves multifamily properties across dozens of U.S. markets, including most major metros. To learn how you can bring SipWithMe to your community, contact WithMe.
About The Coffee Tree Roasters
The Coffee Tree Roasters is a certified woman-owned and operated business bringing customers the finest, perfectly roasted coffees from around the world. The Coffee Tree Roasters family has two simple goals: to serve the freshest single farm-sourced coffees in a space where lifelong relationships are forged and to support the local community by providing learning labs for business and life skills students.
For more information about Coffee Tree Roasters, visit https://coffeetree.store/.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people’s lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid workspaces while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs, and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category.
WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company, appearing on the list for the past three consecutive years, as well as a 2023 Inc. Power Partner.
Learn more at www.withme.com.
Local, Certified Organic coffee now available at a touch of a button to residents at participating multifamily communities
CHICAGO, IL - March 20, 2024 - WithMe, a leader in technology-enabled amenities for multifamily communities, today announced its entrance into the Los Angeles market with its innovative bean-to-cup coffee solution, SipWithMe. WithMe’s exclusive coffee partner for the region is Groundwork Organic Coffee Roasters, a leader in Certified Organic, ethically sourced specialty coffee.
Through the partnership, residents at participating multifamily communities in Los Angeles can visit the SipWithMe machine in their common area for access to over 20 barista-quality beverages – all at the touch of a button. Property managers at these communities have a cost-effective and time-saving amenity solution to elevate the living experience for their residents.
“SipWithMe’s launch in Los Angeles represents a significant step in WithMe’s mission to make top-tier and convenient coffee accessible to every multifamily community in the country,” says Jim Carbone, Vice President of Operations at WithMe. “Our partnership with Groundwork Organic Coffee Roasters speaks volumes of our desire to collaborate with local roasters who are not only at the forefront of coffee excellence but also committed to ethical and sustainable practices.”
A 2024 Statista survey reports about 73 percent of American consumers report drinking coffee every day, and multiple industry surveys rank coffee amenities at the top of multifamily renter wishlists.
SipWithMe makes a daily dose of coffee hassle-free for multifamily residents and property staff. Ordering coffee is fast and simple, typically taking less than 60 seconds. The solution’s Cup Allowance feature gives residents the perk of free coffee, with limits that support cost control for the property. Fresh coffee and ingredients are regularly delivered, the machines are monitored remotely, and live support is available seven days a week. Additionally, usage data makes it easy for owners to track return on investment.
“Partnering with SipWithMe gives us the opportunity to help Los Angeles multifamily residents enjoy the highest quality, ethically sourced, Certified Organic coffee they know and love in a new and innovative way,” says Eddy Cola, CEO of Groundwork.
SipWithMe serves multifamily properties across dozens of U.S. markets, including most major metros. To learn how you can add a SipWithMe to your community, contact WithMe.
About Groundwork Organic Coffee Roasters
Established in 1990, Groundwork’s mission is to ethically source and share exceptional, Certified Organic coffee that inspires people to work hard, dream big and make an impact in the world. Above all else, Groundwork’s coffee must meet a rigorous quality standard. A proud B Corp, Groundwork only makes coffee that is Certified Organic, Directly Traded and Ethically Sourced. Where they can, Groundwork purchases from farms certified sustainable by Rainforest Alliance. Groundwork is deeply involved in the long process of getting coffee into your cup—from farms to co-ops to the local Groundwork community. They never settle for anything less than the best coffee possible.
For more information about Groundwork Organic Coffee Roasters, visit www.groundworkcoffee.com.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people’s lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid workspaces while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs, and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company, appearing on the list for the past three consecutive years, as well as a 2023 Inc. Power Partner.
Learn more at www.withme.com.
In the latest episode of the "Multifamily Excellence" podcast, WithMe Founder and CEO Jonathan Treble interviews Girish Gehani, the COO of Trilogy Real Estate Group.
Trilogy Real Estate Group is a vertically integrated multifamily powerhouse, boasting a remarkable $4.5 billion in transaction volume across 14 thriving U.S. markets.
During the interview, Jonathan and Girish dive into an array of industry topics, including the game-changing strategies that have propelled Trilogy to success.
One of the most interesting insights Girish shares is the invaluable role supplier relationships can play in learning about and understanding key trends in multifamily.
He notes, "I've probably learned more from our third-party supplier partner relationships than I have from people who are sitting on my side of the table."
But why are these relationships so invaluable for property managers?
Girish explains that suppliers like WithMe engage with a multitude of clients, resulting in a unique and well-rounded vantage point of the industry. Supplier relationships have the ability to extend far beyond transactions, offering owner-operators a frontline view into market demands, operational intricacies, resident preferences and potential areas of innovation.
Girish emphasizes, “I spend a lot of my time creating those relationships in a true and authentic way, and it's been invaluable.”
This sentiment rings true for the team at WithMe. As a supplier, we are often boots on the ground, meeting with property managers all across the U.S. To deliver superior products and services, we closely monitor the operational challenges our clients face. As a result, we accumulate many data points that offer valuable insight into various parts of the industry.
Over the last year, here are three of the significant trends we’ve observed:
Labor Shortages and Overburdened Teams
Property management firms have been struggling with labor shortages for quite some time now, particularly when it comes to on-site roles, such as maintenance and leasing.
It’s undeniably a complex issue. Operational bottlenecks often stem from understaffed teams, causing delays in addressing resident needs and maintenance issues. This not only impacts the efficiency of operations and quality of service, but it also places an ever-increasing burden on existing staff members, leading to potential burnout.
To combat these issues, the industry has been turning to automation and AI.
Focus on Cost Control
With interest rates and insurance premiums continuously on the rise, property managers are under immense pressure to control costs. The challenge has been finding ways to reduce expenses without compromising service quality.
Seeking vendors and suppliers offering all-inclusive, flat-rate packages can help maintain fixed and predictable costs in an unstable environment. This especially rings true for amenities like coffee and printing, where wildly unpredictable and staggeringly high costs have become the norm.
Pilot Fatigue
The rapid rollout of new technologies in recent years has led to an unforeseen challenge—pilot fatigue.
In times like these, it’s important that property managers exercise a high level of discernment regarding the technologies they adopt. This involves developing a clear evaluation framework, particularly assessing the compatibility of new technologies with existing systems, evaluating their scalability, and ensuring comprehensive training and support for effective staff adoption.
Want to delve deeper into Jonathan and Girish's conversation? Listen to the full podcast episode on your favorite platform. If you like what you hear, be sure to leave a review and hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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Managing new construction in multifamily is an undertaking that comes with a unique set of opportunities and challenges.
With hundreds of critical decisions to be made, the value in onboarding and even using certain amenities during construction can be easily overlooked.
While it may seem daunting to try to select multiple supplier partners early on in a build, the benefits can certainly outweigh the costs.
Let’s take a look at a few of them:
One of the top amenity trends in new construction is dedicated coworking space.
And for good reason.
Upwork estimates that by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, equivalent to roughly 22% of the workforce.
Your future residents are going to need spaces where they can comfortably work.
If you need inspiration, check out this free e-book with advice from seasoned execs and a handy checklist to help you ensure you’ve got all of the essentials covered.
One essential takeaway from the e-book is that thoughtful FF&E and design aesthetics are critical in creating great coworking spaces, but technology is non-negotiable.
Where is your money best spent? Here are four smart tech investments:
WithMe falls into that category, offering elevated printing and coffee amenities with perks for residents and on-site teams.
PrintWithMe’s all-inclusive packages make budgeting easy, while outsourced technical support and auto-shipped supplies reduce the burden on property management teams. Residents love having 24/7 access to reliable printing and live support if they ever run into issues.
SipWithMe also boasts budget-friendly, all-inclusive pricing and outsourced technical support. Residents love being able to order 20+ roast-to-order beverages in the comfort of their own building.
You’re going to need a printer and a coffee machine.
Why not maximize your ROI, ensure a seamless rollout and alleviate the stress of lease-up by onboarding WithMe amenities during construction?
Plus, you can advertise that your building will offer free coffee and free printing! And what prospective resident wouldn’t love that?
When you’re ready to make life better during construction and well beyond, click here to schedule a conversation with us!
A deep dive into why tech-enabled amenities are an absolute necessity - and which three areas you need to focus on.
In the fast-paced world of multifamily living, a paradigm shift is underway. According to Lincoln Property Company’s Multifamily Outlook 2023, “renter lifespan” is on the rise. But, so is the level of scrutiny from prospective renters. Renters are dedicating 18% more time and taking nearly 40 steps to meticulously research multifamily homes before they even pick up the phone.
Meanwhile, apartment operating expenses continue to linger at more than 2x their pre-COVID norms. Approximately 20% of this increase in expenses can be attributed to turnover rates – despite historical lows.
So, how do property managers overcome the challenging task of cutting costs while simultaneously captivating and retaining discerning residents?
Technology-enabled amenities are taking center stage in response to these growing trends. And it’s no secret that residents now prioritize smart amenities over traditional offerings, like pools and covered parking lots. In fact, 75% of residents are willing to pay more rent, as much as an additional 15%, for smart homes.
Not only do residents want smart amenities, but so do staff members. They empower on-site teams to automate or even eliminate routine tasks. Thus, tech-enabled amenities have become invaluable allies in cutting costs and delivering impeccable services. But the question remains - which amenities move the needle and spark meaningful change in multifamily living?
Smart amenities are a widely discussed topic in the multifamily industry. You’ve probably seen a few headlines or heard chatter about them at networking events, but do you really know what it all means?
The official definition of a smart home, according to Coldwell Banker:
“A home that is equipped with network-connected products (aka “smart products,” connected via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or similar protocols) for controlling, automating and optimizing functions such as temperature, lighting, security, safety or entertainment, either remotely by a phone, tablet, computer or a separate system within the home itself.”
Applying the same concept to a larger scale, smart apartment buildings are housing complexes that seamlessly integrate tech-enabled amenities, building automation systems and property management into a cloud-based software system. This integration allows these components to communicate with one another and be controlled remotely via the internet, resulting in a cohesive and efficient living environment for residents.
The three primary components of a smart apartment building are connectivity, community management and tech-enabled amenities.
Now that we know what goes into a smart apartment building, let's delve into some examples of tech-enabled amenities that are reshaping the multifamily living landscape:
By embracing these tech-enabled amenities, multifamily properties can position themselves at the forefront of modern living, catering to residents' evolving needs and preferences while streamlining property management operations.
Residents crave more than just a place to call home—they desire an elevated living experience enriched with modern amenities. Just as a smartphone has become an indispensable tool in our daily lives, smart amenities are transforming the multifamily living experience by making it easier and more convenient. Moreover, with nearly 50% of residents spending 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities, they’re looking for ways to get more out of it.
The appeal of tech-enabled amenities to both residents and property management staff is multifaceted:
With roughly 85% of Americans owning a smartphone, smart amenities present an easy and effective way to delight residents. The integration of smart amenities is a natural progression in meeting residents' preferences and enhancing their living experience.
Not only do residents want modern amenities, but they report wanting ones focused on security and convenience. By offering sought-after features, multifamily properties can elevate their appeal and cater to the preferences of their tech-savvy residents.
The demand for tech-enabled amenities is a reflection of the changing needs and expectations of modern residents. As they seek a seamless, secure and connected living experience, property managers have a unique opportunity to leverage smart technologies and delight residents with a living environment that is truly ahead of its time.
The integration of smart amenities in apartment buildings goes beyond enhancing residents' living experiences—it also brings substantial benefits to property managers and owners. One of the most significant advantages lies in the automation of various tasks, which streamlines operating efficiency and results in notable time and cost savings. In some cases, multifamily managers have reported saving over 7 hours of labor per week due to the implementation of smart amenities.
Smart amenities come with sensors that detect and report issues -- sparing property managers from the burden of manual checks. Whether it's a simple notification when a package has arrived or an urgent alert about a leak in a bathroom on the eighth floor, these smart sensors provide invaluable real-time information, enabling swift action and proactive maintenance.
Energy management is another area where smart amenities excel. By setting schedules for building lights, thermostats and other smart features, property managers can achieve large energy savings. Plus, staff members won't have to traverse the entire property to make changes. Smart thermostats and lights can also contribute to reducing utility costs for vacant apartments by an impressive 18% or more. Such savings can translate to tens of thousands of dollars per year, impacting a property's bottom line.
Furthermore, resident retention is a vital factor in increasing net operating income (NOI). The implementation of modern, tech-enabled amenities has proven to be a game-changer. Apartments that have embraced smart amenities have reported a remarkable 59% increase in renewal rates. This impressive statistic underscores the profound impact of smart amenities in creating a captivating and satisfactory living environment, encouraging residents to stay and prolong their lease terms.
As property managers and owners strive to optimize operational efficiency and enhance the overall financial performance of their properties, the integration of tech-enabled amenities proves to be a strategic and innovative approach. The seamless automation, real-time monitoring and energy-saving capabilities of smart amenities not only elevate the living experience for residents but also pave the way for sustainable growth and increased profitability.
You might be wondering, “how can property managers strategically select and implement the right tech amenities?” By understanding the specific needs of their residents and aligning them with the advantages offered by smart amenities, property managers can truly differentiate their properties in the competitive multifamily market.
As the multifamily industry continues to evolve, the demand for tech-enabled amenities is at an all-time high. According to the National Apartment Association (NAA), 54% of owners and operators reported plans to ramp up smart-home initiatives back in 2020. Now, three years into this trend, it's essential for property managers to evaluate their progress in truly moving the needle.
The reality is that simply adding smart gadgets arbitrarily won't lead to a significant impact on your net operating income (NOI). However, if you keep your residents and staff in mind, you can strategically implement the right smart technology.
To optimize the advantages offered by tech-enabled amenities, focus on the following areas:
To get the most out of your amenities, consider your property's specific expenses. Look for low-hanging fruit that can yield the biggest returns. For instance, if electricity and labor costs are a concern, consider implementing smart lights and thermostats throughout the building. If residents are interrupting staff on a daily basis over community amenities that are out of order, then consider tech-enabled devices, like PrintWithMe, that calculate when supplies are running low or out of stock, automatically order more and offer easily accessible live support for residents.
As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial to consider data privacy laws and the vulnerabilities associated with smart tech. Data breaches and privacy violations can have severe consequences, leading to financial losses and reputational damage for property management companies. Property managers and owners should be proactive in implementing robust data protection measures.
One key consideration is the type of data collected by amenities and how it is stored and utilized. Property managers should seek transparency from amenity providers regarding data collection practices, ensuring that residents' information is handled with the utmost care and only used for its intended purpose. Additionally, data encryption and secure storage protocols must be in place to safeguard against unauthorized access.
High-tech amenities can have a profound impact on resident retention. Although not all smart amenities directly drive resident retention, they contribute to creating a superior living experience, fostering resident satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of lease renewals. Consider your resident demographics and common areas used, like coworking spaces.
Although younger residents often have higher expectations for smart amenities, a surprising study found that 65% of residents in their 60s and 70s are also willing to pay more for modern amenities. This highlights the universal appeal of smart amenities, making it essential for property managers to cater to a diverse range of preferences.
To discern which technology-enabled amenities will have the most significant impact for your residents, try surveying them. You can get insights on which amenities are most likely to influence lease renewals by sending out a free Google Form. Provide residents with a curated list of potential amenities, and ask residents to rate them.
The multifamily industry is witnessing a transformative shift as residents increasingly seek the convenience and security offered by smart amenities. As they spend a lot of income on rent and utilities, residents want to get the most value out of their living experience. Smart amenities present a gateway to a more connected, efficient and elevated living experience.
Tech-enabled amenities encompass an array of features designed to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of residents. From keypad entry systems to encrypted, wireless printers, these amenities remove mundane tasks, bolster productivity, promote sustainability and empower residents to take more control over their home. Moreover, the integration of smart amenities is instrumental in driving down vacancy rates, fostering resident retention and ultimately boosting net operating income (NOI).
Smart amenities represent more than just a trend—they are the gateway to a modern, connected living experience that delights residents while optimizing operational efficiency. By embracing the transformative power of smart amenities, property managers can forge a path to long-term success, offering a living environment that is truly ahead of its time. By keeping residents and staff at the heart of decision-making, property managers can differentiate their properties and cultivate an identity committed to excellence in the competitive multifamily market.
At WithMe, Inc., our purpose is to make people's lives better every day. We deliver on that through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. Our PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff.
Visit www.withme.com to learn more.
Interior design company Havenly shares their top 5 insider design tips with PrintWithMe for refreshing your home office for the holidays.
For years, the holiday season is when many of us enjoy decorating our homes, patios, and if you’re a Property Manager, your apartment residents' common areas. While many of us are confined within our home offices in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important to stretch our creative muscles and reimagine how our holiday purchases can contribute to a more joyful, inspiring, and productive work-from-home environment.
Not sure where to start? PrintWithMe had gathered five easy-to-implement decorating tips from our friends at Havenly, an online interior design company that provides customers highly personalized and affordable interior design consultation:
Thomas Lloyd, a designer at Havenly, shared with us that in addition to making an office space functional, it is also important to make your space inspiring. Enter wall arts.
It’s not only about time we refresh our Zoom background. Investing in an inspiring art piece to go onto the walls of your home office can help elevate your mood and create mental boundaries in your space. For an extra holiday touch, consider office artwork that brings the outdoors in and celebrates the season.
Online retailers like Society6 and Fine Art America are great places to start with your search for home office artwork. For a more personalized and unique space, you can even commission artists whose artistic style resonates with yours to create a customized piece for your home. You can find artists either locally or on Etsy.
Here’s one of our favorite home office pieces from Society6:
One of the challenges for transitioning from an onsite workplace environment to a work-from-home space is that many individuals do not have designated office areas in their homes, and perhaps do not have the necessary office furniture and tools needed to perform daily tasks in privacy. Often the lines between home life and work life are blurred in work-from-home spaces, and it can be tough to spend so many hours in one place.
“You can have a lot of pieces that look super stylish but when it comes to actually working there, it has to be an environment that you actually want to sit down and spend six to eight hours a day in,” said Lloyd.
Here’s the good news! The holiday season is packed with deals and discounts you can take advantage of such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and don’t forget Small Business Saturday – the day after Black Friday to support local independent businesses – if you’re planning on investing in quality home office furniture pieces.
Learn more about how to maximize your investment by purchasing multi-functional furniture suited for a work-from-home environment in this blog by Havenly.
Don’t wait until Spring for a spring cleaning. The holiday is a great time to clear out the clutter in your home, especially your work-from-home office.
“The lack of physical barrier about working from home makes setting a routine difficult but crucial to a healthy and functional workspace,” said Lloyd. He suggested investing in clutter solutions and desk accessories to help organize your space while adding flair to the design as well.
“For example, if you’re working with a lot of papers, invest in a great looking paperweight,” said Lloyd.
Check out these cute and affordable accessories for your desk!
If you are spending most of your time at the desk, why not inject some holiday spirit with fun and delightful knick-knacks and candles? Seeing cheerful holiday decor can help to increase your happiness at work, while also creating a space that more closely resembles seasonal, pre-COVID onsite holiday decorations.
As Lloyd suggested, you can either spruce up your entire workspace with holiday decorations or you can target smaller areas like your work desk by adding colors, textures, and scent to make it feel cozy and welcoming.
The most straightforward way is to light up candles of your favorite scents. From pumpkin spice to sandalwood, there are so many artisanal candle companies that offer scents that could remind you of your hometown, ones that boost your productivity or to support a good cause.
Whether you are a pro interior designer, or if you’re completely new to design, it’s always nice to have input from others on decor decisions – especially when it comes to big purchases like couches, desks, or bookcases.
“Some of our customers turn to us [Havenly] simply to validate their design direction and their purchases,” said Lloyd.
To help you optimize your design decisions, consider turning the decoration of your home office into a social-distancing activity that you can do with your family, roommates, or friends – either in person or virtually.
Start by creating a collaborative Pinterest board. Also, explore these apps with augmented reality capability to help you recreate the in-person shopping experience while connecting with your friends and family over Zoom!
We hope these home office design tips help to bring some more cheer to your holiday season! We know that staying productive and inspired is extremely important during these uncertain times, and we hope your home office refresh journey is a fun and relaxing one.
Companies like PrintWithMe and Havenly are dedicated to providing convenient solutions, from printing to interior design, to busy professionals like yourself to help you save time and money.
Learn more about PrintWithMe here or get in touch today!
Kenny Nguyen, a Marketing Associate at ZRS Management, shines a light on the company’s dedication to its people-first approach amid uncertainties and the success that follows.
In the midst of a global pandemic, where information and events can change dramatically day-to-day, it can be anxiety-inducing to attempt to predict the future of the multifamily industry.
However, to ZRS Management, a company honored as one of the Top Workplaces by Multifamily Leadership for four years in a row, the only tangible and unfailing solution appears to be more fundamental and closer to heart. Though it may not always be obvious the solution is to treat each other with kindness and compassion.
Today, the world is changing rapidly. There is less space for micro-management but an increased need for trusting leadership. To help demystify this, our team at PrintWithMe virtually interviewed Kenny Nguyen this week, a Marketing Associate at ZRS Management, to learn about the guiding principles the company has put in place to attend to the needs of their employees, renters, and prospects.
While the financial repercussions of the outbreak dominated the news front with overwhelming concerns over rent collections, Nguyen said that their properties are seeing more renewals and more leases being signed in the past weeks.
He attributed the success to the ZRS leasing team’s emphasis on being as human as possible when it comes to virtually walking through the leasing process with prospects with patience and compassion.
“We never really know who our prospective renters might be,” said Nguyen. “So, offering that sense of human touch is really important.”
Instead of relying solely on software and technologies to give tours to prospects, a majority of their leasing consultants are encouraged to take an active role in giving virtual tours via video conferencing.
During each virtual tour, consultants show clients the details of the properties, amenities, and the actual apartment homes, down to the specific details like kitchen finishings. This kind of human interaction is incomparable to simply clicking through a simulated tour, where no questions can be answered.
He also shared a unique story about a leasing consultant’s dedication to helping a couple whose husband is based in Oklahoma and wife in Puerto Rico. The consultant had to navigate through time differences and utilize the proper tools so that they could all view the property together. The consultant handled all questions and concerns flawlessly and was able to successfully encourage the couple to lease an apartment.
Listening is a trait that Nguyen emphasized throughout the interview. “We’re always actively listening,” Nguyen explained when asked what training and support the company is providing to their on-site teams to handle unforeseen scenarios.
“We are always paying attention to what’s going on around us in our landscape and trying to create an ecosystem of communication that is responsive and quicker to implement changes than we used to,” said Nguyen.
He also told us that, since the outbreak, ZRS has been conducting daily updates and weekly briefings with its executives for feedback which had successfully built rapport among the staff.
“This kind of exchange and communication are going to continue running well past COVID-19,” said Nguyen as he spoke about how the regular meetings and teamwork had contributed to the success and the effectiveness of many marketing campaigns since.
It is inherently difficult to foresee a global crisis like what we’re experiencing now. Luckily, for ZRS, the commitment to strong values and building a team of sensible and creative people is at the core of the company.
“We select candidates that have empathy and a sense of urgency for others. These are foundational skills of any ZRS team member, company-wide,” said Nguyen. “In addition, we believe in having great ‘soft skills.’ From their first day and thorough their career, a ZRS associate is taught soft skills such as building rapport and actively listening to expertly handle any situation,” said Nguyen.
Nguyen said that the marketing team at ZRS is aware that every property and every on-site team has their own unique needs. Instead of trying to absorb and relay all the information they could possibly gather, they have stepped up as the facilitator of ideas.
Nguyen said that he is fascinated by the exchange and support he had witnessed among teams. Through an internal communication platform called the “Idea Exchange”, employees from leasing consultants to property managers are encouraged to cultivate creative ideas, share their unique experiences, and voice their concerns.
“We think when the staff is encouraged to collaborate, it helps them connect easier, discuss ideas, and then go from there,” said Nguyen.
Other than encouraging an organic exchange of ideas, Nguyen said that ZRS is also very intentional when it comes to distributing information and knowledge to their leasing consultants. Led by Vice President of Marketing Jeremy Brown, the marketing team began hosting a weekly virtual leasing class for their leasing teams with an objective to discuss topical issues and to provide relevant training and tools.
“The class has become so popular that we’ve had literally hundreds of people tune in on a weekly basis,” Nguyen said with surprising enthusiasm. “So much so that we actually had to set a cap in terms of how many people could attend because it would freeze up the Zoom call itself.”
Photo Courtesy of ZRS Management.
The company has also reinforced their “Open Door Policy” for employees to always feel encouraged to reach out whenever they need to, and look out for each other–whether it is about their job or anything concerning their personal well-being.
A pressing topic Nguyen and his team had observed prompted them to rethink the importance of ownership over ideas and creativity: How can we create a sense of community when we are not physically present with the residents?
To tie it back to the emphasis on creating a genuine human connection with everyone, ZRS is impressed by the creative ideas and over-the-top community-building efforts that came from individuals from each property who know their residents best.
“The resident ideas that our teams have come up with are outstanding,” Nguyen said as he applauded the on-site teams for the thoughtful and wide-ranged initiatives they’ve implemented, from virtual events such as cooking challenges to pool-side concerts and sending personalized, uplifting videos to residents. He also said that he was surprised at the popularity of virtual bingo, and how some properties created ceremonies for recent high school and college graduates.
Some property managers had gone above and beyond to send customized gifts to celebrate significant milestones with their residents who are welcoming a newborn or adopting a new pet.
Photo Courtesy of Grand Central Apartments.
“In a time like now, it is so important to create a sense of bond, that the apartments aren’t just a place where you live; it is a community made of people and local organizations you want to spend time with,” Nguyen said.
Although their reopening strategy remains fluid due to the unclear circumstances of the pandemic itself, the health and well-being of their employees and their renters are the priority.
Nguyen said that ZRS is doing everything they can, such as keeping up with state guidelines, communicating directly with transparency, and providing all the resources and protective equipment education their staff may need. However, they always stay true to their people-first philosophy and he reassured that ZRS is overly passionate for their employee’s well-being.
Special thank you to Kenny Nguyen for sharing his insights from ZRS on the multifamily industry during COVID-19.
To learn more about ZRS, visit them online at www.zrsmanagement.com.
Property Managers, here is PrintWithMe’s list of the top four resident amenities services to prioritize when reopening during COVID-19.
We know that reopening apartment amenities after the state-by-state COVID-19 lockdowns will not be as easy as a flip of a switch. Apartments across the country are already making temporary, as well as permanent, new changes to their resident amenity services to protect everyone’s safety and health.
Prior to COVID-19, shared amenity spaces were designed to encourage in-person interaction; they were the key to fostering a neighborly community among the residents and the on-site staff. Unfortunately, we are now challenged to rethink the utilization of these common areas in order to support social distancing and to function as essential amenities crucial to renter’s new routines and lifestyles.
Here are our top four amenity services we recommend Property Managers prioritize during this careful reopening phase:
Photo Courtesy of AmenityBoss.
We want to have trust in our residents that they will be social-distancing themselves responsibly when amenity spaces reopen. However, property managers need to stay one step ahead of any possible mishap and help facilitate the measures needed to ensure the safety of their residents and on-site teams.
One obvious solution is to manage occupancy limits. Smart software like Amenity Boss allows property managers to customize occupancy and time limits for each amenity. Residents can reserve and check into the amenity using a contactless amenity pass system.
This can avoid overcrowding of amenity spaces and guarantee fair opportunities for residents to use their amenities.
Protecting residents’ and employees’ safety is paramount in combating the pandemic. The regular cleaning routine is no longer sufficient when the stakes are now much higher. Property managers need to develop a set of sanitization protocol that includes frequent cleaning rotation and pays special attention to high-touch areas.
To help relieve the on-site team from the burden, Spruce has recently launched a full line of service that include sanitization and disinfection of amenity spaces. Residents can also schedule a decontamination cleaning service for their own apartments using the Spruce app.
They also ensure that their employees are properly equipped with appropriate PPE while providing complete health checks for their employees prior to arriving for service.
Photo Courtesy of Fast Company.
Communication is key to making sure that you and your residents are on the same page especially when you reopen the amenity spaces. It is crucial that you relay the updates and guidelines clearly to your residents using every communication channel available such as updating your residents via email and placing appropriate signages throughout the community.
Using design software like Canva makes creating graphics for your messages easy and consistent. Whether it be signage outlining the hours of operation or a social media graphic that announces the reopening stages you recently implemented, Canva has a template for all your graphic needs.
They can even print and ship flyers or posters directly to you after you’re done creating the design.
Photo Courtesy of PrintWithMe.
The pandemic has forced the majority of the workforce to transition into working from home and this new norm is likely to stick around pass COVID-19.
Residents who are new to the remote working environment are tasked with great challenges such as limited space in their apartments; the lack of convenient printing options shouldn’t be one. Without access to their regular office printer, PrintWithMe has seen a recent uptick in printer usage since the shelter-in-place was put in order.
PrintWithMe’s printing process is entirely digital and contactless. Residents print via email using their own personal devices from the comfort of their own homes without having to log into a public computer or physically interacting with the printer.
Interested in getting PrintWithMe for your apartment community? Get in touch with our team today for more information.
This sums up our top four innovative amenity services for you to consider as you discuss your reopening strategies with your team.
Do you know other services you think would benefit our readers? Comment below!
Exclusive Interview with the CEO of TFLiving, Devin Wirt, and Senior Marketing Manager, Emily Smith.
All stakeholders in the multifamily landscape have adapted, pivoted, or witnessed dramatic changes to their businesses within the past few months; TFLiving is no different. However, their mission to provide affordable, meaningful, and thoughtfully-curated experiences stays the same.
TFLiving is an app-based amenities platform that offers a range of services to residents including fitness classes and events customizable to fit the needs of every community and add unique values to all its residents. They are currently in 29 states, more than 100,000 units, working with over 300 active properties including those managed by nationally-renowned property management companies like Bozzuto and Greystar.
Since the outbreak, the company shifted its focus completely from being a marketplace for on-site and in-person amenities into a virtual community where residents can still connect and interact with their neighbors while safely social-distancing. All TFLiving employees are also all working from home.
Devin Wirt, CEO of TFLiving, is also working from home and has been experiencing the full effect of being in isolation.
“We want to bring the social aspect back to people’s lives,” said Wirt.
TFLiving decided to use their proprietary app technology as a means to deliver social experiences directly to their residents who were staying at home. Instead of having to search for quality content on the internet themselves, residents can now simply log into the TFLiving app and tune into their latest events or fitness classes that had been designed to suit the needs of their community.
Emily Smith, Senior Marketing Manager at TFLiving, told us that their team had only two weeks to build an intuitive platform from scratch with technological capabilities to host live virtual activities.
“It truly took every single person on the team involved to make it happen,” said Smith. They have since hosted colorful live events such as piano concerts, fitness lessons, and cooking classes; the possibilities are endless.
Virtual Yoga Class at Home. Photo Courtesy of TFLiving.
The live events hosted by TFLiving resemble the essence of in-person events where human interactions and connections are formed within the apartment community. For example, residents can have realtime conversations using built-in chatrooms, strengthening the bond with familiar faces of their neighbors, instructors, and event hosts. These are qualities that residents simply can’t experience if they are merely attending a public Facebook live event or a regular online workout class.
Their new approach has been very well-received by both residents and the property managers. Additionally, with reopening strategies pending, TFLiving is confident that in-person events won’t be going away. They do foresee themselves expanding into a hybrid service accommodating the evolving demands of the residents.
TFLiving is also working closely with every client along the way on varying protocols, in addition to, developing their own operational standards and abiding CDC guidelines.
“The collaboration with our clients has just been wonderful,” said Wirt.
While the reality we now live in is sometimes unnerving, TFLiving makes sure that they keep the team spirit high through wall sit challenges, lunchtime gatherings, and trivia nights.
“I feel so much more connected to my coworkers than I normally would because of the circumstances we all have that requires we communicate much more often now,” said Smith.
Wirt gave credit to the entire team for their efforts to stay connected and have fun at work.
“At the end of the day, we are still people,” said Wirt.