Work Smarter, Not Harder: How Smart Home Technology Boosts and Retains Employees

By: Marissa Cohen

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In today’s competitive job market, many employees are leaving behind their jobs for greener pastures in what is being coined the “great resignation”. However, sometimes the grass is not always greener on the other side. In fact, one way that companies can work to retain talent is by providing resources that make their employees’ jobs easier and more efficient.

Although some are fearful that their jobs will be replaced by technology, within the multifamily industry, it’s actually quite the opposite. As technology improves, it can help workers to become more efficient thus allowing them to prioritize the most important tasks and have more flexible schedules. According to a recent study , 85% of Americans prefer jobs that offer flexibility. Automating tedious tasks creates space for flexibility, which helps employers attract and retain talent. Rather than making a job obsolete, smart home technology can help make day-to-day tasks easier.

Self-Guided Tours Help Reach Leasing Goals

There are many jobs that will not be replaced by technology, take leasing agents, for example. A leasing agent will not be an obsolete job, because many prospects enjoy the experience of speaking directly with a human being while touring an apartment or signing a lease. We’ve shared before how self-guided tours are an enhancement, not a replacement for traditional tours.

This is primarily because self-guided tours allow multiple tours to occur simultaneously and increase showing hours even long after leasing teams have left for the day. Many leasing agents enjoy self-guided touring technology because it optimizes the number of prospective renters and fills vacant units faster than traditional tours alone.

Leasing teams even have the ability to follow up directly with the prospect after a self-guided tour in hopes of turning the lead into a lease. It’s the best of both worlds, the leasing agent saves time by not giving the tour, the prospect tours in their own time and the leasing agent can follow up to fill the vacant unit. This process maximizes the chances of signing a lease with less time commitment from the leasing agent themselves.

Quicker Leak Detection

Leasing teams aren’t the only ones who benefit from the impact of smart technology. Property maintenance teams are also increasing their efficiency with the use of leak sensors that alert them to act quickly at the first sign of a leak. This avoids costly repairs and the headaches caused by extreme water damage.

Leak sensors cannot replace the human element of fixing a leak, but they can help ensure that it is addressed quickly. Thus, maintenance teams become even more valuable when technology facilitates their ability to address urgent issues.

Less Headaches with Access Control

While technology can help deter employee turnover, lease turnover continues to be a large frustration of a property manager’s job. Which is why property teams love that they no longer have to rekey each door or replace the locks. With smart locks in tow, it’s as simple as resetting an access code when one resident moves out and another moves in.

With a streamlined access control system in place, property teams can also grant or revoke access for visitors, deliveries and vendors. Hence, they are able to devote their time to higher priority tasks than letting delivery drivers in.

Working Smarter to Boost Employee Efficiency and Retention

In the end, employees that have access to resources that improve their work productivity and allow them more flexibility, will ultimately be happier and stay put at companies longer. As technology continues to evolve, the human’s job will be easier but certainly not obsolete. When it comes to supporting residents, some things just can’t be automated.

To learn more about how smart home technology can improve efficiency for site teams, schedule a customized demo .