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

In today's competitive job market, many employees have given up their jobs in search of greener pastures, a process known as the "big resignation." However, sometimes the grass on the other side is not always greener. In fact, one way for companies to retain talent is by providing resources that make employees' jobs easier and more productive.

While some fear that their jobs will be replaced by technology, in the multifamily industry, the opposite is true. As technology improves, it can help workers become more efficient, allowing them to prioritize their 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 room for flexibility, which helps employers attract and retain talent. Rather than making work obsolete, smart home technology can help simplify everyday tasks

Self-guided tours help meet rental goals

There are many jobs that will not be replaced by technology, such as rental agents. A rental agent won't be an outdated job, as many potential clients enjoy the experience of talking directly to a person when visiting an apartment or signing a lease. We previously shared that self-guided tours are an enhancement, not a replacement for traditional tours.

This is mainly because self-guided tours allow for multiple tours to take place at the same time and increase showtime even long after the rental group leaves for the day. Many rental agents prefer do-it-yourself tour technology because it optimizes the pool of potential tenants and fills vacant units faster than traditional tours alone.

The rental team even has the ability to follow up with potential clients directly after self-guided tours, hoping to convert the lead into rentals. This is the best of both worlds, the rental agent saves time by not offering tours, potential clients visit on their own time, and the rental agent can follow up to fill vacant units. This process maximizes the chances of signing a lease with less time commitment from the rental agent itself.

Faster leak detection

Leasing teams are not the only ones benefiting from the impact of smart technology. Property maintenance teams are also increasing their efficiency by using leak sensors that alert them to act quickly at the first sign of a leak. This avoids expensive repairs and headaches from extreme water damage.

Leak sensors cannot replace the human element of repairing leaks, but they can help ensure that leaks are resolved quickly. Therefore, maintenance teams become even more valuable when technology facilitates their ability to solve urgent problems.

Reduce hassle with access control

While technology can help stem employee turnover, rental turnover remains a major setback for a property manager's job. That's why property teams love that they no longer have to re-enter every door or replace locks. With smart locks, when one resident moves out and another moves in, it's as easy as resetting the door code.

With a simplified access control system, property teams can also grant or revoke access for visitors, deliveries and vendors. As a result, they were able to spend their time on higher-priority tasks instead of letting delivery drivers in.

Work Smarter to Improve Employee Productivity and Retention

In the end, employees who have access to resources to increase productivity and give them greater flexibility end up happier and stay with the company longer. As technology continues to evolve, humans' jobs will become easier, but certainly not outdated. There are some things that cannot be automated when it comes to supporting residents.