Roughly one year ago, companies across the globe were forced to accept and implement work-from-home strategies. Today, remote work is expected to continue despite the huge strides that have been made in tackling the pandemic. Prior to COVID-19, remote work had already seen a steady increase with an estimated 4.7 million people already in some sort of at-home work environment.
Due to the pandemic, roughly 56.8% of workers will remain in a work-from-home arrangement throughout 2021. With better work and home life balances and reduction of overhead costs, companies plan to continue these remote solutions. It is anticipated that 36.2 million Americans will remain in remote situations through 2025.
This, however, leads us to the burning question: How best to stay connected while working remotely?
By now, most of us are familiar with online messaging services like Slack, Microsoft Teams, GroupMe, and Google Hangouts. And let’s not forget to mention the immediate popularity of Zoom Video Chats. These all offer wonderful solutions, but they are not one-size-fits-all options. In face-forward industries like multifamily, it can be difficult to come up with creative alternatives for staying connected. Not only for your teams, but for your communities too. First, let’s take a look at the operational side of things.
Tips for Keeping Your Multifamily Professionals Engaged
Make Video Interactions Mandatory
This one may seem a bit obvious. But, you would be surprised at how many people will do just about ANYTHING to avoid being on video. Unfortunately, in today’s world, this simply isn’t an option. Face-to-face conversations are key in business. Video offers interaction in a world where our time together is limited. Genuinely healthy face-to-face connection simply doesn’t exist through other forms of remote communication.
Assign Visibility Buddies
It is easy to get lost in your own world while working from home. For many people, the hardest part is the fact that you experience very little encouragement or interaction with others. It has been found that when team members are paired up, great things can happen. When linking arms with one another and cheering each other on, support and encouragement can be more easily achieved. It can sometimes feel like bragging when you share your accomplishments in a group environment. But, through one-on-one relationships, that dynamic can change entirely. Studies have found that continuous positive reinforcement is a highly beneficial practice.
Company Contests and Challenges
Over the last year or so, virtual socialization has become more widely accepted. But who says this practice has to be limited to social circles? Aside from obvious happy hours or lunch meet-ups, employers can create fun contests and challenges to keep employees engaged. Contest ideas can include “best ugly holiday sweater”, “best costume,” and even “funniest pet or child moments while working from home,” or “most creative work from home set up.” Health and fitness challenges have also gained popularity in recent years, and have only increased in popularity throughout the pandemic. Keeping your office staff feeling like a team is imperative to keeping remote atmospheres positive and successful.
Now it’s time to talk about a completely different level of issues that have impacted the multifamily industry: Staying connected with your residents.
Ideas For Keeping Communities Engaged
Create a Social Media Page or Online Chat Board
Providing a safe space for residents to interact is a wonderful way to keep neighbors connected. It also helps keep them up-to-date on the latest happenings within their community. It offers a great place for management to advertise events, notify residents of community-wide maintenance, and to post important announcements. Conducting polls is another great way for residents to offer input and answer questions you may have for your community. Assigning a mediator will help keep your page or board a safe environment by watching out for any inappropriate posts. And, many communities have found this to be an incredibly successful way to keep everyone engaged and informed.
Create Community Virtual Events
Due to the pandemic, roughly 56.8% of workers will remain in a work-from-home arrangement throughout 2021. With better work and home life balances and reduction of overhead costs, companies plan to continue these remote solutions. It is anticipated that 36.2 million Americans will remain in remote situations through 2025.
Start a Community Newsletter
Newsletters are a great way to help residents stay up-to-date with community events, and hot topics. You can invite your residents to submit stories or request topics of interest. You could highlight birthdays, special events, or create a pet corner – I mean, who doesn’t love sharing cute photos of their furry loved ones? Posting accomplishments and positivity can also help you create the tone you want your community to have.
Just remember: Staying connected with your multifamily staff and residences can be accomplished. We’ve all had to get a little bit more creative during the pandemic, and we at Hire Priority can help. We take the time to provide ideas to both our clients and job hopefuls, and want to help you too. Want to learn more about our services? Check us out today!
