Glitzy architecture wins awards, high-profile tenants burnish reputations and energy conservation measures earn kudos for commercial properties. But there’s another aspect of the business that’s not quite so charismatic but every bit as important to maintaining asset value and reputation – pest control. Pest control contractor working in the flat Such creatures as mice, rats, flies, ants, cockroaches, termites, spiders and pigeons can cause serious damage in electrical or boiler rooms, walls, and public and worker spaces. Gnawing rodents, for example, contaminate surfaces, increase fire risk by damaging wiring and equipment, transmit disease and aggravate allergies. Swarms of some ant species can also cause power disruptions. Bird droppings can corrode paint and materials. Aside from being damaging, these outcomes aren’t pleasant sights for occupants, customers and visitors. Steps to avoiding such damage includes keeping pests out of a facility, eliminating breeding sites and applying pesticides when necessary. The fact that many commercial businesses share walls and common spaces such as lobbies and break areas makes dealing with this issue a collaborative effort. “A successful pest management program depends on a strong partnership between the building’s management, occupants and a pest control professional. Effective communication between management, the maintenance staff and occupants is the key to success in any pest control program,” notes Abra Kadabra Environmental Services of Mound, Minn. Here are some tips from Abra Kadabra, Hero Pest Control in Robinson, Texas, and Britain-based Rentokil Initial that can help commercial property owners protect occupant health, worker productivity, business performance and their reputation: Inspect facilities, including roofs, for cracks, holes or other openings. Repair all damage promptly and seal openings.Educate employees about keeping work areas clean, proper trash disposal and other good sanitation practices.Install window screens and replace torn or missing ones.Place weather-stripping around exterior...
Announcing New Features!
Yardi Senior IQ
You may be familiar with our senior living business intelligence solution, Yardi Senior IQ. This integrated system generates data at the click of a button to help operators make smarter, faster decisions. And when operators make informed decisions based on real-time data, senior living residents reap the benefits in the form of enhanced services and care. All that aside, today’s focus is to share the newest advancements Senior IQ has to offer. Read on for a short overview. Senior IQ releases enhanced dashboards and KPIs Starting with the clinical ADL’s dashboard, Senior IQ clients have access to three new KPIs showing resident counts for: Care plans not activated at admissionCare plans not activated quarterlyCare plans not activated annually In the clinical medications dashboard, three new KPIs exist in relation to medication orders. These offer resident percentages by property/care level for the following respective orders: Residents receiving antibiotic medicationRecently started antipsychotic/anxiolytic/hypnoticStarted antipsychotic/anxiolytic/hypnotic by CL For the clinical census dashboard, a single KPI has been added. Titled conversion from respite to permanent, this KPI shows the percentage of residents who have converted from a respite to permanent contract type in the past 12 months. In relation to KPIs that already exist in the clinical census dashboard, new columns have been added in the drilldown grid KPI to show more details. Moving on to the clinical pressure ulcers/injury dashboard, the average length of pressure ulcers KPI has been renamed to average duration of pressure ulcers/injury. Last but not least for KPIs in Senior IQ, an occupancy type filter has been added under dashboard filters, giving clients the option to switch between physical and financial occupancy. Contact us If you’re already utilizing Senior IQ and have questions about the latest functionality, reach out to your sales rep anytime. If you haven’t started your journey with this single connected solution just yet, contact us to learn...
Rent Relief Summit
Yardi Staff Collaborates
A group of Yardi employees met in Atlanta late this summer for a first-of-its-kind staff summit. The gathering was an opportunity for the team to share challenges, successes, and plans to optimize Yardi’s new Core Relief suite of products. The weeklong event brought together Yardi project managers, case supervisors, file auditors, service managers, payment processors, call center agents and legal staff. This contingent of Yardi employees began developing, marketing and implementing Yardi Relief software and service solutions in early 2021. “I am so proud of this entire department! This team is extremely passionate about our Relief suite and the impact it means to our communities.” said Elisabeth Daniels, director for Yardi. Rent Relief was the first product from the suite released by Yardi. Rent Relief simplifies and streamlines how state, county and city housing agencies implement Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds. ERAP funds are tied to economic recovery legislation enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rent Relief has processed more than $1.3B in payments to households who used the Yardi solution to qualify for assistance. “ERAP’s success depends on quickly qualifying renters and landlords in need of economic assistance due to financial hardship during the pandemic. Rent Relief enables our clients to quickly and securely collect applications, determine eligibility and disburse payments to landlords, renters and utility companies. We have leveraged the success of Rent Relief to expand our Relief solution and support other direct-to-beneficiary programs,” said Daniels. The Yardi Relief Suite now includes Mortgage Relief, designed for states that have been granted funds to assist homeowners in financial need due to the pandemic. Similarly, Utility Relief is a management solution for programs that help residents behind on utility payments. The final piece of the suite is Core Relief, which is available...
Water Works
Underwater Construction
We’ve discussed the challenges, benefits and methods of building higher in these pages. This time we’ll look at building lower – specifically, underwater. Although it’s largely hidden, underwater construction is prevalent and necessary to many aspects of commerce and recreation. A study in 2020 found that infrastructure such as marine tunnels, bridges, oil and gas rigs, wind farms, ports, marinas, aquaculture farms, artificial reefs, cables, coastal defense and breakwaters cover about 11,600 square miles – an area about 500 square miles larger than Albania. Underwater structures face special challenges such as ocean currents, corrosive water and pressure. They must be positioned to avoid interfering with ships and be sturdy enough to withstand impacts from large sea animals. Moreover, many construction materials commonly used on land, such as wood, aren’t suitable for underwater use. Then there’s the actual construction process. Since it’s nearly impossible to build in water, sea-based structures are usually built on land, transported to their destination and lowered into place. Some pieces are lowered using their own weight while other parts are loaded with weights that help them reach the seafloor. One structure that was built this way is the Utter Inn, a small hotel in Sweden that was built on shore then submerged in the middle of a lake. Its entrance is only accessible by boat. If builders need to reach the bottom of a body of water, they might use a caisson, a watertight structure that creates dry interior. Once the structure is built, the caisson is released, allowing water to enter. Building the Brooklyn Bridge, for example, involved using large caissons to dig to the bedrock and form the bridge towers’ foundations. Cofferdams, another type of support structure, are temporary enclosures that pump water out to create a dry...
Secret Life of Pets
Amenities for four-legged friends
Pet-friendly apartments are becoming the norm, especially among younger renters. Millennials are now the biggest market for pet ownership. Property managers and owners need to stand out and make their complexes more unique and attractive with pet amenities. But have you ever wondered what your pet might want in their new apartment? The secret life of pets may open new ideas for property owners across the country. Let’s look at this from the pet’s perspective and what they want to see when they tag along on a tour of your apartment complex. The perfect perks for pups Dogs are excitable, sociable, friendly, and have lots of energy. Since dogs are so social and energetic, an on-site dog park is essential to earn five stars from Fido. Something that would be large enough for them to spread their paws and has lots of green grass. Yappy Hour at the complex dog park would be an attractive resident event that you can hold monthly. During Yappy Hour you can provide some refreshments and picture ops to boost your property’s social media accounts – some of your resident dogs may even be Insta influencers! However, some dogs are not too keen on shared space. Grassy areas with walking trails around the complex are another huge plus for all pups and their parents. Whether you have walking trails or not, strategically placed poop bag stations are a must for any pet-friendly property. Post-pandemic, return to the office is starting to make a comeback. A dog door leading out to the balcony or patio is another awesome option for pets and owners alike. That way Barkley can lounge on the balcony and not have to be stuck inside all day while their human is working eight hours or more....
Celebrate Joyful Moments
National Assisted Living Week
It’s officially National Assisted Living Week (NALW), an annual celebration of those who reside, work and volunteer in assisted living communities across the United States. The commemoration is spearheaded by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and same as past years, we love spreading the word here on The Balance Sheet. If you haven’t heard about NALW, not to worry! We’re here to share the meaning behind it, this year’s theme and tips from NCAL on how to celebrate. Celebrating NALW 2022 NCAL does a fantastic job each year in providing resources — like their annual planning guide — to help communities maximize their National Assisted Living Week celebrations. And this year’s planning guide centers around the 2022 theme: joyful moments. The theme stems from the challenges the industry has faced in the past two years, serving as a reminder to find happiness, joy and fulfillment in life’s moments. Described by NCAL as “especially meaningful,” the theme encourages communities to engage residents and staff with moments of joy. Those moments can be sparked through a variety events and activities. Fortunately, NCAL is here to guide us with suggestions that not only create joy — but also adhere to COVID-19 infection control requirements to keep everyone safe. To name a few, NCAL suggests putting together: A slideshow of residents and staff doing activities that bring them happinessAn arts and crafts event utilizing joyful objects like flowersA virtual or outdoor exercise classA furry friends date, bringing animals in from a local shelterAn outdoor concert, dance, sing-along or even a silent disco As NCAL puts it, the possibilities are endless! The meaning behind NALW Established in 1995 by NCAL, National Assisted Living Week is a time for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers and local communities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors, as well as individuals with disabilities. The annual observance encourages assisted living communities around the nation to host events that celebrate the individuals they serve, while educating members of the public about this important aspect of long term care. Learn more about NALW and ways to get involved. Spotlighting Yardi clients With NALW spanning from September 11-17, our senior living clients have started giving thanks and sharing their celebrations on social media. Be sure to check out posts from Maplewood Senior Living, Westmont Living and Nevada HAND — plus more! Join the #NALW conversation Whether you’re attending a NALW celebration or simply wish to bring awareness to the observance, use #NALW on social media! And from all of us at Yardi, happy NALW. We’re proud to highlight this year’s theme and extend our thanks to those across long term care for all that they...
New Integration
Yardi EHR + Direct Supply
For senior care staff, taking resident vitals is often done manually. From capturing vital signs to recording data for each resident, the process is time consuming and heightens the risk for transcription errors. Luckily for providers and care staff, technology exists to capture, protect and connect that data. That describes our new partnership with Direct Supply, an integration between our electronic health record solution, Yardi EHR, and their DS smart technology. At a glance, the integration enables data drawn from supported equipment — like vital signs monitors — to flow into Yardi EHR. It’s an exciting step forward for us and our senior living clients. But how does this integration simplify care workflows? Reduce errors? Improve the resident experience? We have the answers. There’s a lot to cover, but that’s what we’re here for! See below for a breakdown of how the integration works — and how it benefits communities. About Direct Supply First things first, who is Direct Supply? Founded in 1985, this employee-owned company specializes in providing equipment and services to healthcare organizations, skilled nursing and assisted living communities throughout the United States. Their technology comes in different forms, but for our purposes, we’re introducing their DS smart solution. This intuitive platform gathers resident vitals taken from varying devices — from monitors to scales — in real time. This ensures resident vitals are captured quickly and efficiently, leaving no room for errors. Our new integration For Yardi EHR clients, a typical staff workflow with this integration involves: Connecting a mobile device to vitals equipment via BluetoothTaking a resident’s vitalsReviewing measured vitals on the DS smart appApproving a real-time upload to Yardi EHR So once a resident’s vitals are taken using DS smart technology, that data flows seamlessly into Yardi EHR. As...
Learn From Changemakers
Senior Living Ebook
We hope you’ve enjoyed the 2022 Changemakers series, an annual collaboration between Yardi and Senior Housing News (SHN). As sponsor for the fourth year in a row, we’re honored to join SHN in spotlighting senior living leaders for the exceptional efforts and achievements — with this year’s Changemakers class totaling at 11 honorees. If you haven’t had the chance to explore the interviews with each honoree, you can find those here on The Balance Sheet. Each leader sat down with SHN to chat about their experiences in the industry and share their strategies for driving change. And to celebrate the series coming to an end, we have a new resource to share! SHN has published a 2022 Changemakers ebook, which showcases unseen excerpts from the interviews. Read on to download the ebook and access bonus advice from this year’s Changemakers. Changemakers series wraps up for 2022 In light of the series ending, we’re extending a final congratulations to our Yardi senior living clients recognized! These honorees embody what it means to be a Changemaker. Each and every one has forged a unique path within their organization, and they’ve shaped the industry into what it is today. A very warm congratulations to: Joel Nelson of LCSTana Gall of Merrill GardensTom Grape of Benchmark Senior LivingJim Coughlin and Wendy Nowkunski of Northbridge CompaniesJesse Marinko of Phoenix Senior LivingDale Watchowski of American HouseBryan McCaleb of Sagora Senior Living We applaud you all for earning a well-deserved place in the 2022 Changemakers class. Read this year’s ebook To hear extra insights from our clients above and the rest of the 2022 Changemakers, explore the SHN ebook. If you’d like to learn more about how our senior living management software supports providers, get in touch anytime....
Having a Blast
Destruction in Construction
Before a majestic skyscraper, sleek office building or sturdy apartment complex takes its place on a city’s skyline, a structure currently occupying the space might have to be cleared out. In many cases that requires an explosive sequence that looks like an exercise in disarray but actually is a carefully calculated, prepared and controlled event. An old building is a candidate for demolition when it requires too much maintenance, contains dangerous materials or is otherwise unsafe. It’s fairly easy to level a five-story building using excavators and wrecking balls, but bringing down something on the scale of a 20-story skyscraper safely and efficiently requires an exquisite, fully planned explosive demolition involving “highly trained experts working with debris, weather conditions, materials, mass and physics,” says Irvine, Calif.-based BigRentz, the U.S.’s largest online construction equipment rental network. “Today’s technology can see skyscrapers fall from their stance in a matter of seconds, transforming the aesthetic of a landscape and allowing for new features to be constructed,” adds information source Live Science. Explosives comprise a compound or mixture of compounds that releases tremendous amounts of energy in the form of heat and gas when ignited. They include molecular explosives such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and nitroglycerin, chemical explosives like dynamite (which includes nitroglycerin) and composite explosives that contain fuel, oxidizers and other self-explosive ingredients. When a building is surrounded by other structures, implosion – a collapse into the structure’s own footprint using explosive materials in a pre-determined, detailed sequence and detonating them at a pre-arranged time – is the method of choice. A series of small explosions, strategically placed within a structure, encourages a collapse by weakening or removing critical supports. Explosives on the lower floors then initiate a controlled collapse and the building fails under its own weight, creating a pile of rubble without damaging nearby buildings. The event is preceded by pre-blast structure surveys, blueprint examinations, 3D modeling, clearing of debris and hazardous materials, planning for vibration and blast control measures, weakening of the supporting columns with sledgehammers or steel-cutters, removal of non-load bearing walls, blast area security and warning methods for the safety of nearby people and structures, and the loading of the columns with explosives. Some demolitions take out the entire structure whereas selective demolition removes specific sections of a building while retaining the structure. This approach is favored for remodels, upgrades and extensions where recycling, reusing and a reduced environmental impact from demolition are a priority. “The violent blasts and billowing dust clouds may look chaotic, but a building implosion is actually one of the most precisely planned, delicately balanced engineering feats you’ll ever see,” says HowStuffWorks, another science information resource. In November 2020, the 540-foot Mina Plaza building in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, became the tallest building to be demolished using explosives, taking all of 10 seconds. Construction is the fastest-growing segment for the explosives market in the U.S., which also encompasses transportation projects and other infrastructure activities. Mining interests favor explosives as a more versatile, time-saving and less expensive alternative to mechanical drills. The global industrial explosives market was valued at $7.1 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $10.9 billion by 2027, according to Allied Market Research. “Demolitions are important to the growth a revitalization of our communities and are continually evolving to become more cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly,” says BigRentz. Property owners can use Yardi Construction Manager to stay on time and on budget through every phase of a commercial real estate construction project – including...
YASC 2022
A momentous return as Yardi celebrates 40 years
The Yardi Advanced Solutions Conference (YASC) returned in person for the first time in three years. The sold-out event welcomes 3,000 Yardi clients in San Diego, Calif. for three days of learning, networking, exposure to exciting new technologies, and fun. Yardi president and founder Anant Yardi addressed attendees at the San Diego Convention Center, the first time YASC has utilized such a large venue for its general session gatherings. The host hotel for the event is the Manchester Grand Hyatt, where classes and Knowledge Center, a technology resource lab, are taking place. “It is just so exciting to have this conference in person once again after almost a three-year hiatus. Thank you for making the time to be here and to enjoy the atmosphere, the educational sessions and to network with each other,” Mr. Yardi said. Marking the company’s 40th anniversary, Mr. Yardi shared his perspective on the changes that the pandemic will bring to real estate holistically. The last two and a half years have been transformative for the industry. “For me, change is not a setback. It’s an opportunity to figure out how to respond to a theme such as the pandemic and the things that we see occurring around us,” Mr. Yardi said. Anticipating a coworking boom Those pandemic-prompted changes include the vast numbers of knowledge workers no longer working in offices full time, and residential shifts that have taken place as the result of increased workplace flexibility. Mr. Yardi cited a recent CoreNet study that found that 29 percent of knowledge workers are not required to be in the office unless requested by a manager, and close to 60 percent are required to be there less than four days a week. This shift has been buoyed by employers finding that employees are just as productive at home as they are at the office – 83 percent of CoreNet corporate respondents stated this was the case. This change in where people are working portends a significant shift for the commercial office space market. “Corporate real estate agencies or employers are beginning to shed office space. They’re reducing their footprints,” he said, citing national average office vacancy rates that are averaging 16 percent, but are 20 percent in some major markets. Mr. Yardi expects that the shift in space utilization will create a boom for coworking spaces and services. He forecast that coworking space – places where traveling or fully remote employees can use temporarily to have meetings, use the Internet, answer emails or accomplish tasks – will become prolific in the next few years. “Today there are 6,000 coworking locations (nationally). And the expectation is that in three to five years, it will be close to 30 times that number, and every large building will end up with a coworking location,” Mr. Yardi said. “My suspicion is that in course of time, coworking will get to a point where sites such as Expedia will allow you to book your hotel, your airline and your coworking conference space.” Marking 40 years of real estate technology After sharing some of the highlights for other real estate sectors – including rising rents in the multifamily space, an increased focus on built-to-rent single family developments, and a need for more affordable housing nationwide – Mr. Yardi reflected on the journey Yardi has taken as a company over the last four decades. Sharing a photo of the Apple II, an 8-bit home computer on which he wrote the first basic program that became the start line for Yardi’s software, Mr. Yardi contrasted the laborious process of manually programming the original code with today’s AI algorithms, which enable the production of code via machine learning. “The reason I wanted to show this to you is that innovation is one thing, but when the markets change, technology changes,” Mr. Yardi said. “We all have to learn new things.” Yardi continues to innovate technology solutions...
Tiny Offices
Getting Bigger
You’ve probably heard about tiny homes, which usually range from 100 to 400 square feet and provide affordable alternatives to traditional houses, opportunities for a simplified lifestyle and a potentially smaller carbon footprint. It’s a small but steadily growing part of the residential real estate market. And now, with some companies letting their employees work from home most of the time or permanently, could the small space concept translate to the office environment as well, with similar benefits? As a matter of fact, yes. Tiny offices, which are often installed in back yards, are gaining in popularity too, with demand having “skyrocketed amid a surge of interest from private homeworkers looking to redesign their work and home life,” according to the BBC. Tiny offices suit people seeking fuller separation of their professional and personal lives. But many workers “don’t have the space [for a home office] and they don’t want to spend all of the money to remodel their house with a room addition. That’s why I think we’re seeing so much of this,” says Bob Clarizio, a builder of tiny houses in Elgin, Ill. Early in the pandemic, some tiny house and garden shed manufacturers pivoted to create home office structures. “A soon as the quarantine and having to work from home started, the requests for our sheds doubled,” said Brennan Deitsch, a manager for Heartland Sheds in Glendale Heights, Ill. Tiny office styles can range from classic cottages to modernist miniature house designs, equipped with solar panels, energy-efficient windows and other amenities. And they’re mobile, so if the owner moves, “for relatively little cost you can just take it with you, plonk it in your garden and get up and running before your house is even finished,” says Mike Hyde, operator of...
YASC Returns Live!
Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in San Diego
Yardi is excited to welcome clients back in-person to the Yardi Advanced Solutions Conference (YASC) beginning Aug. 31, marking a return to real time after successful interactive virtual events over the last two years. The event is sold out with more than 3,000 clients expected to attend. Social media hashtag for the event will be #YASC2022. Be sure to download the conference app for fun games, interactive features and the full course schedule. Registered attendees have received a direct link to app via email. Attendees can also use the class list, course descriptions and agenda to prepare for their time in San Diego. YASC combines classroom learning with social activities in a beautiful seaside setting. The event will feature more than 280 unique classes presented in 300-plus sessions, with some classes offered multiple times. The classes and dozens of product experts will give thousands of real estate professionals in attendance insight into Yardi software solutions that improve efficiency in marketing, leasing, acquisition, energy management, investing and other operations. Yardi experts will provide personalized consultations and panel sessions will examine key industry trends. Exclusive live outdoor entertainment and fun social activities comprise other elements of a memorable experience at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, the new host resort on San Diego’s waterfront. You don’t want to miss it! During the pandemic, YASC was held as successful interactive virtual events in May and October 2020, May 2021 and March 2022. The events drew tens of thousands of attendees from more than 60 countries. Virtual YASC events will continue on an annual basis, with dates for 2023 to be announced soon. “We’re proud that our clients continued to gain value from virtual gatherings but there’s nothing like meeting face-to-face with colleagues. Our software is designed to connect people and communities, and we look forward to continuing that effort in San Diego,” said Kevin Yardi, the company’s vice president of global solutions. International clients can see what’s planned for regional in-person YASCs around the world in 2022. YASC Sydney is set for Sept. 20-21. YASC London is planned for Nov. 8-9. YASC Asia will return in Spring 2023, with a location to be announced...
Take It from the Top
Rooftop Amenities Add Value
Common onsite amenities available to occupiers of commercial and residential properties are widely known: gyms, laundry service, parking spaces, pet services and clubrooms, among others. But there’s a special location that can provide a key differentiator in the competition to attract and retain occupants: the roof. “Today, particularly at higher-end properties, unique rooftop amenities have proven to be a deciding factor in community selection for future residents,” says Brandon Reed, chief visionary officer at Salt Lake City-area rooftop amenity designer Loft Six Four. Moreover, they offer revenue opportunities like higher retention rates, higher rental yield and sale prices per square foot. “Once a forgotten space used only for cooling towers, water tanks and elevator machine rooms, or private amenities to attract tenants, building rooftops and setbacks are getting long overdue appreciation. Rather than being a sign of exclusivity, these rooftop spaces are becoming an essential part of any well-positioned office building,” adds Ambrose Aliaga-Kelly, a technical director for global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler. Popular rooftop amenities include safe play areas for children; swimming pools; gardens; lounges; outdoor kitchens; putting greens, games, yoga studios and lockers; outdoor TVs, Wi-Fi, USB ports, charging stations and other technology; and pet amenities like dog parks and washing stations. Aside from being space-efficient, an especially important consideration in high-demand metros with low vacancy rates and limited space for extras, rooftop amenities offer something that isn’t available at lower levels: a view. “A roof terrace with breathtaking city skyline views can be a major draw for potential tenants and buyers,” according to Reed. And there’s an energy angle too. Repurposing roofs on older residential and commercial buildings can reduce their carbon footprint. Green or planted roofs can help lower a building’s energy consumption by insulating it and providing a...
Changemakers Series
Honors Dale Watchowski
We’ve loved bringing this year’s Changemakers series to The Balance Sheet. Presented by Senior Housing News (SHN) and sponsored by Yardi for the fourth consecutive year, the series interviews industry visionaries to capture their experiences, strategies and advice. And to earn the Changemaker title, leaders need to push boundaries and take innovative approaches in senior living. The 2022 honorees certainly do — including our final Changemaker: Dale Watchowski. As the president and CEO of American House, one of our senior living clients, Dale shares insights about his leadership journey to date — plus more. Keep reading for a quick highlight of his interview. Meet Dale Watchowski When you meet someone with 30 years of industry experience, you know they have a few strategies up their sleeve. For Dale Watchowski, three decades in real estate and senior living have taught him valuable lessons, sparking his ability to drive strategic change. At American House, he brings that strategy — and unique leadership skills — to help the organization stand out from the crowd. That’s the basis of his interview with SHN, but there’s more to uncover. View the snapshot below then ready Dale Watchowski’s full interview. SHN: How have you changed as a leader since you’ve joined American House? Watchowski: I’ve always seen myself as an investor in real estate, as REDICO is the parent company of American House. REDICO is an acronym for Real Estate Development Investment Company, and throughout my career I’ve been investing in real estate and operating real estate. But the business of senior housing requires much more than that. Of course, you need financial discipline and some institutional character, but the business of serving and caring for seniors has to be top of mind and for me, it’s always felt philanthropic....
Shopping Malls Adapt
Experiences, Tech Open a New Era
Shopping malls, which McKinsey has defined as “the heart and soul of communities, the foundation of retail economies and a social sanctuary for teenagers everywhere,” have been under severe pressure from the proliferation of e-commerce and other forces. Although shutdowns and consumer reluctance to shop in person reduced average mall foot traffic by 90% at the pandemic’s outset, COVID-19 isn’t wholly to blame for the decline; it merely accelerated trends already in place. In 2014, McKinsey asserted the traditional mall as being “at a critical inflection point,” with “a storm of global trends coming together at the same time to cause malls to change the role they play in people’s lives.” In the subsequent years, “the single biggest factor in the decline of foot traffic at shopping malls has been the rise of online shopping,” says business content platform MarketScale. A record 12,200 U.S. stores closed in 2020 and about 125 consumer goods and retail companies filed for bankruptcy that year, on top of almost 6,000 stores that closed in 2019. Though suburban foot traffic has nearly returned to 2019 levels, foot traffic at urban shopping centers and malls remains 16% below pre-pandemic levels. Traditional mall anchor tenants like Neiman Marcus and J.C. Penney declared bankruptcy recently and reduced their store presence, while gas prices, COVID-19 variant surges and supply chain issues further complicated the issue. But while the challenges are undeniable, don’t count the mall out as a preferred shopping venue just yet. Retail foot traffic rose 61% during Black Friday 2021 compared to the previous year, according to JLL, while average foot traffic was up 27% in January 2022 over January 2021. DigitalSignageToday reports that “industry experts believe the mall is ready for a comeback. It will look different, though, and leverage technology...
Inventive Incentives
Help Fill Multifamily Properties
Even with multifamily rents continuing to rise nationwide, property owners still need to work to get people into their units. At the height of the pandemic, some renters in metros like Los Angeles, Boston and San Francisco relocated to lower-cost communities, prompting landlords to adopt creative measures to attract and keep renters. “Incentives are not what they used to be, primarily because market conditions and expectations have shifted, and offering the right incentives for lease renewals is more important than ever to capture the attention of today’s busy renters,” according to Zillow. Here are some ideas that can help property managers attract prospects and maintain high-quality residents, courtesy of Zillow, Multi-Housing News and other industry sources: Upgrade inside and out. Paint or landscaping improvements and new appliances, flooring and furniture can make a property more attractive to residents and prospects. There’s also the option of offering renewing residents a menu for choosing the services or upgrades they value or need most, whether it be a ceiling fan, new shelving on the walls or a better stove. Let free stuff ring. A period of free parking, cable service, laundry or dry cleaning, storage space or Wi-Fi is always appreciated, as is a temporary or permanent suspension of amenity or pet fees. Gift cards for ride-sharing services, food delivery services and more provide other options. “Free parking is the most common perk this year, but there are many ways to engage with renters in ways that are important to them,” ZillowRentals reported in its Consumer Housing Trends report. Amped-up tech. Cutting-edge technology like high-tech door locks, thermostats, tablet devices or smart home automation devices save property owners time and money and make a favorable impression on today’s tech-savvy renters. See how RentCafe Home IQ attracts prospects...
How To Streamline Procurement
Senior Living Ebook
Procurement is an essential part of running a successful senior living community. Yet, many providers still use paper systems to procure supplies leading to inefficiencies, oversights and costly mistakes. Fortunately, tech solutions like the Yardi Procure to Pay Suite dramatically reduce friction across all elements of the accounts payable lifecycle: vendor management, procurement, invoice processing and payments. In our new ebook, published by McKnight’s Senior Living, you’ll see exactly how. Keep reading for a sneak peek of what the ebook has in store. New ebook: Save Time and Money in Your Procurement Process When it comes to procurement, technology lends a helping hand by automating processes from start to finish. This leads to enhanced accuracy, time savings and improved staff workflows, which ultimately allows communities to focus on their number one priority: resident care. That’s the focus of our new ebook — Save Time and Money in Your Procurement Process. Courtesy of McKnight’s, we cover the ins and outs of using tech to transform your procurement process. You can expect to discover: Issues with manual processesBenefits of automated procurement toolsHow leading solutions make the differenceOne provider’s success with Yardi More on the Yardi Procure to Pay Suite For our senior living clients, we offer five products designed to support every step of the procure to pay workflow. Connected on a single platform, this includes: Yardi PayScanYardi MarketplaceYardi VendorCafeYardi Bill PayYardi VendorShield Each tool offers specific benefits for senior living providers, such as more time for resident services and care. The ebook shares more — offering a detailed look at how each product works in harmony to make procurement a seamless process. Keep reading Ready to learn more about automating your procurement process? Explore the ebook in its entirety. For more details on the Yardi Procure to Pay Suite, visit our product...
Chips Are Down
Shortage Hampers Manufacturing
Some materials, like air and water, are easily seen and felt and keenly noticed in their absence. Other substances are just as ubiquitous but more hidden and easily taken for granted – until they’re scarce. Take computer chips, for example, the processing and memory units that are the engines for everything from personal computers, smartphones and washing machines to electric toothbrushes, refrigerators and cars. “I imagine there are more than 100 billion chips in daily use around the world,” notes Matteo Rinaldi, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern University. One trillion chips were fabricated globally in 2020 alone, according to the European Union. But lately the process of producing more chips to meet ever-growing demand and new technologies has hit multiple snags. Demand for chips exceeded supply even before the pandemic, and when much of the world economy shut down during the pandemic, so did factories, holding up delivery of the supplies needed for chip manufacturing. With the pandemic came an explosive surge in demand for devices and their components, with home-bound people using more tablets, phones and other electronics than ever before, far exceeding what manufacturers could provide. Port closures and labor shortages produced shipping bottlenecks. Companies like Nissan, General Motors and Apple subsequently noted the negative impact of chip shortages on their manufacturing and sales performance, while Ford Motor Company reported a loss of $3.1 billion over the three months preceding April 2022. Car maker Audi and its parent company Volkswagen stripped Invidia tire pressure display, wireless charging pads and other chip-reliant features from certain models. Hoarding amplified the disruption. Similar to nervous grocery store shoppers, manufacturers stockpiled computer chips during the pandemic, preempting the “just in time” manufacturing model favored by companies that order parts as close to...
Changemakers Series
Jesse Marinko
We’re nearly at the end of the 2022 Changemakers series, an annual tradition presented by Senior Housing News (SHN). Although each year brings a wave of unique leaders, the 2022 series in particular has recognized a great range of individuals across the industry. As we approach the conclusion, it’s time to showcase the interview from our second-to-last honoree! Keep reading to meet Jesse Marinko, president and CEO of Phoenix Senior Living and a Yardi senior living client. All about Jesse Marinko With 20 years of experience in senior living, Changemaker Jesse Marinko has taken strategic risks throughout his career. That includes founding Phoenix Senior Living back in 2014, an organization offering innovative, personalized experiences for residents in assisted living, independent and memory care settings. In his SHN interview, Jesse Marinko talks about his lessons learned in recent years, how he’s approached change and the importance of serving the middle market. Keep reading for insights from this one-of-a-kind leader. SHN: Looking back on your career in senior living, what changes have you led that you’re especially proud of? Marinko: During my time at Benchmark and my time here in Phoenix under my own flag, I’ve prided myself on recognizing the industry’s youth, in terms of how long our industry has been in place. There’s not only a talent shortage, but also a recruitment shortage, and that has been a focused effort at Phoenix. We’ve made a strong effort to create training and educational platforms built for high-touchpoint customer service people by understanding how effective tactics in other industries could translate into senior housing. That’s not the norm, and I am proud of our effort. For senior housing to succeed in its infancy, we’re going to have to bring in new talent and train people who...
Forbes Cloud 100
Yardi Makes List for 7th Year
Yardi has been named to the Forbes 2022 Cloud 100, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures. Yardi was a member of the inaugural Cloud 100 in 2016 and is No. 51 this year. “We’re honored that Forbes has again recognized Yardi for our cloud technology and services,” said Jay Shobe, senior vice president of cloud services at Yardi. “Congratulations to all the cloud technology leaders that made this year’s list. It reflects the efforts of our employees and the incredible support of our clients worldwide.” For the seventh straight year, the Cloud 100 reviewed submissions from hundreds of cloud startups and private companies. The Cloud 100 evaluation process involved ranking companies across four factors: market leadership (35%), estimated valuation (30%), operating metrics (20%), and people and culture (15%). For market leadership, the Cloud 100 enlists the help ofa judging panel of public cloud company CEOs who assist in evaluating and ranking their private company peers. “The companies of the Cloud 100 list represent the best and brightest private companies in this fast-growing sector,” said Alex Konrad, senior editor at Forbes. “Every year, it gets more difficult to make this list — meaning even more elite company for those who do. Congratulations to each of the 2022 Cloud 100 honorees.” “The public markets may be in turmoil, but the private valuations of the Cloud 100 continue to rise. All the 2022 Cloud 100 honorees, again, have reached the $1 billion valuation milestone, and the average Cloud 100 valuation has skyrocketed to $7.4 billion,” said Mary D’Onofrio, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. “Despite the market correction in 2022, our confidence in the cloud economy continues to grow—today over 70% of the 2022 Cloud 100 Honorees have reached or exceeded $100 million in annual recurring revenue making them cloud Centaurs. An additional 10% of the list is expected to hit this milestone by the end of the year, furthering our conviction that this years’ honorees truly represent the best cloud companies globally.” “Great companies are born out of all environments, and it’s exciting to see the continued momentum in the cloud sector,” said Alex Kayyal, Managing Partner, Salesforce Ventures. “The companies on this list have gone through a rigorous selection process and join an esteemed alumni list of Cloud 100 companies. As the need for digital transformation continues to drive innovation and efficiencies across industries, we can look to these companies as the absolute best in cloud computing.” The Forbes 2022 Cloud 100 is published online at forbes.com/cloud100 and will appear in the August/September 2022 issue of Forbes magazine. About Yardi Yardi® develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With 8,000 employees, Yardi is working with our clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com. Bessemer Venture Partners Bessemer Venture Partners helps entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to build and forge long-standing companies. With more than 135 IPOs and 200 portfolio companies in the enterprise, consumer and healthcare spaces, Bessemer supports founders and CEOs from their early days through every stage of growth. Bessemer’s global portfolio includes Pinterest, Shopify, Twilio, Yelp, LinkedIn, PagerDuty, DocuSign, Wix, Fiverr and Toast and has $19 billion of regulatory assets under management. Bessemer has teams of investors and partners located in Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, London, Boston, Beijing and Bangalore. Born from innovations in steel more than a century ago, Bessemer’s storied history has afforded its partners the opportunity to celebrate and scrutinize its best investment decisions (see Memos) and also learn from its mistakes (see Anti-Portfolio). About Forbes Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and...
