Coffee saves lives!
It may seem like an overly dramatic statement, but believe it or not, your morning coffee could be positively impacting your health!
Beyond its delightful taste and the immediate energy boost it provides, scientific studies have uncovered a wealth of health benefits associated with America’s favorite morning beverage. Nutrition experts at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine note that coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, and it also contains many other active substances that result in much more than just a quick pick-me-up.
Without further ado, let's delve into the top health benefits of drinking coffee and how it contributes to a longer (and happier) life.
In 2017, the British Medical Association's BMJ published the results of an extensive analysis of nearly 220 research studies on coffee. Researchers determined that coffee drinkers were 17% less likely to die early from any cause than non-coffee drinkers.
In 2022, The Annals of Internal Medicine corroborated those 2017 findings, publishing research that correlated moderate consumption of unsweetened and sugar-sweetened coffee with a lower risk for death. Participants who drank 1.5 - 3.5 cups of coffee per day had a 30% lower risk of death from any cause during the study.
Coffee may play a pivotal role in enhancing the body's processing of glucose or sugar.
One review of 30 independent research studies found that each cup of coffee consumed per day lowered the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 6%.
A 2014 Harvard study that tracked nearly 124,000 people revealed that over a four-year period, participants who increased their coffee intake by more than 1 cup a day had an 11% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Participants who decreased their intake by 1 cup per day had a 17% higher risk of developing the disease.
Why? Studies have found coffee preserves the function of the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce the insulin responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. The antioxidants in coffee may also directly impact insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolism — all of which contribute to the onset of the disease.
Coffee consumption not only lowers the likelihood of developing Parkinson's, but it also has substantial health benefits for those already diagnosed. The caffeine in coffee may help slow the progression of the disease, and in 2012, research published by the American Academy of Neurology revealed a daily dose of caffeine equivalent to two 8 oz. cups of black coffee could help control the involuntary movements characteristic of the disease.
Dark roast coffee emerges as a hero in DNA maintenance.
In a study published by The European Journal of Nutrition, a test group drank 500 milliliters of dark roast coffee per day, while the control group consumed water. On the last day of each period, blood tests assessed the level of DNA strand breakage. The coffee drinkers had significantly fewer strand breaks compared to the water drinkers.
Similarly, a 2011 article in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research revealed that drinking 750 milliliters of coffee reduced natural DNA breakage by one-third, and that reduction continued several hours later.
In a 2012 study published in The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers tested the blood caffeine levels in seniors with mild cognitive impairments (MGI), a potential precursor to severe dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Over a 2-4-year period, participants whose initial blood levels contained caffeine amounts equivalent to about three cups of coffee were far less likely to have progressed to full-blown dementia, and none of them converted to Alzheimer’s.
The aforementioned BMJ report revealed that consuming 3 cups of coffee a day results in a 30% lower risk of stroke.
A similar review of 21 studies showed that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee daily was associated with a 21% lower risk of stroke.
In 2021, the American Heart Association published the results of a study focused on data from three top heart disease studies: the Framingham Heart Study, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Researchers found that drinking one or more cups of caffeinated coffee each day significantly reduced a person's long-term risk of heart failure.
An exhaustive 2023 review of the literature published on the link between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease led researchers to report that moderate coffee consumption leads to a decrease in all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality, hypertension, cholesterol, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
Researchers hypothesize that coffee helps to improve blood vessel control over flow and pressure.
In 2015, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of a study that observed the coffee-drinking habits of more than 447,000 people over a decade. Participants who drank four or more cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a 20% lower risk of developing melanoma than those who drank decaf or no coffee at all.
In an analysis of seven studies that included 330,677 participants, researchers found a 24% reduced risk of depression when comparing the highest (4.5 cups/day) to lowest (<1 cup) coffee intakes. They also found an 8% decreased risk of depression with each additional cup of coffee consumed.
A study following 263,923 retirees found that those who drank four or more cups of coffee a day were almost 10% less likely to become depressed than those who drank none.
Studies have shown that holding a hot beverage substantially increases feelings of connectedness and trust. Read all about it in our recent blog post!
Have you ever wondered if your morning brew does more than just wake you up? Well, it turns out that coffee benefits extend into realms we seldom consider, such as athletic performance. Yes, you read that right. Is coffee good for you when it comes to your workout routine? Absolutely!
Caffeine, the primary component of coffee, is a powerful ergogenic aid that can significantly enhance physical performance. It increases adrenaline levels in your blood, preparing your body for intense physical exertion.
Additionally, caffeine breaks down body fat, making free fatty acids available as fuel.
This means, with a cup of coffee pre-workout, you might find yourself running faster or lifting heavier than you thought possible.
For all the coffee lovers out there, enjoying your favorite beverage responsibly is paramount to reaping the health benefits without any downsides.
First and foremost, listen to your body. Each person's tolerance to caffeine varies, and it's crucial to adjust your intake accordingly.
Second, avoid loading your coffee with excessive sugar and cream. These additions can negate the positive effects of coffee by adding unnecessary calories and fats. Opt for healthier alternatives, like almond milk or a dash of cinnamon.
And finally, timing is everything. Enjoying your coffee in the morning or early afternoon can prevent sleep disturbances.
This question often brews confusion among coffee enthusiasts. The consensus among health experts is that 3-4 cups per day (up to 400 milligrams of caffeine) are considered safe for most adults. This amount has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of several diseases.
However, it's essential to consider individual sensitivity to caffeine, as some people may experience anxiety or jitters, even with small amounts. Pregnant women and individuals with certain health conditions should consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Remember, when it comes to coffee, more isn't always better. Drinking coffee within these guidelines can help you enjoy its perks without risking negative effects.
In the quest to enjoy the health benefits of coffee, it's easy to forget that what we add to our cup can significantly impact its nutritional value. While black coffee is low in calories and rich in antioxidants, adding sugar, syrups, or heavy cream can transform your healthy beverage into a calorie-laden treat.
To keep your coffee beneficial, consider alternatives like stevia for sweetness or plant-based milk for creaminess. These simple swaps can help maintain the integrity of your coffee, ensuring you enjoy all the coffee benefits without compromising your health goals.
While we've discussed the myriad health benefits of coffee for adults, it's important to note that coffee isn't recommended for everyone. Children and adolescents, in particular, should steer clear of caffeine. Younger bodies are more sensitive to caffeine's effects, which can lead to sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, and heightened anxiety.
Instead, encourage water, milk, or herbal teas for the younger crowd. By keeping coffee to the adults, we're keeping coffee to the people who can truly enjoy the health benefits of coffee — without risking long-term effects.
For those who experience acid reflux or GERD, the thought of giving up coffee can be upsetting. However, you don't have to miss out on the ritual of enjoying a warm cup. Decaffeinated coffee offers a great alternative, allowing you to enjoy the comfort of coffee without the caffeine that can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Recent studies suggest that decaf coffee still retains the antioxidants and nutrients found in regular coffee, meaning you won't have to compromise on the many benefits of coffee. Switching to decaf can be a game-changer for those sensitive to caffeine.
The evidence is compelling – your morning cup of coffee might be doing more for you than just waking you up. From warding off neurodegenerative diseases to improving mental health, coffee has become a surprising ally in our quest for a healthier and happier life.
The next time you savor that steaming cup of joe, know that you're not just indulging in a delightful ritual but also contributing to your overall well-being.
A truly exceptional coffee amenity not only has the power to deliver these life-saving health benefits in the form of a great beverage, but it can also transform every facet of multifamily living. Learn more about how SipWithMe can help elevate your resident experience, decrease your operating expenses, and build a stronger community.
As purveyors of printing, we were excited to learn that there was an entire “holiday” devoted to an unsung hero of our industry - printing ink!
In this blog, we’ll delve into the origins of the holiday, the evolution of printing and the difference between printer and toner.
An Elusive History
Very little information exists about the origins of National Printing Ink Day, but it’s rumored to have started back in 1977. As legend has it, the goal was to not only recognize the pivotal role that ink plays in the printing industry, but to recognize the ink manufacturers, printers and designers responsible for creating the printed materials we use on a daily basis.
As Ronald C. Barker, former president of the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAIPM), so eloquently noted:
“Today, in this era of satellites, television and electronic message transmission, it is still the printed word and picture to which our society turns for permanence, for clarity, for study and for continued use and enjoyment. We, in NAPIM, look to the talented, career-minded young people in our printing colleges and technical institutes to carry on the standards of value, quality and service which has been maintained by the printing ink industry over the years."
Though unclear if it was intentional, Printing Ink Day very fittingly falls in the middle of International Printing Week. A thinly veiled celebration of the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, International Printing Week was the brainchild of the International Association of Printing House Craftsman (IAPHC).
Launched in 1944, International Printing Week used to be observed by printing clubs and printers around the country. The occasion would be marked with special activities, public events, newspaper articles and even lavish dinner parties. The IAPHC often issued special stamps for envelopes, posters and books to support the weeklong celebration.
Over the years, the celebrations have, naturally, evolved. Today, university art departments and graphic industry experts use the week as an opportunity to celebrate their work and share new innovations.
A Brief History of Printing
Printing has quite a long and illustrious history. Let’s take a quick look at how we’ve gotten to where we are today.
Woodblock Printing
Woodblock printing is cited as the earliest form of printing. It was developed in China in roughly 200 A.D. As implied by its name, woodblock printing involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking the raised part, placing paper on top and applying pressure to create an image. The invention of this process marked the first time in recorded history that a design could be accurately and efficiently replicated.
Movable Type
Also developed in China, movable type became popular in 1041. Specifically used to print script, movable type gave printers the flexibility to configure individual letters in any order. The first tiles were made from clay.
Printing Press
A household name in printing, Johann Gutenberg invented the game-changing printing press in 1440. Leveraging the concepts of movable type and woodblock printing, Gutenberg managed to successfully consolidate the two processes into a single hand-operated device. The printing press dramatically increased the speed at which printed materials could be produced, bringing a new level of knowledge to all classes. The bible was the first book Gutenberg mass produced, and in 1455, he churned out a staggering 180 copies.
Etching
The next phase of printing came in 1515 in the form of etching, a process inspired by Middle Ages armour decorating. To create an etched print, a plate made from copper or zinc is coated in an acid-resistant substance (Etching Ground) and drawn on with a sharp tool. The plate then receives an acid bath, removing any areas not protected by Etching Ground. Paper is placed on the plate and sent through a press to create a print.
Lithography
Still in use today, lithography hit the scene in the 1790s. This technique involves drawing an image onto limestone with an oil-based medium and then covering the stone with acacia-based gum. The solution is then removed with lithographic turpentine, and the ink only takes where it’s required.
Offset Printing
A process virtually unchanged to this day, offset printing was introduced in 1875. Ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket to the printing surface. In tandem with lithography, offset printing is commonly used today to produce magazines, posters and large format prints.
Screen Printing
Screen printing was actually developed by the Chinese between 960 - 1279 A.D., but wasn’t widely adopted until the 1910s. In this process, ink is pushed through a mesh stencil onto textiles or paper.
Inkjet Printing
The advent of inkjet printing in 1951 eliminated the need for direct paper contact, as ink is applied through jet spray.
Laser Printing
Leveraging the jet technology of 1951, laser printing was Introduced in 1969. It produces high-quality images by passing a laser beam back and forth over a negatively charged cylinder within the printer. The printer then collects electrically charged powdered ink to transfer the image to the paper.
Digital Printing
Making its debut in 1991, digital printing made it possible to print directly from a digital file – and subsequently made home printers a viable option.
Now that we’ve made our way back to present day, let’s delve into the ingredients of modern printing techniques - ink and toner!
The Great Debate: Printing Ink vs. Toner
Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, and both are used in printing, ink and toner are vastly different.
Ink is a liquid composed of water, chemicals and colorants, and it’s used exclusively in inkjet printers. To apply ink to paper, inkjet printers emit very small amounts of ink through tiny nozzles and onto the paper as it passes through.
Inkjet printers typically have the ability to print in black and full color, and they use several cartridges at one time (black, cyan, magenta, yellow).
Toner, on the other hand, is a very fine, statically charged powder made of organic compounds and polymers. Used in the laser printing process, toner is fused onto a page. An electrostatic template of a printout is created by a laser on an internal drum, and when toner is released, it clings to all areas that are electrostatically charged. When paper passes over the drum, the image is imposed. Laser printers are two to three times faster than inkjet printers, making them a great choice for text-based documents.
In general, toner has a longer life cycle than ink, and it tends to be more expensive.
This concludes your crash course on printing!
Want a reason to celebrate Printing Ink Day at your multifamily property? We’ve got you covered. Our printer amenity solution, PrintWithMe, is the hands-free and hassle-free way to offer convenient printing to residents and on-site teams. If you’re interested in leveling up your printer, let’s talk!
Property management isn’t just about managing spaces. It’s about fostering environments where residents feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Science has proven there’s a simple, yet powerful way to instantly cultivate connectedness and trust – and it’s physical warmth.
In this blog, we’ll explore a scientific study that sheds light on the link between tactile temperature and feelings of interpersonal warmth (that pleasant, content feeling you get during a positive interaction with someone).
Understanding this connection can be the secret to building stronger multifamily communities - and at the end of this blog, we’ll share one simple trick that can revolutionize your community-building efforts.
The Origins
The concept of “warm” and “cold” personalities dates back to 1946, when researcher Samuel Asch demonstrated the transformational power of using the two terms as personality traits in first impressions.
Simply stated, when you meet someone, your brain almost immediately decides whether that person is warm and friendly, with good intentions, or cold and distant, with negative intentions.
The “warm-cold dimension,” along with competence, are the two main components of a first impression. The warm-cold assessment is the immediate “first pass” as to whether someone is a friend or a foe, and competence is the “second pass” evaluation of whether someone has the capacity to act on the intentions you perceive.
So why do we naturally use terms like "warm" or "cold" to describe people? Asch hinted at something interesting – our brains love drawing from concrete physical experiences to make sense of abstract psychological concepts.
Think about it. When you hold a hot cup of coffee, it feels comforting, right? That physical warmth activates memories of other feelings related to warmth, including trust and comfort. Take formative early experiences with caretakers who provide shelter and safety, for example.
In plain talk, if you've got a toasty beverage in your hand, you're more likely to feel connected and trust the people around you. Conversely, if you're cold, you'll feel more distant and guarded.
The Science
Now, let's delve into the neuroscience of it all.
Research has proven that the insular cortex, a region of the brain, processes both the physical and the psychological versions of warmth information.
To put it simply, the insular cortex is involved in both feeling warm physically and deciding if someone is trustworthy or not. It's like your brain saying, "I feel safe and warm – this person must be okay."
The Study
In 2008, based on Asch’s theories and the knowledge of the insular cortex’s functions, a team of researchers set out to test the hypothesis that tactile experiences of physical warmth activate feelings of interpersonal warmth - and that interpersonal warmth subsequently influences judgments of and behavior toward other people.
In the first experiment, participants who were asked to briefly hold a cup of hot coffee perceived the person who handed it to them as significantly warmer than those who were asked to hold an iced coffee.
The second experiment extended these findings to participants' own behavior. Under the guise of product evaluation, participants were asked to review a hot or cold therapeutic pad. As a reward for their review, participants were given the opportunity to select a gift certificate for themselves or gift one to a friend. Not surprisingly, 54% percent of heating pad evaluators gifted their reward, in comparison to only 25% of cold pad evaluators.
The Opportunities
At this point, you’re probably wondering how any of this relates to multifamily.
But, if you stop to think about it, understanding the immense impact of physical warmth on interpersonal perceptions and behavior can be a true game-changer for property management.
A coffee amenity, the ultimate source of physical warmth, may seem simple and unassuming, but it has the incredible power to build trust and likability in your community.
Want to immediately build rapport and trust with prospective residents? Hand them a warm drink before starting a tour.
Want to help residents build relationships? Host tasting events where everyone has a hot beverage in hand.
Want to generate a positive connection with your on-site team or candidates? Treat them to a warm drink during team-building activities and interviews.
Recognizing the profound influence of physical warmth on interpersonal warmth opens up exciting possibilities for community-building. With the help of coffee amenities like SipWithMe, property management leaders can turn the simple act of sharing coffee into a powerful tool for community development, making properties not just spaces to inhabit but communities to belong to.
Interested in cultivating connectedness with coffee at your property? Learn more about how SipWithMe can help you elevate your resident experience, decrease your operating expenses and build a stronger community.
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.
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE
Multifamily proptech company brings its innovative coffee amenity to the greater Charlotte area, with Summit Coffee serving as exclusive roaster partner.
Chicago - (December 21, 2023) SipWithMe, the innovative bean-to-cup coffee amenity for multifamily, launches in the greater Charlotte area this week. Committed to supporting local roasters, WithMe has selected North Carolina-based Summit Coffee as its exclusive roaster partner in the market.
SipWithMe is not only elevating coffee amenities in apartment communities all across the United States, it’s also helping property managers reduce their operating expenses by up to 60%.
Every SipWithMe machine is stocked with locally sourced beans and can craft more than 20 roast-to-order, barista-quality beverages in seconds. SipWithMe devices in Charlotte will feature three hand-selected Summit blends: Pitch Black, Basecamp, Kilimanjaro. Residents can conveniently order through their electronic devices or on the machine’s HD display.
Designed with the unique needs of property managers in mind, SipWithMe offers proprietary allowance technology to prevent excessive consumption, as well as inventory management assistance and robust live support.
“We are elated to be working with Summit Coffee,” says Jim Carbone, Vice President of Operations for WithMe, Inc., parent company of SipWithMe. “Their mission to create moments of joy through coffee perfectly complements our commitment to create a memorable coffee experience for multifamily residents, and we are thrilled to be able to support a roaster so dedicated to protecting the environment and enacting positive change in communities around the world.”
Founded in 1998 in Davidson, North Carolina, Summit Coffee is an award-winning roaster with more than a dozen cafes across the Southeast United States. They are certified Organic, Climate Neutral and a member of 1% For the Planet. Committed to using their platform to help others, they have implemented myriad campaigns benefitting foundations in their immediate communities and beyond.
“Summit is excited to partner with SipWithMe to bring great coffee to residents across the Charlotte metro area,” says Wholesale Manager Katie Stanley. “We look forward to their growth and to seeing more people enjoy Summit's coffee throughout their partner properties.”
In addition to Charlotte, SipWithMe is currently available in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, South Florida and Washington, D.C.
About Summit Coffee
Based in North Carolina, Summit is an award-winning coffee roaster that prides itself on providing customers with the best version of the coffee that they want. Summit is certified Organic and Climate Neutral, as well as a member of 1% For the Planet.
Summit considers it their purpose to create moments of joy. They aim to offer these moments through their 12+ cafes in the Southeast U.S.; through their dynamic wholesale partnerships, delivering coffee to customers all over the country; and through their intentional impact efforts, where they invest in their local communities and coffee farmers around the world. For more information, visit www.summitcoffee.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 work spaces, 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, which is 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. Learn more at www.withme.com.
It’s that time of year again.
Time to make New Year’s resolutions.
Love them or hate them, they can be a catalyst for positive growth, development and improvement.
This year, alongside your annual resolutions to start a new hobby, improve relationships or cultivate better habits, why not resolve to explore new ways to make life better for your residents and your team members?
To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 resolutions tailored to the unique challenges facing property management leaders - along with practical insights and valuable resources to help you achieve them.
10 New Year’s Resolutions for Multifamily Property Management Leaders
One of the cornerstones of successful property management is cultivating a sense of community among residents. Resolve to create shared spaces and host meaningful events that bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging. This not only improves resident satisfaction but also contributes to a positive living environment.
Need inspiration? Check out the playback of “Home Is Where Your Apartment Is: Building Community to Enhance Resident Retention,” an enlightening webinar featuring a panel of multifamily experts who offer expert strategies and tactics for building community, from setting the stage at move-in to hosting meaningful events.
Strive to go beyond providing your residents with basic services. Resolve to enhance their living experience by offering amenities, services and events that cater to their needs and desires in a memorable way.
The right tech-powered amenities can make achieving this resolution effortless. Take a community printer. Printing is a service residents want and need (confirmed by The Wall Street Journal), but having to email documents to staff members or deal with an unpredictable DIY solution is more headache than helpful. A solution like PrintWithMe is hands-off for staff and empowers residents to print from their own devices, on their own time.
Beyond distinctive amenities and memorable events, remember that creating an elevated experience starts with you. Go above and beyond when the opportunity presents itself - and it won’t go unnoticed. Reserve a spot for the moving truck. Carry up groceries. Hold the door. Engage in small talk. Sometimes, the smallest gestures make the biggest impact.
Investing time and money into creating an elevated experience doesn’t just benefit your residents - it also benefits your bottom line. Happy residents are more likely to renew their leases, minimizing vacancy periods and associated turnover expenses.
A motivated, satisfied and properly equipped on-site team is essential for effective and efficient property management. When your team is content, they are more likely to be engaged and dedicated to achieving property management goals. Resolve to prioritize the well-being of your team members by providing the right tools and training opportunities, recognizing achievements, and fostering a positive work environment.
An oft-missed piece of creating a positive environment is ensuring that team members derive a sense of value and pride from the work they’re doing. Inefficient processes and an overabundance of menial tasks can quickly lead to discontent and burnout. Software platforms and tech-enabled amenities that automate tasks and create operational efficiencies can be powerful tools in creating a great experience for on-site teams. When they have time to focus on what they were hired to do, they are more likely to feel accomplishment, pride and a sense of purpose.
There’s no denying that interest rates and insurance premiums are uncontrollable right now, but there are plenty of ways to control costs across services and amenities. Resolve to implement cost-reduction and cost-control measures without compromising on service quality. This not only contributes to increased NOI but also ensures financial stability for the property.
Start by identifying areas where your costs have significantly increased and/or vary wildly from month-to-month. Seek out vendors and suppliers that offer all-inclusive, flat-rate packages to help keep your costs fixed and predictable in an environment where instability is the norm.
Coffee is a great example. When you have no way to limit consumption, variances and skyrocketing costs are the norm. However, there are helpful solutions specifically designed to help multifamily properties control (and often reduce) their coffee costs. SipWithMe, for example, offers innovative software that gives property managers full control over how many cups residents are drinking, as well as a full range of all-inclusive packages that make budgeting a breeze. The solution helped a portfolio of class A properties in Chicago reduce their OpEx by an average of 50%.
If you’re trying to DIY services or amenities, there can be significant cost savings in working with outside vendors and suppliers who have economies of scale and volume discounts on their side.
Streamlining operations is crucial for success in property management. Invest in technology and processes that enhance efficiency, from streamlined communication systems to advanced property management software.
Don’t discount the power of tech-enabled amenities in further streamlining processes and creating efficiencies. Outsourcing support and maintenance creates significant time savings, giving you and your team time to focus on more important tasks.
In a competitive market, differentiation is key. Resolve to keep close tabs on what your competition is doing and set your property apart with distinctive amenities, exceptional service and innovative programs that attract and retain valuable residents.
For maximum ROI, seek out amenities and services that don’t just pack a punch at first glance - but continue to bring value to residents after move-in.
Sustainability is a growing concern, and property managers can play a role in minimizing their property’s environmental impact. Resolve to adopt eco-friendly practices, from energy-efficient lighting to waste reduction initiatives. Not only is this socially responsible, but it can also result in cost savings over time.
Make a conscious effort to partner with third-party vendors and suppliers that offer eco-conscious products and encourage the adoption of environmentally sound policies.
As a property management leader, you are an integral member of the local community. Resolve to strengthen ties by supporting local businesses and participating in community events. Not only will this help you build visibility and rapport, it will also help your residents develop a sense of connectedness with the area. And when residents feel connected, they’re more inclined to want to stay where they are. Who doesn’t love retention and renewals?
You can also support the local community by embracing services and amenity solutions with local connections. And that doesn’t mean they have to be locally based. Some national suppliers partner with local companies for quality assurance and to help support local economies.
Technology is continually advancing, and if you resolve to remain flexible and open to innovation, it can give you a major competitive advantage in the long run. Strategically investing in new trends and technologies has the potential to help you improve your efficiency, increase resident retention and satisfaction, and stand out from your comps.
What’s trending and emerging in 2024?
With an onslaught of data privacy legislation on the horizon, resolving to safeguard resident, staff and company data is almost non-negotiable.
The fundamental way to keep this resolution? Stay abreast of changing laws and regulations to ensure compliance and avoid legal issues. If you need to get up to speed, a great starting point is this cyber risk management webinar, where two of today’s top data privacy attorneys delve into the current legislative landscape and address the challenges inherent in multifamily operations.
If you don’t have a thorough understanding of how personal information is processed at your property, consider investing in data mapping, which clearly identifies all third parties processing data and pinpoints compliance gaps that need to be filled.
By embracing these resolutions, you can navigate the challenges of the coming year with confidence and effectiveness. Building a sense of community, prioritizing resident and team experiences, and staying ahead of industry trends are crucial steps toward achieving success in the dynamic field of property management.
Let WithMe, Inc. help you keep these resolutions with PrintWithMe and SipWithMe, tech-enabled printing and coffee amenities designed to make life better for residents and on-site teams.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Multifamily Excellence, Girish Gehani, COO of Trilogy Real Estate Group, shares the game-changing strategies that have propelled Trilogy to success.
Girish emphasizes the fundamental importance of cultivating strong relationships — both with clients and third-party organizations — and discusses how the relationships he has built over the course of his career have ultimately shaped Trilogy's innovative approach to property management.
Girish also shares actionable insights on preserving company culture and DNA amid rapid expansion. From developing a robust mentorship program designed to turn employees into brand ambassadors to his commitment to one-on-one connection, Girish explains how he has continuously leveled up his leadership skills and helped Trilogy remain true to its original core values.
CONNECT WITH GIRISH
SUBSCRIBE TO MULTIFAMILY EXCELLENCE
The holidays should be a time of joy and excitement, but for those who can’t be with loved ones, they can create feelings of overwhelming loneliness and sadness.
On-site teams have the incredible opportunity to help residents feel the warmth of the season, literally and figuratively, with an unassuming amenity - the coffee machine (bonus points if it’s SipWithMe)!
A holiday coffee and cocoa tasting can be an easy and cost-effective way to generate meaningful resident interaction and create holiday cheer - and we’re here to help you sleigh one with a few tried-and-tested tips from our playbook!
Coffee and cocoa tasting events not only remind residents about your amenity, they also foster meaningful interaction.
And what happens when residents build strong relationships in their building and have access to amenities they truly value? They’re more likely to renew their leases.
This holiday season, treat your residents to holiday warmth and give yourself the gift of increased satisfaction and retention.
Multifamily proptech company brings its innovative coffee amenity to the greater Boston area, with Atomic serving as exclusive roaster partner.
Chicago - (December 5, 2023) SipWithMe officially launches in the greater Boston area this week, offering multifamily properties access to an innovative bean-to-cup amenity featuring locally craft roasted coffee from Atomic Coffee Roasters.
SipWithMe is elevating coffee amenities in apartments across the United States while simultaneously helping multifamily properties reduce their operating expenses by up to 60%. SipWithMe devices are stocked with locally craft roasted coffee beans and can brew more than 20 hot beverages in under 60 seconds. Residents have the ability to customize and order drinks through their electronic devices or using the machine’s built-in HD screen.
All SipWithMe devices in Boston will be stocked with three carefully selected blends from Atomic: Black Velvet, Rocketeer and Cosmo.
“Atomic couldn’t be better suited to be our partner in Boston,” says Jim Carbone, Vice President of Operations for WithMe, Inc., parent company of SipWithMe. “We have worked tirelessly to create a coffee amenity that helps multifamily properties elevate their resident experience, and that mentality is in perfect alignment with Atomic’s commitment to elevating coffee experiences.”
Led by brothers Spencer and Logan Mahoney, Atomic has been a mainstay in the Boston coffee scene since 1996. All of Atomic’s coffee is specialty grade, ethically sourced and roasted to order in small batches.
“We're partnering with SipWithMe after first meeting their team at the 2019 Speciality Coffee Expo here in Boston,” says Logan Mahoney, Atomic’s Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships. “After hearing about their plans for expansion, their focus on coffee quality, and the user-friendly experience, we knew we wanted to be the Greater Boston area roasting partner. The team has been terrific to work with thus far, and we're excited about the opportunities in Boston and beyond.”
In addition to Boston, active SipWithMe markets include Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, South Florida and Washington, D.C.
About Atomic Coffee Roasters
Roasting coffee on Boston's North Shore for over a decade, Atomic Coffee Roasters is a second-generation family business that's on a mission to spread positive energy and elevate coffee experiences. For more information, visit https://www.atomicroastery.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 work spaces, 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, which is 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. Learn more at www.withme.co.
Happy National Entrepreneurs’ Day!
The United States is renowned as the most entrepreneurial country in the world, but it wasn’t until 2010 that there was a day set aside to celebrate the achievements of its dreamers and innovators.
National Entrepreneurship Week was first observed November 14-20, 2010, with November 19 earmarked as National Entrepreneurs’ Day. The holiday is the handiwork of David Hauser and Siamak Taghaddos, two entrepreneurs who lobbied for a nationally recognized celebration of the trailblazing men and women who built something from nothing, created jobs, and made America what it is today.
As the years have passed, the celebration has evolved and grown. On October 31, 2023, the President declared November 2023 as National Entrepreneurship Month and November 21, 2023 as National Entrepreneurs' Day.
WithMe is proud to celebrate this holiday, and it only seems fitting that we mark the occasion by highlighting the achievements of our visionary CEO, Jonathan Treble, and the entrepreneurial endeavor that brought WithMe to life.
Seizing an Opportunity
It was a blustery day in Chicago, with 10 inches of snow covering the ground, when Jonathan Treble needed to print concert tickets. To add insult to injury, it was the weekend. It took two hours, thirty dollars and one soul-crushing visit to Kinko's to get the job done.
The year was 2014. PrintWithMe didn’t exist, and mobile ticketing was far from the norm. Concertgoers everywhere were dealing with the same dilemma every day. Where other fans saw major inconvenience, Treble saw incredible opportunity. He set out on a one-man mission to make printing convenient for everyone, everywhere.
“After experiencing the printing problem a couple of times, I had a ‘lightbulb moment’ and realized that a network of pay-per-use printer stations would not only be feasible from a technology perspective, but also viable from a business perspective,” says Treble.
So, later that year, in July 2014, Treble bought a printer at Staples and coded a checkout system with the help of some friends. The rest, as they say, is history. What resulted was PrintWithMe, a self-serve, wireless printer station that allows users to print documents via email from any digital device.
Building a Customer Base
Two short weeks after crafting the PrintWithMe prototype, Treble found his inaugural champion in Eva’s Café, a cozy eatery situated near his apartment in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. Opting for a highly personal sales strategy, he boldly approached a shift leader (who also happened to be Eva’s nephew) about the possibility of placing a PrintWithMe kiosk in the café. Much to Treble’s surprise, his proposition was met with few objections, and the restaurant almost immediately agreed to partner with him. Their PrintWithMe device went live on August 1, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by Eva.
That initial interaction left Treble optimistic he could earn the trust of other Chicago café owners using the same direct and highly personal approach.
Inevitably, the enthusiasm of local business owners proved to be overwhelming. However, as with much new-to-market technology, consumer early adoption of the self-service, wireless printer stations was limited.
“I had to make some inferences that there was enough demand for the business model to work at scale,” explains Treble. “It wasn’t until about two years in that I saw a more robust level of demand and revenue from our first batch of apartment building customers.”
Innovating
As Treble began to work more closely with multifamily properties, he noticed a trend in property managers referencing printer amenity misuse and uncontrollable consumption. To address the issue, PrintWithMe developed proprietary Print Allowance technology that gives property managers the ability to set a limit on the number of free pages per resident, actively track usage and automatically charge residents when their allocations are exceeded.
In the words of Treble, the development and implementation of this technology was “one critical feature change that helped us not only survive, but thrive, as a company.”
Developing a robust client base in the multifamily space also brought about innovative additions to the PrintWithMe product mix. At the recommendation of Bob Flannery, one of PrintWithMe’s multifamily property executives, Treble began to explore the possibility of expanding the company’s services.
“Bob said the outsourced business model we had pioneered for printing services, where we completely managed and maintained the amenity, as well as developed custom software to suit the apartment building context, would perfectly fit coffee service as well.”
Upon further investigation, Treble identified striking parallels between mobile coffee and printing amenities in residential spaces. “They both involve hardware, a consumable supply of goods that need to be managed and a tendency for ‘abuse’ by select residents.” Thus, SipWithMe was developed, and the parent company, WithMe, Inc., was formed.
SipWithMe elevates the resident experience through reliable, easy-to-use technology, barista-quality beverages, and locally sourced coffee - all while helping properties decrease their spend, control costs and save time. The service incorporates the same groundbreaking allowance technology first introduced through PrintWithMe, giving owners and operators full control over resident usage.
SipWithMe was met with overwhelming response, and it is currently disrupting multifamily coffee in major markets all across the United States.
Building a Team
Visit the WithMe website or any of its social accounts, and you will quickly discover that culture is of the utmost importance. However, building that culture was a lengthy process. Determined to personally confirm his theory that PrintWithMe was best suited for a direct sales approach, Treble spent more than two years tirelessly canvassing Chicago on his own, often logging more than 80 hours of work per week.
Throughout the first four years of PrintWithMe, Treble built a small team of contractors and team members, but they all, admittedly, had a “work first” mentality, not unusual for a startup. Unfortunately, that mindset left little time or room for prioritizing culture. It wasn’t until years 4-6, when the team grew to 10, that Treble “started realizing that creating a genuinely positive culture would result in a competitive advantage and long-term benefits to the business.”
While eloquent words about culture may look impressive on a computer screen, the true indicator of culture lies in employee retention and satisfaction. According to Treble, “We truly live out the values we post on our website. We don’t just pay lip service to them. I have also found that newer employees (those who joined in the last 1-2 years) have self-selected to apply to WithMe because of our clearly stated values. They are, therefore, more likely to stay with us, which is a virtuous cycle.”
WithMe monitors Employee NPS twice per year, and satisfaction is consistently strong. Despite WithMe’s hypergrowth and the rise of negative employment movements like “The Great Resignation,” the company has also enjoyed relatively stable retention.
Learning and Growing
For those with entrepreneurial aspirations, Treble’s greatest advice is to voraciously consume literature. He believes in taking the time to identify subject areas that are a source of weakness or challenge – and then reading books at every comprehension level to gain a well-rounded understanding of each subject.
As Treble says, “Entrepreneurship is like an extreme sport. You need to rapidly learn new things merely to survive in an unforgiving environment.”
In addition to educating himself through books, Treble has also found podcasts to be crucial to his success. He cites The Marketing Book and Recruit Rockstars as two of the most influential in building WithMe.
Finally, Treble stresses the importance of finding steadfast mentors to help navigate the taxing and complex world of entrepreneurship. He counts Orazio Buzza at Fooda and Tim Thornton at PayPal as two of his greatest mentors.
As evidenced by Treble’s path to not only launch WithMe, but to continue to deliver new tech-powered convenience, entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. It requires continual self-evaluation, self-reliance, self-discipline and self-confidence.
Interested in learning more about Jonathan’s entrepreneurial journey? Connect with him on LinkedIn, where he regularly shares entrepreneurial insights and musings, and be sure to subscribe to his podcast, Multifamily Excellence, where he leads candid conversations with mutlifamily’s top minds.