When exploring a software solution, you may wish to see testimonials from that vendor’s clients — those who can speak to benefits and results based on their own experience.      At Yardi, we strive to capture these testimonials in various ways. Meeting with our clients to chat through their journey — and see how our solutions are helping them succeed — is our favorite thing. And a recent interview with one of our fantastic senior living clients is no exception. We’re pleased to share pieces from our conversation with Kim Smart, director of systems and support at Anthology Senior Living, in our brand-new case study. The case study covers Anthology’s success with the Yardi Senior Living Suite, featuring Smart’s firsthand experience implementing, customizing and using new tools (plus so much more). We encourage you to read the case study in full, but for now, enjoy the highlight below: Meet Anthology Senior Living Anthology Senior Living, CA Venture’s senior living platform, works to provide their residents with the best hospitality and care. The company develops, acquires and operates senior housing communities across the United States with options for independent living, assisted living and memory care. Anthology has a total of 37 communities in their portfolio, with growth on the horizon. The challenge with antiquated processes Prior to welcoming the Yardi Senior Living Suite, Anthology relied on manual processes. Not only were the processes time consuming, they also increased the risk of errors and led to miscommunication among teams. With a range of communities to serve and rapid expansions underway, the company needed software built to streamline workflows, save time and reduce errors across the board. They searched for a solution that covered every need — software that combined resident care, sales, finance, business intelligence and...

We have reported on pet-friendly policies for multifamily properties, senior living communities and coworking spaces. So how about traditional offices? Are attitudes about pets in the workplace evolving? As recently as 2015, about 8% of U.S. businesses had pet-friendly policies. While only about 15% of employers let employees bring pets to work six years later, according to a survey by Southern California mobile pet groomer Barkbus, more employers are open to the idea. With 23 million U.S. households having adopted pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, “employees are prioritizing pets in their choices of where to work—and this affects employers’ willingness to allow pets onsite,” Forbes asserts. Employers such as Google, Ben & Jerry’s, Tito’s Vodka, Cliff Bar & Company and Atlantic Health System have established onsite pet-friendly policies. Some companies offer insurance, care stipends, onsite dog parks, time off for adoption or bereavement as part of their benefits package. A potential competitive advantage A 2021 study by job-seeker resource LiveCenter found that 94% of people were supportive of having pets in the workplace. Tolerance extends beyond cats and dogs to significant (although somewhat lesser) support for fish, birds, rodents, amphibians and reptiles. As a result, there are “increasing numbers of workplaces where you can take your pet to work and reap the benefits of pet ownership no matter what your work schedule,” Forbes reported in February 2022. And, adds personal finance information resource FinanceBuzz, “pet-friendly companies may even have a leg up over competitors: pets in the workplace can decrease employee stress levels and improve trust and communication between co-workers, which increases productivity.” Feasibility checklist Obviously having pets isn’t possible or desirable in every location, such as construction sites or workplaces restricted by lease and health regulations. But companies considering adopting pet-friendly policies might consider...

Yardi had an exceptional year in 2022 as we focused on supporting our clients, employees and communities. Here is a look back at some of the highlights: YASC celebrates 40 years: Yardi welcomed 3500 clients to San Diego 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. 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. “It really has been just an incredible journey and an adventure. And for that, I thank all of you, our clients, and our employees,” shared Mr. Yardi. Forbes Cloud 100: Yardi was 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. The Forbes 2022 Cloud 100 was published online at forbes.com/cloud100 and appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Forbes magazine. “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.” HBCU scholarships announced: Yardi continued a longstanding focus on education this year and announced the establishment...

For the first time in three years, Yardi teams were able to gather in-person in 2022, both to return to in-office activities, meet with clients at conferences and celebrate the season. Here are highlights from a few of the recent Yardi office gatherings. Our offices in the eastern United States, Waltham, MA, Raleigh, NC & Atlanta, GA, went with a classic holiday party. Yardi Waltham went out to dinner with refreshments and entertainment. Yardi Atlanta had a Hollywood Red Carpet glam theme at a local hotel, a photo booth, a live band, and DJ. And Yardi Raleigh had dinner at the Marriott City Center with a DJ and a 360-degree photo booth. Our Irving, Texas office all got together in the office and played a fun holiday trivia game, had a white elephant gift exchange, and dressed in their best holiday attire. Moving west, our Scottsdale, AZ, and Boise, ID offices put on their competitive shoes. Scottsdale spent the afternoon at TopGolf while Boise rented out Western Proper for a night of dinner, bowling, and arcade games. Globally, in late October Yardi Dubai, UAE celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, a holiday celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Yardi United Kingdom recently celebrated at the London Shuffle Club with shuffleboard games, dinner, and more. And in Singapore, the office got together to watch the end-of-the-year town hall meeting at Happen, then went for dinner at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO site. And at headquarters in Southern California, the Santa Barbara office had a nice, sunny lunch outside. Thanks to all of the offices who shared photos of their festivities, and wishing our global team a productive and happy conclusion to...

“When will it happen?” That question often arises in discussions of employees returning to the office when COVID-19 fully subsides. But as the third anniversary of the pandemic’s onset approaches, that question might be superseded by two others: “Do employers want their employees to return?” and “Do employees want to return?” A Gallup survey in June 2022 that indicated 60% of fully remote workers would be “extremely likely” to look for other opportunities if their employer decided not to offer remote work at least some of the time. Meanwhile, some employers have made it clear that they want employees back for the career-building, mentorship and institutional knowledge creation that in-person interaction facilitates. Others want to make use of their investments in campuses and facilities. Also, in the case of the securities industry and others, it’s easier to execute compliance, legal, risk, audit and regulatory obligations onsite rather than remotely. “During these times of the pandemic, sense of belonging has been broken. The workplace enables that sense of belonging,” says Gia Ganesh, vice president of people and culture at Florence Healthcare, a clinical trial software provider in Atlanta. But many employees have grown accustomed to working from home, with family obligations, high gas prices, automobile maintenance and lingering COVID cases all weighing against spending 40 hours weekly in the office, even factoring in the socialization opportunities. “Employees really want flexibility and choice over where, when and how to work. They don’t want to be told: ‘You need to be here on these days.’ They want to be able to choose,” Ryan Luby, associate partner at McKinsey & Company, told CNN. Hybrid work as an alternative Fifty-two percent of respondents to a CBRE survey in June 2022 intend to reduce their office space over the next...

As companies embrace hybrid work, flexible workspaces are becoming a popular solution for many employees. But how can owners and managers of coworking space – which is in major growth mode –  raise the bar and make coworking spaces not just attractive, but irresistible? Here are some creative ways to attract workers to coworking spaces. The main advantage of coworking in flexible spaces is typically the open-plan space designs. Gone are the cubicles and assigned desks. Now you can have more room to enable collaboration with team members and other users in the office. But let’s take it up a step further and include a robust coffee and snack bar Include all the fancy fixings for coffee and cold brew, like syrups and creamers. You can include a snack bar with healthy options of various protein bars, fruits, and plant-based snacks. If your budget cannot bring the amenities into the office space, pick a location close to a trendy coffee shop. Think outside the typical Starbucks coffee location and look for a popular local coffee café. Coffee shops that offer a variety of drip coffee, CBD coffee, artisan coffee, and even various teas will be more attractive than just a typical Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.   Another creative way to attract employees to flexible coworking spaces may be to have the office next to a doggie daycare facility. Since the pandemic started, many people have become very close to their fur babies. Leaving Snoopy at home all day alone is traumatizing for both owner and dog. Some doggie daycare facilities may even offer a discount for businesses nearby. Workers can come and have a focused workday, and Snoopy can have a day of play and exercise. You could even take it a step further...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, one of the NGOs Yardi supports is Beard Brothers, founded in 2013. Beard Brothers are an unconventional NGO, a brotherhood of bearded men with a spirit of initiative who want to change mentalities through active social involvement. The group decries social stereotypes and discrimination of any kind. “We started changing mentalities in 2013, and nine years later, we have 12 primary campaigns finished, over 50 auxiliary ones, 201 events made, 432 active colleagues, and the drive needed to continue what we started,” shares Stet Lucian, President of Beard Brothers. Beard Brothers are involved in many fields: volunteering, forestation actions, health care campaigns, education and mentoring. The healthcare campaign includes the Social Ambulance for transporting patients with disabilities, free of charge. Yardi Romania supports the operation of one of the two Beard Mobile vans. Costs to operate the van are approximately $15,000 per year. Funds from Yardi keep Beard Brothers’ services up and running. Without the support of Yardi, there would be expenses that are impossible to cut, and they would not be able to develop and improve campaigns. “We are constantly working to maintain and exceed expectations,” shares Lucian. “In the nine years of operation, we have had 12 extensive campaigns finished, all important and meaningful for the society around us.” “The most impactful would be our transport service for patients with disabilities; it was founded in 2015, it’s free of charge, and it has an average of 3000 trips per year,” said Lucian. In the year ahead, Beard Brothers plan to work on their 13th campaign called BBSchool. “BBSchool is our most extensive campaign...

3D printing has picked up the pace in the housing market, especially with inflation rising. Builders can print houses faster building with more earth friendly resources and fewer staff. Let’s explore the latest updates with 3D homes in the affordable and single-family housing markets. The University of Maine unveiled the first 100% bio-based 3D printed home made entirely with bio-based materials. It features 3D-printed floors, walls, and roofs of wood fibers and bio-resins. The house is fully recyclable and highly insulated with 100% wood insulation and customizable R-values. “Our state is facing the perfect storm of a housing crisis and labor shortage, but the University of Maine is stepping up once again to show that we can address these serious challenges with trademark Maine ingenuity,” said Gov. Janet Mills. “With its innovative BioHome3D, UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center is thinking creatively about how we can tackle our housing shortage, strengthen our forest products industry, and deliver people a safe place to live so they can contribute to our economy. While there is still more to be done, today’s development is a positive step forward — one that I was proud to support through my Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan and my budget.” The technology is designed to address labor shortages and supply chain issues that are driving high costs and constricting the supply of affordable housing. Due to automated manufacturing and off-site production, less time is required for on-site building and fitting up the home. Printing using abundant, renewable, locally sourced wood fiber feedstock reduces dependence on a constrained supply chain.  These materials support the revitalization of local forest product industries and are more resilient to global supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. Using advanced manufacturing processes and materials, future low-income homes can be...

Recruiting new staff topped many company’s lists of challenges in 2022. With a new year on the horizon and the job market still siding with job seekers, let’s explore some tips to help you hire the best employees on the market in 2023. First, effectively communicate your company’s core values and culture. Lead with integrity. Without effective marketing of your corporate mission, vision and values, your recruiting process will fall flat. Your ideal hire will be compatible with these values and excited to embrace your corporate motto as their own. Look for an attitude and outlook that’s positive, proactive and productive. Training job-based skills will be no problem if you’ve found a strong personality match. Leverage your network. Referrals from current employees, social media, and mentors are great networking resources. “It’s not the lack of resources, it’s your lack of resourcefulness that stops you,” says Tony Robbins, entrepreneur, and American best-selling author. Resourcefulness includes home grown networking, so encourage current employees and trusted industry colleagues to share your job postings. “Turn your employees into recruiters by encouraging employee referrals. Alert them to open job requisitions, and motivate them to recruit talented friends with monetary and other incentives—extra time off, prime parking spaces, free lunches, etc. One of the hidden benefits of hiring via employee referrals is that your employees probably know more about your corporate culture than external recruiters—and more likely to recommend candidates that will end up being a good fit,” shares Laurie McCabe, co-founder at SMB Group. When recruiting new talent, take care to ensure that they vibe with your current staff. Teamwork has a direct effect on productivity and profitability. Teamwork makes the dream work! Be sure to prioritize communication skills. Communication skills are more subtle than hard skills like technical knowledge, distinguishing...

The anticipated slowdown in multifamily performance arrived last month, as the sector clocked its lowest year-over-year growth since mid-2021,  according to the latest Yardi® Matrix National Multifamily Report. U.S. asking rents fell $9 during the month to $1,719, while year-over-year growth dropped to seven percent, the lowest level in 17 months. The decreases are attributed to economic headwinds and deteriorating demand. The $9 rollback was the largest one-month decline in rents in over a decade. The deterioration in rents was not unexpected. Rent increases have far exceeded normal growth patterns for nearly two years. Average asking rents increased by 22 percent nationally between January 2021 and October 2022, a rate that would be unsustainable under optimal conditions. “With the economy softening, demand for units slowing and rising interest rates creating head- winds for housing, multifamily asking rent growth finally took a turn downward in November,” states the report. “The decades-high inflation rate has left household balance sheets in a weaker position than a year ago, while economic growth is slowing as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates.” Absorption of apartments has been positive in 2022, but well below 2021 levels that were boosted by strong job growth and household savings coming out of the pandemic. Average U.S. rents are up 6.4 percent year-to-date, and the national occupancy rate, while slipping in recent months, is a healthy 95.6 percent. And while rent growth has turned negative in many metros this fall, every one of Matrix’s top 30 metros maintains positive year-over-year growth. The single-family rental market is also declining. The average U.S. asking rent dropped $5 in November to $2,091, while the year-over-year increase fell by 80 basis points to 5.9 percent. Learn more in the latest Matrix National Multifamily Report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s...

Simply providing an open desk isn’t enough for coworking and flexible workspace providers in Canada. What else must space operators do to attract and retain tenants in this dynamic business? That was the topic of a recent panel discussion moderated by Warren Hersowitz, regional sales manager for Yardi Kube. The session at The Buildings Show in Toronto explored ways that space providers can serve members and improve staff efficiency at all stages of the business, from lead generation, IT infrastructure, and space and member management to accounting. Here is a recap of the key points discussed among panelists Christine Andrews, founder of Toronto coworking space provider Acme Works and a founder of Deco Group, a consultancy, and Kane Willmott, cofounder and CEO of iQ Offices, Canada’s largest independent coworking company. Maximize the member experience Creating value in a coworking space requires more than “just good coffee and Wi-Fi,” said Andrews. Settings that are attractive, enable flexible use of furniture and other items and provide opportunities for human connections help operators differentiate their offerings from competitors. “You, and your tenant, will get more out of the spaces when you include the human experience. Only focusing on the space misses an opportunity to charge more per square foot,” added Willmott. He described workspace leasing as shifting from a business-to-business model to business to consumer. Augment the experience with tech With shared space more prominent in the post-pandemic world, technology for managing shared space can make the difference. “Prospective tenants are less inclined to tour the space. That’s where a website that operators can use to post amenities as well as manage leasing and operations management makes a big difference,” Andrews said, adding, “Look for solutions that make it easier for your staff by speeding up the...

Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) is a focus for many senior living operators. And thanks to a recent survey conducted by the Senior Living DEIB Coalition, we can see how operators’ efforts look today. The report reveals where the industry stands in terms of diversity — and shares how organizations can drive positive change moving forward. Be sure to read more on the Senior Living DEIB Survey for all the insights, but we put together a summary to highlight the main takeaways:   Survey reveals diversity efforts in senior living Previewed back in March, the Senior Living DEIB Survey provides baseline data regarding diversity initiatives. The data acts as a starting point for establishing trends in the senior living space, which future surveys will build upon.   While there’s still work to do in terms of operators improving diversity within their organizations, according to the report, the industry is starting from a place of strength. Summarized by McKnight’s Senior Living, the report reveals that: 95% of participants said they are taking steps to recruit potential employees from underrepresented groups 90% of responding organizations focus on gender, race/ethnicity and sexual orientation, whereas age and religion are less commonly used dimensions of diversity 73% of senior living professionals in participating organizations are women. Overall, 53% of employees are white, and 46% are people of color 56% of survey participants’ companies have a formal DEIB committee responsible for developing and implementing DEIB strategies or initiatives 27% of participants have a formal DEIB program, whereas 46% have implemented some initiatives or policies 17% of executives in participating companies are people of color, with 40% of women in executive roles This data was captured from 44 participating organizations across assisted living, memory care, independent living, skilled nursing...

It’s December 1, and most people are still catching up to the fact that the holidays are here. So how can you motivate yourself and your office team with end-of-the-year goals? The good thing about setting goals at the end of the year is that you form a new habit before the new year begins. Here are some tips for establishing effective goals for the year ahead. Setting end-of-the-year goals can be a bit tricky since the holidays will affect when employees are available and many take time off. Start by setting SMART goals and make them a priority every day. SMART stands for: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Goal setting in the workplace can range from performance achievements to professional development ambitions. All well-crafted goals are aligned with larger key business strategies. For example, if you want to work on professional development, have employees complete some training courses that are provided on Yardi Aspire or LinkedIn learning before a performance review comes around at the end of the year. If your company offers any upcoming webinars, have employees attend if they are available then share findings with the team during weekly meetings. Create a game plan with SMART goals and write them down. A goal without a plan is just a wish. In a world of computers, sometimes actually writing out the goal will be more motivating and achievable. If you think of a goal like a spell, writing comes with spelling so when writing them out you are already casting that spell out there. Make goals a priority. Give them your focus, energy, and attention daily. Create a specific game plan that drives the outcomes on ROI. Emphasize attainable goals and set consistent goals for employees with similar responsibilities. Refrain from...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organisations selected by its employees. In 2022, Yardi Germany donated to three organisations; The Mainz Hospice Society, Support Association for Children with Tumours and Leukaemia and Flüsterpost e.V. The Mainz Hospice Society was founded in 1990 as an outpatient hospice. Today, around 30 employees and a large team of volunteers take care of the needs of its patients and their relatives. Its commitment is primarily aimed at seriously ill people in Mainz and the surrounding region. In addition, they are involved in consulting, training and lectures as well as educational work in schools and medical institutions. The Mainz Hospice Society is the point of contact for those affected, doctors, care facilities and all those who deal with the topic. Through medical, nursing and psychosocial support, patients are supported to deal with their illness and the farewell to life in a dignified and humane setting. In addition, family members can make use of the wide range of services and take advantage of the corresponding help. For more information, please visit mainzer-hospiz.de. Support Association for Children with Tumours and Leukaemia (Förderverein für Tumor- und Leukämiekranke Kinder e.V.) was founded in 1984 by affected parents, nursing staff and doctors. It has repeatedly taken on new challenges and initiated and implemented aid projects for the ward and the affected families. “It should be a long-term support”. Bärbel Welches from Yardi Systems in Mainz emphasised this during her visit to the parent’s home with her colleagues, Anne Jankowski and Natalja Kücükdag. “The fact that the support association is now being so generously supported by Yardi for the third year in a row makes us very happy and also represents a certain reassurance for us...

Yardi Canada recently contributed in multiple ways to the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association’s annual conference and trade show this month. The three-day event in Toronto attracted 500 in-person and 500 online attendees and offered sessions dedicated to exploring emerging trends in housing innovation, funding opportunities and technology. Along with hosting a booth and serving as a sponsor of the conference, Yardi team members moderated a pair of panels. One session, with Wayne Tuck, Yardi senior director of residential housing for Yardi Canada, focused on the implications of funding affordable housing stock with social impact capital, also known as “patient” capital, that favours impactful social infrastructure over the traditional demand for immediate market returns. Panel focuses on strategies A second session, moderated by Yardi Canada’s Meherzad Bakht, focused on the challenges of using technology as a means of satisfying the next generation of social housing management. Panelists Clinton Reid, manager of quality assurance and compliance for Toronto social service agency WoodGreen Community Services, and Thomas DiCarlo, CFO for housing and health service provider Services and Housing In the Province (SHIP), examined how holistic technology strategies can help community housing providers reduce communication barriers, increase tenant satisfaction and maintain data integrity. Here are some of the key takeaways from their session: Crisis triggered tech adoption For SHIP, and many other organizations, the pandemic and the shift to remote work accelerated the implementation of new software solutions. “We worked in a paper environment with manual processes, making information not readily available or reliable. This added to the time and effort staff dedicated to reporting,” DiCarlo said. That pain point prompted SHIP to implement solutions for procurement management and payment processing, to help reduce redundant and error-prone processes. This step also improved SHIP’s ability to effectively complete financial...

A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency traces 20 years of energy efficiency progress enabled by ENERGY STAR® and proposes a framework for achieving a zero-carbon economy. ENERGY STAR originated in 1991 as part of the EPA’s Climate Partnerships Programs initiative, which sought ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote carbon pollution-free electricity and achieve net-zero emissions targets. ENERGY STAR certifies businesses and consumer products that conform with energy-efficient solutions that protect the climate and public health. Documenting ENERGY STAR’s impact The EPA report notes that energy benchmarking enabled by ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® has grown from 2,000 office buildings initially to more than 280,000 buildings encompassing over 27 billion square feet of space across 15 building types. More than 36,000 buildings – including the Yardi headquarters buildings in Santa Barbara, Calif. – have earned ENERGY STAR certification for excellence in energy performance. Key findings in the new report, which includes survey findings from 2019, include: ENERGY STAR-certified offices are 18 times larger than similar buildings, representing an opportunity to expand certification to smaller and mid-sized buildings. EPA incentives plus expanded state and local benchmarking, performance and disclosure mandates are expected to expand certification among smaller buildings Almost 40% of ENERGY STAR office buildings are all-electric, up from 30% in 1999. The report notes that efficiency of fuel use, rather than the mix of fuels used, drives ENERGY STAR-level performance. Furthermore, efficiently using electricity to meet energy needs positions buildings to leverage onsite renewable systems HVAC and lighting system upgrades are a priority, with 72% of ENERGY STAR buildings pursuing HVAC enhancements and 83% implementing lighting systems upgrades. Such upgrades were a priority for only about a third of the buildings reported in a 2012 survey ENERGY STAR buildings deploy more sophisticated...