It’s hard to wrap your mind around the idea that there are still people in this country who don’t use computers at all. Or even smart phones. While these non-tech folks are surely the minority, there are legitimate reasons why some of them are so far behind the times.
Age. Some great-grandparents are embracing the online world, if only to have access to photos of their great-grandchildren, but many feel that technology has passed them by.
Cost. In many economically disadvantaged areas, technology can be hard to come by. And unless you have it at your fingertips, it can be hard to learn to use it.
Safety concerns. There are those who refuse to enter the online world for fear of exposing themselves to identity theft or other cyber-attacks.
So as a property manager, how do you reach these folks when you have important information to share?
One of the best methods is tried and true — the telephone. It’s almost a given that those who eschew cell phones altogether will have a landline to keep in touch with the outside world, so your best bet is to just give them a call. Better yet, use property management software that automates calls for you.
It’s not the best solution for time-sensitive issues, but for announcements about a community meeting or the annual Christmas party, printed flyers either posted on a common board or slipped under doors can get the word out quite effectively. Just make sure you’ve got a solid paper recycling program set up!
And finally, if your audience is old school, communicate in the oldest-school way there is — have a conversation! Chat with folks as you encounter them in your day-to-day and let them know what’s happening.
Pilera is a best-of-class, easy-to-use, comprehensive online property management solution for apartments, condos, and associations. Pilera provides the easiest, most comprehensive data management capability available to property managers, leasing agents, boards of directors, and back-office personnel. Quickly and easily access whatever you need, whenever you need it, from wherever you need to be with office or mobile phone connectivity. You are never out of touch. Act on the document/information accessed from the office or “on-the-road” with Pilera-supported mobile capability. Contact us today!
