“You think you’re shopping for elevator screens, but you’re NOT. You’re actually shopping for better communication, good governance, and a socially and financially successful condo corporation.”
So said I, on a recent Zoom call with a condo’s board of directors interested in “getting screens” for their elevators.
They were kind of in a hurry and a wee bit distracted (some cameras were turned off, noses in phones etc) so I decided to get right to the point. And my bluntness caused a perceptible shift…. faces appeared, heads lifted.
(Usually, I try to attend in person – it’s fun, engaging, and there’s way more energy in the room. Zoom calls are efficient and save tons of time, not to mention money spent on pants, but it’s always fun to do a live “Chat S-U-E” instead ;o)
Anyway, I went on to say that simply purchasing a screen and sticking it in an elevator isn’t a heck of a lot better than their current bulletin board UNLESS they’re going to adopt and adapt a solid communication strategy to go with it.
It’s good communication that provides great benefit to the condo; the elevator screens just happen to be the best vehicle to provide it.
Comparing a bunch of hardware loaded with ads and the (often empty) promise of shared revenue with an ad-free, done-for-you communication service is like comparing apples to oranges. They’re totally different.
One is about ads: Sell your home. Visit the dentist. Order a pizza. Not exactly helpful, especially in an emergency water shut-off or broken garage door situation.
The other one is 100% focused on condo communication because good communication saves money. Bad communication costs money; a lot of it as it turns out:
Focus on good communication and you can decimate water bills, avoid repetitive tasks and questions, build and foster a great board of directors and keep people feeling informed and happy.
When it comes to safety and security, balcony and fire safety are just two topics that pop up regularly in the news; sometimes as tragic reminders of the importance of clearly and consistently communicating what’s important to residents. This stuff is real, describing serious and heartbreaking situations involving injury and even loss of life.
Residents themselves notice safety challenges and the importance of proactive communication, as referenced at the 1:11 mark of this news clip.
When it comes to fire safety, is your emergency plan a hidden-away document or a daily practice? A good communication strategy makes it both. It helps prevent issues by raising awareness, teaches people what to do in an emergency and can provide proof of implementation in the event of an emergency.
In the end, that’s why the interest in digital elevator signage is never really a screen decision. It’s a governance decision, a liability decision, a “what kind of community are we trying to run here?” decision.
So no, condo boards should not be shopping for elevator screens the way they shop for office supplies or lobby furniture. They could be investing in communication instead. Communication that helps protect the corporation, support management, guide residents, and keep little problems from turning into expensive (or worse, tragic) ones. The screens are just the delivery system. The real value is what shows up on them. It’s apples and oranges 😉
One less legal letter? $900+ One prevented chute jam? $600. One avoided false fire alarm? $1,500. An entire community, working together to cut costs and build community? PRICELESS.
If you’re looking to improve condo communication or want to explore how Digi-Notice can support your community, here are a few ways to get started:
Contact Digi-Notice to prepare your communication strategy today. Contact phil@digi-notice.com or sue@digi-notice.com
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