Resident-Centric Design Thinking Workshops

February 10, 2025

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Good morning! 

This week marks a significant step forward for our company as we advance a joint venture deal with the Mailbox brand in Europe. At the same time, I’ve been busy incorporating AI agents into our operational workflows - an exciting move that promises to boost efficiency and drive better results across the board. I’m eager to see how these initiatives come to fruition and shape our future growth.

— Lucas Robinson, Founder & CEO at BudgetMailboxes.com

🎯 This Week’s Strategy:

  • Resident-Centric Design Thinking Workshops

🌐 Boardroom Brief:

  • The HOA Insurance Gap: What’s Driving Insurers Away?

Strategy

🎯 Resident-Centric Design Thinking Workshops

Creating a thriving community starts with understanding the needs and experiences of its residents. One effective way to achieve this is by implementing Resident-Centric Design Thinking Workshops - a structured approach that puts residents at the center of problem-solving and innovation. These workshops help property managers, developers, and HOA boards design better living spaces, amenities, and community services that truly address residents' concerns and aspirations.

How Resident-Centric Design Thinking Works

Design thinking is a problem-solving framework that prioritizes empathy, creativity, and iterative testing. When applied to residential communities, it allows property managers and HOAs to develop solutions based on real resident experiences rather than assumptions. The process involves five key steps:

  1. Empathize – Conduct surveys, interviews, and open forums to understand residents' pain points, needs, and preferences.

  2. Define – Identify the core problems based on resident feedback. Example: "Residents feel common areas lack accessibility and usability."

  3. Ideate – Brainstorm creative solutions, such as improved lighting, better seating arrangements, or digital tools for service requests.

  4. Prototype – Develop small-scale solutions (e.g., mock-ups of new amenities, test runs of community events).

  5. Test & Iterate – Gather feedback from residents on initial implementations and refine ideas accordingly.

Implementing Design Thinking in Your Community

1. Host a Community Discovery Session
Schedule a resident workshop where community members can openly share their concerns and ideas. Keep it engaging with interactive exercises, anonymous surveys, and group discussions.

2. Form a Resident Advisory Group
Select a small group of diverse residents to regularly participate in idea generation and provide ongoing feedback on proposed improvements.

3. Run Small Pilot Projects
Rather than implementing large-scale changes all at once, test out solutions on a small scale—like a redesigned community event, a new maintenance request system, or an improved parking layout.

4. Gather Data & Iterate
Measure the impact of changes using resident satisfaction surveys and participation rates. Adjust solutions based on real-time feedback.

By embracing Resident-Centric Design Thinking Workshops, property managers and HOA boards can foster a more engaged community, improve resident satisfaction, and make data-driven decisions that enhance the living experience for everyone.

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Boardroom Brief

The HOA Insurance Gap: What’s Driving Insurers Away?

A growing financial strain is impacting condominium associations nationwide, with rising maintenance costs, insurance premiums, and deferred repairs putting pressure on budgets. Recent reports highlight how many HOAs and condo boards are struggling to meet these increasing obligations while ensuring compliance with stricter regulations. This underscores the urgent need for proactive financial planning, reserve fund management, and transparent budgeting. HOAs must prioritize conducting reserve studies, reassessing long-term capital plans, and implementing cost-efficient maintenance strategies to prevent unexpected financial crises. Staying ahead of these challenges is essential for maintaining financially stable, well-managed communities.

Game

🎉 Fun Finale: Play & Poll

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