Habitat First Group, operating holiday resorts in The Cotswolds and Dorset, experienced a significant increase in plot sales in 2020 despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The resorts offer high-end lakeside properties, and the demand for rentals and property maintenance led to the creation of related services. The company sought a software solution to streamline its diverse businesses and chose Elite Dynamics to integrate their disparate systems into one platform.
The decision was influenced by Elite Dynamics’ flexibility and continuous improvement. Habitat First Group’s long-term vision, commitment to ecological goals, and carbon-neutral aspirations align with the technological support provided by Elite Dynamics, which includes centralised systems to reduce paperwork and enhance staff efficiency.
The challenges
- Big increase in plot sales during 2020 despite the COVID pandemic. Constant growth and the need to future-proof each of the businesses due to high reservation levels.
- Unique mix of high-end lakeside properties with different types of accommodations. Evolving from a hands-off approach to providing rental, cleaning, and maintenance services due to customer demand.
- Historically separate businesses within the Habitat First Group. The need to streamline disparate systems into one platform for better efficiency and to support growth.
- The unique model of Habitat's resorts requires long-term planning, with Silverlake expected to grow for up to the next 40 years. They needed to find a solution that could support growth and be relevant for 20 years or more.
- The commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 which includes switching to a centralised system to improve processes and reduce reliance on paperwork.
- Meeting customer expectations by providing online access to information and embracing technology for efficient property management.
- Streamlining processes between teams to reduce paperwork and replication, making staff's working lives easier and more enjoyable.
- Adapting to changing customer behaviours, intensified by the impact of COVID and moving away from traditional methods, such as printing brochures, and adopting technology to meet current expectations.