Ep. 51 What CRE Gets Wrong About Technology and Innovation

In Episode 51 of Peak Property Performance, Bill Douglas and Drew Hall speak with Ryan Elazari, commercial real estate operator, innovation leader, educator, and host of CRE Unplugged. Ryan shares lessons from both sides of CRE innovation, exploring why technology fails, what owners should demand from vendors, and why successful adoption starts with understanding real operational problems.CRE technology and innovationPropTech adoptionTechnology ROIVendor evaluationChange managementTechnology roadmapsAI in commercial real estateCRE education and networkingDrew: What does CRE need to understand about innovation?Ryan: Go back to the basics. Owners want to lower expenses and increase NOI. Technology companies need to clearly demonstrate how their solution accomplishes those goals rather than simply selling a product.Ryan: Vendors should understand how a property actually operates. Inspect the building, identify its problems, and demonstrate the ROI and payback period. A product demo means little without understanding the customer's needs.Bill: Who owns technology adoption inside a CRE organization?Ryan: Implementation requires training, communication, and hands-on support for the people who actually use the technology. You can't install a solution and expect it to magically work, especially when teams are resistant to change.Ryan: We implemented a boiler management system that employees eventually bypassed because it was frustrating to use and lacked sufficient support. Despite significant investment, the property manager ultimately pulled the plug. Great sales don't guarantee successful adoption.Ryan: Owners shouldn't automatically adopt a technology because a large institution uses it or a trusted management company recommends it. Research solutions, talk with other operators, understand potential conflicts, and ask hard questions before making a decision.Ryan: Don't expect to walk into a conference and magically find the right solution. Identify your pain points beforehand, prepare questions, research vendors, and schedule relevant meetings in advance.Ryan: PropTech companies that failed to adapt to AI are losing ground to competitors that did. But the next generation of CRE professionals also needs stronger education around AI, PropTech, and how buildings actually operate.Ryan: Technology companies facing long sales cycles need to build long-term relationships and trust. The same lesson applies to careers: your professional network can help create opportunities that technology alone cannot.Drew: Best career or life advice?Ryan: Never give up. Believe in what you're doing and don't let rejection discourage you.Bill: Habit that makes you more effective?Ryan: Working out, running, tennis, or basketball helps me get into the right mindset.Drew: Early bird or night owl?Ryan: Night owl. I've always been that way.Ryan ElazariCRE UnpluggedWebsite: creunplugged.com Email: info@creunplugged.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanelazari/ About Peak Property PerformanceThe Peak Property Performance Podcast is hosted by Bill Douglas and Drew Hall of OpticWise. The show explores how commercial real estate owners and operators improve performance through digital infrastructure, operational intelligence, AI, and better decision-making.Learn more:https://www.peakpropertyperformance.comhttps://www.opticwise.comWatch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@PeakPropertyPerformanceKey Topics CoveredEpisode TranscriptStart With the Owner’s Real ObjectiveUnderstand the Building Before Selling the TechnologyTechnology Doesn’t Adopt ItselfWhy Good Technology Still FailsOwn Your Technology RoadmapGo to Conferences With a StrategyAI Is Reshaping PropTechRelationships Still Drive InnovationExtra Floor — Rapid Fire with Ryan ElazariContact the Guest