Ask an Expert with Mike Doucette

Meet Mike Doucette

Meet Mike Doucette: From hospitality veteran to multifamily tech visionary, Mike has powerfully contributed to every industry he’s ever supported by asking great questions and solving tough problems.

Learn about the shifts he’s witnessed in multifamily connectivity tech, changing resident expectations, and the benefits behind the goals-oriented approach he advocates partners use when investing in their portfolios.

Your career began in the hospitality industry.
HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY INTO MULTIFAMILY TECH & MANAGED WI-FI?

“Yeah, it’s funny how one thing leads to another, isn’t it? Looking back it all makes sense, but when you’re in it, you absolutely can’t see what’s coming.

I didn’t have an extensive educational background, but leaned into my career, working my way up through hotels. I started as a front desk agent, and, you know, eventually moved up into management. That was my stepping stone to working as a general manager at a tech company that provided WiFi services to hotels.

So from the hotel front desk to management; hotel management to tech services for hotel management; to hotel Wi-Fi services. It’s kind of a crazy ladder, but it was mine and it’s how I got here. And that first tech job? It was my hard pivot. The market became too saturated for hotel WiFi services, so we transformed our offering to multifamily tech. And WOW, did I immediately see the potential for WiFi in the multifamily industry. There was-and still is-so much room for innovation, better resident experiences, etc. I’ve been deeply involved with that section of property management ever since.”

And now you’re in sales.
FROM HOTEL MANAGEMENT TO BULK WI-FI & TECH AMENITIES. THAT’S A BIG SHIFT.

“Not as big as you think. See, I may not have started out seeking a sales position, but what I did do, what I’ve done at every step of my career, is constantly ask questions. Every time I showed up somewhere new, there were people who knew more than me. That was true in hotels, that was true in hotel WiFi, and it was especially true in property management-and boy this industry has a lot of tenure. I’m easy to talk to, and the owner of the WiFi company I worked for saw that. He combined that with my management experience and bam! I was managing the sales team. I absorbed as much as I could. I constantly asked questions. And that path ultimately led me first to Onboard and then, after the acquisition, to Conservice.”

What’s changed in the industry since you first started?
PARTICULARLY AROUND BULK INTERNET?

“Connectivity is king.”

“Well, a lot, haha! When I first entered this space, cable TV was still king. Internet was important, but it definitely played a secondary role to cable. Over time, though, that changed in a big way. Streaming services changed everything. As people became less dependent on traditional cable and more focused on streaming, the importance of fast, reliable internet skyrocketed.

The shift made bulk internet offerings much more attractive to property managers and owners. It wasn’t just about giving residents internet-it was about providing them with the speed and reliability they needed for modern and very connected lives. Streaming, smart homes, and the constant need for connectivity made bulk internet a necessity.

Now, bulk WiFi is very mature. It’s also respected as a strategy for enhancing property value and offering a better experience for residents. And it’s almost always more affordable than individual internet plans.”

If that’s where we’re at now, where are we going?
WHAT’S HAPPENING FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN THE INTERNET & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPACE?

“Till now, it’s been about the service. But moving forward, it’s going to be more and more holistic. Fundamentally, property owners and managers need to be thinking about their overall technology infrastructure. They’re going to need a strategy in place-whether they’re looking to focus on providing a high-end resident experience, or building up value for resale, they are going to want a defined plan and specific goals to build their tech infrastructure around. Bulk WiFi will be a fundamental part of that infrastructure.

Full transparency, it’s been by far the most successful approach in my capacity as an expert and a salesman. When I sit down with a new client, I don’t say “Here are all the benefits of a bulk WiFi agreement.” I ask, “What are your goals? Where are you trying to take your portfolio?” And we shape our partnership around their answers.”

How has the move to Conservice
SHAPED THAT “GOALS-ORIENTED” APPROACH?

“Fundamentally? Access to resources. I used to have to approach each prospect with a kind of, “What are your infrastructural goals and how can our bulk Wifi services support those? Now, we have access to a much wider range of cost saving options and future proofing tech. We can connect that bulk Wifi plan to a host of other property management and utility services, and I’m here for it.”

What’s one piece of advice you would give
TO OTHERS IN THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?

“In today’s landscape, tech infrastructure isn’t just a “nice-to-have”-it’s a critical part of your property’s success. If you’re thinking long-term, bulk internet and managed Wi-Fi should absolutely be part of that strategy.”Follow Mike on LinkedIn
Hear from more experts in tech and utility management at Conservice.