In celebration of Women’s Month, we had the opportunity to sit down with Jodi Sher, Director and Co-Founder of Lisa, to delve into her motivations behind launching Lisa, her vision for the future of PropTech, and her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the commercial real estate sector. This interview offers a glimpse into the journey of building Lisa and Jodi’s insights on driving innovation in a traditionally conservative industry.
Q: What motivated you to start Lisa, and how did you identify the need for a PropTech solution in the commercial real estate industry?
Jodi Sher: "When Inospace was rapidly expanding its property portfolio, it became clear that our current methods for managing leads and leasing were outdated and highly inefficient. Our data was scattered across multiple spreadsheets, which resulted in our team spending significant time compiling outdated information for weekly meetings. This exposed a critical gap in our operations—a lack of a centralised system that could streamline deal management and provide real-time data for quicker, more informed decision-making.
Understanding these inefficiencies, we realised the necessity of a technology solution that would fundamentally transform the way we managed our leasing processes. Leasing is the core of any commercial real estate business, and to remain competitive, it was crucial for us to lease faster, more simply, and more intelligently. Moreover, the industry was not particularly tenant-centric, which presented a clear opportunity to simplify lease documentation and the overall leasing experience.
This insight led to the creation of Lisa, initially known as Inotech, which has since evolved into its own business and brand. Lisa was created not only to address the inefficiencies we experienced but to revolutionise the leasing process entirely. By centralising data and integrating real-time analytics, Lisa empowers property owners to make smarter decisions and manage deals more effectively, all while enhancing the tenant experience by making the leasing process transparent and user-friendly.
Lisa represents a new operational paradigm in commercial real estate, where property owners and tenants both benefit from a more efficient, streamlined, and intelligent leasing process. We believe Lisa sets a new standard for the industry in South Africa."
Q: How do you see PropTech evolving in the next five years, and what role do you envision Lisa playing in that evolution?
Jodi Sher: "The PropTech industry is poised to revolutionise commercial real estate, with advancements in AI, automation, and data analytics driving new levels of efficiency and transparency. Over the next five years, these technologies will transform property and deal management, making them faster, more accurate, and increasingly client-focused. AI will play a pivotal role, personalising the leasing experience for tenants, simplifying the search and selection process, and offering tailored recommendations based on specific needs. There will be a stronger focus on tenant lifecycle management, relying on real-time assistance and predictive property management.
Lisa is uniquely positioned to lead this evolution because it was built by property people for property people. This deep industry expertise, rooted in real-world experience and genuine pain points, is what sets Lisa apart. Our intimate understanding of the challenges faced by CRE professionals informs every aspect of the platform, ensuring it addresses the true needs of the industry.
I believe the role of technology is being an enabler. It's not just about having cutting-edge tools; it's about using those tools to solve the specific problems that property professionals encounter daily. We have built Lisa with this pairing of deep industry knowledge together with technological innovation, and this is what drives real progression."
Q: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the PropTech or commercial real estate industries?
Jodi Sher: "For entrepreneurs in the PropTech space, my advice is to leverage your unique perspective to drive innovation. It is crucial to have a deep understanding of the industry—its challenges, inefficiencies, and areas that are ripe for disruption. Develop solutions that are not merely about technology but about solving real, pressing problems. Persistence is vital; the commercial real estate industry can be quite traditional, but that’s where the greatest opportunities lie.
Build a network of mentors and peers who support your vision, and don’t hesitate to challenge the status quo. Focus on delivering value, whether through enhanced efficiency, improved client satisfaction, or strategic insight. Always keep your end-users—property owners and tenants—at the forefront of your innovation efforts. Your unique perspective is your strongest asset; use it to shape the future of the industry."
Conclusion
Lisa’s journey is a testament to recognising inefficiencies in the market and innovatively addressing them with technology. As the commercial real estate industry continues to evolve, platforms like Lisa are at the forefront, driving change and setting new standards. Jodi Sher’s insights remind us of the importance of adaptability, understanding industry needs, and continuously striving for innovation.
Watch the video below to learn more about how Lisa transformed Inospace's leasing capabilities.