<span class="hide-blog-title">The Franchise Informant</span>A resource for National Property Inspections and Global Property Inspections franchisees, aspiring entrepreneurs and real estate professionals.https://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/PostsNational Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Chris Harrhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1572/national-property-inspections-franchisee-spotlight-chris-harrFranchise,Inspection TipsTue, 19 Dec 2023 21:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">NATIONAL PROPERTY INSPECIONS FRANCHISEE SPOTLIGHT: CHRIS HARR</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 19, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=inspection-tips">Inspection Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/motivation">motivation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p>In our Franchisee Spotlight series, we like to take some time to recognize the efforts of some of our most outstanding franchises. Every year, we partner with new inspectors and seasoned professionals seeking extra support to take their businesses to the next level. While our marketing, technical support, and national accounts all work together for ongoing assistance, we think that one of the most impactful resources our partners gain when joining the NPI family is access to some of the best business owners in the inspection industry.</p> <p>Today’s feature is Chris Harr and his team from <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/harr/">NPI Columbus SE</a>: our 2023 Franchise of the Year. Veterans of the industry, the Harr Team has served Central Ohio since 2002, and in that time, they have established themselves as consummate professionals. They are prime examples of NPI’s core values–Honesty, Integrity, and Professionalism. The Harrs are true mentors, and we’re always excited to see what new strategies their team discovers. With that said, let’s discuss who the Harrs are and what makes them stand out.</p> <p style="margin-top: 30px"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/2023/InVision-94.jpg?ver=CA0gI-QrKrc5c-7Ei1_cLQ%3d%3d" width="100%" /><br /> <em>Chris Harr pictured with his sons Jake and Will at the 2023 InVision Conference Awards.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">NPI Columbus SE & the Harr Family</span><br /> Founded in 2002, NPI Columbus SE has performed over 15,000 residential inspections and over 5,000 commercial inspections as a family unit. Owner Chris Harr founded the operation, but the business grew quickly with his father-in-law Dave, and his sons Tom, Jake, and Will all joining as additional inspectors. Each member of the family adds their own strengths and perspectives to the organization, making a well-oiled machine.</p> <p>The Harrs also make use of a number of different outlets to bolster their marketing efforts. Check out Tom Harr’s <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFzcBukq2b4" target="_blank">video series</a> breaking down the essentials of home inspections for their clients and agents. NPI Columbus SE continues to innovate and offer new services like indoor air quality testing with <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.airadviceforhomes.com/" target="_blank">AirAdvice</a>.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Specialty Services</span><br /> Today, Chris and his team offer a wide array of services starting with buyer’s inspections, seller’s pre-listing inspections, draw inspections for new construction, and <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/harr/builderswarranty">builder's warranty inspections</a> for new homes. In addition to these services, the NPI Columbus SE team is also licensed and trained to perform radon testing, SewerScans, termite inspections (WDO/WDI), and well water potability and quality inspections.</p> <p>One thing that sets the Harr team apart from their competition is their 6-month warranty. Covering electrical systems, interior plumbing systems, HVAC, and appliances, Chris and his team are able to show how much confidence they have in their work while giving their clients additional peace of mind.</p> <p>Chris Harr and his family have been a staple of the NPI family, and we couldn’t be prouder to recognize them with 2023’s Franchise of the Year honor. To learn more about NPI and its legacy of excellence, check out a few <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Testimonials">testimonials</a> from our franchisees! Interested in learning more about franchising with NPI? Request your <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a> today.</p> 1572How To Break Into A Male-Dominated Industry As A Female Entrepreneurhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1571/how-to-break-into-a-male-dominated-industry-as-a-female-entrepreneurBusiness Tips,Franchise,Marketing,Social MediaTue, 12 Dec 2023 20:44:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO BREAK INTO A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY AS A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 12, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=social-media">Social Media</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/motivation">motivation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/networking">networking</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/google">Google</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/facebook">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-website">business website</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Celeste Black-Harr, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator</em></span></p> <p>The glass ceiling is a concept that describes an invisible barrier that limits advancement in the workplace for certain groups. For women who look to find a foothold in male-dominated industries, working to overcome stereotypes can make glass ceilings feel very real. The great thing about the glass ceiling metaphor, though, is that glass begs to be shattered.</p> <p>Breaking into a male-dominated industry as a female entrepreneur can feel daunting, but underrepresented voices who build a platform in their industry have an opportunity. They will not only benefit those that follow in their footsteps, creating a more accessible pathway in the future, their unique background and perspectives will also benefit the entire industry.</p> <p>Of course, if finding success in a male-dominated industry was easy then everyone would do it. While every industry has their own unique quirks and obstacles, there are a few considerations that are particularly worth taking into account for female entrepreneurs getting ready to break through.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Find A Functional Support System</span><br /> Reliable contacts are important to establish for anyone entering into any industry, but identifying these people are even more important for women who are looking to establish themselves in a male-dominated industry. First, let’s talk about finding a strong mentor.</p> <p>A mentor is someone with experience in the industry who is willing to impart advice, assist in navigating hurdles (which are inevitable!), and act as an advocate. Ideally, this should be someone who has encountered similar obstacles so, if possible, women should find other women who have found success to act as their mentor. Although male mentors will give invaluable insights on how to grow within the industry (and female entrepreneurs should absolutely seek out male mentors), developing relationships with women who have already walked their path and have direct experience of their unique challenges should be a top priority.</p> <p>Unfortunately, finding a female mentor in a male-dominated industry is by no means easy, and in all likelihood, that single perfect business owner who is capable of answering each and every question along the way won’t exist. This is why we recommend finding a support “system” rather than a single mentor. Network, network, and then network some more to find an ally that knows the industry, then maybe find a female mentor who has found success in a <em>different</em> male-dominated industry, another person who excels at managing a large team, and yet another mentor who is a master on social media</p> <p>Much of advancing in any industry involves getting to know the right people and establishing that reliable network of confidantes and advocates. For women entering a traditionally “male” space, an <em>us vs. them</em> can only distract from the great aid that women <em>and men</em> can provide while establishing a successful business.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Disprove Negative Stereotypes</span><br /> Next, one important question that female entrepreneurs have to consider before stepping into a male-dominated industry is this: <em>Why is this industry male-dominated?</em></p> <p>If you struggle to come up with a good answer, this might be a good opportunity to reach out to one of your industry contacts to get their take and perspective. Maybe the industry has just been slow to catch up to modern sensibilities, or something about the industry doesn’t generally appeal to female entrepreneurs, or perhaps there are persistent stereotypes that present an unfair hindrance to success. In the case of this last issue, women can work to dispel stereotypes with a few intentional steps.</p> <p>Let’s start with an example: according to the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.pdf" target="_blank">US Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, 1.1% of plumbers were women in 2022 (the most recent available year). Although this profession has one of the most extreme male/female divides, many of the trades are similarly dominated by men, and this has a negative effect on an average person’s perception of competency for people in the trades. Another way to say this might be, if every plumber that a homeowner has ever worked with has been a male, they may have a subconscious assumption that men simply know more about home plumbing systems than women.</p> <p>For a woman who’s looking to open her own plumbing business, it is possible that a prevailing stereotype that makes her seem less competent than she is leads to less business than she would have otherwise gotten. The solution to this problem? To put it simply: prove the stereotype wrong.</p> <p>In the past, this was much more difficult since female entrepreneurs would have to convince clients and customers to give them a shot, do a great job, then hope word-of-mouth spreads enough to get their business humming. Today, there are more opportunities to put one’s skills on display:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Gather Google / Facebook / Yelp Reviews</strong> to put satisfied previous customers’ experiences on display. Clients that hold to a negative stereotype of women in a certain industry will have to adjust their thinking if they find their business has hundreds of glowing reviews and spectacular ratings across the board.<br /> <br /> <em>To learn about review gathering strategies for small businesses, read more <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/5-strategies-to-get-more-reviews-for-your-small-business">here</a>!</em><br />  </li> <li><strong>Post Video Tutorials</strong> to act as an authority on industry-related topics. Whether hosted on social media or on a business website, videos where prospective clients can hear you speak intelligently about your industry and services and see you exercise your expertise themselves serve as an excellent advocate for your capabilities.<br /> <br /> <em>Did you know that videos can also be a great inclusion in email campaigns? Here are <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/everything-you-need-to-know-to-make-your-next-email-campaign-a-success">a few tips</a> to make your next email marketing campaign a hit.</em><br />  </li> <li><strong>Seize Opportunities to Teach</strong> in front of clients, referral sources, and even industry peers. These situations are, of course, more situations where you can put your skills and knowledge on display, but they are also opportunities to further break down unhelpful stereotypes. Whether at a child’s school career day, at a conference, or at a BNI group meeting, speaking as a representative of your industry in these public settings can work wonders to place yourself as an authority figure and even build your own confidence in your abilities.<br /> <br /> <em>If you’re interested in refining your public speaking skills, take a look at our thoughts on the subject! If you’re interested in refining your public speaking skills, take a look at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/5-tips-to-improve-public-speaking-as-a-small-business-owner">our thoughts</a> on the subject!</em></li> </ol> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Don’t Change Yourself - Change The Industry</span><br /> Finally, there may be an impulse to act a certain way, or to change behavior in order to fit into the box of what sort of person has succeeded in the industry in the past. For many women, this can be a tempting impulse when entering into a male-dominated industry, but this instinct may not be the best. Just because women haven’t been prevalent in a male dominated industry doesn’t mean they can’t be, and it also doesn’t mean the odds are stacked against them.</p> <p>Innovations that transform industries often come from those with unique backgrounds, or from perspectives that were previously absent from that field. Women that lean on their unique strengths and discover their own way of conducting business are far more likely to find a <em>better</em> way of doing things than if they only emulate what’s been done before. While there is wisdom in sticking to what’s proven to work, having the bravery to try something new is what separates industry leaders from the pack.</p> <p>Taking home inspections as an example, a large portion of the job involves developing relationships and working with real estate agents - a profession that is 66% female (according to the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.nar.realtor/women-in-real-estate#:~:text=Demographic%20Characteristics%20of%20REALTORS%C2%AE&text=66%20percent%20of%20all%20REALTORS,percent%20of%20sales%20agent%20licensees." target="_blank">National Association of Realtors</a>). Although property inspectors also skew male, there may be a considerable advantage to women who enter into the home inspection industry due to their own ability to appeal to real estate agents.</p> <p>Whether there are inherent untapped advantages in an industry or opportunities to innovate, women who take on the challenge of breaking into a male dominated industry should do so with great anticipation. Another thing that comes naturally with the breaking of things like glass ceilings: it’s bound to turn heads.</p> <p><em>One fantastic benefit of an NPI franchise is access to a nationwide network of mentors and industry professionals with decades of experience and a desire to innovate. To learn more about the benefits of partnering with National Property Inspections, receive your <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a> today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional Images/Authors/author-photos_celeste-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Celeste Black-Harr, <em>Recruitment Coordinator</em></span><br /> With a background in customer service and office administration, Celeste joined National Property Inspections, Inc. in 2022. Her experience in customer service is the driving force behind helping all new franchise owners get started and developing those strong business relations! In her daily role as Recruitment Coordinator, Celeste onboards new NPI and GPI franchises from across the United Stated and Canada.</div> </div> 1571What Is The Benefit Of The Name National Property Inspections?https://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1570/what-is-the-benefit-of-the-name-national-property-inspectionsFranchise,Marketing,Social MediaTue, 05 Dec 2023 20:34:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF THE NAME NATIONAL PROPERTY INSPECTIONS?</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 5, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=social-media">Social Media</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/google">Google</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/facebook">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/linkedin">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/digital-marketing">digital marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-website">business website</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/seo">SEO</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Michael Trimble, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Content Marketing Coordinator</em></span></p> <p>When starting a new business, entrepreneurs work hard to create a clear plan for growth. While there are many exciting things that come with establishing a business’ processes, brand image, and marketing strategy, owners tend to spend a lot of their energy early on avoiding common pitfalls. One of the most important pitfalls to avoid, of course, is choosing the wrong business name.</p> <p>Names are hard, whether you’re naming a new business venture or your child. For many entrepreneurs, launching a new business is very similar to having a new baby, as they work through the trials and tribulations that come with learning to operate in a new industry. While a person’s opportunities may not be markedly different whether they were named John or Albus, a business name can mean the difference between success and failure.</p> <p>National Property Inspections is a tried and tested name in the property inspections industry, which means inspectors that partner with NPI can see benefits prior to performing even a single job. To get a better idea of why National Property Inspections works so well in its industry, let’s first review what is important when choosing a business name.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Why Is A Business Name Important?</span><br /> Business names are intended to accomplish quite a bit. First, a business name needs to set appropriate expectations to its intended audience. What does the business do? What are the business’ values? What can be expected when working with this business? If a name is too vague or imprecise, clients may misunderstand the business’ focus, either passing them over in favor of a competitor, or inquiring for services that aren’t offered.</p> <p>Next, a business name needs to draw in clients! Names can do this by being particularly unique or memorable, or they might do this by evoking a sensation of professionalism or prestige. Depending on the industry, goofy names may be appropriate to appeal to a particular audience, whereas another industry that prioritizes expertise, safety, and high profile investments would be wise to stick with something more professional.</p> <p>Finally, a name must be easy to remember. Sometimes names that include invented words can be memorable after getting established and gaining widespread recognition, but prospective clients need to be able to easily look up a business after hearing it off hand. This means that keeping a name relatively short and full of everyday words is best for discoverability online, and for easier recollection. (Per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, memorability and simplicity are two of the most important factors that make a great business name. You can read more of their thoughts on the subject <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/startup/great-business-name-traits" target="_blank">here</a>!)</p> <p>With some of these basic standards outlined, let’s see how NPI stacks up!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">NPI Cuts Straight To The Point</span><br /> National Property Inspections is a name that cannot easily be mistaken for something else. In the home inspection industry, there is a high potential for clients to mistake a poorly named property inspection business for a construction company, electrical or HVAC company, or even a private detective’s office. Reducing the potential for confusion is paramount for any business owner who wants to reduce wasted time and unneeded frustration with mistaken clients.</p> <p><em>National Property Inspections</em> is a property inspections company, and one of the premier names within the industry across the United States. All of this is easily understood in three simple words, and this efficient, direct naming style subconsciously tells clients that they can expect the same from this business’ service: efficient professionalism, and a premier quality that stands up to scrutiny.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">NPI Opens The Door For Commercial Inspections</span><br /> The next thing that the NPI name does for its franchisees that’s different from many property inspection business names, is it doesn’t immediately force them into the box of home inspection. If you’re a home inspector who has ever tried to break into the world of commercial property inspections, you may have experienced the stigma that commercial referral sources have towards home inspectors.</p> <p>While this is surely frustrating, the stigma isn’t entirely unwarranted. The truth is that commercial properties require a unique skill set and involve a different scale that most home inspectors simply aren’t used to. This leads those that need to coordinate commercial inspections to commonly look elsewhere for their needs. <em>National Property Inspections</em> doesn’t include the word “home” in its name like many in the industry, which inherently allows more freedom for franchisees to diversify.</p> <p>Commercial property inspections can be very lucrative, and since NPI offers special commercial training and commercial job opportunities through its National Accounts, <em>National Property Inspections</em> uniquely positions its franchisees to excel in this field.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">NPI Works Well On The Digital Front</span><br /> One major unexpected struggle that new business owners face while naming their new company is digital compatibility. Businesses excel when they can be reached easily, and the best way to do this is to be present in every location that their client base is looking. This, of course, starts with securing your business’ domain name, then branches out to claiming pages on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, Yelp, etc.).</p> <p>Consistency across all platforms is important to reduce confusion among your clients, and is an essential practice for businesses that want great SEO (search engine optimization). Another benefit of franchising with NPI is that our marketing helps you set up all of these profiles, securing your business’ name right out of the gate so that you can focus on building your audience and refining your skills.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">NPI Has 35+ Years Of Industry Name Recognition</span><br /> Finally, <em>National Property Inspections</em> has built a reputation of quality in the property inspection industry that spans over 35 years! With experienced and talented business owners stretching across the United States, NPI is a well-known brand that is already recognizable for its integrity and high-caliber service. Although new franchisees haven’t necessarily been active as a home inspector as long as NPI’s most tenured professionals, using the NPI name means that one of the most respected entities in the industry vouches for your abilities and your character.</p> <p>To answer the old question: “What’s in a name?” Clearly, there’s quite a bit!</p> <p><em>If you’d like to learn more about how National Property Inspections continues to innovate and stand out in this industry, contact our <a class="color-secondary" href="”mailto:marketing@npiweb.com”">recruitment team</a>. Want to learn more about the benefits of franchising with NPI? Collect your free info packet <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">right here</a>!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional%20Images/Authors/author-photo_michael-trimble-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Michael Trimble, <em>Content Marketing Coordinator</em></span><br /> A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Michael has a B.A. in International Studies and English. With a background in research and writing, Michael contributes to NPI’s corporate marketing team as a copywriter and content strategist.</div> </div> 1570Hold The Phone: How Do You Turn Price-Shoppers Into Paying Clients?https://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1569/hold-the-phone-how-do-you-turn-price-shoppers-into-paying-clientsBusiness Tips,Inspection Tips,MarketingTue, 28 Nov 2023 20:27:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOLD THE PHONE: HOW DO YOU TURN PRICE-SHOPPERS INTO PAYING CLIENTS?</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 28, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=inspection-tips">Inspection Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/client-satisfaction">client satisfaction</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach</em></span></p> <p>As a small business owner, getting your phone line to start ringing can sometimes be a difficult task, but once those prospective clients’ calls begin to roll in, that doesn’t always mean you’ll be booking inspections right and left. Often, a lack of conversions can be due to the fact that while some people might make an inquiry, many would-be clients are likely to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion on their search for the best price (or in other words, the lowest price).</p> <p>Marketing experts over at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.firstinsight.com/blog/price-vs-quality-what-matters-most-to-consumers#:~:text=Conclusion,the%20optimal%20price%20and%20value." target="_blank">First Insight</a> break it down by explaining that all businesses are battling the top two deciding factors for consumers: price and quality. The best business owners endeavor to offer a product that is uniquely valuable to their clients, something that goes above and beyond their competition, hoping to become the obvious preferred option. If an entrepreneur has confidence in their product but they aren’t closing the deal, then the problem lies in their ability to <em>explain</em> their product or service’s strengths, leaving potential clients to default to price as the deciding factor.</p> <p>This situation can be incredibly frustrating for owners who are scratching and clawing, trying to find some way to gain traction. The good news is that turning price-shoppers into paying clients is a skill that can be improved with a bit of strategy and practice. To get started, let’s discuss a few things that are essential in instilling confidence in your future clients.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Introduce Yourself And Your Business</span><br /> Once you answer a phone call, the timer has already started in your responsibility to earn your client’s trust. Hopefully, the caller has visited your business website already and has been impressed by your brand, knows your service offerings, and has a familiarity with your industry. But, entrepreneurs should never assume what a caller knows. The first step in earning a client’s trust, is to guide them through the information that they need to know with respect and professionalism.</p> <p>Start with your business’ name first, then introduce yourself: “Hello, <em>[Business Name]</em>, this is <em>[Your Name]</em>. How can I help you?”</p> <p>Though this may seem to be a basic step, this simple procedure does wonders to establish an air of organization and professionalism, as well as to take control of the conversation. Odds are that callers know very little about your specific business and your specific background, so business owners who take the time to mention their unique qualifications, their experience, and their business differentiators throughout the conversation can build their credibility. A credible, experienced business owner is much more likely to earn a client’s trust, than someone who rushes to the quote during a phone call.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Ask Clarifying Questions</span><br /> Every request for a quote should involve a level of clarifying questions if you want to give an accurate expectation, but asking the right questions can also contribute to booking the job. More details can reveal whether they’d be good candidates for additional services or if specific tools might be required to complete the job. In home inspections, learning the neighborhood can also tip off unique expectations if you’ve worked in that area in the past or are familiar with that builder’s tendencies.</p> <p>From the client’s view point, needing to answer more robust questions to get to the quote reveals a knowledge base that they may not have been expecting. Simply showing that you are informed on the nuances of your profession here shows clients much more than a quick quote. Additionally, business owners would be wise to ask about how the caller found their number during the initial inquiry. Was it through a Google search? A referral from a friend? Somewhere else? Knowing what outlets are getting your name out there can help your business whether you book the job or not.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Discuss Your Process</span><br /> After introductions and asking questions, offering to explain the full process of your services should be an essential step of every call. In residential inspections, homebuyers or sellers may look for an inspection simply because someone advised them to do so. Chances are actually pretty high that your explanation of the process could be the first time that the caller hears what your service is and why it is necessary.</p> <p>If a caller still decides to get other quotes, that first clean and clear run-down of what the service actually is will stick with them and, in all likelihood, they will defer back to the person that took the time to explain it to them. Becoming an expert in your profession is one thing, but being able to describe the service to someone unfamiliar with the industry is often what separates successful businesses from the ones that are still finding their footing.</p> <p><em>Note: Finding the right way to schedule a job can also be a time to encourage a caller to make a commitment. Rather than ask the caller for their preferred date, offer them a specific day and time that works in your schedule. It may be shocking, but taking this small decision off their plate with the assumption that they’ll book with you can have a massive impact on overall conversions.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Explain What Differentiates You From The Competition</span><br /> The goal of many of the points mentioned in this article is basically to get a conversation going. In any service industry, people will tend to give business to anyone that they’ve developed a previous relationship with. Meeting someone new over the afford doesn’t allow for much time to build up a rapport, so business owners should take special consideration on what they can bring up in their limited window to help them stand out from their competition.</p> <p>If you offer a special warranty or unique promotion, be sure to mention that during your conversation. If you are active in your community, or your business has a special relationship with another organization, it may be wise to bring that up as well. Anything that helps get your unique values across to the caller will result in you becoming the memorable, natural option.</p> <p><em>Note: When discussing your values, bring up a story that exemplifies how your business specifically prioritizes these things. Stories are far more memorable in general, and are much more convincing than a simple claim, so rather than saying you value honesty or integrity, remember to bring up a specific example instead! <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-strengthen-engagement-on-social-media-through-storytelling">Click here</a> to learn more about how learning to tell stories can benefit your business.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Convert On The Conversion</span><br /> Employing these strategies into your phone calls will surely help your ability to convert a price shopper into a paying client, but why stop there? Happy, satisfied clients can benefit your business beyond a single basic service, so consider bringing up your add-on services if they are relevant to the client. The key here is to be genuine about these additional services - if you don’t truly believe that you’re adding value to your client, then don’t force something on them that they don’t want or need.</p> <p>Take time to describe future services that they might want to have on their radar, and check with them to see if they’d like a reminder email or follow-up phone call six months or a year down the line. If you’ve established a good rapport with the client, a single job could lead to another, and consistently requesting reviews further turns that client’s positive experience into a convincing endorsement for future business. Calls asking for quotes can seem tedious, and too many of them without booking is certainly discouraging. But with the right mindset and strategy in place, that first phone call can be a pathway for success!</p> <p><em>Did you know that National Property Inspections offers training and opportunities for franchisees to practice and improve upon their public speaking and relationship building skills? Learn more about the benefits of franchising with NPI today with a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a>.</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing & Business Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 15696 Traits To Look For When Hiring A Marketerhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1568/6-traits-to-look-for-when-hiring-a-marketerBusiness Tips,Franchise,MarketingTue, 21 Nov 2023 20:24:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">6 TRAITS TO LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A MARKETER</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 21, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/hiring">hiring</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/training">training</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach</em></span></p> <p>Entrepreneurs tend to start off their business solo, or if they’re lucky, they can tap into spouses or family members for help. Eventually, as business picks up and they begin to struggle to keep up with the demand, marketing efforts tend to be some of the first activities that begin to fall off. This situation isn’t all bad, of course! But once a business pulls back on marketing, that inevitably means that they’ll end up missing out on opportunities for further growth - leaving work either on the table for the competition, or leaving would-be clients’ needs unmet.</p> <p>Of course, business owners aren’t simply doomed to fall into this trap! They have options: first, to allow software to take marketing efforts off their hands, such as through scheduled social media posting, recurring email campaigns, or automated review gathering. Once these routes have been explored, though, it’s time to face the facts. It’s time for some extra help.</p> <p>Inviting a new voice into a small business can be incredibly exciting, and somewhat terrifying at the same time. After all, a bad hire could result in a time, effort, and money investment loss that’s much more difficult to recover from in comparison to when a larger company makes a similar mistake. On the other hand, hiring a great employee can have an astonishing impact, helping the company reach goals that were unimaginable in the past.</p> <p>A great first person to hire is a marketer - someone to take marketing efforts off of the owner’s plate, and to launch new, ambitious campaigns. While hiring can be tough, there are a few traits owners can look for in a marketer that should set them up for success!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">They Are A “People Person”</span><br /> Marketers are outgoing, conversational, and totally comfortable approaching a wide variety of people with confidence. While most jobs demand some “people skills,” marketers shine when they love meeting new people and being an advocate for the business. Between attending networking events, or even organizing their own, great marketing employees should have a high tolerance for interacting with people and building relationships.</p> <p>Often, a marketing employee can become the “face” of the company, so it’s important to find someone who can easily keep up a conversation and capture your attention. These skills are also important if this is the person answering the phone or scheduling future meetings. The best marketers are curious and interested in people.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">They Are A Good Conversationalist</span><br /> Building upon this first point, business owners may be drawn to hire the first candidate who knows how to start and control a conversation, but while becoming energized through social interaction is important, knowing how to talk does not mean a person is a great conversationalist. When working in an industry where relationship growth is key, a good conversationalist is someone who knows about the give and take of discussions.</p> <p>Even though a candidate might be capable of continuing a conversation all by themselves, marketers should know when to take a step back, invite someone else to take control, and take their turn to become an active listener. When people feel that they made a contribution and were included in an interaction, they are much more likely to walk away feeling positive about the experience and, in the context of running a business, these skills lead to more referrals, more positive reviews, and more opportunities for collaborations in the future.</p> <p><em>Note: Sometimes it can be tough to determine a potential employee’s communication style and personality type through a single interview. In these situations, it can be valuable to have candidates take a personality or behavioral test such as a DISC assessment. For example, a marketer with both an ‘I’ and ‘S’ behavioral type might find more success than someone with only an ‘I’ type.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">They Are An Engaging Storyteller</span><br /> Social people tend to also be great storytellers, but this is not always the case! In the field of marketing, storytelling goes beyond simply capturing another person’s attention. Effective storytelling in marketing means being able to communicate complex, industry-specific topics or detailed services to their audience in a way that is not only easily understood, but also shows how their product or service fits a need.</p> <p>On a full marketing team, this ability to tell stories is divided into different mediums from copywriting, to graphic design, to photography, and maybe even over to videography. Together, marketers are able to create an easily digestible piece of advertising that proves the business’ value, drives attention, and moves clients to schedule an appointment or make a purchase. On a smaller team, a marketer that has a bit of experience in copywriting, graphic design, or another creative field can certainly come in handy and may be a sign that you’ve found a storyteller.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">They Are An Innovator</span><br /> The best marketers are bold and unafraid to try new things. The truth is that in marketing for small businesses, the options can often seem endless. Some can drown in all of these options, and others can find themselves getting too comfortable with one or two marketing outlets that seem successful enough. Keeping costs down is important, of course, but an unwillingness to explore new campaigns or exciting opportunities guarantees that you’ll miss out on that next new breakthrough, or that new strategy that could take the business to the next stage.</p> <p>The one caveat that should be specified with this character trait in mind, though, is that honesty is so important! Sometimes, marketers can get excited about a new advertisement or a new campaign concept, only to find out that it isn’t effective or it doesn’t lead to enough conversions to be worthwhile. Though it may be painful, sometimes marketers may have to say goodbye to a project that they worked hard on. Good marketers are willing to innovate. Great marketers know when to redirect their efforts.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">They Are Organized</span><br /> Marketers have to juggle a lot of projects and responsibilities all at once, and this is especially true when working in a small business setting. Because of this, finding candidates with great organizational skills is highly recommended. Marketers have the digital side to worry about (posting to social media, organizing email campaigns, and managing Google ads) while also managing relationships with agents and clients (including keeping track of family members, birthdays/anniversaries, or just names of regular referral sources).</p> <p>Though some people compartmentalize their organizational skills, people that are great about showing up on time or people that keep an orderly desk space will probably also have the capability to manage many different projects at once. Of note: some employees may have a tendency to take on too much and risk burn-out! Owners should be sensitive to all of their team members’ workloads, and recognize when it’s time to step in and remove some responsibilities.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">They Are Independent</span><br /> Lastly, one trait that comes in handy in pretty much every role in a small business, but is particularly crucial for marketers, is independence. With fewer employees in a small business, each team member’s ability to operate on their own with little oversight becomes increasingly impactful. Obviously, hiring a new employee isn’t worthwhile if the business owner has to hold their hand through every action and decision, but marketers are also expected to make judgment decisions based on their specialties. The ideal marketing employee should be able to add knowledge and experience beyond what the owner has themselves.</p> <p>A few things to look for in a capable, independent team member is maturity, responsibility, and a willingness to hold themselves accountable. Sometimes, this might mean allowing an employee to grow into this role as trust is built between them and the business owner, but eventually, gaining the ability to operate on their own will become essential in running a successful small business.</p> <p><em>Being ready to expand your team is so exciting! But, did you know that NPI’s corporate marketing team can help you with many marketing tasks before you make that hire? Contact <a class="color-secondary" href="”mailto:marketing@npiweb.com”">your NPI marketing team</a> today to collaborate on setting up your next marketing campaign! Want to learn more about the benefits of franchising with National Property Inspections? <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">Click here</a>.</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing & Business Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 1568Key Steps For Managing Your Work Vehicle As A Home Inspectorhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1560/key-steps-for-managing-your-work-vehicle-as-a-home-inspectorBusiness Tips,Inspection TipsTue, 07 Nov 2023 16:30:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">KEY STEPS FOR MANAGING YOUR WORK VEHICLE AS A HOME INSPECTOR</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 7, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=inspection-tips">Inspection Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Jon McCreath, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator</em></span></p> <p>When imagining life as a home inspector, naturally one’s mind jumps to the on-site experience of gathering photos of a house’s interior and landscape, as well as maybe climbing onto a roof or roaming through a crawl space. What people who haven’t actually been a home inspector may not realize is that a surprisingly large amount of our time is actually spent in the car, traveling between locations, especially if you’re an inspector that serves a larger or mostly rural region.</p> <p>Keeping your work vehicle looking sharp and in working order is crucial to running a professional, successful property inspection business. Although you may have a great system already in place, here are a few reminders about how to take care of your mobile property inspections headquarters!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">The Importance of Vehicle Maintenance</span><br /> Keeping a consistent routine of vehicle maintenance and servicing appointments scheduled should be a normal piece of your business’s expenses each year. While it may seem obvious, if an inspector’s vehicle breaks down or is delayed on the way to a job, their entire day’s schedule could be thrown off. Emergencies happen, of course, but changing plans at the last minute can come across as unprofessional, especially if it becomes a regular occurrence.</p> <p>One thing that inspectors can do to quickly improve their vehicle’s lifespan is to keep it covered or out of the elements whenever not in use. Inclement weather and severe wind can damage vehicles, but even direct sunlight can damage a car’s paint and interior. Whether your vehicle’s performance or just its appearance deteriorates, ensuring a reliable vehicle should be at the top of any home inspector’s checklist.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Remember: Your Vehicle is a Reflection of Your Business</span><br /> Speaking of the vehicle’s appearance, the overall look of an inspector’s work vehicle might be the most direct reflection of their business to the outside world on a day-to-day basis. Especially after installing a well-designed, eye-catching vehicle wrap or other exterior branding, pulling up to an inspection with an attractive, clean vehicle is a great way to quickly instill confidence in agents and clients alike.</p> <p>While clients may not commonly see how you organize your tools or other equipment inside your vehicle, there is a decent chance that if they do see an orderly vehicle, they would assume that your other business practices are similarly well run. As home inspectors, anything that we can do to further instill confidence in our clients should be utilized. Investing in tool bags and other vehicle organizers are always wise for safety purposes since loose supplies could cause distractions while on the road, or even accidents in the worst scenarios. Keeping your vehicle clean and tidy should result in the entire process running more smoothly!</p> <p><em>Note: Safe driving should always be exercised whether on the job or off the job. With that said, reckless driving is particularly harmful to your business when you are operating a moving billboard. Inspectors, be wise and safe on the road at all times!</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Prepare for the Unexpected</span><br /> Finally, as your mobile business headquarters, your vehicle can be a great resource for emergency scenarios. Be prepared for emergencies with items like a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. Keeping back-up tools would be wise as well, such as flashlights, batteries, and extra footwear for roof access.</p> <p>In addition, savvy business owners would be wise to keep extra marketing materials on hand to share add-on services or other promotions. Business cards, brochures, or door hangers can all come in handy, and having easy access to these items can be advantageous should the opportunity arise. The most successful business owners are also relationship builders, looking for extra chances to spread the word when the time comes.</p> <p>Since home inspections can vary greatly and you never quite know what you’ll come across, inspectors would also be smart to keep a first aid kit in their vehicle should an accident occur on-site. Safety of your employees and yourself should always come first, so these supplies should be considered essentials. For solo operators, it would be a smart practice to keep someone off-site notified of your schedule so that they can regularly check in.</p> <p>Overall, experienced home inspectors know the value of a great work vehicle. Be sure to take good care of yours for a safe and successful day-to-day operation!</p> <p><em>Interested in learning more about life as a home inspector? Request a free <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">info packet</a> and get in touch with our recruitment team today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/jon-blog-05.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Jon McCreath, <em>Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator</em></span><br /> A former NPI franchise owner and real estate agent, Jon joined the NPI corporate team in 2019. With his inspection expertise and foundation in classroom instruction, Jon teaches and mentors new franchisees during their two-week training course in Omaha. He also handles technical support calls during and after office hours and guides franchisees through the state licensing process.</div> </div> 1560Getting the Most Out of Networking Eventshttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1545/getting-the-most-out-of-networking-eventsBusiness Tips,MarketingTue, 03 Oct 2023 15:31:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">GETTING THE MOST OUT OF NETWORKING EVENTS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> October 3, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/networking">networking</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach</em></span></p> <p>There’s a lot that goes into growing a small business, between learning the industry, making smart connections, and keeping up with the newest innovations. Naturally, this means that networking events can be a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to get their foot in the door and truly elevate their business. Any time a business owner can get themselves into a room where they are surrounded by other like-minded industry professionals, they have a chance to learn new strategies and techniques that can take their business plan to the next level.</p> <p>Unfortunately, many find networking events to be lacking as they struggle to make meaningful connections. Whether spending time at a convention, giving a presentation, or attending some other industry event, sometimes it can be tough to see immediate returns on your time and energy. If you’re looking for some strategies on how to capitalize best on networking events, give this process a try! In so many ways, successful businesses are built on relationships. Here’s how you can more reliably make a good first impression.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Take Some Time to Prepare</span><br /> As with most things, good preparation is the best way to set yourself up for success. When it comes to attending a networking event, this fact is as true as ever. Setting aside time to do research on the keynote speakers, the various vendors sponsoring and attending the event, and possibly looking into other people who might be attending will allow for time to think through who you’d be most interested in meeting. Too many people attend events without any clear goals in mind, making interaction incidental, rather than intentional. Seek out specific people to discuss specific topics with genuine interest, and you won’t find yourself stranded aimlessly by the punch bowl.</p> <p>In this same vein, it can be great to find some time for introspection prior to the event. What are you looking to improve about your business? Are you interested in exploring new add-on services, learning about new technologies, or discovering others’ strategies for breaking into new markets? You may have one question, or you might have a hundred questions in mind! Defining these thoughts beforehand and trying to think of who might be able to answer those questions can be a great start to make your future event even more productive.</p> <p>In addition, it may be valuable to think through a basic introduction for yourself. Some people are extroverted and comfortable enough to speak off the cuff about themselves and their background, but for others, this can feel like an odd, even exhausting experience. Simplifying with a few clear facts that you can explain over a brief period can actually help you make yourself more memorable in the long run. Networking events can mean meeting dozens to hundreds of people at a time. Preparing with a clean and straightforward introduction will make you stand out even more for future encounters.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Arrive Early (When Possible)</span><br /> After properly preparing yourself for the event, consider showing up early. When new to an industry or organization, it can be very difficult to break into established groups as attendees tend to gather with recognized figures. By arriving early, not only are there more opportunities for one-on-one conversations, but there should also be opportunities to chat with speakers and event organizers (both being the sorts of people with plenty of connections and unique perspectives).</p> <p>When speaking at an event yourself, you will likely need to show up early to set up any visual aids or simply to become more familiar with the space. It is during these instances where you should start with some early introductions to become at least somewhat familiar with a few people in the room. Not only does this exercise make public speaking a bit easier (thanks to a couple of additional recognizable faces in the room), but it also means that there will be people to return to later on as touchpoints.</p> <p>Especially at networking events that include multiple break-out sessions wherein it is impossible to attend everything, having people to relay what was missed is a big benefit. Arriving early to events allows the opportunity to meet important people and this one action can set the entire occasion off on the right foot.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Find Your Way Into Conversations</span><br /> Again, for some more extroverted individuals, thinking of things to talk about is no problem at all. However, many people struggle to find a comfortable conversation partner in unfamiliar situations. For navigating your way into active discussions, or simply striking up a new topic of interest with a stranger, there are a few things to keep in mind that can make this process a little more natural.</p> <p>First, try to ask questions. Many can get caught up with talking about themselves, sharing their own experiences, or keeping a discussion centered around their own insights. This tendency is natural, but it isn’t necessarily conducive to growing a relationship. Instead, active listening, then asking genuinely for elaboration is the best way to invite deeper engagement. In addition to this, practicing positive body language is absolutely necessary for strong communication.</p> <p>As we all know, only a portion of communication is verbal. Smiling, maintaining appropriate eye contact, and carrying oneself in a relaxed and open manner will all work together to invite connection. Simply by being generous in conversations, and not always looking to see what can immediately be gained from a relationship, entrepreneurs can make more reliable and impactful connections for the future.</p> <p>Finally, the most awkward challenge in networking is how to approach a group of people that are already engaged in a conversation. Tune in to assess whether the conversation is lighthearted, and if it is, stand near the group with a smile and wait for one of them to find the opportune time in the conversation to acknowledge you and introduce themselves. This takes some courage, but if it’s a networking event, people understand that the purpose of the event is to meet and greet. I have implemented this tactic for years and 100% of the time I have been welcomed into the group.</p> <p>The other awkward moment can come when you know you need to work the room, but don't want to be rude by leaving or disengaging from the current conversation. A good rule of thumb is to try to stay in a conversation for about 5 to 10 minutes and then disengage. Consider these options to disengage:</p> <ol> <li><em>Say “It was really nice to meet you! Can I give you two of my business cards: one for you and one for you to give away. And I would love to have two of your cards.” Then excuse yourself to go get a snack or a drink.</em></li> <li><em>Exchange cards and then bring over a contact to introduce who you know would be a good connection for them. After the introduction you can excuse yourself to go get a drink.</em></li> </ol> <p>Navigating networking situations can be tough, but the value gained from these situations cannot be overstated. Use these points as a start, and feel free to <a class="color-secondary" href="mailto:kimberly.stevens@npiweb.com">reach out</a> anytime for more advice on representing your business well!</p> <p><em>With National Property Inspections, franchisees gain access to a nationwide network of successful entrepreneurs. For a community to bounce ideas off of, and to learn from those that have made the mistakes so you don’t have to, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">ask about starting your own property inspection franchise</a> today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing & Business Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 1545How to Prepare Your Business for Your Vacationhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1544/how-to-prepare-your-business-for-your-vacationBusiness Tips,Franchise,Social MediaTue, 26 Sep 2023 15:26:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR YOUR VACATION</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 26, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=social-media">Social Media</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/time-management">time management</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/motivation">motivation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/email-marketing">email marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/digital-marketing">digital marketing</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Michael Trimble, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Content Marketing Coordinator</em></span></p> <p>Small business owners take so much pride in their work, it can be hard to take even a short break. The risk of losing momentum, missing out on business, and potentially damaging valuable relationships keep small business owners from taking a vacation–some go years and years without a break. While these concerns are valid, many may not realize that they are missing out on a necessary reset by forgoing an extended holiday.</p> <p>The truth is everyone needs a physical and emotional break from their work. Plus, new experiences and a broader perspective can provide much-needed creative energy to entrepreneurs. If you’re nervous about how to handle an upcoming vacation, here are a few actions you can take to ensure your break goes off without a hitch!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Notify Your Clients (and Share Your Experience!)</span><br /> If you are your only employee, vacations mean that your business can’t do much without you. To keep any consistent referral sources or clients from being surprised, it can be smart to send out a notification in advance. Whether through an email blast or a few phone calls to associates with established relationships, offering a heads up is sure to be appreciated. This considerate action is just another opportunity to keep your business at the top of your referral sources’ minds.</p> <p>While away, it will also be important to have a clear communication system in place. If you don’t have employees to answer phones or operate the business with a skeleton crew in the meantime, be sure to set an out-of-office email auto-response with an emergency contact. Odds are good that if something catastrophic should happen, it will wait until you’re out of the country (a variation of Murphy’s Law), so although it may be preferable to completely walk away from work, it might also be a good idea to check your work email once a day. If internet and phone access will be spotty or too inconvenient while you’re away, you should at least leave your corporate office’s contact information (if part of a franchise).</p> <p>Frustration sets in if expectations aren’t met or getting in touch becomes too difficult. Most will be understanding if they are aware of a clear return date, or they trust that you will keep to an agreed-upon deadline. On returning, it might be a good idea to share your vacation experience on social media, and maybe share how that time has energized you or inspired you in your business! Curious souls will want to hear more, and you might even book some new business as a result.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Delegate and Automate What You Can</span><br /> Planning a vacation is much easier with an experienced team prepared to step up while you’re gone. As is often the case, the issue here frequently sits with the small business owner and their lack of trust for their employees. Long-time assistants might be more than willing to take over during a leave of absence, but owners who have built their business tend to have trouble letting go of responsibilities.</p> <p>The truth is that vacations are an excellent opportunity to challenge your employees–and yourself! Employees can rise to the occasion, attempt to perform new jobs, then fail and learn so that they become even more valuable to the business down the road. <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/from-rookie-to-asset-tips-for-training-new-employees">As we've discussed previously</a>, employees love to be challenged, and many become frustrated if they don’t feel that they are acquiring new skills. Leaving your business in someone else’s hands shows an incredible amount of trust and respect–things that your employees will certainly notice and appreciate.</p> <p>If your business isn’t quite at the multiple employee stage yet, it’s important to find ways to function as much as possible while you’re away. Schedule social media posts out in advance, and maybe <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/everything-you-need-to-know-to-make-your-next-email-campaign-a-success">plan a unique email campaign</a> to launch while you’re catching a wave. Working in advance can mean new business is waiting when you return, or it will at least ensure your online presence doesn’t drop off.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Just Take a Vacation! (Even a Short One)</span><br /> In the end, preparation and theory can only go so far. The best way to understand what your unique small business needs while you’re away is to simply make that commitment, book that ticket, and see what happens. Make note of what went well, whether your communication plans were strong, or if the processes and information you gave your employees were sufficient. Everything is clearer in hindsight, and sometimes the best way to learn is to fail, then do better in the future.</p> <p>To minimize problems, consider planning a shorter vacation first since issues that appear over a couple days will be more easily resolved than larger project mishaps. Even brief outings devoted to spending extra time with family or friends will be invaluable to a business owner’s long-term health and happiness. There will always be excuses to wait until next month, or next year. Allow your team and your business to grow while looking after yourself by planning your next vacation wisely.</p> <p><em>National Property Inspections is built off of over 35 years of industry experience. If you are interested to hear more about what we’ve learned makes a successful home inspection business, start with our <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a>. Questions? Talk to our <a class="color-secondary" href="mailto:recruitment@npiweb.com">recruitment team</a>!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional%20Images/Authors/author-photo_michael-trimble-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Michael Trimble, <em>Content Marketing Coordinator</em></span><br /> A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Michael has a B.A. in International Studies and English. With a background in research and writing, Michael contributes to NPI’s corporate marketing team as a copywriter and content strategist.</div> </div> 1544What to Research Before Becoming a Home Inspectorhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1543/what-to-research-before-becoming-a-home-inspectorBusiness Tips,Franchise,Inspection TipsTue, 19 Sep 2023 15:19:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">THINGS TO RESEARCH BEFORE BECOMING A HOME INSPECTOR</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 19, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=inspection-tips">Inspection Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Celeste Black-Harr, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator</em></span></p> <p>There are plenty of attributes that draw those with an entrepreneurial spirit into the home inspection space. Whether it’s the opportunity to own a business, innovate within a market, or control a personal schedule, many look to the prospect of being a home inspector as the answer to their career goals. The only issue is that, with the wealth of information there is out on the internet about how to get started as a home inspector, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.</p> <p>Owning a successful home inspection business begins with asking the right questions. How can I be sure that my business will be profitable? What business model should I choose? What hours should I list for my business? No two businesses are the same, and while there isn’t necessarily a cookie-cutter model for success, there are a few places worth starting before getting caught up in the minutiae. With this in mind, here are some important areas of research from which every prospective home inspector would benefit.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Check Out Your State Website</span><br /> The first step of becoming a home inspector should always start with nailing down an area of operation and reviewing that state’s associated requirements. While there is a level of standardization that comes with an average home inspection (see <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.nachi.org/sop.htm" target="_blank">InterNACHI's Standards of Practice</a>, for example), states vary considerably regarding their own barrier of entry, insurance requirements, background checks, and expectations for continuing education.</p> <p>For example, Texas is one of the states with the most stringent requirements to become a home inspector due to its 154-hour classroom course requirement combined with either 12 months of real estate inspector experience and 200 completed inspections, or with 200 additional approved classroom hours (at the time of writing this article). Meanwhile, there are some states that do not regulate home inspections at all (such as California, Iowa, and Georgia). Committing to starting a new home inspection business without an awareness of the barrier to entry can be a crucial mistake if unprepared to handle the requirements.</p> <p>Though the additional hurdles in some of the more regulated states can seem unfair, those who are willing to work through the extended process are likely to benefit from the experience. For starters, they’ll have a more robust understanding of the industry right from the beginning. For an overview of requirements in your area, take a look at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.homeinspector.org/Resources/State-Regulations" target="_blank">ASHI's interactive map</a> to get started!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Take a Survey of the Competition</span><br /> Next up is to look at the existing state of home inspections in the proposed area. Some areas are naturally much more competitive than others, with many different types of inspection teams oversaturating the market. Others might only have a few independents vying for agents’ attention. While it may be more difficult to make a splash in an active market, that shouldn’t be cause to throw in the towel immediately, of course! This is just another area where being prepared is wise, and planning how to differentiate oneself will come a long way.</p> <p>Some markets might have experienced independent inspectors, wherein a new inspector with the support of a franchisor could immediately stand out from the pack. In other areas, there may be a special relationship that a savvy new inspector could use to solidify their initial standing. Regardless, it’s important to have a clear picture of the state of the region early on. <em>For more information on taking a step forward with market research, check out our previous discussion on <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/surefire-strategies-to-increase-your-market-share">building market share</a>!</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Understand Your Market Standards</span><br /> Experienced property inspectors know that every home is unique, with their own quirks and challenges. In the same way, different styles of homes require vastly different needs in a home inspection depending on region. In certain regions, older homes with chimneys may be the common, while warmer climates have different heating and cooling standards. Preparing in advance the type of physical requirements involved in home inspection and understanding what the regular day-to-day will entail is crucial.</p> <p>Additionally, many enter into the industry without a clear idea of what their market expects to be charged for a home inspection. While <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/diversification-in-small-business-why-its-important-to-try-new-things">add-on services</a> like radon testing, sewer scope inspections, and mold testing can cause their own price fluctuations, prospective property inspectors would be wise to look into what the average inspector is comfortable charging for a typical home in their area. Projecting realistic profits will allow for a more reasonable plan for growth, a requirement before thinking about any specific business goals.</p> <p>The more market research conducted up front, the better off a home inspector will be, as metrics like the number of real estate agents and brokers in an area, the inventory of homes on the market, and the number of new developments can considerably help direct business and marketing strategies. Becoming as familiar as possible with the realities of one’s personal area is a great way to increase preparedness and confidence for any new business.</p> <p>For more information on the realistic day-to-day of being a home inspector - <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/an-average-day-in-the-life-of-a-home-inspector">here is an idea</a> from someone with first-hand experience.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Consider Your Personal Goals</span><br /> While these external bits of research are paramount to starting off strong in the inspection industry, the final preparatory step before committing ultimately comes from a personal perspective. Determining personal goals for the business, and planning for what the business looks like one year out, five years out, and ten years out falls back on what each person wants to get from the experience.</p> <p>Some are looking to grow their business so that they operate throughout their entire state, planning to hire then take a step back into a more managerial role a few years down the road. Others might be drawn to the industry because of the self-control it allows and the flexible schedule that leaves room for family. Clearly laying out goals and motivations like these are critical, but they aren’t the type of thing that can be discovered through online research.</p> <p>Through this introspection and advanced research, future home inspectors can lay the groundwork for a successful business ahead of time. For more information on how to take the next step in becoming a property inspector, give <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">our recruitment team</a> a call or shoot us an email! We’d be happy to chat.</p> <p><em><em>Learn more about operating a successful property inspection business by visiting <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog">our blog</a>! Quick questions? Visit <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/FAQ">our FAQ</a> for answers to some of our more common inquiries.</em></em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional Images/Authors/author-photos_celeste-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Celeste Black-Harr, <em>Recruitment Coordinator</em></span><br /> With a background in customer service and office administration, Celeste joined National Property Inspections, Inc. in 2022. Her experience in customer service is the driving force behind helping all new franchise owners get started and developing those strong business relations! In her daily role as Recruitment Coordinator, Celeste onboards new NPI and GPI franchises from across the United Stated and Canada.</div> </div> 1543Beating Burnout: Tips to Keep Your Head Above Water for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Workaholicshttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1541/beating-burnout-tips-to-keep-your-head-above-water-for-small-business-owners-entrepreneurs-and-workaholicsBusiness TipsTue, 05 Sep 2023 14:55:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">BEATING BURNOUT: TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE WATER FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND WORKAHOLICS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 5, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/time-management">time management</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/motivation">motivation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach</em></span></p> <p>Finding success in the workforce can often take a lot of dedication, commitment, and time. Especially in competitive fields, some can get the notion that any time off is an opportunity for someone else to catch up, or a risk that could lead to losing momentum. With this in mind, it comes as little surprise when those with an entrepreneurial mindset struggle with burnout.</p> <p>Too often, entrepreneurs and small business owners enter into “the grind” without knowing when to take their foot off the gas, leading to a major crash that can be tough to recover from. The good news is that burnout doesn’t have to be an inevitability. With the right mindset and by following the best strategies, burnout doesn’t have to be another hurdle for success and contentment.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">1. Reevaluate Your Daily Schedule</span><br /> A common cause of burnout is taking on too much. Entrepreneurs tend to spread themselves too thin, and they have trouble letting go of responsibilities. The classic mindset of, “If I want to do something right, I’ll do it myself,” also means that delegating more important tasks rarely happens.</p> <p>Having a strong sense of ownership in the workplace (and in life) is a good thing! However, leaders shouldn’t keep their daily schedules packed to the point where they can’t breathe. In small businesses, employees are there to lighten the load and allow for a business owner’s focus to be on the big picture. A valuable exercise is to record how long various tasks take in an average day. This can help you understand what actions are most valuable, and which could potentially be delegated, streamlined, or eliminated.</p> <p>In the same spirit, becoming more organized in general can lower the chaotic energy that often permeates a full schedule. A clean, organized office desk, work vehicle, and toolbox should make basic tasks easier, saving time that could be better used. With a more efficient and smoother work process, owners, entrepreneurs, and workaholics can take time throughout the day to step away from their work (completely). Strong boundaries can be difficult for people who own their own business, but picking a strict time to stop taking calls or answering emails will allow you space to fully walk away from work (physically and mentally).</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">2. Invest in a Support System</span><br /> Long workdays may be the biggest factor that leads to burnout, but perhaps the strongest factor contributing to positive mental health is finding a community. Family, friends, and coworkers or employees can become trusted confidants to turn to when things get tough. One of the worst things to do is suffer in silence, or speak up only when things become unbearable.</p> <p>Finding people that you care about and enjoy being around is so important, but relationships with people in your industry are invaluable due to the relatability they can provide. Mentors and peers can speak to specific struggles on the job and even offer actionable advice on how they conquered their own hurdles. Remember: relationships require an investment. Don’t wait until you’re dealing with your own burnout to reach out–be a resource yourself.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">3. Take Good Care of Yourself</span><br /> Finally, after looking at how you conduct your business and who you surround yourself with, burnout can be combated by some simple TLC. Ultimately, a person’s life shouldn’t be consumed entirely by their profession, or any single thing. Finding time for hobbies or other interests outside of work to indulge in is key for a consistently healthy mindset. Whether diving into golfing, hiking, listening to a podcast, or following a favorite sports team, the specific activity matters less than the personal enjoyment said activity provides. Find something fun, and make time for it!</p> <p>Mental health and physical health are intimately intertwined as well, so finding a doable exercise routine and following a consistent sleep schedule will pay dividends towards bucking burnout. With that said, don’t avoid rewarding yourself with a favorite drink, snack, or meal from time to time without guilt to celebrate your efforts. Success in the workplace might be better related to a marathon rather than a race. Sustaining a full sprint just isn’t realistic, and those that are too proud to adjust are most likely to push things too far.</p> <p><em>If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, take a break - we give you permission! To learn more about the support a franchise provides, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">contact our recruitment team</a> today. For assistance in marketing or if you’d just like to chat, <a class="color-secondary" href="mailto:marketing@npiweb.com">call or email</a> our marketing team.</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing & Business Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 1541An Average Day In The Life Of A Home Inspectorhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1521/an-average-day-in-the-life-of-a-home-inspectorFranchise,Inspection TipsTue, 01 Aug 2023 19:47:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">AN AVERAGE DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOME INSPECTOR</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> August 1, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=inspection-tips">Inspection Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Jon McCreath, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator</em></span></p> <p>There are many aspects of the home inspection industry that draw people into the profession. <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/the-signs-that-say-youre-ready-to-be-an-entrepreneur">Entrepreneurs</a> love the opportunity to become their own boss, others will be drawn to the flexibility inherent in the job, and still others are drawn to the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/technologies-that-are-innovating-home-inspections">unique technologies</a> that are constantly innovating the industry. Professionals transition into the industry every year, but many do so without having a full picture of what life will be like as a home inspector.</p> <p>For those who are interested in making a career change, the best way to start off is by shadowing an active home inspector for a day or two to get a better feel of the lifestyle and nature of work. However, it can be understandably difficult to find someone willing and ready to train potential future competition for themselves. So, to bridge the experience gap, here is a breakdown of what an average day as a home inspector can look like.</p> <p><em>Disclaimer: Home Inspectors have an inherently flexible job that can be shaped to fit many different lifestyles and preferences. The described daily schedule in this article describes only one home inspector’s experience after finding what worked for them.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Starting the Day Off Strong</span></p> <p><em>5am: Wake Up</em></p> <p>Before this makes you too nervous: No, home inspectors don’t have to be early birds in order to be successful in the industry. However by waking up earlier, extra time can be spent wrapping up inspection reports from the previous day and sending them off to clients in the mornings. Home inspectors spend a considerable amount of time writing their report, which <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/tips-to-streamline-your-report-writing"> can be streamlined</a> with experience and practice. Whether this report writing occurs early in the morning, or at the end of the day, home inspectors need to consider how they would like to structure their day in order to allow for availability at their preferred times. For example, many inspectors enjoy reserving evenings for family and friends and plan accordingly.</p> <p>After preparing for the day, most inspectors will set off for their first inspection! Again, this is where things can vary considerably. Many home inspectors serve a larger area and, if that is the case, they will grow accustomed to time in their vehicles and exploring their city or region. Once arriving at the property, the actual home inspection can take place.</p> <p><em>Note: Many inspectors develop their own preferred process for conducting a property inspection, and there isn’t necessarily one “perfect” way to go about it. As long as the inspection follows the appropriate standards of practice and the unique state, city, or even county-specific regulations, they have the freedom to model their routine to their liking. For more information on developing a home inspection process, give our <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/developing-an-inspection-process-that-works-for-you">previous article</a> a read!</em></p> <p>One exciting aspect of property inspections is that no two properties are the same. Home inspectors see so many unique houses. Some might be old and well-maintained, and others might have a few “creative” DIY fixes that can complicate an inspection. Because of this and the natural added time for inspecting larger properties, an inspection can last anywhere from two hours to four hours. Inspectors will also be expected to examine crawl spaces and roofs, among other physical requirements. The best home inspectors are confident maneuvering throughout properties in a variety of weather conditions.</p> <p>Once finished with the inspection, inspectors will meet up with their agent and client to wrap up and answer any questions. Home buyers rely on home inspectors to provide an unbiased perspective on the condition of their new home, and real estate agents will value the inspectors that can explain their findings in a calm, non-alarmist way. In-person communication skills are sought after in the home inspection industry.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Repeating the Process</span></p> <p><em>Noon: Lunch</em></p> <p>With the morning wrapped up, inspectors have the opportunity to grab lunch before heading to another home inspection. Depending on market activity, the number of inspections that can be expected every day will vary, and it may take time for a new business to grow into a reliable, consistent schedule. Still, some regions might be naturally limited to one or two each day due to population or size, while other inspectors may come to expect more. Regardless, the best business owners will find things to do on the days that they don’t have another inspection booked.</p> <p>Making use of extra time can be as simple as reorganizing a chaotic office space or cleaning out a work vehicle. Small business owners should be aware that they are often the face of their company, and simple things like a well-maintained truck can leave an impactful impression on clients. Other great uses of extra time include working on bookkeeping, returning calls from clients and agents, and planning future marketing efforts.</p> <p>Although some inspectors might try to get away with as little marketing as possible, marketing efforts are often the key to what <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-stand-out-in-a-competitive-market">separates businesses from the competition</a>. The best advice for learning about what type of marketing works best is simple: try everything! Home inspectors that are willing to experiment strategically are the most likely to see <em>sustained</em> success in the industry.</p> <p><em>6pm: Dinner</em></p> <p>After wrapping up the afternoon activities, home inspectors can dedicate the rest of their days to whatever they like (dedicating time in the mornings to report writing pays off here!). Full days as a home inspector can be long, admittedly, but the payoff is well worth it when surrounded by the right team. If you are interested in learning more about starting your own home inspection business, start with a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a> today. More questions? Contact our <a class="color-secondary" href="mailto:recruitment@npiweb.com">recruitment team</a>!</p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/jon-blog-05.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Jon McCreath, <em>Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator</em></span><br /> A former NPI franchise owner and real estate agent, Jon joined the NPI corporate team in 2019. With his inspection expertise and foundation in classroom instruction, Jon teaches and mentors new franchisees during their two-week training course in Omaha. He also handles technical support calls during and after office hours and guides franchisees through the state licensing process.</div> </div> 15215 Common Interview Answers That Are Red Flags For Hiring Managershttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1520/5-common-interview-answers-that-are-red-flags-for-hiring-managersBusiness Tips,FranchiseTue, 25 Jul 2023 19:37:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">5 COMMON INTERVIEW ANSWERS THAT ARE RED FLAGS FOR HIRING MANAGERS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> July 25, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/hiring">hiring</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach</em></span></p> <p>One skill that can be difficult to develop for small business owners is how to recognize red flags when they show up. Red flag interview answers aren’t just bad answers, they are the types of responses that should alert hiring managers that it might be time to move on to the next candidate altogether. All hires are important for small businesses, but nailing those early hires is pivotal when it comes to long-term success. This is why good business owners place so much focus on their early interviews.</p> <p>Entrepreneurs likely don’t have extensive experience with interviewing prior to starting their own businesses, so they often can’t reflect on the early warning signs of lousy employee behavior. While candidates who have a talent for answering interview questions aren’t necessarily always the best people for the job, there are some seemingly innocuous interview answers that should actually be major red flags for hiring managers.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">But First, A Few Thoughts On Delivery (A Message to Job Seekers)</span><br /> Interviews can, admittedly, feel intense, nerve-wracking, and anxiety-inducing. Although this might add even more pressure onto job seekers, there are a few behaviors related to anxiety that can start an interview off on the wrong foot, regardless of what answers are given. For example, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, and an overuse of filler words like “um,” “so,” and “like” can give off the impression of a lack of confidence or preparation (even if that isn’t true).</p> <p>If a candidate displays behavior consistent with a lack of self esteem, this can be particularly troublesome. It’s important for workers (and people in general) to find peace and self assurance in their own skin. Unfortunately, employees that struggle with self esteem can be somewhat inconsistent in how they relate to each other, and how they conduct themselves in their work.</p> <p><em>Great questions to better understand a candidate’s self perception include: How do you receive criticism? How do you respond to adversity? How do you self regulate?</em></p> <p>It may be easier said than done, but job seekers should make it a goal to calm their nerves as much as possible prior to their interview in order to display their most natural self. Good interviewers should be able to look past obvious signs of nerves, but many will walk away from a tense interview largely remembering the mood in the room and the candidate’s energy over their actual answers. With that said, here are a few red flag answers hiring managers should be watching out for:</p> <ol> <li><strong><em>“I don’t know.”</em></strong><br /> During job interviews, it isn’t uncommon to stump a candidate from time to time. Specific questions related to the position may be more difficult to answer, and it should be expected that some candidates will have to think through their answers on the spot. On the other hand, some questions are common in interviews and are designed to simply get a candidate talking so that hiring managers can gain better insight on their personalities.<br /> <br /> Depending on the question, “I don’t know” can mean that the candidate didn’t show up prepared for the interview. When responding to a “stumper” question in this fashion, this could be an indication that the candidate struggles to improvise. Context is key, but business owners looking to expand their team should be wary of candidates who seem unprepared or uninterested.<br />  </li> <li><strong><em>“I can be a bit of a perfectionist.”</em></strong><br /> <strong><em></em></strong>Asking a candidate about their biggest weaknesses is an important moment during an interview since their answer reveals so much. Through their answer, hiring managers can gauge whether their candidates are self aware, whether they have enough humility to admit that they have faults, and they can also learn more about what kind of interview they are about to have.<br /> <br /> Talking about a biggest weakness is very common in interviews, which means there are many well-known “fake answers” for this question. “I care too much,” and “I work too hard” aren’t as effective as they maybe once were because they are looked upon as dodging the question (even if they happen to be true). Hiring managers should listen for answers that are unique and honest, and then wait for candidates to explain how they have worked to overcome those weaknesses. Good candidates should be willing to be authentic during their interviews.<br />  </li> <li><strong><em>“I discuss that in my resume.”</em></strong><br /> Referencing a professional resume is okay to do during interviews, but candidates that point to theirs too often without expanding on the information should cause hiring managers to pause. Interviewers should always prepare for their interviews by reviewing their candidates’ resumes. Questions that point towards past experiences should aim to provide further insight on the jobs or roles.<br /> <br /> Candidates that avoid speaking much about their previous positions could suggest an exaggeration of their role with that organization, or it might point towards a lack of patience. Again, some questions can be used to simply get the candidate talking and to build rapport, which is crucial for success in small businesses.<br />  </li> <li><strong><em>“My previous coworkers and I didn’t see eye to eye.”</em></strong><br /> Speaking of discussing previous positions, hiring managers should always make note of how candidates are willing to speak about their previous coworkers or bosses. Depending on how critically they speak about these experiences can indicate anything from them having a poor attitude, to them struggling to take accountability for their own missteps. Leaving a previous position can be similar to a bad break-up, so hiring managers should also take note of how invested their candidates still seem with their previous positions.<br /> <br /> Maturity, accountability, and dependability are all traits that make for great colleagues. Small business owners should be looking to hire future business partners more than subordinates, so these positive traits are essential to seek out.<br />  </li> <li><strong><em>“I saw the job ad and thought this position looked interesting.”</em></strong><br /> Of course, candidates should think that the job opening for which they are applying is interesting, but if that is as far as they are willing to go when talking about why they are pursuing the position, hiring managers should be cautious. The best candidates will be enthusiastic about their job opportunity and should be able to speak about how it will help them achieve their specific career goals. Answering these types of questions too simply or vaguely suggests a lack of interest or investment. Disinterested and uninvested workers are sure to move on quickly to opportunities that better align with their goals.<br /> <br /> Small business owners should remember that some candidates might seem perfect, with ideal expertise and a valuable skill set. However, if they aren’t engaged and committed to the business, they might not be the best hire. Small businesses have less room to make unsuccessful hires considering the substantial time and money investment that accompanies the hiring process. It’s better to hire someone who truly wants the job, rather than someone who just considers the position the best option for now.</li> </ol> <p><em><br /> If you are looking to hire, contact the <a class="color-secondary" href="mailto:marketing@npiweb.com">marketing team</a> for more information on candidates in your area! Interested in opening your own inspection business? Learn more by receiving a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a> today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing & Business Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 1520Conducting Great Interviews as a Small Business Ownerhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1518/conducting-great-interviews-as-a-small-business-ownerBusiness Tips,FranchiseTue, 27 Jun 2023 19:21:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">CONDUCTING GREAT INTERVIEWS AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> June 27, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/hiring">Hiring</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing & Business Coach</em></span></p> <p>Starting a business is a remarkable accomplishment in itself, but making that first hire might be the most important part of a small business’s track for growth. The amount of time and effort that goes into a brand new hire is considerable, and costs incurred when it goes wrong can feel like a gut punch. But these mistakes can be avoided! Business owners who invest into their interviewing skills can discover potential issues far in advance, and determine which candidates have the perfect complementary skill set they’re looking for.</p> <p>The right candidate will feel like the missing puzzle piece for your business. To identify these partnerships with expertise, there are three important questions to answer during an interview.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Does the Candidate Fit the Position?</span><br /> The first determination that a good interviewer needs to uncover is, of course, whether the candidate would have the ability to do the job for which they are applying. Candidates usually come to the table with varied experiences, and often their work history won’t include the exact position that they are applying for. This is where strong preparation from the interviewer comes in.</p> <p>Drilling the position down to specific common responsibilities and duties is a good start, then compare those recurring tasks to the candidate’s work history to find any crossover in advance. These acts of preparation should inform the interviewer of which questions to ask and which details they need to clarify. No two interviews should be the same, and even candidates applying for the same role will require some flexibility from the interviewer to best determine fitness for the role.</p> <p><strong>Questions that help answer this prompt:</strong></p> <ul> <li><em>“What are your areas of expertise?”</em></li> <li><em>“What were your primary responsibilities in your previous position?”</em></li> <li><em>“What are some of your biggest strengths?” </em></li> <li><em>“What are some of your biggest weaknesses?”</em><br />  </li> </ul> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Does the Candidate Fit the Company Culture?</span><br /> After getting an idea of how well a candidate fits a job’s position, interviewers should set their focus on whether the candidate and company culture are a match. Every company is run differently, and even if a candidate is a great fit for the position, culture clashes will lead to issues in the future.</p> <p>Starting with management preferences, many people prefer minimal supervision, but a small business owner has a natural duty to ensure a certain level of quality within their organization since it is their own reputation at stake. Understand your own management style, then compare this to the candidate’s stated preferences and the ways that they describe their relationships with previous bosses and supervisors. Personal stories have the most potential to clarify the extent that a candidate’s management preferences might affect their job performance.</p> <p>Next, interviewers should get an idea of the candidate’s personality and communication styles to get an idea of how easily it will be for them to mesh with the current team (or just the owner if this is the first hire). Luckily, learning about a candidate’s personality should come easily through conversation. Many people have to battle anxiety during a job interview, and although it can be useful to see how a candidate operates under pressure, finding a way to ease their nerves will provide a more accurate impression of their personality.</p> <p>Through answering this prompt, interviews should try to get a feel for things like their candidate’s maturity and ethical mindset if possible. Employees that take accountability and know how to confront adversity can be hard to come by, and they are the types of workers that will make owners wonder how they ever survived alone. Learn more about establishing a strong company culture <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/4-ways-to-create-a-positive-work-culture-for-your-small-business">here</a>!</p> <p><strong>Questions that help answer this prompt:</strong></p> <ul> <li><em>“Can you think of a time when you could have done something better at your previous job?”</em></li> <li><em>“Do you prefer working alone, or with a team?” </em></li> <li><em>“Can you tell me about your experience working on group projects?”</em></li> <li><em>“Can you think of a time when things didn’t go as planned in your previous position, and you needed to adjust?”</em></li> <li><em>“Can you give me an example of a difficult obstacle in your life, and how you overcame it?”</em><br />  </li> </ul> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Does the Company Fit the Candidate?</span><br /> A candidate can be perfect for the job, and they can even fit in well with a company, but if a position doesn’t line up with the candidate’s expectations or goals then a long-term partnership isn’t likely to last. Interviewers should try to gauge the candidate’s overall excitement for the position (i.e. Is this a career step, or just another job?), and determine whether the company can offer the growth opportunities they might be looking for. Some jobs are good for “right now,” and others are good for the foreseeable future - interviewers need to find out which way their candidates view the position.</p> <p>The other angle that business owners need to consider is often overlooked, but critical to a successful hire. Small businesses, especially early on, can be much more demanding than other jobs. Candidates need to have a clear picture of what sort of time commitment is in store for them so that they can determine whether the flexibility of the role fits their needs. A positive work-life balance can be difficult to manage, and business owners shouldn’t expect an employee to persist in a job that doesn’t match their needs.</p> <p><strong>Questions that help answer this prompt:</strong></p> <ul> <li><em>“Where do you see yourself in five years?”</em></li> <li><em>“What are your long-term career goals?”</em></li> <li><em>“What is your ideal schedule?”</em><br />  </li> </ul> <p><em>Strong interview skills can ensure employees and small business owners start off on the right foot. To learn <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/when-is-the-right-time-to-hire">when to hire</a>, or how to <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/from-rookie-to-asset-tips-for-training-new-employees">orient a new employee onto your team</a>, check out our previous articles! To learn more about starting your very own home inspection franchise, request a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">free info packet</a> today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing & Business Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 1518Essential Steps For Setting Your Home Inspection Business Up For Successhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1511/essential-steps-for-setting-your-home-inspection-business-up-for-successBusiness Tips,FranchiseTue, 06 Jun 2023 18:45:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR SETTING YOUR HOME INSPECTION BUSINESS UP FOR SUCCESS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> June 6, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/money-management">money management</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Celeste Black-Harr, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator</em></span></p> <p>Becoming a home inspector is a great profession that allows for incredible flexibility and the potential for impressive profits, but many enter into the industry unprepared and uninformed. Starting a home inspection business requires an investment of both time and money, and too many start up while missing key details that cause their businesses to stagnate or even fold prematurely.</p> <p>Don’t let a lack of research end your entrepreneurship dreams before you’ve started! Avoid these pitfalls, and your home inspection business has the opportunity to meet its potential.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Understand the Profession</span><br /> Although this may sound surprising, one of the most common mistakes that new home inspection business owners make when setting up their business is that they do not fully understand what the job entails. Business owners who start out inspecting homes themselves need to be aware of the physical nature of home inspections, for example.</p> <p>To examine roofs, home inspectors should expect to carry and maneuver ladders, as well as climb up and down them on a regular basis. Additionally, inspectors should feel comfortable with navigating attics and crawl spaces. Some newer technologies such as drones and crawl bots enable those who might be otherwise physically limited, but these tools incur additional costs and training.</p> <p>Many new home inspectors gloss over the initial fact-finding phase of what being a home inspector is actually like on a day to day basis, mostly looking forward to becoming their own boss and dictating their own schedule instead. The best thing that hopeful business owners can do to start their journey is to find a reliable home inspector mentor (ideally in their area) whom they can learn from.</p> <p>Naturally, the next hurdle with finding a mentor is that most people aren’t interested in training up their potential competition. Even if they are willing to share the basics, successful existing inspectors are likely to keep their hard-earned business-building strategies closer to the vest. In these situations, there really is no replacing a franchise model. New franchisee home inspectors have access to a national network of experienced, successful business owners who are far more willing to share their advice, marketing strategies, and stories of how they first “got their foot in the door.”</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Write a Detailed Business Plan</span><br /> Gaining a solid understanding of the business may take some time, but once this is accomplished, the next step is to project forward and assemble a realistic business plan, or in other words, a detailed written document that breaks down how, specifically, a business is expected to make money.</p> <p>Every business has startup costs, so owners should plan to itemize anticipated expenses, revenue expectations, and top line revenue growth. In addition, owners should dictate when (or if) they plan on hiring in the future, and what role they plan to have after one year, five years, ten years, etc. Having a network of support is important for success, so incorporating family members into business plans can hasten growth. Alternatively, partnerships can be a fruitful option, though agreements would need to be made regarding business structure and liability-sharing plans.</p> <p>Trusted advisors that business owners should ensure they identify through this set-up phase are their attorney for reviewing legal documents, and their accountant to review their business plan. When establishing their business as a franchise, a business owner’s support system and access to advisors rapidly increases. Though the amount of attention can vary between franchisors, National Property Inspections’ marketing team, national accounts team, and full corporate staff prides themselves on their accessibility.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Get Equipped to Succeed</span><br /> With an understanding of the profession, a fleshed-out business plan in hand, and a strong support team in place, business owners should be ready to put their plan into action. Licensing and training should be completed as soon as possible to ensure competency and compliance with state standards, and the actual <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/the-tools-that-make-a-property-inspector">tools required to complete an inspection</a> should also be acquired.</p> <p>Of particular note, any home inspector who considers forgoing their E & O Insurance or General Liability Insurance should rethink their plans. Insurance isn’t a suggested expense, it is necessary for any successful home inspection business. These plans are not only for a business’ protection, but they provide vital peace-of-mind for clients as well.</p> <p>Finally, every business needs a potent marketing plan to succeed. This includes (but is not limited to) <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/how-keeping-your-website-fresh-will-boost-your-small-business">an eye-catching website built with SEO in mind</a>, professionally-designed marketing materials (such as brochures, business cards, and flyers), and branded shirts and vehicle signage. These items ensure that your business is recognized as legitimate and trustworthy, and without them, standing out from the competition becomes a task of its own.</p> <p>Admittedly, there is a lot to juggle when setting up a new home inspection business - but business owners don’t have to go it alone! National Property Inspections is an established brand, built on a reputation tracing back to 1987. To learn more about what a home inspection franchise can mean for your business plan, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">get a free info packet</a> today!</p> <p><em>Our recruitment team is always available to talk through what a relationship with NPI can mean for you. Send an <a class="color-secondary" href="mailto:recruitment@npiweb.com">email</a>, or schedule a call to learn more.</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional Images/Authors/author-photos_celeste-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Celeste Black-Harr, <em>Recruitment Coordinator</em></span><br /> With a background in customer service and office administration, Celeste joined National Property Inspections, Inc. in 2022. Her experience in customer service is the driving force behind helping all new franchise owners get started and developing those strong business relations! In her daily role as Recruitment Coordinator, Celeste onboards new NPI and GPI franchises from across the United Stated and Canada.</div> </div> 1511Diversification In Small Business: Why It’s Important To Try New Thingshttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1503/diversification-in-small-business-why-its-important-to-try-new-thingsBusiness TipsTue, 02 May 2023 15:25:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">DIVERSIFICATION IN SMALL BUSINESS: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TRY NEW THINGS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> May 2, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/hiring">hiring</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/networking">networking</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrpreneur">entrpreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Chris Bates, <em>Vice President of Sales & Development</em></span></p> <p>When entering into a new industry or starting a small business, sometimes it can take time to find your footing. It’s important to learn the business, establish relationships in your area, and refine your service quality, but sometimes breaking through can still be difficult.</p> <p>With that said, one of the most frequent mistakes business owners make when they’re slow is avoiding trying new things. Opportunities frequently come knocking at the door, but a fear of losing what little market share they have, or concerns related to their ability to recoup from an unsuccessful investment too often lead to inaction.</p> <p>One of the biggest benefits of owning a franchise is access to a network of industry professionals who are plugged into the latest trends, technology, and business strategies that can help you pull ahead of your competition. Additional add-on services and opportunities to access new leads come up every day. The only way to guarantee that things stay slow in your business is to refuse these new opportunities.</p> <p>If you find yourself stagnating in your business, then the time is right to take action. Whether you’re busy and looking to expand or you want to ensure longevity in your business, the time is now to diversify.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What is a Diversification Strategy?</span><br /> The term “Diversification Strategy” is more commonly associated with larger businesses or enterprises looking to expand on their market share internationally or through launching a new product. With that said, small business owners would be remiss if they chose to ignore the benefits that come with developing their own diversification strategy.</p> <p>Diversification strategies for small business refers to any strategy that involves trying something new with the goal of either accessing a new market or expanding on their existing products. The best diversification strategies build upon existing services or products rather than distract from already successful ventures.</p> <p>Expanding on an existing business is a great way to see progress. Every small business owner wants to see tangible progress in their business, of course, but it can be tough to determine the best way to take a step forward. Diversification is risky and can result in a loss of overall capital when a service or strategy is untested. It’s key to determine the best time to pursue diversification.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">When is the Best Time to Diversify?</span><br /> There are a few instances that indicate the time is right to diversify a small business. When operating in a market that is particularly saturated, entrepreneurs should look at a diversification strategy in order to grow or risk stagnation.</p> <p>Investing in an expansion into nearby regions or areas where your services aren’t as available is always a good idea if you have the ability to meet that market need. As an inspector, this can mean finding new ways to establish relationships with a new office, or unaccessed community. This can also mean coordinating with a franchisor to actually expand upon your existing territory.</p> <p>Additionally, when a new service that adds value to your business becomes available, business owners that incorporate that service into their business model have the opportunity to further differentiate themselves from their competition.</p> <p>To put it simply, the best time to diversify is always.</p> <p>The more a business diversifies, the less a failed venture will damage their business. Entrepreneurs should look to deeply investigate any new service or product before adding it into their business, but turning down opportunities to elevate their business is not the best path to success.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How Should I Diversify as a Property Inspector?</span><br /> According to a recent study from the home repair estimate software provider <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.repairpricer.com/how-much-does-a-home-inspection-cost/" target="_blank">RepairPricer</a>, home inspectors are benefiting greatly from offering additional services on top of their standard home inspections. By offering radon testing, mold testing, termite or pest inspections, and sewer scopes as additional services, home inspectors can establish themselves as a one-stop shop in the eyes of their agents and clients. Agents that know one home inspector offers everything that they need will prefer them over needing to coordinate with multiple people’s schedules.</p> <p>Another way to look at this is that a home inspector optimizes the value of their time by offering additional services. Time in the truck, commuting between jobs is time lost that could have been spent marketing or performing another job. To put it simply, a home inspector can benefit the most from performing as many services as possible at a single location.</p> <p>Another great way to grow that is related to “diversification” is through expanding your targeted territory footprint, or <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/when-is-the-right-time-to-hire">through hiring</a>. If you’re seeing success in your defined service territory, expansion through additional territory purchase is a great way to expand your reach into new communities. Any opportunity to put yourself and your business in front of new people is an opportunity to access an untapped market.</p> <p>Find opportunities to meet new people, deliver presentations, and participate in new events! Your business will benefit from a willingness to try new things and from making wise decisions based on those new experiences.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How Do I Figure Out What Works?</span><br /> There are times that diversification strategies can feel like guess work, but this doesn’t need to be the case. Whenever possible, link up with other successful professionals in your industry and learn what has worked from them (and what hasn’t worked). Although different situations and regions ensure that businesses will never have an identical path towards success, the best resource for new advances in the industry will always be other professionals in the industry.</p> <p>To find success in diversifying your business, meet other industry professionals, research new services and technologies, and most importantly: don’t be afraid to try new things. The best way to give your business longevity and adaptability is to expand your options and services. If you’re interested in making your business last, maybe today is the day you should ask yourself, “Can I afford not to diversify?”</p> <p><em>National Property Inspections is a brand built on 35 years of experience and success. To learn more about how you can benefit from franchising with NPI and joining a national network of property inspection experts, get in touch with <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">our recruitment team</a> today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional Images/Authors/author-photos_chris-bates-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Chris Bates, <em>Vice President of Sales & Development</em></span><br /> Chris works with national and regional companies within the NPI National Accounts department. With account coordination, he refers inspections to our franchisees and tracks the progress and completion of assignments to our client's satisfaction. Additionally, he applies his training and field experience by providing technical support services to franchisees as needed.</div> </div> 1503Giving A Memorable Presentation As A Small Business Ownerhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1484/giving-a-memorable-presentation-as-a-small-business-ownerBusiness Tips,MarketingTue, 04 Apr 2023 14:27:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">GIVING A MEMORABLE PRESENTATION AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> April 4, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/networking">networking</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Kimberly Stevens, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Marketing Coach</em></span></p> <p>Small business owners need to learn how to advocate on their own behalf and demonstrate their knowledge in many different venues. With success and expertise comes opportunities to share specialized knowledge with peers in their industry and related fields. Although public speaking may not come naturally to many business owners, presentations are fantastic opportunities to network and present themselves as masters of their craft.</p> <p>We’ve already covered some tips on <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/5-tips-to-improve-public-speaking-as-a-small-business-owner">how to improve public speaking as a small business owner</a>, but there are many more strategies presenters should employ to make their speeches, classes, or demos more <em><strong>memorable</strong></em>. In most settings, business owners have a lot that they are trying to accomplish during their presentations. Not only are they trying to provide value to their audience by educating on their chosen topic, but their overall goal is also to leave a lasting impression that will convert their audience members into paying customers. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or a newbie, here are a few things to consider to help take your presentation to the next level.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Reduce Distractions (Through Preparation)</span><br /> The most effective presentations are done by passionate experts in their field. New technologies, such as animations or sound effects, can be exciting to incorporate into presentations, but when they become too distracting to either the presenter or the audience, they ultimately detract from the experience.</p> <p>As the presenter, it’s important to reduce anything that could cause a disruption. Prepare a bottle of water (and a backup) so that the presentation isn’t paused by a sudden dry throat, and show up a bit early to become familiar with the overall space. If lighting in the room is too dim or the setup is challenging to work with, it’s better not to be surprised. Most details can be easily adjusted in advance.</p> <p>With the audience in mind, eliminating these personal distractions is the best way for any speaker to convey confidence and enthusiasm. When working with a PowerPoint presentation, it can be useful to clearly outline the presentation from the beginning using an “Objectives” or “Introduction” slide. Identify clear goals, emphasize the relevance that the topic at hand has with the audience, and then wrap things up by pointing back to those goals. Organizational techniques like these are key to effectively directing your audience’s attention in the right direction.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Take Advantage of Visual Aids</span><br /> The power of images cannot be understated when it comes to giving an impactful presentation. Reporters at The Guardian speak on <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/dec/18/pictures-trigger-memories-faster-than-words-neuroscientist" target="_blank">this well known phenomenon</a> by writing, “A picture can trigger a buried memory and recall a precise moment in time much more rapidly than words.” The common practice of presentations has been to accompany points with associated images to better build a long-term association in the audience.</p> <p>The majority of time, this means using a PowerPoint to bolster a presentation. While PowerPoints can be greatly beneficial, there are a few pitfalls that presenters should avoid. Firstly, slides that are too busy visually or too text-heavy are more difficult to digest. Simplify slides to intentionally direct the audience to a specific point. In the same vein, never read directly from a slide! This directs attention away from the speaker and creates an unfortunate disconnect.</p> <p>Images are powerful tools—but don’t feel forced to indulge in technology! Physical examples can be more memorable than slides on a screen, and video or audio examples are utilized less often than they should. When using any technology to aid a presentation, always do a runthrough beforehand to work out any technical issues. Technology will fail often, so strong presenters should be prepared to move forward without it when necessary.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Engage the Audience with Interaction</span><br /> With distractions eliminated and images carefully selected as a solid backdrop, the best presentations should implement some audience interaction into the mix. Presenters should adjust to the audience and recognize what level of interaction they’re comfortable with, but personal participation is the best way to get engagement with your subject matter.</p> <p>Solid ways to promote engagement are to open a presentation by polling the audience and leaving room for them to ask any questions. If an audience member feels that they can change the direction of a presentation to suit their needs, they are more likely to participate.</p> <p>If a presenter is familiar and comfortable enough with their topic, spontaneous anecdotes and stories can be the final ingredient that takes a presentation to the next level. But use this strategy with caution! Anecdotes that don’t clearly tie back into the topic can cause frustration, and too many tangents will surely muddy any overall goals.</p> <p><em>National Property Inspections’ network of professional property inspectors have a bevy of experience presenting on areas of their expertise. If you’re interested in drawing from decades upon decades of real estate, commercial property, and residential inspection experience, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">learn more</a> about franchising with NPI today!</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://www.npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/kim-05.jpg?ver=2019-03-11-150141-657" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Kimberly Stevens, <em>Marketing Coach</em></span><br /> The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories!</div> </div> 1484When Is The Right Time To Hire?https://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1465/when-is-the-right-time-to-hireBusiness Tips,FranchiseTue, 21 Feb 2023 15:16:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO HIRE?</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> February 21, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/hiring">hiring</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/client-satisfaction">client satisfaction</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth, </a><a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/time-management">time management, </a><a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p>Every small business owner or entrepreneur needs to develop a system for conducting business that works for them. For some, this comes naturally! They know the right things to say, they’ve connected with the right people, and they know how to develop relationships. For others, their business has to be built up through plenty of trial and error.</p> <p>Running a small business solo can be incredibly rewarding—at the same time, incredibly demanding. The best way to handle these mounting demands (and to manage your sanity) is to finally expand your team. With a co-pilot at your side, your small business can reach new heights and expand beyond what you ever imagined! But when do you know the time is right to hire?</p> <p>Here are a few signs that say you should hire sooner rather than later.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">1. Your Are Turning Down New Business</span><br /> This one may seem obvious, but if you’re reaching the point where you can’t keep up with the demands of your business, you need to make a hire asap. Successful entrepreneurs should be able to anticipate this situation and be able to make their hires before they reach their breaking point. However, sometimes business can accelerate beyond expectations at an unexpected pace.</p> <p>With any new hire, be sure to look ahead! If your business tends to pick up and slow down, plan on some recurring tasks your new hire would be responsible for if business slows down in the future. Consider which complementary tasks they might excel in, and how they can help your business continue to grow!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">2. Your Are Bogged Down With Daily Tasks</span><br /> As a small business owner, you’ve developed a unique set of skills that set yourself on the track for success. When you start to consider bringing on a new employee (or your first employee), you should be careful that you’re doing it for the right reasons. While you may be busy, consider what type of “busy” you are.</p> <p>Often, small business owners can get caught up with highly-specialized tasks that are unique to their particular skills. Other times, these entrepreneurs see their day taken up with time-consuming tasks that could be easily picked up by someone else. As home inspectors, only you have the specialized training to perform an inspection and generate a detailed report. Additionally, any relationships that you’ve built up as a small business owner cannot be easily passed on to a new employee. Always consider the effort that would be required to train a new employee to take over specialized skills before committing to a new hire.</p> <p>On the other hand, if your time as a small business owner is being taken up by clerical tasks, bookkeeping, or other easily transferable tasks, hiring someone in an assistant or secretarial position may be beneficial. Time that was once taken up with these repetitive tasks could be redirected towards building new relationships or adding new services that could grow your business!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">3. You Know Your Strengths (And Your Weaknesses)</span><br /> A sign of a strong leader is someone who has a good understanding of where they excel and where they don’t. Business owners should always be improving upon their leadership skills, but sometimes it can be worthwhile to bring on a partner who possesses a complementary skillset. In the home inspection industry, inspectors tend to have great detail-oriented strengths that result in ideal experiences for clients. But, sometimes they could benefit from a more outgoing relationship-building expert.</p> <p>Find people who are advocates for your business growth. A great team member brings something new to the table that you can use to expand your services or enhance what you’re already doing.</p> <p>With these considerations in mind, ask yourself again: Is now the time to expand my team? If you’re interested in hiring and looking for leads, feel free to reach out to your NPI corporate office to see if anyone in your area has inquired about pursuing a career in the inspection industry.</p> <p><em>If you would like to learn more about why now is a great time to start your own home inspection franchise, collect your free info packet <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">here</a>! If you're interested in employment in the home inspection industry, submit your application to work for one of our established franchise locations <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/careers" target="_blank">with the form on this page</a>.</em></p> 1465How Time Management Can Unlock Your Hidden Potentialhttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1456/how-time-management-can-unlock-your-hidden-potentialBusiness TipsTue, 31 Jan 2023 21:14:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TIME MANAGEMENT CAN UNLOCK YOUR HIDDEN POTENTIAL</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> January 31, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/time-management">time management</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Jon McCreath, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator</em></span></p> <p>Small business owners have a lot on their plate. As a home inspector, for example, owners are frequently one part inspector, one part marketer, one part continuing education instructor, and one part bookkeeper (just to name a few responsibilities). Naturally, it can be easy to feel spread thin at times, with different tasks and projects constantly vying for attention. To survive, small business owners need to learn how to become organized and manage their time well - it’s as simple as that. Still, building your time management capability is a constant process. Reconsider these strategies to improve how you run your business and raise the ceiling of your potential.</p> <p><strong>Why Should You Improve Your Time Management?</strong><br /> For some people, the benefits of improved time management are obvious. They might struggle to meet deadlines and frequently double-book their meetings. Still others might feel that they have a system they like in place - they just have too much to do! However advanced your time management skills might be, there is always room for improvement and evaluation.</p> <p>Through a frequent time management “self audit” you have the opportunity to improve your productivity at work. By cutting down on tasks that drain your time and attention, your efficiency and quality of work have the potential to upgrade - leaving yourself more time allotted for things that matter and less time stressing over things that don’t. This could mean more time with the family, recreational activities, or even worthwhile projects that allow you to invest time back into your business..  </p> <p>To get started, consider these tested strategies to improve your workflow.  </p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">1. Assess How You Currently Spend Your Time</span><br /> Take an average day (or week) and track what tasks demand your attention. Divide your day up into easily trackable chunks (15-30 minutes), and plan to be surprised. Very often, our time is eaten up by tedious, unimportant tasks that could be optimized or reimagined to improve efficiency.</p> <p>During this step, it is also important to be honest with yourself. If your time is often drained with phone calls, long lunches, or time surfing the web, track yourself accurately to get a full picture of how your time is spent. Breaks aren’t necessarily a waste of time. According to researchers at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/foundations-for-success/importance-of-taking-breaks-and-having-other-interests/#:~:text=Taking%20breaks%20has%20been%20shown,and%20cardiovascular%20disease%20%5B2%5D." target="_blank">The Wellbeing Thesis</a> through the University of Derby in the UK, breaks are important for recovering from stress and can improve overall performance.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">2. Prioritize (and Re-Prioritize) Your Recurring Tasks</span><br /> With a self assessment out of the way, you should have all the information you need to restructure your day. Chances are, some tasks that need more attention likely aren’t given the time they need, while others are taking up more room than they deserve. A powerful tool can be something called the Eisenhower Matrix.</p> <p>An organization system developed by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Eisenhower Matrix is a method of sorting tasks based on importance and urgency. All tasks deemed both “urgent” and “important” should take your attention first. Restructure your day so that these vital tasks are completed in a timely manner. Tasks that are “urgent” but not “important” should be delegated if possible, and tasks that are “important” but not “urgent” should be scheduled immediately. Finally, tasks that are neither “urgent” nor “important” should be either discarded or set aside. </p> <p>Whether you use this method or another, determine which tasks will most directly help you reach your goals, and then plan to tackle them accordingly. </p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">3. Check Your Progress</span><br /> With your days restructured, continue to check in on your current workflow to see how things can be improved. Planning ahead, keeping a strict calendar, and following a daily to-do list can be additional aids that help people stick to their plans. Ultimately the aids that work best will depend on a person’s individual personality and tastes. Ideally, an optimized schedule should feel natural and is built out of developing better habits.</p> <p>As an additional tip, consider checking in on the <em>condition </em>of your work space. A chaotic, disorganized space can build up quicker than expected, and the result can be unnecessary stress and anxiety. Take the time to organize your space to reduce unneeded distractions.</p> <p><em>Every National Property Inspections franchise comes with access to a team of experts that have experienced what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to running an inspection business. Never hesitate to reach out to your corporate team for advice, and remember to join the private group on Facebook to get in on the conversation!  </em></p> <p><em>If you are interested in starting your own home inspection business, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/FAQ">click here</a> to learn more about what it’s like to franchise with NPI. Request your free information packet <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">here</a>! </em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/jon-blog-05.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Jon McCreath, <em>Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator</em></span><br /> A former NPI franchise owner and real estate agent, Jon joined the NPI corporate team in 2019. With his inspection expertise and foundation in classroom instruction, Jon teaches and mentors new franchisees during their two-week training course in Omaha. He also handles technical support calls during and after office hours and guides franchisees through the state licensing process.</div> </div> 1456Why Veterans Make Amazing Entrepreneurshttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1455/why-veterans-make-amazing-entrepreneursBusiness Tips,FranchiseTue, 24 Jan 2023 21:07:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">WHY VETERANS MAKE AMAZING ENTREPRENEURS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> January 24, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts?Category=business-tips">Business Tips</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts?Category=franchise">Franchise</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/inspection-industry">inspection industry</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/time-management">time management</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/money-management">money management</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/motivation">motivation</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/veterans">veterans</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Sammi Marcellus, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator</em></span></p> <p>Veterans returning home from duty have a lot of opportunities open for them, but it can understandably be difficult to find one’s place after such a big change. As entrepreneurs and business owners, veterans have a long history of success. From Phil Knight at Nike to Gordon Logan at Sport Clips, veterans clearly have the capability to reach remarkable heights in their own business ventures, but it can be difficult to figure out how to start.</p> <p>At National Property Inspections, we have seen first-hand how veterans excel in the field of home inspections. Many of our top producers are veterans, and we love working with new franchisees who have gained the fundamental skills that military training instills. Here are a few reasons why veterans make amazing entrepreneurs and home inspectors.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Veterans Are Versatile </span><br /> Whether through serving in a unit or through the foundational training that all military professionals receive, we have seen that veterans possess an amazing level of versatility. As an inspector and a small business owner, our franchisees learn not only the technical skills to inspect a property, but how to market themselves, manage their finances, and even lead a team of their own.</p> <p>In particular, we have found that military training develops an extraordinary ability to learn and adapt. As you run your own business, there will undoubtedly be a few facets that require branching out into a new field outside your comfort zone. Veterans have a proven track record to lean on their strengths and discover unique ways to tackle the variable problems that come with entrepreneurship.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Veterans Do A “Complete” Job </span><br /> Depending on their field of service, veterans may have had to make choices that could drastically affect the well-being of their partner or their team as a whole. Because of this, veterans tend to not cut corners.</p> <p>This quality is highly sought after for a home inspector. In developing a report, (depending on the agreed upon scale and scope of the job) inspectors need to provide a full breakdown of a home’s key systems. Missing a detail here can lead to costly repercussions for homeowners, making a thorough inspection highly valuable.</p> <p>On top of this, veterans tend to do the little things well, between treating their clients with respect, working efficiently, and being responsive to messages. These qualities should lead to satisfied clients and plenty of opportunities for positive reviews, which will help their businesses grow even more!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Veterans Do Well Under Pressure </span><br /> It’s no secret that running a business can, at times, be more like a marathon than a sprint. There will be busy seasons, and there will be slower seasons. To be successful, good entrepreneurs know how to adapt to their market when things change, and they also know how to persevere when pressure mounts. Again, this is a quality where veterans excel.</p> <p>Through military training, veterans have gained the sought-after skill of remaining cool under pressure. Anyone can lay out a business plan. It takes someone special to see their plan through, even when facing periods of adversity where others might be tempted to quit. Veterans tend to have that ability to widen their scope and keep overall goals in mind.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">The Hurdle For Veterans </span><br /> We have seen time and time again that veterans tend to have traits that lead them to become remarkable home inspectors. However, there are those that have noticed a newer hurdle facing veterans today.</p> <p>According to reporters at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.inc.com/magazine/201610/kimberly-weisul/missing-veteran-owned-businesses.html" target="_blank"> Inc magazine</a>, there has been a new discrepancy found in veteran-owned small businesses of late. After veterans returned from World War II, nearly 50% turned to entrepreneurship. For veterans after Sept. 11, 2001, however, only 4.5% have become entrepreneurs. Why the stark difference? Reporters from <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/01/04/what-happens-when-veteran-entrepreneurs-get-the-funding-and-support-they-need/?sh=3164414e1795" target="_blank"> Forbes</a> suggest it is a perceived lack of capital.</p> <p>As they explain, veterans have been more likely to pursue other career goals due to a lack of education about their funding opportunities. Contrary to this belief, though, there are many organizations dedicated to assisting veteran entrepreneurs and veteran-owned businesses. At National Property Inspections, we love working with veterans! We offer our own discount for a franchise, and can direct you on financing opportunities.</p> <p><em>20% of NPI franchises are veteran-owned. If you are a veteran interested in learning more about how to start your own home inspection franchise, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">get in contact with our recruitment team today</a>! Check out our testimonial below from U.S. Army veteran and NPI business owner Blake Evans.</em></p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9" style="margin-bottom: 30px"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k_KocZEy9o0"></iframe></div> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/author-photos-sammi-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Sammi Marcellus, <em>Recruitment Coordinator</em></span><br /> A member of the Nebraska Army National Guard since 2017, Sammi assists the NPI recruitment team through building relationships with military veterans who are interested in franchising. Sammi has a background in customer service and is an asset to the NPI corporate team with her ability to relate with active and former military, guiding them through our recruitment process.</div> </div> 1455Upgrading Your Social Media Marketing With Videoshttps://www.npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1449/upgrading-your-social-media-marketing-with-videosMarketing,Social MediaTue, 17 Jan 2023 22:46:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">UPGRADING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING WITH VIDEOS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> January 17, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts?Category=marketing">Marketing</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts?Category=social-media">Social Media</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/Facebook">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/LinkedIn">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/Youtube">Youtube</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/business-growth">business growth</a>, <a href="https://npifranchise.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/small-business">small business</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">By Stepha Vesper, <em>NPI, Inc.'s Senior Communications Strategist</em></span></p> <p>As small business owners, the importance of a strong social media presence cannot be overstated. Now more than ever, videos are dominating the social media marketing space. The types of videos consumers prefer follow a few trends, but their importance has steadily grown. According to social media marketing experts at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/" target="_blank">Wyzowl</a>, 92% of marketers consider video the most important part of their marketing strategy. If videos aren’t currently part of your social media marketing plan, now may be the time to consider incorporating this powerful engagement tool.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Why Videos Are So Successful On Social Media </span><br /> There are many reasons why videos have become a priority to marketers, but the main reason is how much engagement videos draw in comparison to graphics, articles, or other types of social media content. With that increased engagement, your posts will see a dramatic growth in their marketing reach as platforms push your posts out to a larger audience.</p> <p>Engagement occurs any time a post receives a like, is shared, or receives a comment. According to <a class="color-secondary" href="https://business.twitter.com/en/blog/how-video-is-reshaping-digital-advertising.html" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, tweets that include videos attract 10 times the engagement of tweets without them. These findings are unsurprising, as strongly constructed videos should leave plenty of room for audience reactions, inspiring conversation, and a strong opportunity for conversion.</p> <p>Videos have an advantage in that they have the potential for a lot of variety in setting, content, and format. In addition, effective videos for social media that see quick returns can be crafted in a relatively short amount of time using only your smartphone. The best way to get started with crafting videos for social media marketing is to just give it a try! Consider these initial tips to set yourself up for success.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Craft Videos For Social Media </span><br /> Jumping into video content creation can seem intimidating, but the benefits are hard to pass up. Of marketers that do not use video in their marketing, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/" target="_blank">Wyzowl</a> again reports that 79% plan on starting soon. Creating engaging videos does not have to be a complex or expensive venture, however. According to that same report, 40% of video content creators spend $0-$500 on their average video (the lowest recorded pricing category). By employing a few simple strategies, you can see a great return.</p> <p>Start by brainstorming ideas that you think your audience would find relatable or interesting. How-to videos, tutorials, and “quick tips” tend to perform very well on social media, and these sorts of videos also reinforce your standing as an expert in your field. Tutorial videos don’t have to be long. Be sure to capture the attention of your audience quickly, and try to showcase interesting or unusual finds from the field. Other types of videos that perform well are customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes videos, and “service launch” videos for new add-ons.</p> <p>For optimal video lengths on Facebook, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/6128/the-ultimate-list-100-facebook-statistics-infographics.aspx" target="_blank">Hubspot</a> recommends videos between 2 and 5 minutes. On other platforms (such as Twitter or Instagram), ideal video lengths can be even shorter. Creativity within such a small window will pay dividends in video content creation. One thing to consider is that, according to social media experts at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/facebook-stats-for-marketers/" target="_blank">Sprout Social</a>, 85% of videos on Facebook are watched without sound. This is why captions have become so popular on social media. Make sure to include your logo in every video, and try to see whether you can understand your video by the visuals alone.</p> <p>Finally, as you sign out from your video, be sure to add a specific call to action. Remind the audience of your name and business, and tell them how they can follow up with you. They could take advantage of a new promotion, call a specific number to get into contact, or check out your website, for example.</p> <p><em>As with most things, the best way to learn about making videos for social media is to give it a try! For help with writing a script or coming up with ideas, contact your marketing team. If you are interested in the support an inspection franchise provides, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npifranchise.com/learn-more">learn more here</a>.</em></p> <p> </p> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-3"><img src="https://npifranchise.com/Portals/npicorp2/Assets/Blog/Additional Images/Authors/author-photo_stepha-01.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <div class="col-sm-9"><span class="emphasis-secondary" style="font-size: 130%">About the Author</span><br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Stepha Vesper, <em>Senior Communications Strategist</em></span><br /> Stepha has more than five years’ experience in marketing, content creation, SEO and copywriting. Her favorite part of her job is assisting franchisees with their digital marketing strategies so they reach their goals that much faster. When she isn’t at work, Stepha is going on adventures with her husband, Zach, perusing used bookstores, reading or writing.</div> </div> 1449