Category: Business Tips

5 Ways to Turn a First Meeting into a Lasting Impression

August 20, 2020

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach To become a successful business owner means developing strong working relationships with clients, fellow franchisees, business networking groups, contractors and other professionals. Networking comes as second nature for some, but for others, it can be a bit of a challenge. The good news is that making lasting impressions can be learned–it just takes practice, patience and a little know-how. Following these simple guidelines can help you make the networking connections that could transform your business. 1. Carry Business CardsAlways give new contacts a business card so they know how to get in touch! But never rely on your wallet to keep cards in great shape; instead, pick up a pocket business card holder or portfolio pad to keep them neat, flat and dry and to safely hold any cards you collect from others. You may also want to give away sample reports, brochures, pens, notepads or other marketing items. 2. Dress for Success Making a habit of looking well-groomed every day means you’ll always be ready to put your best foot forward. You never know where you might find a great referral. If you know you’ll be meeting new people, your regular inspection

Tips for Running a Successful Family Business

August 7, 2020

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist Running a business is challenging enough on its own. Adding family into the equation can take that challenge to a whole new level. However, it can definitely be done right—as evidenced by our highly successful franchisees! Here are a few pointers for staying productive, profitable and most importantly, in each other’s good graces, as a family-run business. Resist the urge to talk shop all the time. You’re family first and business partners second, so it’s important to make an effort to continue to enjoy each other’s company outside the office. With work on the brain, this might mean you need to make a conscious effort to steer the conversation away from work when you’re relaxing at home. It’s also a good idea to schedule regular family dinners and events where work and work talk is off-limits. Don’t make new hires within the family—unless it makes sense.Family members outside your initial partnership might be tempted to consider your business a catch-all for anyone in your clan who needs a job. But nothing will breed resentment faster than hiring your nephew based solely on your relationship, then having to let him go when he

Benefits of a Google My Business Listing

August 6, 2020

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant Getting your name out to customers has never been easier than it is right now. Thanks to digital media, you can easily post content to reach potential clients. In addition to utilizing tools like social media, you can integrate a Google listing to further draw traffic to your business website. So what benefits does a Google My Business listing have to offer? Keep reading to learn more. What is Google My Business? Google My Business (or GMB) is a free service that helps business owners promote their services to local customers. Using GMB’s suite of tools and features, you can easily manage how you appeal to prospective clients. In a way, GMB is today’s version of the Yellow Pages, which means that if you have a listing, anyone with an internet connection can find you. Almost half of people who search for a business are trying to find goods and services in their immediate vicinity. Showing up near the top of Google My Business local listings goes a long way in putting you ahead of the competition. Customers Can See Your Location As mentioned above, a large portion of those searching for

A Look Back: How Examining Your Business Periodically Can Help You Grow

July 31, 2020

By David Stamper, NPI, Inc.’s President & CFO One of the best lessons in life [and in business] is to learn from the past and use it to influence your present and future. Whether you’re just beginning or years into your business, reviewing and improving your records and progress on a regular schedule will pay off for you. What Information Should I Review? It’s best to plan to go over every little detail in your business, which means keeping detailed records of what makes your business tick. This involves everything from employee reviews to financial records. You’ll likely find that the things that seemed small at the time actually came to be major factors down the road. You can also look at old inspection schedules and records from meetings with real estate agents. Look for: If you have access to all of the details above, that’s great! However, keep in mind that most business owners won’t, and that’s perfectly okay, too. Let this list guide your future record-keeping so that you’re in better shape when it’s time to review next time. When Should I Review My Findings? Whether weekly or annually, there’s no right or wrong time to review your

The 5 Best Leadership Traits for a Thriving Small Business

April 23, 2020

Being a small business owner is a great feeling. There’s a sense of pride that you get from starting down your own path and getting to create your own opportunities, but there are challenges that you will face as well. Competition can be fierce, and it can be difficult to separate yourself from the pack. However, there are steps you can take to build your brand’s reputation and promote growth for your business. 1. Know When to Step In, and When to Step AwayAs a small business owner, you’ll wear many hats in the day to day operations. You’re the owner, an employee (sometimes the only one), an accountant and even the janitor. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and burned out with responsibility, and it’s important to know your limits. Successful owners identify their strengths and weaknesses and learn to delegate responsibilities accordingly. Of course, it can be hard to relinquish control for some owners and they will struggle with it. But the sooner you realize the big picture and how division of roles can grow your business, the sooner you will hit your goals and recharge. 2. Set SMART GoalsSpeaking of goals, it is important to have them. Think

Foolproof Tips for Keeping Your Small Business Organized

April 10, 2020

Small business owners have dozens and dozens of tasks they need to complete to grow and succeed. But with so much on your plate, it can be difficult to keep on top of them and stay afloat. It can be especially difficult if you don’t have any help and can’t delegate responsibilities to other employees. So how can you make sure that you aren’t getting behind in your work? Here are some tips to get organized that you can use in your daily business and even your personal life. Create an OverviewThe beginning step in this process is to sit down and see all the tasks that you need to do. Write them down on a piece of paper so that you don’t forget any, and can refer back to it later. After you think you have everything, be sure to double and maybe even triple check that you didn’t forget anything important. There’s nothing worse than realizing you need to do something at the last minute and panicking. Rushing a job is never a good idea—it puts stress on you and can reflect poorly on you later on. Break Things DownNow that you have all of your assignments accounted

5 Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs

October 2, 2019

By Stepha Vesper It takes a special kind of person to be an entrepreneur. They’re driven, brave, curious and committed to their own growth. But what does a typical day look like for a successful small business owner? And what’s their mindset like? Below are five habits that successful business owners seem to all have in common. 1. They keep a regular schedule.Successful entrepreneurs keep themselves accountable by sticking to a daily schedule. But they don’t just keep that schedule to work-related tasks. They’re not afraid to pencil in time for socializing, relaxation and exercise, too, taking care to get professional responsibilities out of the way before scheduling recreation time. This balanced approach helps improve health and wellbeing, and in turn, business growth. 2. They stay flexible.A willingness to roll with the punches instead of balking at change or getting stuck in a certain mindset is crucial when you’re managing a business. Things can switch direction at any time, and flexible business owners know this can be sink or swim. The entrepreneurs that are willing to step out of their comfort zone and meet challenges are the ones that stay afloat in the long-run. 3. They get a good night’s

Teaching Inspection CE Courses for Realtors

September 26, 2019

By Bill Erickson Whether you’ve recently entered the inspection business or you’re a seasoned pro with NPI, you may have heard us talk about the benefits of introducing CE courses into your marketing plan. At NPI corporate, we’re always working to get new courses approved in your state, and for good reason: CE courses are one of the best face-to-face marketing tools in your arsenal, giving you more quality interaction with real estate agents. What’s the deal with CEs?NPI’s proprietary CE courses are designed to fulfill real estate agents’ continuing education (CE) requirements. When you market yourself as a CE instructor to the agents and realtors in your area, you’re providing a service they need to further their careers. You’ll be invited to present your course to groups of real estate agents, and while these groups vary in size depending on your area, it’s common to see groups of 15 to 20 agents or more sign up for a CE course—you should seize your chance to get their attention! What special skills do I need to teach CEs?None! We give you all the materials and direction you need to run a successful CE course. Combine our presentations with your expertise

Mastering the Art of Delegation

July 17, 2019

By Zach Vesper As a small business owner, sometimes it’s hard to hand responsibilities to your employees. After all, you built your business by yourself and know what works and what doesn’t. As your business develops, though, you’ll reach a point where handling everything yourself doesn’t make sense any more, and can even stifle future growth. It’s one thing to understand this, but learning how to delegate effectively is something else. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when assigning tasks to your employees. 1. Be mindful of the tasks you’re assigning.Through thoughtful delegation of tasks, you and your employees can all accomplish more to push your business to the next level. Take stock of the things you do on a daily basis and determine whether these tasks are making the most of your skills and experience (you need to be very honest with yourself here). If not, these are perfect opportunities for delegation to someone with a different, more applicable skill set. And since you don’t want “delegation” to be a task unto itself, make sure to build it into your current workflows with a solid project management plan. 2. Be an educator.This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes

Our Top 5 Time Management Tips

June 3, 2019

By Stepha Vesper When you’re out inspecting a home or business for clients, your time is practically managed for you. You have your set routine in place for inspecting and reporting and it usually takes a fairly predictable amount of time to complete. But what about time outside your day-to-day inspection schedule? Or weekdays when you may not have an inspection at all? Time management is among the top challenges small business owners face. There’s always so much to do, and you probably feel the pressure to do it all . . . and more! While it’s up to you what tasks you prioritize, we’re here to help you buckle down and get those tasks done. Follow these tips to make the most of your time and have more left over for summer fun with family and friends. 1. Actually decide what your priorities are. Keeping yourself busy is easy as a small business owner. Prioritizing is a different story. With a full plate, it can be challenging to determine the tasks that matter most. Start easy: which tasks on your list will have the most direct impact on your bottom line? Which will help you advance toward your goals

FAQ’s About Starting an NPI Franchise

August 3, 2021

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator If you want to become your own boss and take control of your schedule, starting a home inspection franchise could be for you! As a franchisee with National Property Inspections, Inc., you get to run your business how you want and join the entrepreneur sector. But you might have some questions before you begin. “Do I need a construction or technical background?” A common misconception about becoming a home inspector is that you already need years of training and experience in the industry before you can start. However, you don’t have to already be a professional to join! When you become part of the NPI team, we give you the training and knowledge you need to be a successful inspector. Our extensive, hands-on training covers the essentials to give you confidence as an inspector and business owner. And your education doesn’t end when you leave training! “How can I pay for a franchise?” There are several options you have when it comes to financing your NPI franchise. Traditional bank loans are a great place to start, and are relatively easy to apply for. The Small Business Loan Program or SBA in the U.S.

Best Foot Forward: Marketing Your Strengths to Customers

July 27, 2021

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist Marketing is all about showcasing your best abilities to your clients. What do you do that others don’t, and why should someone ultimately choose to hire you? As a small business owner, especially when you’re just starting out, it’s crucial that you put your top skills front and center as often as you can. This helps draw in your clients and allows them to understand the quality of service they’ll receive before they even contact you. So what are some things to highlight and where can you display them? Consider these options. Figure Out What You’re Best AtStarting off at square one, sit down and determine what you’re strongest at. A way to quickly discover your advantages is to create a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis breaks down your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats so you know what you do well and what needs improvement. If you have a team that works with you, bring them in on the process as well to get input from people with different expertise. Creating a SWOTA SWOT analysis is easy to set up and complete. You can create a presentation, a shared document or simply

The Millennial Effect: How a Generation is Shaping Commercial Real Estate

July 20, 2021

Throughout the history of commercial real estate, each new workforce cycle has left their mark. Office designs have evolved to meet the needs of workers and help them be successful. Now, Millennials are showcasing their influence and developers are overhauling spaces to follow along. The Millennial Workforce is Big Almost 50 percent of the world’s workers are part of the Millennial generation. Because of this, they’ve been the vocal majority on building designs from offices to multifamily properties. Their uniqueness is often reflected in commercial construction and grows as they do. That means the developers that don’t keep up, are likely left in the dust. So what are some of the features that Millennials have to have in their office buildings? Leaving Behind a Small Impact Environmental change is one of, if not the most important, causes among Millennials. They’re always looking for ways that they can cut energy consumption and try to improve the earth as much as they can. Around half of Millennials are more likely to go with a company that actively works to reduce its carbon footprint. Both inside and outside, there are ways to make your younger tenants–and the environment–happy. Changing out older lights and

How You Can Use Social Media to Teach and Interact with Clients

July 13, 2021

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant Being a small business owner allows you to interact more personally with your clients and build strong relationships with them. The integration of your social media accounts for your business means that you are able to reach out and build with even more customers on a daily basis. Using social media, plus in-person meetings to reach potential clients has been proven to help you grow your business faster. But it can be tricky to know the type of material that will resonate with people and inspire them to interact. One way you can get viewers interested is making educational content. What It Is Educational content might seem a little dull, but it can actually be very captivating to an audience. People like to see things that are unusual or unknown to them and learn more. This is especially true to homeownership. There are many different issues that can arise when owning a house, and the average owner may not know how to deal with them. They are always on the lookout for advice about how to best deal with these problems, and your social media pages can provide just that. Take Photos

Is It Worth It To Offer Warranties?

July 6, 2021

By Bill Erickson, NPI, Inc.’s Executive Vice President Warranties can provide great benefits for both your clients and you. The different coverages you offer can make you stand out from your competition, leading to more business. Especially when the market is hot and things are moving fast, every bit of leverage matters. Set Yourself Apart As much of an obvious choice as warranties seem, not every inspector in the industry offers them. Some don’t want to deal with the hassle of filing and settling a claim, while others think simply sticking by their work is a good enough service. However, clients see the warranties you offer as further verification that you’ll follow through on your word. If you offer a warranty that other inspectors in your territory might not, you’re well on your way to setting yourself apart and building rapport with customers. This one part of your business can solidify your market share! Customer Satisfaction Every customer likes to know that what they’re getting is dependable. And if a problem comes up, they want to be sure they won’t be left figuring it out for themselves. A warranty says to the customer that you want them to be happy

Stop Yourself from Getting Distracted in Business

June 29, 2021

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Assistant One main benefit of becoming a small business owner is breaking free of the typical corporate structure. You set your own hours, make the important decisions, and continuously choose which direction you’ll head in next. However, these benefits can also quickly become challenges. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to get sidetracked and feel as though you’re stagnating. Focus on what really matters with these tips: Begin by recognizing the distractions. First, you have to recognize what’s taking up your time. While you’re going about your day, try to be more aware of what you’re doing and where your thoughts tend to take you. You might be surprised about the things that tend to steal your energy and attention. From scrolling through your phone to speculating about the reason for an unreturned email, there’s always something readily available to distract us from a goal. If you need to, write these down, along with how long or how often you tend to do them. Then be sure to note which of these is something you personally have control over. For example, you can limit mindless scrolling, but you can’t control whether someone gets back

Using Community Events to Market Your Business

June 22, 2021

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach As a franchisee, an important aspect of growing your business is marketing. You can use most any outlet, from social media to handing out flyers to get your name out there. One great way to get personal interaction with potential clients is participating in local events. Farmer’s markets, main street gatherings and small business expos are just a few options. You should always keep an eye out for these through your city’s website or social media. If it’s someone other than the city government, be sure to check with the organization putting these events on so you are following their guidelines. BannersNow that you’ve gotten all signed up and secured your spot, how do you draw attention to your booth or table? You’ll want to stand out from the sea of businesses with something to catch the gaze of passersby. Investing in a collapsible banner or renting one from the Omaha home office is always worth it to make your booth stand out! TablesThe majority of the time these events will provide you a table, but always double-check if you need to get a collapsible one yourself. Depending on what you decide you

Best Ways to Ask for Reviews

June 15, 2021

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s SEO and Marketing Specialist It can’t be stressed enough how essential review gathering is to forming a strong presence for your business online. Living in the digital age, you have to take advantage of it or risk being left behind. Especially as younger generations, namely Millennials, are hitting the age where they’re ready to buy a home, reviews are a necessity. If it’s been a while since you’ve marketed for reviews or if you haven’t ever started, here are a few ways to get the ball rolling. Why do you need to stay connected? So how important are reviews in someone’s final decision? Great question! While Millennials do tend to be more plugged in, the general statistic for people that make a choice on who to do business with based on reviews alone is over 90%. Over 80% trust them like a personal recommendation, and nearly 70% decide whether you’re a quality business in as little as 3 reviews. That means you don’t have much time to make a great first impression. Not only are positive reviews important, but stockpiling them is as well. If you only have low-star reviews, a handful of reviews, or

Protect Your Private Information from Scammers

June 8, 2021

You’ve most likely gotten a robo-call or spam email at some point. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received a staggering 2.2 million reports of fraudulent activity, tallying up to $1.2 billion lost. Disguised phone calls and texts, especially those claiming to be about stimulus relief, were the most common scam. While the government tries to crack down on illegal activity, you need to take precautions to protect your and your clients’ personal information from criminals. Legal Requirements Depending on your state or the federal government, you could be legally responsible for offering some layer of protection to your customer’s private data. If a breach were to happen and it’s found you weren’t in compliance, you could face repercussions. Always check that you have the necessary security measures in place, and that any third-party services you use do as well. Before using one of these services, research their policies and what they do (if anything) with your information. Even if they only pass it to other mailing services, your customers may not be happy having their personal data out there when they didn’t consent to it. Password Protection Your email and any other applications you use should have a password

Making Your Business Stand Out Against a Large Competitor

June 1, 2021

By Bill Erickson, NPI, Inc.’s Executive Vice President As a small business owner, you’ll be going up against competition of all sizes as you work to grow and achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself. While you might have the confidence that you can take on companies closer to your size, it can be intimidating to try and tackle a larger, more established firm. But that doesn’t mean you should shy away from the challenge completely. Here’s what you can do to take on the “giants” in your industry. Get Your Name Out An easy way that you can get started with growing your business is getting your name out to as many potential clients as you can. Attend open houses, stop by real estate offices, work your social media profiles, and give out fliers or business cards advertising your name and company. For instance, a great way to spread the word about your new franchise is to attend community events. You’ll make lots of new connections and people will get to know you on a more personable level. Putting a face to your name helps break the ice with clients so that they’ll be more likely to remember you.