Tag: motivation

Being Flexible in Your Small Business

March 9, 2021

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach Flexibility is a business trait that benefits your customers, you as an entrepreneur, and even your employees. With a landscape that’s constantly changing, it’s important to stay on your toes and adapt for consistent growth. While it can sometimes be hard to change from doing what you’ve always done, being open to new processes isn’t as scary as you might think. Flexible With Customers Being your own boss means that you’re in control of how and when your business operates. Customers certainly appreciate when you go out of your way to accommodate them and make them feel like a priority. Obviously you won’t be able to juggle your schedule all the time, but making adjustments when you can reflects positively on your customer service. Keep in constant contact with your clients to figure out what works the best for both of you. Flexible With Employees A flexible schedule also applies with your employees. They have their own projects and deadlines to meet, which can make coming together for a meeting difficult. Having a good working relationship with your employees can mitigate a high turnover rate. There’s nothing more stressful than having to regularly

Navigating Difficult Times in Your Business

December 8, 2020

By Adam Kiesel, NPI, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Specialist Running a business isn’t always smooth sailing, and you’ll likely experience rough waters more than once. One day you’re moving along without a hitch, then the next, you’re facing snags and hiccups left and right. When you do run into a rough patch as a business owner, getting through it means keeping your priorities straight and your thinking positive. Attitude is Everything It’s easy to have a negative outlook when things aren’t going how you’d like. Yet pessimism has a tendency to snowball until everything seems much worse than it actually is. Developing and maintaining a positive attitude goes a long way in helping yourself through struggles. There’s an assortment of ways to stay positive, and doing so will make your hardships feel much more manageable. Reach Out to Others It’s very likely that you aren’t the first person to go through your situation. While each experience will be unique, there will likely be multiple similarities between what you’re facing and what someone else may have already put past them. If you do know of a person that’s been in your shoes, don’t hesitate to reach out! They’ll be able to provide

A Manager Mindset: Using DISC for Smoother Communications

December 1, 2020

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach The world is made up of people with all types of personalities and backgrounds, so naturally, business is no different. From clients to employees, each individual has their own unique style of communication and leadership. Each style can provide a great advantage to your business, but getting over initial communication barriers to reach your team’s full potential can be a challenge. That’s where DISC comes in. Introduction to DISC The DISC personality assessment reveals the four most common communication styles seen in personal and professional settings. Most people are a combination of two styles, though some may find that they’re a combination of three. Technicians and Entrepreneurs You can think of the “C” and “D” styles as being technicians and entrepreneurs, respectively. Cs, or Technicians tend to be perfectionists, and are quick to notice something that’s out of place. They’re also practical, and are more “doers” rather than “dreamers.” Meanwhile, Ds, or entrepreneurs thrive on change and growth. They always want to reach new goals and are determined to do whatever it takes to achieve them. Managers The “S” personality represents a managerial way of thinking. They’re steady-going and like to help others

Importance of Celebrating Business Milestones

October 6, 2020

By David Stamper, NPI, Inc.’s President & CFO Setting and reaching goals are a meaningful part of running a business. Whether they’re days, weeks or even years from now, it’s important to take some time to stop and reflect on your achievements. Although life and business can get hectic, don’t let your milestones simply fade into the background. Why Should You Celebrate? It doesn’t matter if you have a large celebration or a small get together, the key is to take time to acknowledge your progress. Patting yourself on the back might not seem like a valuable part of business management, but it provides you with proof that you’re growing as a company. Some business owners may be shy to draw attention to themselves, but you’re doing something that not many people can say they’ve done. So what kinds of things could you/should you celebrate, and what’s the best way to? Business Anniversaries One easy to remember item you can celebrate is your business’s opening day anniversary. No matter the market or industry that you’re in, it can be difficult to sustain success over a long period of time. You can start out by doing monthly anniversaries and then do

The Benefits of a Strong Support System in Business

September 29, 2020

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist Oftentimes in business, you find yourself making difficult decisions without anyone else to consult. Trying to decide what is best for you and your company is extremely stressful, and you may find yourself avoiding these tough calls altogether. So where can you turn to when you need a helping hand? Building a Support System A support system can be a great way to help you as a business owner deal with complex decision-making and any issues you may encounter along the way. You’ll have the ability to brainstorm solutions from an array of different perspectives, looking at a problem from all angles and forming a viewpoint you may never have otherwise. Support systems can also serve as a valuable tool for keeping yourself accountable and reaching your goals. Using Close Connections as a Lifeline Having a group of people with firsthand knowledge of your industry and small business ownership makes complex decisions a bit easier to navigate. Never hesitate to turn to your NPI/GPI family! We’re here to support each other in all things, whether it’s technical advice, marketing strategies or business management operations. Friends and family might not have the same

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

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

7 Ways to Stay Positive as a Small Business Owner

May 24, 2019

By Stepha Vesper As a small business owner, it’s normal to experience short periods of doubt from time to time. The keyword being short. If you find anxiety setting in more often than you’d like, it’s time to reel in the negativity and embrace all things positive. Here’s how to keep your head up and get things done: 1. Keep an open mind.Minimizing risk is one thing in small business, but you don’t want to be dismissive either. That new opportunity might seem downright scary at the moment, but what if it works out? Getting stuck in your marketing tactics or day-to-day work routine can mean getting stuck in a rut. Remember, there’s more than one way to get a task accomplished—in fact, there’s hundreds of ways! 2. Be amenable to change.If everything stayed the same, we would never get anywhere. Whether it be an industry-regulating policy change to adhere to or learning new inspection software, staying flexible will come in handy during the myriad changes that will take place over the course of running your business. If you’re prepared to roll with the punches, you’ll come out that much savvier. 3. Jump on opportunity.While not every opportunity may be

5 Ways of Looking at Self-Discipline

April 4, 2019

By Stepha Vesper Let’s talk about discipline. Self-discipline is a major factor in running a successful small business, but most of us have the wrong idea about it. And no, it’s not that we’re too lax on the concept. In reality, lots of widespread beliefs about discipline are too strict. So strict, in fact, as to be demotivating—we simply try to do and be too much until we shut down and accomplish less than we’re capable of. As you strive to hone your day-to-day business operations, keep these things in mind: 1. Self-discipline isn’t the only ingredient for success.While it’s undeniable that self-discipline is pretty important for achieving success, it’s not going to get you far unless you pair it with that all-important driving force, motivation. You can be the most self-disciplined person in the world, but without clearly defined goals, you’re just going to spin your wheels. To accomplish something big, you need to identify an objective and work diligently toward it through—you guessed it—self-discipline. 2. Discipline and willpower are not one and the same.Self-discipline and willpower are so entwined, it can be difficult to distinguish the two. But taking the time to understand the key differences might just

What Does It Mean to Reach Your Goals?

January 16, 2019

By Kimberly Stevens If you’re researching franchise opportunities, there’s likely some aspect of your life that you’re looking to improve. Whether it’s work-life balance, dissatisfaction with your current employer or a desire to learn a new skill, you’re ready to pursue a different path. But what does going for your goals actually look like? Here are our best tips for facing the challenges that come with stepping out of your comfort zone and moving toward a life you can live with passion. Embrace the intimidating moments.As humans, anytime we step outside our comfort zone, we instantly want to leap right back into it. For better or worse, it’s just the way we’re wired. This doesn’t mean that our instincts are insurmountable, it just means that doing anything new, like pursuing a new career, is going to take mindfulness and an extra shot of courage. We won’t beat around the bush: you’ll probably experience several intimidating moments as you prepare to start your new business. Pushing through means understanding that it’s all part of the process and trusting that the rewards are far more satisfying than the challenges are scary. Love your family and friends.We often use the word, “venturing,” when

Why Now Is A Great Time To Franchise With NPI

January 30, 2024

Opening up a small business requires boldness and a willingness to think big, but the most successful entrepreneurs tend to have their pulse on the current trends and projections of their selected industry. In an industry like residential and commercial property inspections, it makes sense to track the health and activity of the local real estate market before making major investments. While recent housing struggles might tempt some to delay franchising in property inspections, encouraging real estate projections and the challenges of solo operation paint a different picture. Here’s why now might be a strategic entry point: Housing Market Projections for 2024According to the most recent housing market projections from Forbes, 2024 projects a rebound from 2023’s real estate woes. Declining mortgage rates predict a much-needed rise in inventory. While improved affordability may arrive later in the year, these trends signal a recovering market. While healthy real estate markets benefit property inspections, solo businesses often follow a boom-bust cycle. They launch during hot markets and struggle when things cool. Conversely, inspectors who weather tough times gain valuable experience and client relationships. When the market rebounds, they are perfectly positioned to dominate. Considering this cyclical nature and the time required to

Marketing Insights: How to Use a Powerful Testimonial

January 23, 2024

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior SEO & Marketing Strategist Beyond developing a great product or service, the biggest challenge small businesses face is gaining their audience’s buy-in to their message. Eye-catching graphics and memorable slogans can help your business stand out to potential clients, but people are naturally skeptical. You claim your service is the perfect solution, but how can they be sure? They might wonder if you’re exaggerating or, as a business owner, simply trying to present yourself in the best light. The key to overcoming this hurdle is building trust. While there are various ways to achieve this, testimonials offer a powerful tool. However, not all testimonials are equally effective. By leveraging strong testimonials and applying the right strategies, business owners and marketers can effectively build that essential trust. What is a Testimonial?For those unfamiliar with the term, testimonials are statements about a person, business, product, or service made by someone independent of the subject. In the small business world, these are most easily recognized as reviews. Reviews are crucial for growing businesses, not only for their impact on SEO and online visibility, but also for their persuasive power. As mentioned earlier, any information your business marketing

Using Your Unique Background to Make Your Business Stand Out

January 16, 2024

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator Small business owners and entrepreneurs are trailblazers, carving their own unique paths in life with unexpected twists and turns. When marketing their small businesses, however, entrepreneurs often shy away from highlighting the more eccentric details of their backgrounds. This, however, could mean missing out on opportunities to make a splash in their market. Making yourself recognizable and memorable takes effort and planning, essential for any business owner seeking to make an impact. With this goal in mind, owners can actually leverage their unique backgrounds in their marketing to stand out from the crowd. If you’re considering this tactic, here are a few things to consider to strike the best balance: Some Backgrounds Are AssetsEntrepreneurs often transition into becoming business owners after careers in other fields. While utilizing these previous professions to stand out in a new industry can be beneficial, understand that a recognizable profession isn’t always well-liked. Each year, Gallup polls the US on their perception of the most honest and ethical professions, helping to create a picture of the careers with the best public image. According to Gallup, nurses, doctors, and high school teachers are some of the most well-regarded

How to Be More Productive

January 9, 2024

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator If you’re anything like me, at the beginning of every year you tend to make a lot of resolutions for the new year. Eat better, get more sleep, read more books, and hit the gym – the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year are usually pretty ambitious and widespread. Unfortunately, I have to admit that my track record of seeing those resolutions through to the end of the year tends to not be so great. Too often, other responsibilities pile up, new tasks or interests take priority, and I find myself feeling not all that productive around December 31st. In the workplace, most people would jump at the opportunity to accomplish a bit more each day, and depending on your industry, finding ways to push more projects across the finish line can be the key to taking your business to the next level. To discover some of the best strategies and tips to improve productivity this year, I decided to poll the NPI Corporate Office for their best advice! Make a List, and Check It TwiceRecommended by Celeste Black-Harr, Recruitment CoordinatorWhen speaking with Celeste, one of our

The Benefits of Going to the Annual InVision Conference

January 2, 2024

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Marketing Communications Strategist Every year, the National Property Inspections home office hosts its annual conference, inviting professional property inspectors from all across North America to gather in Omaha, Nebraska with the intent to network, learn about the latest happenings within the industry, and celebrate the past year’s achievements. While it’s a great time to reconnect and catch up with one another, the InVision Conference is also planned with adding direct value to your business in mind. If you haven’t been to the InVision Conference or if you’re interested in learning more about what to expect, here are a few takeaways you can look forward to! Discover Opportunities to Expand Your BusinessWhether you’re curious about adding a new service to your business or you’d like to partner with a nationally recognized vendor, the InVision Conference offers opportunities to meet with representatives about potential partnerships. In 2023, the InVision conference featured booths and speakers from Thumbtack, ISN (Inspection Support Network), Guardian, MFD Home Certifications, AirAdvice, Inspector Cameras, Fixle, Sporecyte, Scarpello Consulting, and Secure24. Our team does their best to provide a slate of high quality vendors like these every year at the annual conference. If you’re

Employee Milestones Worth Celebrating

December 26, 2023

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Marketing Communications Strategist As the year draws to a close, we naturally reflect on achievements, challenges, and triumphs. Recognizing personal and professional accomplishments is crucial for growth, and if goals weren’t met, the year’s end offers a prime opportunity for future planning. Business owners, responsible for managing and inspiring employees, should celebrate both company and individual milestones to foster a driven and collaborative work environment. While acknowledging accomplishments is vital for employee retention, creative ways to celebrate don’t always come easily. Here are some often-missed opportunities to show your team appreciation: Types of Milestones Worth CelebratingNot all milestones require earth-shattering career shifts. Several everyday moments offer managers a chance to recognize hard work, creativity, and innovation: Individual Milestones: Team-wide Milestones:Celebrate team-wide achievements to build morale and camaraderie. Depending on your industry and structure, individual roles might blur, but acknowledging shared wins is vital. Company Achievements:Don’t overlook celebrating company-wide milestones. Reaching significant business anniversaries, exceeding targets, developing new products/services, or receiving media recognition are all opportunities to showcase collective effort and its tangible impact. Celebrate reaching revenue goals, launching new offerings, or media features to further motivate and engage your team. Doing so reinforces that

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Chris Harr

December 19, 2023

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. Today’s feature is Chris Harr and his team from NPI Columbus SE: 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. Chris Harr pictured with his sons Jake and Will at the 2023 InVision Conference Awards. NPI Columbus SE & the Harr FamilyFounded in 2002, NPI Columbus SE has

How To Break Into A Male-Dominated Industry As A Female Entrepreneur

December 12, 2023

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator 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. 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. 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. Find A Functional Support SystemReliable 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

What Is The Benefit Of The Name National Property Inspections?

December 5, 2023

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator 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. 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. 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

Hold The Phone: How Do You Turn Price-Shoppers Into Paying Clients?

November 28, 2023

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing & Business Coach 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). Marketing experts over at First Insight 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 explain their product or service’s strengths, leaving potential clients to default to price as the deciding factor. This situation can be incredibly frustrating for owners who