I know that people are reading the blog. All I have to do is look at my Google Analytics, and it shows me how many and when. What I need to know is what you think. What would you like to say? What are some of the topics that you would like to have some discussion about? Share your opinion. Tell us why you haven't joined yet. We really need feedback. Tell us what is on your mind.
Much success,
Jack
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Marketing exposes problems
Greetings to all.
So here I am, trying to compile a mailing list of potential members. It's tedious and time consuming, and to be honest...not a whole lot of fun. I've got my assistant Faith working with me going page by page through Google searching. Home this, absentee that, property check here, home concierge there... Well, I'm sure you get the point. People have been telling me to get a hold of mail marketing / direct mail companies to do the research. After all, they have the know how to gather all of the information that I need to find all of the Home Watch companies in the US and Canada. So I contact a couple of them. After about a week, I get an email from one of them asking for my help in finding a category for Home Watch on a list from Dun & Bradstreet containing "S.I.C.'s" which is short for Standard Industry Codes. An S.I.C. is designated by the federal government. And...wait for it...the list has not been updated since 1997! According to the S.I.C. number given to Coastal Carolina Home Watch (my own company), Home Watch is a "wholesale distibutor of durable goods". Huh? Given the fact that there is no designation for Home Watch, or absentee this and property that...well, is it any wonder that insurance companies, credit lenders and worst of all, clients might have trouble knowing what we actually do? Of course, we need to get our own designation, but that does not solve the current problem.
This is one of the many issues that we face. How do we know if this is contributing to some of the hurdles and obstacles that we are being forced to navigate around? I can tell you that there is strength in numbers. Help us gain ground and be recognized for what we do. Send in your application to become accredited and join the NHWA.
Much success,
Jack
So here I am, trying to compile a mailing list of potential members. It's tedious and time consuming, and to be honest...not a whole lot of fun. I've got my assistant Faith working with me going page by page through Google searching. Home this, absentee that, property check here, home concierge there... Well, I'm sure you get the point. People have been telling me to get a hold of mail marketing / direct mail companies to do the research. After all, they have the know how to gather all of the information that I need to find all of the Home Watch companies in the US and Canada. So I contact a couple of them. After about a week, I get an email from one of them asking for my help in finding a category for Home Watch on a list from Dun & Bradstreet containing "S.I.C.'s" which is short for Standard Industry Codes. An S.I.C. is designated by the federal government. And...wait for it...the list has not been updated since 1997! According to the S.I.C. number given to Coastal Carolina Home Watch (my own company), Home Watch is a "wholesale distibutor of durable goods". Huh? Given the fact that there is no designation for Home Watch, or absentee this and property that...well, is it any wonder that insurance companies, credit lenders and worst of all, clients might have trouble knowing what we actually do? Of course, we need to get our own designation, but that does not solve the current problem.
This is one of the many issues that we face. How do we know if this is contributing to some of the hurdles and obstacles that we are being forced to navigate around? I can tell you that there is strength in numbers. Help us gain ground and be recognized for what we do. Send in your application to become accredited and join the NHWA.
Much success,
Jack
Welcome Massachusetts !
Dana Salo of Salo Home Watch became the first accredited Home Watch company in the great state of Massachusetts last week. Though Salo Home Watch is a relatively new company, Dana is looking to grow his business under the auspices and guidance of the NHWA. Like many of our colleagues, Dana will be starting "chapter two" of his professional life soon, and Home Watch is what he has chosen to pursue. Salo Home Watch is located in Gloucester which is on the coast north of Boston. Contact him at Salohomewatch@comcast.net. Best of luck!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Greetings from the snowy beaches of South Carolina
Greetings and salutations.
Wow is it cold here. It's not supposed to snow here....but it did. I got rid of my snow shovel when I moved here from NJ. Frozen pipes, fallen limbs, power outages are all huge concerns down here. It's those unexpected happenings that make our industry necessary. No matter how much you plan, think ahead and take precautions, stuff still happens. You are in Pittsburgh or Seattle or Canada for that matter, and your vacation home is empty. You've given your neighbor down the street a key to get in "just in case". Are you feeling confident enough to know that any emergencies will be taken care of? What if your neighbor is away, or sick, or just plain forgets to check? Can you hold him accountable if he was doing you a favor by holding the key? Of course you can't.
Hiring an accredited Home Watch company that specializes in taking care of vacant condos and homes is a "no-brainer". The NHWA checks out the credentials and coverages of potential members. Member companies have the knowledge and good judgement to make "on the spot" decisions that could potentially save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary damages and wasted time. You'll have confidence in knowing that someone is looking out for your best interests. Absentee and part-time residents shouldn't leave things to chance.
Happy 2011 to all y'all
A very cold...Jack
Wow is it cold here. It's not supposed to snow here....but it did. I got rid of my snow shovel when I moved here from NJ. Frozen pipes, fallen limbs, power outages are all huge concerns down here. It's those unexpected happenings that make our industry necessary. No matter how much you plan, think ahead and take precautions, stuff still happens. You are in Pittsburgh or Seattle or Canada for that matter, and your vacation home is empty. You've given your neighbor down the street a key to get in "just in case". Are you feeling confident enough to know that any emergencies will be taken care of? What if your neighbor is away, or sick, or just plain forgets to check? Can you hold him accountable if he was doing you a favor by holding the key? Of course you can't.
Hiring an accredited Home Watch company that specializes in taking care of vacant condos and homes is a "no-brainer". The NHWA checks out the credentials and coverages of potential members. Member companies have the knowledge and good judgement to make "on the spot" decisions that could potentially save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary damages and wasted time. You'll have confidence in knowing that someone is looking out for your best interests. Absentee and part-time residents shouldn't leave things to chance.
Happy 2011 to all y'all
A very cold...Jack
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