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NHWA Official Blog

Stay up to date with the National Home Watch Association and the Home Watch Industry.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Things won't change unless you change them!

Greetings and salutations!

It's that time of the year again. The malls are crowded, the shoppers get stressed, and I try to figure out what gifts to get my wife that she won't return. Every year I try to start early so I don't drive myself crazy the day before the holiday. My expectations of succeeding are not very good. Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”  What the heck does he know? Evidently, a whole lot. Sure, luck does smile on us once in a while. But someone else (I'm not sure who) said, "Luck is the result of good planning and creative design." 

Where am I going with this? Why the quotes and platitudes? I'll tell you why. Because nothing changes for the good without our own actions and planning. Let's face it. Times are tough, and they don't look like they are going to get better anytime soon. Home Watch businesses from around the country tell me that some clients are cutting back on their services because of the economy. Unfortunate, but not unexpected. As long as you hold onto their "basic services" (i.e., Home Watch itself), things will be all right. Stick with them and don't get negative. With economic conditions as they are, it's time to figure out how to expand your client base. Yeah, I know ... Duh! But I am talking about the potential clients who may not even realize the benefits of your service. They are out there, and in order for your business to grow and stay healthy, you have got to find them. You need to explain how your business will help them, and then sell the value and benefits to them.  It's easy to fall into the trap of waiting for things to get better. I assure you that it is the wrong move ... for you and your business.

Take a positive step. Join the NHWA and start a conversation that could lead to a lot more business. We are currently represented in 15 states and are about to add more. Add credibility while raising your stature. Take advantage of web traffic and qualified leads sent directly to your website. Help us to help you. I'll leave you with one more little saying that I'll never forget:

"When you're green, you grow. When you're ripe, you rot."

As always, I wish you


Much success,

Jack

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

It's been too long...

Yeah, I know, it's been a while since I last blogged. It's true. I have been very busy with my own company's business as well as the NHWA. There is a lot going on. We are set to announce newly accredited members in North Carolina and Alaska. I am also working closely with a gentleman from Florida who is launching a very exciting concept in the Home Watch industry (more to come in the near future). And then there is Skip Williams of Columbia, SC, who is busy tweaking his Home Watch software program (with Coastal Carolina Home Watch testing the prototype) even as you read this blog. The exciting thing about this software is that Home Watch companies will be able to integrate this into their current bookkeeping software. Your inspectors will be able to operate the system with a smartphone or iPad. That will cut down on unnecessary and redundant paperwork and possible costly mistakes that are lost in translation. The bottom line is that things are heating up at the NHWA. When will you get your company on board? If you haven't given it that much thought, you need to know just how much our industry is booming. New companies are popping up all over.

What will separate you from the other guy? What will show your current and future customers that you are different and worth your fees? Accreditation. We continue to receive inquiries from people all over the country looking for "accredited" businesses in their area. It's time to be that business. Get involved in helping us raise standards and ethics in the industry of which we are all a part.

Thanks for reading. And as always, I wish you

Much success,


Jack