Folks
Worked on a web introduction over the last hour. Any thoughts or ideas?
Congratulations - You are now a Qualifed CMI or MVI
Welcome to the world of master home inspectors. If you have made the ranks of a veteran or master inspector you should be proud of yourself. You should be proud of your service and should be proud of the product you provide to every client.
As our industry matures, the need for different levels of home inspector qualifications becomes more and more relevant. Every association works harder and harder to bring in new blood, as they say, but does nothing to either motivate or enhance the level of experienced inspectors in their membership. Most veteran inspectors as a result fall by the way side, only hear from their association when they receive their annual renewal invoice.
Many associations and their leaders scratch their heads as to why there is a huge lack of interest, among their members. It only takes a few years. New inspectors kick and scream in heavily dominated markets where 250 inspections are the minimum, only to change their tune after they have made the ranks. The same inspectors after a few years look back and again wonder why are the new and just qualified 250 number inspectors charging the same of them. The five year itch, ten year itch or worse yet the twenty year itch, kicks in and the inspector tries to exit the industry, only to realize the difficulty of exiting.
No one has stopped to ask why the associations commitment to its members is no different that that of an employers to its employees.
Try to keep an employee motivated at the same wage for three, four or five years! See how much commitment and dedication they will offer their employer. Try as an employer to have no employee incentives and see how much innovation will occur within your company. Try as an employer to have no recognition whatsoever and see what kid of progress will be experienced. Try as an employer to ask senior employees to train new employees, and pay them the same and see what the result is.
On the other hand, try, with proven techniques to motivate, recognize or entice the same employees and the results are immeasurable
As inspectors devoted to associations, we are no different. We lose interest in the membership after a while and everyone wonders why? The wheel keeps turning, as newer inspectors take over where veterans leave or stay on the sidelines. Veteran inspectors have no interest in constantly mentoring their competition when in real terms the level of inspections conducted by the same is no where near the level of the senior inspector, nor will it be for some years to come.
And here we are again, back at the part of the wheel where you fall off or are not motivated to move higher. Yes the higher standards are the certified veteran inspector and certified master inspector.
Customers will seek out value based services. Customers will pay higher fees for these services and will not hesitate. Inspectors will figure out how to sell value based services and will adjust their business accordingly. Master inspectors will work less, charge more and will benefit from an appreciated net worth. Master inspectors will move to systems based company and plan exit strategies as they come closer to retirement or passing on their interest. This is the training that master inspectors should not only seek but demand of their association.
Again, part of marketing your business involves re-inventing yourself every year, enjoy the trip, additional recognition and wealth that will come in due course. You are now a Certified Master Inspector.
