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INSPECTOR 610.717.3082 Libertyinspectiongroup.com
SUMMER 2020
When I was 16 years old, I bought a clunky Ford Escort that had different colored doors, but I didn’t buy it for its looks. It was freedom on a set of wheels! All it needed to do was fire up, and that was good enough for me. But gas doesn’t come free, so at that same age, I started my first “real” job at the Chatham Real Food Market Co-op in Chatham, Michigan. Up until that point, I had been babysitting — as I’m sure every kid does for their first “job” — and helping bale hay with a friend on his family farm. I made good money at both of these gigs, but when my allergies started to kick in and the babysitting money couldn’t cover all my gas, I found myself at the Chatham Co-op.
I really enjoyed working at the co-op. The hours were flexible, and I learned valuable lessons. After school, I either went to track and field or cross-country practice, and then I went to work at the co-op. Afterward, I had to go home and finish my homework. The next day, I would wake up and do it all over again. While I didn’t see my friends quite as often as I had when I was jobless, I was still happy to be making money. Plus, I enjoyed the people I worked with. Today, I look back on my job at the co-op and realize it taught me my first lesson in time management. If I wanted money for gas, then I had to earn it, and in order to earn it as a student-athlete, I had to manage my time effectively. I couldn’t miss practice, but I also couldn’t slack off on my schoolwork at home if I expected to compete. And if I slacked off at work, then I risked getting fired or not having enough money to enjoy that freedom every 16-year-old craves with their first car. It really set the standard for hard work and commitment. I worked at the Chatham Co-op for two years through the end of high school. I had a few jobs in college, including running food at a restaurant and working at Dave & Buster’s. My experiences at these establishments and at the co-op have given me an extra appreciation for the essential grocery and food service workers who continued serving us during this spring’s COVID-19 outbreak. They taught us all a valuable lesson about just how essential they are to our economy and daily lives.
After working at restaurants, I started finding jobs that were similar to the field I work in today, such as working for a land surveyor and working for Temple University's — my alma mater — Facilities Management Department. This led me to my field and eventually gave me the background for the work I do with Liberty Inspection Group today. I believe the jobs I had throughout high school and college gave me a great foundation to build my career, and I’m glad that my daughters are expressing interest in working, too. Our eldest has been babysitting for years now, and she hopes to work in the day care center at Main Line Health soon. Our middle daughter is also becoming interested in babysitting and just might follow in her big sister’s footsteps. Regardless of what their first jobs look like, I’m just proud of my daughters for wanting to take initiative to get jobs as teenagers. Earning your own money is a liberating feeling. You begin to understand the value of that dollar, what you can do with it, and the work that went into earning it.
Plus, there’s nothing more liberating than your first set of wheels and gas money you earned yourself.
–-Chris Earley
Libertyinspectiongroup.com | 610.717.3082 | Page 1
Competition is part of every business. Marketers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs in every industry are fighting one another to get to the top and reign as the premier service for their clientele. But as the market space gets crowded, profits and growth drop, and there are no winners in this cutthroat sea of competition — unless you create your own market.
Chris Earley’s Bookshelf Finding Your ‘Blue Ocean Strategy’
W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne detail this phenomenon in “Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant.” Kim and Mauborgne outline the value of creating a “blue ocean” for your business rather than sinking in a “red ocean.”
There are businesses in the market today that sit in “red oceans,” which are spaces that are overrun by companies that are doing the same exact thing and trying to win the exact same consumers. But companies that can swim away from that market and create their own unique proposition that separates them from their competitors reside
LAUGH INSPECTION!
"Thank you, Liberty Inspection! Everything went smoothly. Our rep, Bill, was very knowledgeable and patient and walked us through all our questions in an excellent, professional manner. The cost was very reasonable, and we were able to test for radon, termites, a working sewer system and get the actual home inspection done within a reasonable time. Turnaround time for the report was also excellent.
Thanks again for making this part as easy as possible!"
–Kattiana A. "Chris and James actually showed up early. During the pandemic, they still took time to explain in detail and show me area that needed repair. All questions were answered and we received a very thorough report. Would use them again in a heartbeat!" –Louise C.
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What’s the Difference
in “blue oceans.” They are in calm waters by themselves, servicing customers with very little competition and thriving as a result.
Since the book’s publication in 2005, Kim and Mauborgne have released tools and platforms to help businesses find their blue ocean.
Between Residential and Commercial Inspections?
Our marketing team at Liberty Inspection Group finished “Blue Ocean Strategy” this spring, and it provided us with insight on how we already uniquely position ourselves as well as ways we could improve our position. I believe those in the real estate industry can find the same value. Agents help buyers and sellers market and purchase property, but they also do more than that. Maybe you’re a lawyer who sells houses, or maybe you have a specific focus on helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of a brick-and-mortar shop. Regardless, it could lead you to your blue ocean.
With the help of “Blue Ocean Strategy,” I’m confident that you can find your company's unique selling proposition.
When selling a home to a family, you likely won’t use the efficiency of the office space for computer setups as the main selling point. Instead, you focus more on the spacious backyard and the cozy living room that’s perfect for a family the buyer's size. It’s just common sense to understand what your homebuyers are looking for when purchasing a home versus what a commercial property investor may want to know. At Liberty Inspection Group, we think the same way — only, we think about it as it pertains to the health of a building or property. Performing commercial and residential inspections involve many of the same qualities, but we take vast differences in our approach.
Learn more about the book and find tools from Kim and Mauborgne at BlueOceanStrategy.com.
BREAKFAST SAUSAGE KEBABS This simple recipe can make any breakfast a little more fun. We recommend pairing your kebabs with your favorite kind of eggs.
Commercial
The scope for commercial inspections is typically larger than a residential inspection. Our team at Liberty Inspection Group follows ASTM E2018-15, which lays out objectives and guidelines for commercial inspections. This provides a set standard for our team in the field as they relay information to investors and developers who have a much larger scope than residential house hunters. For reference, our commercial property clients are typically more concerned with the big-ticket repairs. So, while a nonfunctioning receptacle may not be a big concern, a roof that needs to be replaced within 2–5 years may be what breaks the deal. It’s a much higher-level inspection than residential properties.
INGREDIENTS
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2 tbsp butter, melted Maple syrup, to taste
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7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed 20 oz pineapple chunks, drained 10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms
Equipment •
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5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers
Residential
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Residential inspections may not have a big picture focus, but these are just as valuable to buyers and sellers. Our team looks at all functional levels of a home and its property to determine the scope of damage on a house and the health of the building as a whole. It’s our job to provide the buyer or seller with an idea of maintenance or repair costs and how well a home can suit a family. Regardless of what building we’re inspecting, our team’s main objectives are to create accurate reports and find possible dangers. You and your clients deserve that peace of mind. Connect with our team at 877.363.4040 to get started today.
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. 2. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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150 N. RADNOR CHESTER RD. STE F200 RADNOR, PA 19087
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What the Chatham Co-op Taught Me About Life
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The Value of Creating Your Own ‘Blue Ocean Strategy’
Hear From Our Happy Clients!
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Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs
Residential vs. Commercial: How Our Inspections Change
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3 Travel Destinations Where Photos Are a No-Go
What is traveling without taking photos? With the excellent cameras on our smartphones and endless platforms to share our snapshots on, we’re taking more pictures than ever. But did you know there are certain destinations where visitors are not allowed to take photos? Here are three places where you must put the camera away.
The Sistine Chapel
While the Sistine Chapel may be home to incredible works of art originally painted by Michelangelo, it is also a place of worship, and the Vatican considers it disrespectful to photograph such a holy place. However, there’s more to the story. In 1980, Japan’s Nippon Television Network Corporation bought exclusive rights to all photos and videos of the interior of the chapel because they funded the renovation of the chapel. While the Japanese corporation no longer holds these rights, the Vatican maintains the “no photos” rule.
The Eiffel Tower
Right now, you’re probably thinking about all the pictures of the Eiffel Tower you’ve seen or even taken yourself. After all, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular tourist spots in the world, but under French law, taking a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night — and then distributing that photo — is illegal. That includes posting the picture to social media. French officials can send you a cease-and-desist order if they find your night photo because the tower’s nighttime light display is copyrighted. It was installed by French artist Pierre Bideau who owns the rights to the display. Do French officials search the web for your vacation photos? No, but they can take action if it’s brought to their attention.
Uluru
Also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is one of the largest sandstone rock formations in the world. Located in the middle of Australia, Uluru is highly regarded by the Anangu Aboriginal people who call the region home. Photography around parts of the rock is forbidden out of respect for the An angu people’s beliefs, specifically Tjukurpa, or the time when the world was created. Certain areas around Uluru are used for gender-specific rituals, and as a result, members of the opposite sex must never see these locales, including in photos. The Anangu say the restriction of photography ensures they adhere to their beliefs and never lay eyes on these sacred spots, even accidentally through a photograph.
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