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Libertyinspectiongroup.com 610.717.3082 JULY 2018
THE EVERYDAY OUR RECENT ANNUAL TRIP TO OCEAN CITY THE JOYS OF
F or the last 12 years, the summer highlight for my family has been our annual June trip down to either the picturesque Outer Banks of North Carolina or Ocean City, Maryland. We always split the cost of a rental house with the McKenney family, who we became close with years back while going on jogs together. This year, we headed to Ocean City, and though I have to admit the less-populated beaches of the Outer Banks are more my speed, we had a fantastic time (as always) exploring the town, relaxing, and just spending time with one another in the sunshine. Though I’m not a guy who needs to unplug fromwork completely and turn off my phone for a week, these trips are always the perfect time to sit back and reflect on all that’s happened in my business and life over the past year. There’s just nothing better than heading out and sitting on the beach with a book in my hand. Maybe I’ll actually read the thing, or maybe I’ll just sit there, enjoying a rare moment with no obligations or worries on my mind.
That’s not to say I’m a layabout when I’m away — far from it. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a high-energy person, eager to check out new experiences and get moving whenever possible. Luckily, our family friends are the same way. In between going out for dinners, exploring the town, and vegging out, we always make sure to get our workouts in and get involved in all sorts of stuff. When I get a chance, I’ll drag out the boogie board and skim a wave or two, wave jump with my youngest, or go for a jog along the boardwalk. And when the kids get restless, as they always do, we’ll take them to the little amusement park at the boardwalk and meander through the little carnival booths and other fun activities. And luckily, they’re old enough now that we can leave them in charge of the rental house for a night, giving my buddy Mike and me a chance to hit the town for a pub crawl. Still, the best part of the entire trip is that moment when we first get there and finally get the chance to totally unwind. While the kids and ladies unpack when we first arrive on Sunday, Mike and I go to the grocery store to pick up all the booze and food for the week. And then, when we return and get everything squared away, we all get an opportunity to just sit and crack a beer, looking out over the ocean. Letting out that deep breath, with the feeling that vacation has really just begun, is a moment that is pretty hard to top in my mind. There’s a lot to do in Ocean City, but really, to me, the best parts are also the most mundane: watching as my kids joke around with the McKenneys’ kids, mulling around the beach, and just enjoying the company of my family and some of the closest friends in my life. It can’t get better than that.
–-Chris Earley
Our family enjoying the beach
Libertyinspectiongroup.com | 610.717.3082 | Page 1
ZERO IN ON ‘THE ONE THING’ CEO CHRIS EARLEY’S BOOK OF THE MONTH
As a small-business owner, avid reader, and just generally curious person, I’ve read my share of personal and business development books. I’m always reading something, whether it’s the latest self-help book to hit the New York Times’ best- seller list or some other nonfiction volume that piqued my interest. Across all those books, I’ve internalized a ton of helpful advice, but I’ve also come across a few reads that fell totally flat. But when it comes to Gary Keller — of Keller-Williams Realty — and Jay Papasan’s “The One Thing” from 2013, I find myself returning to it over and over, finding new, actionable strategies for my work and life each time. To say that I’m a busy guy would be an understatement. In the inspection business, I need to be available all the time to my team and clients. Luckily, I enjoy constantly getting my hands dirty in the day-to-day — if it was any other way, I’d get bored. But still, the barrage of information can occasionally get a little overwhelming, not so much in terms of stress, but in terms of determining what exactly needs to get done, and in what order. In “The One Thing,” Keller and Papasan break down the problem that pretty much every busy person in America faces: We need to reduce distractions and overwork, while increasing our productivity, success, and time with our families. The key to achieving all of this at once, they argue, is narrowing our focus.
Even the most successful people in the world can’t do everything at once. We’re all limited by our reserves of time and attention. So, instead of juggling a million things at once, we should zero in with pinpoint accuracy on what we want to accomplish during every moment, day, month, and year, and pursue it relentlessly. Through a detailed priority list that goes far beyond “To-Do,” we can cut through all the noise of life and figure out exactly what matters, and thus, what needs to get done.
Frankly, I can’t recommend the book enough. It’s rare to find a personal
development book that offers such a clear, focused direction for you to go — which I guess makes perfect sense given its primary subject. If you feel inundated with work, directionless, or just unsure of your next steps, pick this one up. You won’t regret it.
4 CUSTOMER SERVICE MISTAKES
THAT WILL RUIN RELATIONSHIPS AND REPEAT BUSINESS
According to entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor Daymond John, “Customer service is more important than anything else in your business.” Without high-level customer service, you can kiss repeat business goodbye. Here are some of the most common customer service killers and advice on how to avoid them. POOR LISTENING SKILLS There is nothing more frustrating for a customer than feeling like they’re talking to a brick wall. Having a system for customer complaints and feedback isn’t a bad idea, but being inflexible is. Remember that you’re talking to a person. The more closely you listen, the better you’ll be able to address their concerns. Rob Pace, CEO of feedback software company HundredX, says, “The ultimate goal is for the customer to feel they are heard.”
the front end will impress customers and cut down on those after-purchase calls. To quote Jeff Bezos, “The best customer service is if the customer doesn’t need to call you.” Focus on customer service every step of the way rather than only using it as damage control, and you’ll start getting those five-star reviews. FORGETTING YOUR MANNERS This might sound basic, but you’d be shocked by how often politeness gets overlooked. The most important phrases a customer service rep can learn are “thank you” and “I’m sorry.” Practicing good manners goes a long way in building trust and ensuring customers feel cared for. REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION If you have a customer on the phone, you should never make them tell you the same thing twice. Information should be recorded and easy to hand off in the event of an escalation. You can bet that the third time you ask for a customer’s email, they’ll respond with a mountain of irritation.
ONLY BEING REACTIVE
Customer service doesn’t just happen on the back end. Working to create a great experience on
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THE WILDEST THINGS FOUND DURING HOME INSPECTIONS
YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU LOOK
A COLONIZED PLUMBING VENT Home inspection requires getting up on the roof to check for damage,
If you’re reading this newsletter, you already know how crucial it is to perform a thorough home inspection before any real estate transaction. Every inspection is different, but common problems like mold, water damage, and outdated electrical systems show up frequently. Once in a while, though, inspectors encounter something truly bizarre. Here are a few of the wildest discoveries. FRIED RODENTS Checking the condition of the furnace is an essential part of the inspection process. Frequently, we find less-than-ideal wiring or a system in need of a total revamp. One inspector in Nashville found something much more alarming. Inside the furnace of an otherwise spotless home was a veritable menagerie of electrocuted animals, including bats, squirrels, and mice. UNCONVENTIONAL AWNING SUPPORTS Sometimes, DIY homeowners bite off a little more than they can chew. That was definitely the case for one Long Island resident who thought it was a good idea to support their front door awning with a pair of decades-old crutches. Hey, they work for humans, so why wouldn’t they work for an awning? Needless to say, we don’t think this design choice will show up on Pinterest boards anytime soon.
hazards, and other concerns. This portion of the inspection includes checking the plumbing
vent stack for any obstructions. One inspector in Maryland, probably expecting to find no more than a little debris, instead met a massive hornets’ nest. That stings!
UNEXPECTED GUESTS While this wasn’t a case of a found object, it was certainly not a run-of-the-mill inspection. While inspecting a home in Chicago for carbon monoxide, an inspector heard a rumble at the door. Within seconds, a handful of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives had burst through the door and arrested the homeowner. Turns out, the carbon monoxide levels were indeed high, but we’re guessing that wasn’t the homeowner’s primary concern ...
Want to know what surprises are lurking within your properties? Call Liberty Inspection Group today.
PALEO BALSAMIC PORK CHOPS
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
4 boneless pork chops 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons raw honey 2 cloves garlic, minced
•
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• •
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Ingredients:
DIRECTIONS
6. Brush chops with half of glaze and transfer to oven. 7. Roast 6–8 minutes. 8. Remove from oven and brush
1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. Generously season pork chops with salt and pepper. 3. In a saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, and thyme. 4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently for 5–6 minutes. 5. On high heat in an oven-safe sauté pan or skillet, sear the pork chops for 1–2 minutes on each side.
with another coat of glaze. Let cool 5–10 minutes and serve.
Inspired by paleoleap.com
Directions:
Libertyinspectiongroup.com | 610.717.3082 | Page 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PAGE 1 Chris Earley Takes a Trip to Ocean City PAGE 2 Gary Keller and Jay Papasan’s ‘The One Thing’ 4 Customer Experience Killers PAGE 3 Crazy Home Inspection Discoveries Paleo Balsamic Pork Chops PAGE 4 Must-See Swimming Holes of the World
SECRET SWIMMING HOLES OF THE WORLD
EXCLUSIVE SPOTS YOU MUST SEE TO BELIEVE
Summertime is for swimming, but why settle for a community pool when you can have access to the most beautiful swimming locales in the world? These three exclusive, little-known spots are sure to take your breath away. Hali’i Falls, Hawaii With its spiral staircase of waterfalls, this remote jungle location offers up more than one unique spot to take a plunge. Visitors never fail to be awestruck by the deep blue-green hue of each pool created by the four cascading waterfalls. Hali’i means “to spread out,” which is precisely what each waterfall does, showcasing a serene experience unlike any other. But the beauty of this one-of-a-kind experience is only outdone by its exclusivity. To reach these pools, you’ll have to hike through dense forest, deep marshes, and wide-open pastures of sugar cane.
of caves is “two eyes,” and you’ll want to have yours checked after you see this swimming hole. When limestone bedrock collapses, a sinkhole called a “cenote” is formed. The unearthed water from the natural aquifer balances a color palette of earth tones with the most majestic shades of blue you’ll ever behold. The calling cards for these bodies of water are the Blue Eye and the Black Eye. Both offer unforgettable experiences, but the price of entry is a hefty sense of adventure. You’ll need a full set of scuba gear to get to either hole. The Baths, Virgin Gorda A day in the Caribbean is like living every moment inside a beautiful pastel painting. The elegance of this location in the British Virgin Islands will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a cathedral. The large boulders and natural rock formations create shallow caves that will captivate your eyes as you wade through the water in wonder. When you exit, you’ll witness the sight that gives this beautiful spot its name: A handful of 40-foot granite boulders form private pools as if that was what they were made for.
Dos Ojos, Mexico The Spanish translation of the name for this magical system
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