A quick thought on CMI

[Jessica Langer]

For everyone who includes information regarding CMI in their advertising, website, and even business cards, it would be beneficial to consider writing out the entire title as Certified Master Inspector in at least the first reference. We all understand the meaning of that title, but to the general public, the three letters of CMI have no meaning.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Good point! I never use just CMI because there are too many Certified Mold Inspectors out there using CMI already. Too bad Nick does not do much about this.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jlanger

For everyone who includes information regarding CMI in their advertising, website, and even business cards, it would be beneficial to consider writing out the entire title as Certified Master Inspector in at least the first reference. We all understand the meaning of that title, but to the general public, the three letters of CMI have no meaning.

The more effort we make to include CMI in our marketing, the more recognized and powerful that title will become.

CMI is supposed to be a separate entity all on it's own according to Nick.

So why all the push for it from INACHI?

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

CMI is supposed to be a separate entity all on it's own according to Nick.

So why all the push for it from INACHI?

The more effort we make to include CMI in our marketing

What Brian said......$$$$$

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

CMI is supposed to be a separate entity all on it's own according to Nick.

So why all the push for it from INACHI?

Membership has it's privileges.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

CMI is supposed to be a separate entity all on it's own according to Nick.

So why all the push for it from INACHI?

Why not? No harm done.

[Nick Gromicko]

Because CMI... oops... I mean Certified Master Inspector... is a professional designation many members use in conjunction with their marketing.

[Nick Gromicko]

Good point about CMI Jesse... oops again... I mean Certified Master Inspector.

Recently, I did my experiment at our local chapter meeting again... where I write out every inspection organization's acronym along with IAC2, InterNACHI, CREIA, National Certificate Holder, Certified Master Inspector, Insured, FABI, ASHI, Licensed, RESNET, Bonded, BPI, Family-owned and operated, P.E., ICC, Infrared Certified, NCP, CAHPI, etc.

I asked our waitress to pick whichever she thought was the best of the best. Like every other time I've run the market test... she picked "Certified Master Inspector"... but she didn't pick CMI.

[Bob Elliott]

I belong to NACHI and see Certified Mold Inspectors the same way I see ASHI,NAHI,CREIA,or any other lessor association with no real CE program to help Inspectors better themselves.
CMI is a logo and little else unless members here actually feel we should have a tier system.
Should we open up discussion to do so?

If CMI means something then so does 250 Inspections .
Any thoughts?

[Nick Gromicko]

It depends on what you mean by "means something"

"Means something" to whom?

I'll give you a little tip from may marketing studies. The average consumer thinks that 250 inspections doesn't sound like much. Don't believe me? Ask a few what they think. 250 sounds like a small total-career number to most consumers. You need the word "thousand" in there if you are going to brag about it. So unless you have performed more than 1,000 inspections and can honestly slip the word "thousand" into your statement of how many inspections you've done... don't.

[Nick Gromicko]

The next time you are on an inspection, ask your client "Hey, just for fun, can you guess how many inspections I do a week?" Most will give you an answer upwards of 50.

So 250 over your career sounds to your average consumer's ears as if you went into business last month.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by gromicko

It depends on what you mean by "means something"

"Means something" to whom?

I'll give you a little tip from may marketing studies. The average consumer thinks that 250 inspections doesn't sound like much. Don't believe me? Ask a few what they think. 250 sounds like a small total-career number to most consumers. You need the word "thousand" in there if you are going to brag about it. So unless you have performed more than 1,000 inspections and can honestly slip the word "thousand" into your statement of how many inspections you've done... don't.

You do not need to have performed a 1,000 inspections to qualify as a Certified Master Inspector, not even close.

[Nick Gromicko]

Thank you. My point exactly. Unless you are in the thousands, don't brag about how many inspections you've done (numerically) in your career because the average consumer assumes the average inspector has done many thousands. Anything in the "hundreds" sounds low to a consumer's ears.

Again, the next time you are on an inspection, ask your client "Hey, just for fun, can you guess how many inspections I do a week?" Most consumers will give you an answer upwards of 50. Some of my own staff who have worked in our industry for years thought it was over 50/week. The few consumers who get close to guessing correctly will be the ones who stop and take time to think about it, and in marketing... no consumer "stops and takes time to think" about anything.

You only get maybe 3 words to get your point across and make your pitch. And I'm sure by now you know the 3 words (not letters, as Jesse correctly notes) that work like a magic charm.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

You do not need to have performed a 1,000 inspections to qualify as a Certified Master Inspector, not even close.

How many is minimum and how are they qualified ?
Are the examined for quality or can they be lousy reports?

To join NACHI one must pass a test.
What type of testing must one take to become CMI?

Does CMI have any upper education programs befitting of a true Master Inspector ?

What are the other benefits other than bragging rights ? I noticed a group of three guys in Miami doing a lot of that this summer.

Is there association better than NACHI ? Is it still the best ?

[Nick Gromicko]

Those are all good questions Bob. But from a purely marketing standpoint... the answers don't matter.