The great association debate: ASHI versus InterNACHI - one, the other, or both?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/13/2015 01:05 AM EDT

No, I think it's no different than a small town festival based on some locally grown fruit. It's an attempt to convince each other and the world that they still matter the way they used to. Wearing the ASHI logo in front of each other accomplishes nothing. When you start looking at websites you see a whole lot more logos from NACHI than you do from ASHI. Nick long ago overwhelmed the single ASHI logo with a library of logos each promoting a specific aspect of the many services a home inspector provides.

I also think that many ASHI members promot it because they want to outdo Nick.

I agree, I see many more InterNACHI logos and InterNACHI related certification logos on websites and marketing materials in Real Estate offices than I do ASHI logos (in my area). Just because ASHI guys wear ASHI shirts to ASHI events is largely irrelevant.

There's certainly a culture within ASHI that is different than InterNACHI, and I'll give you this as an example;

I toured the country with Nick, 45 cities or so, with a marketing event open to all. Each and every night, often five nights a week, Nick and I would tear apart websites and when we saw one of the various logos (including InterNACHI logos) linked back to the association, we both suggested that it shouldn't be that way. Keep the clients on your site!

We also promoted the idea that your certifications and qualifications should be abundant, and each night right there in front of the founder of InterNACHI I let everyone know I was involved in ASHI long before InterNACHI ever existed and that I recommend joining everything.

Never heard a peep of criticism.

On the other side, at a ASHI event in Kansas City I said the same thing. I'm an ASHI guy first, but "here's what your competition is doing" and this was right on the heels of the licensing there evaporating. I basically gave the keep your eyes open argument, and no more than 60 seconds into my speech there was a very loud gentleman in the back of the room that yells, "This isn't a f****** InterNACHI meeting".

I would say he's an outsider, in the fray, but this is a long-time respected member of the organization. And an elected leader...not the first one to irrationally take my advice the wrong way, but rather than blame him I will work toward understanding the insecurity and solving the issue.

Juan Jimenez wrote:InterNACHI hands down.

I belong to both but only InterNACHI provides real benefits to its members. I think ASHI just sent me stickers.

How can ASHI solve that and deliver for you in such a way that you're a raving fan?

The board is watching

Here's another one of those posts from my friend Bruce LaBell. It's now all over LinkedIn as well.

The ASHI badge is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in this industry

Troy Pappas wrote:The ASHI badge is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in this industry

The police badge?

I had the same reaction initially and I was fearful inspectors would wear it on inspections and make the industry look overbearing and bad, or worse yet one might wear it publicly and get shot.

What I've heard, at least in my circles, is these things stay in a drawer and come out only at the conferences. If we want to play cops and robbers there I'm cool with it but if you're reading this and you're planning on wearing it outside your house...DON'T.

Even if you don't like me or everything I say, I don't want you to get in trouble or hurt.

Wear these instead

May not be as meaningful to you, but the wrong person won't mistake you for a cop.

Troy Pappas wrote:The ASHI badge is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in this industry

I agree. The badge comes off as such an obvious gimmick.

I would have to say Nachi. but this topic reminds me of something Nathan always told me. Why would you want to promote an org that markets your competition. such as the now books. On our uniforms it is our logo displayed not an assoc. logo which someone can look up and find my competition. We want to highlight us, not anyone else. We are not Nascar drivers who need to thank our sponsors

greenvalley wrote:I would have to say Nachi. but this topic reminds me of something Nathan always told me. Why would you want to promote an org that markets your competition. such as the now books. On our uniforms it is our logo displayed not an assoc. logo which someone can look up and find my competition. We want to highlight us, not anyone else. We are not Nascar drivers who need to thank our sponsors

And yet you selflessly run a chapter, building it from the ground up.

You're the model inspector of the newGeneration in my opinion. You're working hard for the good of the industry, and you want to support your fellow inspector, but you're not giving him your business.

You're doing it perfectly

So did anyone in this thread say ASHI?

I went through and didnt see it.

Juan Jimenez wrote:So did anyone in this thread say ASHI?

I went through and didnt see it.

Just me. For the convention and chapter presence.

I'm a realist, I acknowledge the value InterNACHI brings to the table. I'd still join both today if I were starting an inspection company tomorrow.

I don't think either one will be the end all at this point. For ASHI, they're going to have to step way out of the box and the inspectors with the time and commitment to the brand to be on the board aren't going to go there. For InterNACHI, Nick turns enough people off that they'll never be exclusive so long as he is in the way.

The entertainment will continue on, and hopefully should the legislative need arise, all associations will work together to avoid the appraiser nightmare.

Nathan wrote:There's certainly a culture within ASHI that is different than InterNACHI, and I'll give you this as an example;

I toured the country with Nick, 45 cities or so, with a marketing event open to all. Each and every night, often five nights a week, Nick and I would tear apart websites and when we saw one of the various logos (including InterNACHI logos) linked back to the association, we both suggested that it shouldn't be that way. Keep the clients on your site!

We also promoted the idea that your certifications and qualifications should be abundant, and each night right there in front of the founder of InterNACHI I let everyone know I was involved in ASHI long before InterNACHI ever existed and that I recommend joining everything.

Never heard a peep of criticism.

On the other side, at a ASHI event in Kansas City I said the same thing. I'm an ASHI guy first, but "here's what your competition is doing" and this was right on the heels of the licensing there evaporating. I basically gave the keep your eyes open argument, and no more than 60 seconds into my speech there was a very loud gentleman in the back of the room that yells, "This isn't a f****** InterNACHI meeting".

I would say he's an outsider, in the fray, but this is a long-time respected member of the organization. And an elected leader...not the first one to irrationally take my advice the wrong way, but rather than blame him I will work toward understanding the insecurity and solving the issue.

I remember this, you came with Nick and Mike Crow to SF. The $99 Marketing Tour or something like that. I attended, was before we launched.

greenvalley wrote:I would have to say Nachi. but this topic reminds me of something Nathan always told me. Why would you want to promote an org that markets your competition. such as the now books. On our uniforms it is our logo displayed not an assoc. logo which someone can look up and find my competition. We want to highlight us, not anyone else. We are not Nascar drivers who need to thank our sponsors

I had an ASHI member trash my booth on another forum because I was not displaying an ASHI logo (not a member). ASHI conference is in San Diego, not Pleasanton.

No ASHI or InterNACHI presence in my area.