We've created a false division between the marketplace and charitable work. I suppose mostly for tax reasons, we tend to see "doing good" as the role of nonprofits and "profitable business" as the role of everyone in business.
We've created a false division between the marketplace and charitable work. I suppose mostly for tax reasons, we tend to see "doing good" as the role of nonprofits and "profitable business" as the role of everyone in business.
It's usually owned by the largest nonprofit in the region, or required by a governmental funder - It's that official community needs assessment. But there's a secret that's hidden in what might seem like a mundane or even tedious task.
Sponsoring a needs assessment is a short path to:
Whoever owns the needs assessment owns the leadership for the service sector.
Imagine putting 20 to 50 volunteers in a setting where they can ask a few probing questions with people who either deeply understand the need, or who may be actually experiencing the need themselves. That's a much deeper level of engagement than attending a fundraising walk and contributing $50.
It's hard to recruit by actually putting a volunteer in a service setting where they interact with clients, although there are some who have done this well (think Habitat for Humanity builds with volunteers and clients together). But needs assessment puts them into the experience zone without the risk of untrained and unvetted client contact.
Needs assessments have been used primarily as a way to focus services on community needs effectively. That's still an important purpose, but it's not the only one. If you approach needs assessment the right way, then it also becomes one of the best ways for you to stand out in your region, plus recruit supporters who have not only tasted the Kool-Aid, but have drunk deeply.
Needs assessments are usually completed by expensive consulting groups. That's fine if what you want is information. If what you want is transformation, then you need to get the assessment done another way.
In the last community needs assessment that we completed in 2025, more than 400 people participated, and over 100 attended the information meeting that followed. This can be a significant moment of growth for any nonprofit that understands how to approach the process - just sayin'.
If you want to build momentum with a needs assessment, then it needs to have two characteristics:
A needs assessment will work if your field or region of service is located in the same region as your donors and volunteers. Otherwise, you'd have to ship them to Africa to participate (that would be OK, too?).
For example, if you serve adults who need vocational training, then the communities in which you serve are great places to assess the needs, and collect new supporters in the process.
We'll send you a free needs assessment book if you're interested. Here's a link to get one shipped.
David Mills is the Author of Rapid Community Assessment, and has helped nonprofits nationally to use this effective strategy for better services and accelerated growth.
Microsites are becoming a competitive strategy in a number of industries. Put simply, a microsite is a focused group of pages that provide information that is designed to serve a unique audience, location or product/service. It wraps the sales and value message up in a focused package, along with critical information and answers to questions so that when a prospect visits the microsite, they are able to learn what they need to and move to the next level of the buyer's journey.
Investments in humans are essential while we are adopting AI and advanced technology. Here are some of the reasons why:
Have you ever wondered why some cleaning companies show up first in Google searches while yours is hiding on page five? The secret isn't magic—it's local SEO! When someone spills red wine on their carpet or needs their office cleaned ASAP, they grab their phone and search for "cleaning services near me." If your business doesn't appear at the top of those results, you're missing out on customers who are ready to hire you right now.
Running an independent cleaning business is tough. You're juggling client calls, managing your team, handling schedules, and trying to find new customers—all at the same time! The big cleaning franchises have fancy software systems and teams of people to handle all this. But what about you?
Good news! You don't need to spend a fortune on enterprise software. HubSpot offers tools that can transform your cleaning business without the enterprise price tag. Let's look at how HubSpot, especially its Sales Pro and CRM features, can help your cleaning company compete with the big players.
HubSpot is like a Swiss Army knife for small businesses. It combines customer management, marketing, sales, and service tools all in one place. The best part? They offer a free CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system that you can start using today!
Think of HubSpot as your digital business assistant that works 24/7 to keep your cleaning business organized and growing.
HubSpot's free CRM is a game-changer for cleaning businesses. Here's what you can do with it:
Even with just the free version, you'll be more organized than many franchise operations!
While the free CRM is great, upgrading to Sales Pro (starting at $45/month) gives your cleaning business serious advantages:
How does this technology actually help your day-to-day operations? Here's how other cleaning businesses are using HubSpot:
When someone calls about your services, you add them to HubSpot in seconds. The system reminds you to follow up if they don't book right away. Many cleaning businesses report booking 25% more jobs just by having a system that prevents leads from falling through the cracks.
After a one-time cleaning, HubSpot can automatically send follow-up emails offering recurring service packages. One cleaning company owner said: "We converted 40% of our one-time clients into monthly contracts using HubSpot's follow-up sequences."
Your clients love it when you remember their preferences (like "don't use strong-smelling products" or "pay extra attention to the kitchen"). HubSpot stores all these details so any cleaner can provide personalized service—just like the big franchises promise.
The meeting scheduler tool lets clients book consultations or cleanings based on your actual availability. No more double-bookings or phone tag!
Set up automatic emails that go out after each cleaning asking for referrals. One independent cleaner reported: "I get 3-4 new referrals each week now that HubSpot automatically asks for them."
The beauty of HubSpot for cleaning businesses is that you can start with the free CRM, then add features as you grow:
This step-by-step approach means you're never paying for more than you need.
You don't need the resources of a big franchise to have professional systems. HubSpot gives independent cleaning businesses the technology to compete with bigger companies at a fraction of the cost.
With better client management, automated follow-ups, and professional proposals, you'll not only match the big franchises—you might even outshine them!
Why not give the free HubSpot CRM a try today? You've got nothing to lose but the sticky notes and spreadsheets that are currently running your business!
Running a business today feels like navigating a storm without a compass. (Or maybe navigating a magnetic story with a compass). Social media posts vanish into feeds. Email campaigns collect digital dust. You’re left guessing which efforts actually connect with customers – and which drain your budget.
Imagine a world where your business tools handle repetitive tasks, fill knowledge gaps, and adapt to new challenges on their own. That’s no longer a futuristic dream—it’s here. Four intelligent systems, designed to work seamlessly within a popular platform, are reshaping how companies engage customers, manage relationships, and close deals.
Recent research by ZenBusiness has unveiled a significant trend among Generation Z that financial professionals should take note of: an unprecedented surge in entrepreneurial aspirations. This shift in career outlook and financial priorities presents both challenges and opportunities for accountants, financial planners, and insurance agents seeking to serve this emerging market.
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