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Tag: leadership (page 1 of 1)

January 21, 2010

They are Smarter than you, Better than you and they Know More than you

by

Mortgage Systems Samurai

Author website

I’m a mortgage guy.  Mortgage guys (and gals) will often talk about how highly they regard and respect the professionalism and expertise of Real Estate Agents, and they paint thise adoration with a very broad brush.

Real Estate Agents have a big ‘ole brush as well as they sing the praises and glory of how efficient, communicative and quickly Mortgage folks do their job to ensure a speedy and worry free transaction.

(The sarcasm should be about waist deep by now)

And you know what? (this applies to both groups)  They are Smarter than you – at marketing to their services to thier prospects, they are Better than you – at doing their job, and they Know More than you do – about their business (most of the time!).  Here’s the kicker….we have the exact same clientele.

Here’s a question: What can you learn from someone that’s not in your line of work that will make you better, smarter and cause you to innovate?

A couple of years ago I read a book called the Medici Effect that quite effectively makes the case that true innovation is realized at the intersection of different disciplines.  There are no new ideas, only new ways of looking at things that already exist…maybe just not in your world.

If you think about it, mortgage types and agent types are different disciplines.  Some people can pull off both and make a good living at it, for the most part however, these are two different personality types.

The very best in one field of the Real Estate profession is rarely the very best in the other field as well.  We’re not talking about having competence in either discipline.

I’m talking about being cutting edge, innovative, kick-ass, gonzo marketing fools.  This isn’t vanilla agent or loan officer stuff we’re talking about.  I’m talking about raising the bar and being a thought leader in your market.

For the past few years I have belonged to Vistage, an Executive Coaching and Business Leadership group that promotes “better leaders – decisions – results”.

My group is made up of 12-15 CEOs  from different businesses and industries and we meet once a Read more

April 1, 2009

An Open Letter of Apology to Chaz Berman

by

Database Marketing Expert

Author website

Ten years ago, as Director of National Accounts for MyPoints.com,  I found myself smack dab in the middle of an eerily similar boom-to-bust cycle we’re experiencing in real estate today.

Back then, MyPoints could do no wrong.   Advertisers were lining up to spend money with us. Investors were throwing millions of dollars our way.  We were partying like AIG executives – it was pretty sick.   Fun, but sick.

My boss at MyPoints was Chaz Berman.  During our meteoric rise, Chaz made promises that ultimately he couldn’t keep.  Promises of increased pay.  Increased responsibility.  I was on track for a VP Title and VP Bucks.  (Important note:  I was already very well compensated and had more responsibility than I could handle.)

Fast forward to 2009, the roles have reversed.  Instead of being the employee, I’m the employer.  Instead of taking directions, I’m giving them.  Here are the lessons I’ve learned from sitting on both sides of the table.

1)  Most employees are ungrateful whiners.

And looking back on my tenure with MyPoints, I was as whiny and ungrateful as anyone I’ve ever managed here at Top of Mind Networks.  Instead of focusing on what earned me promotions, money and praise in the past, I started letting some unrealistic promises made in a 180 degree different environment dictate my work ethic and my demeanor.  I took my job for granted.  I failed to realize that I was truly blessed – making a six-figure income, living in beautiful San Francisco, selling a killer product, etc.  As market conditions deteriorated, so did my attitude.  And for this, I owe MyPoints.com and especially Chaz Berman my sincere apologies.  Chaz, you were in a no-win situation and you were dealt a “Pai-Gow” of a hand.  I’m glad to see you still thriving today – you deserve it.

2)  Most employers stir the pot.

Nothing stokes the fire of negativity within a company more than a lack of transparency and communication.  In hindsight, I believe MyPoints did a poor job of setting expectations with employees – at every level of the company.  Perhaps the fact that we were a publicly traded Read more

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