Happy 4th of July!

see video: Barney Fife and the Preamble to the Constitution

This is big for our Florida Friends!  Here’s a message from Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals President Richard Peek (thanks for passing this along to me Donnell Smith!):

In-House Loan Processor Bill Signed
by Governor Scott

June 1, 2011

Greetings Fellow Mortgage Professionals:

We have learned that the loan processor bill, SB1316, which was sponsored in the Florida Senate by Senator Nancy Detert and in the Florida House by Representative Ritch Workman has been signed by Governor Scott and will become effective on July 1^st, 2011.  This law removes the requirement for licensure as a mortgage loan originator for in-house processors.  It also addresses the requirement for lenders to complete the call reports mandated under the SAFE Act of 2008.

We want to thank Senator Detert and Representative Workman, both of whom are members of the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, for all of the effort they have put forth for Florida’s mortgage professionals.

We suggest that you read the bill to ensure that you are in compliance.  If you need assistance, please be sure to obtain competent advice.

We hope to see you at our annual convention and trade show in Orlando in July.  We will be offering all of the continuing education you will need to satisfy your licensure renewal requirements this year.  For information, please visit our Convention Page on our website at https://m360.famb.org/event.aspx?eventID=22711&instance=0 .

Sincerely,

Richard E. Peek, CRMS

President

Hear Og in his own words in this video…

If I like it, I clip it…

I highly recommend this book:

A sound business development strategy is critical for companies who want to compete in today’s increasingly competitive global economy. But many of the old-school paradigms of selling no longer apply.

In a strategic sale, companies cannot offer valuable solutions until the prospective buyer recognizes the existence of a need. Whose job is it to uncover needs? The salesperson’s, of course. But, just because salespeople want to ask questions, doesn’t mean prospects and customers will openly share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Likewise, just because you have a good “story” to tell, doesn’t necessarily mean your target audience will want to hear it.

What is it that makes prospective buyers want to engage in a productive conversation about their needs and your solutions? That’s what you will learn in Tom Freese’s first book, Secrets of Question Based Selling.

 http://www.qbsresearch.com/

Hear from author Tom Freese in this video 

Hear Og in his own words in this video…

7 Simple Goal-Setting Tips for a Successful 2011

Good goal-setting techniques help you clarify what you want out of life, organize your time, focus your actions productively,  and keep you motivated.

Here are seven great goal-setting tips to keep in mind as you set your long and short-term goals.

1. Be Specific
Being specific about your goals helps you focus more powerfully and allows you to create very clear steps to get you where you want to be.   Wanting to ‘be healthy’ is a great thing, but what does that mean? Maybe you want to lose weight or change your fat-to-muscle ratio, run a marathon. Maybe you just want to feel vital and alive. If so, what does this mean? How many miles will you walk, how often will you exercise, what kind of food will you eat? Be as precise and clear as you can.

2. Be positive
By framing your statements positively: “I have a loving and communicative relationship with my spouse” is much more powerful than “we don’t fight or argue.”

3. Be realistic
We’re all different, each with our own strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. While many things are possible for each of us, some are more probable than others.

4. Write them down
By writing your goals down you make a clearer commitment to them (and yourself), giving your goals more power and you more motivation to achieve them.

5. Prioritize
Multiple goals can feel overwhelming so it’s helpful to prioritize. It’s okay to give different goals more or less priority over time.

6. Keep each step small
By breaking down each lifetime goal into smaller sub-goals or steps, you make them achievable. When goals seem too big or complicated, it’s hard to see when you’re making progress. Goals that are too big can also be discouraging.

7. Performance over outcome
It’s better to establish goals that are within your control to accomplish. If your main objective is an outcome – say winning a specific sporting event or falling in love with a specific person – you’re relying on external circumstances such as other competitors, the weather, or a specific person, in order to achieve your goal. But if you aim for performance – to beat your best time in a marathon or create a loving relationship, achieving your goal is in your own hands. 
 

Hear Og in his own words…

Stay tuned for more next week…

I’m always amazed and thankful for life’s most interesting coincidences (are they really coincidences?).  I ran into long time industry friend, Cherie Rood last Friday afternoon as I boarded my flight home to ATL after a good week at Envoy headquarters.  She was with her husband and son, Charlie and Trey.  They were hanging at the gate, hoping to grab 3 standby seats on our very full flight. 

Fortunately they got on and into their seats.  I, on the other hand, found myself standing in the aisle comparing boarding passes with some guy sitting with the same seat number.   OK…?  Just in case this ever happens to you, here’s how it works:   Like musical chairs, if all the seats fill and you’re the last man standing – sorry.  Off you go to the airport lounge for some quality time.  

Luckily, there was one seat left… and it was the one next to Cherie.  Wow… what are the odds?  As we talked I couldn’t help from being just a bit curious to see what I might learn from this chance meeting.  I was particularly interested to hear about progress in their journey to wellness for Trey, age 18, who is undergoing treatment for stage IV melanoma.   They had been in Houston at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.   After hearing Trey’s story from Cherie, I can tell you he’s one tough, positive and inspirational young man.

Interestingly, the Atlanta Journal Constitution featured an article about Trey on the front page of this morning’s Sunday Sports section.  You see, he’s been a leader on the football field as well, and his courage and focus has been an example for so many people – myself included.

After reading the article and reflecting on the gift of our chance encounter, I decided that I should share it with you and my industry friends.  I’d like to invite you to visit the website http://www.prayfortrey.org  and send your positive thoughts, prayers and support his way. 

I hope you enjoy the article.   Thanks Trey and Cherie!

West Forsyth’s Rood inspires his football coaches and teammates
By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6:12 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2010 

West Forsyth’s football coaches had to be prepared when they called Germany last fall to speak with their team’s All-Region safety, who was undergoing alternative cancer treatments.
Trey Rood, the AJC’s inspirational high school athlete of the year, didn’t really care to chat about any updates regarding his stage IV metastatic melanoma. Rood quickly steered the conversation to his favorite subject and lifelong passion — football.
  "All we talked about was game-plan issues," said West Forsyth assistant David Rooney, who coached the team’s defensive backs.
"He wanted to know the specifics about the coming game. ‘What are we doing on defense against this team? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?’ He just loves the game of football."
When Rood wasn’t out of the country for medical reasons, he was trying his best to get on the football field. He missed West Forsyth’s summer workouts and practices while traveling to Germany, but played in six of 10 games. He had to stay on the sidelines for two games while awaiting medical clearance from doctors.
"I’ve seen him after he’s lost 25 pounds out there on the field and had to take extra water breaks," Rooney said. "Then I’d turn around and he’d be next to me saying, ‘Coach, I’m ready to go back in.’
"Other times, I’ve seen him when he has felt absolutely great and been a leader to everyone out there."
Rood, whose health has deteriorated in recent months, mystified his coaches and teammates with his attitude toward the life-threatening illness. He never talked about the cancer unless someone else brought it up.
"I think it’s unbelievable," said West Forsyth teammate Nathan Teter. "I just don’t see how someone at his young age, struck down with news like that, can keep going with such a wonderful attitude.
"He always stays motivated and never gives up on anything. I think that is what has really helped him out with his treatments. He is always pushing and trying in everything he does."
Said another teammate, Dustin Gayton, "Trey always has a big smile on his face and brings out the best in everybody."
In January, Rood’s family turned to the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston after X-rays revealed the cancer had worsened. However, before Rood could begin new treatments, he woke Feb. 6 with the loss of his right peripheral vision. He was quickly flown to Houston for brain surgery to remove tumors.
"He made it home just in time to celebrate his 18th birthday [Feb. 19]," said his mother, Cherie Rood. "As always, Trey’s attitude continued to support ‘this is only another bump in the road.’ In his mind, he would soon get over the hurdle."
Rood’s vision returned enough in March that he could drive his truck again. However, there was another setback in mid-April, and follow-up scans showed no improvement. He started a new cancer trial last week.
Despite the challenges, Rood has tried to maintain the normal life of a teenager. He stays active when he’s home, working out with teammates or wakeboarding at the lake. He walked with his West Forsyth classmates June 1, graduating with honors. Rood plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Trey with his Mother, Cherie Rood

“Professional” is such an overused and subjective term.  What works for one market or business may be inappropriate for another.  Something funny to you might be offensive to someone else.  Nothing gives your company marketing director more heartburn than having to be the "taste police” and ask you to take down your video.

Still, with so much competition for your clients’ time and attention, it takes a strong creative effort to cut though the clutter to make a positive, memorable impression and generate a response.  Personally, I think its possible to have fun with it and still stay on point to position yourself as a trusted professional.  After all, people do business with people they like.  Most clients in your marketing database got there through a good past relationship  – they like you already.  So,  just be yourself.

A few words to the wise:  It’s always smart to first run your video past a few people that you trust to share an honest opinion.  Its also good to take a step back and ask yourself how your message may effect other people in your company and their marketing efforts.  After all, posting your video to most hosting platforms, like youtube, makes it available to the public.  Your video could be someone’s first impression of the the company -  and that someone could be a co-worker’s potential customer.   Of course, you should ask your manager and/or your company’s marketing officer for an ok before sending it out. 

I thought I’d share my thoughts on a few funny marketing videos…

I really like this one.  It’s witty and well executed.  She has a nice voice too:

I like this one too.  It’s funny and fits well to promote this type of fun event.

This one… not so much (although I suppose it might appeal to anyone that might like their realtor to throw themselves down the stairs):

OK, so what’s your opinion on this subject? 

Video – Think & Grow Rich – a visit with Napoleon Hill – Part 13