NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE 8-6-18 by Top Agent Magazine

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

WHY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MATTERS & Can Boost Your Bottom Line 6 Habits of HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE AGENTS TOP MORTGAGE LENDERS

KENNETH AULICINO GREGORY RITCHIE

6 Methods for BUILDING BETTER EMAIL LISTS 8 Tips On Using Disruptive Thinking to IMPROVE INNOVATION COVER STORY

MICHAEL DAVIS

NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE EDITION

KENNETH AULICINO GREGORY RITCHIE 7

MICHAEL DAVIS

Since 2005, Greg Ritchie has dedicated his an undercover career to helping others fulfill 16 their financial now works in S 21 and homeownership dreams. Although he didn’t laughing at him plan to enter the mortgage industry, he grew up first-responders, the son of a man who built a career as a real of the U.S. arm estate agent. “I knew about the mortgage field prior to the mort and thought it might be a good fit,” says Greg, the West side of L who played college football and, straight out time were dollars of college, packed up his car and moved from tive on the indu New Mexico back to California and begin his to the Bay Area career. “I started in the L.A. area and worked estate finance se for some companies that are no longer around Those clients co after the mortgage meltdown,” says Greg, who ciate Greg’s hon KENNETH AULICINO GREGORY RITCHIE in 2015 started his own mortgage company. That dedicated to help company, Citizens Financial, is based in Vacaville, California, cial situations, not just to closing When speaking with Kenneth Aulicino, Loan Originator including stints and serves borrowers across the state, with a focus on Solano, tified securities at Family First Funding in Lake Hopatcong, New“You Jersey, Sacramento and L.A. Counties. have to have a good grou who was in sear one first notices his affable nature. Further conversaorder to do this kind of work,” tion makes clear company his dedication his borrowers industry and Citizens Financial is a young built byto anhelping aggressive zens Financialthe embraces Greg’s entrepreneur offering mortgage services with contemporary and using best available achieve the American dream ofahomeownership. With an the Funding, and tec cu approach. impressive “We are a new-style brokerage. It used to be that approach, process for clients. “One of are my detail-focused and highly ethical tomers who companiesKenneth would lookhas at up to 200 alenders every loan, but I business notsatisfac on peop forged careerforbased on honesty, industryon systems greatest wanted to approach the market differently.” Citizens Financial to have both systems and good p down by other l knowledge and a sincere willingness to go the extra mile works with a select, top wholesale lenders to meet borrowers’ of transaction, but they still wan when necessary. mybut toolbox; wh unique needs. “I also have the top Non-QM lender in the businology is great, it can crea towards one pa ness and a good amount of private sources.” don’t keep a level of connection

“I get my greatest satisfacti people who were turned d I have a lot of tools in my to some loan originators may one particular type of prod to use everything I have.”

CONTENTS

4) 6 METHODS FOR 19) 8 TIPS ON USING BUILDING BETTER DISRUPTIVE THINKING TO to use everythin Kenneth, who prefers to be called Ken, began his career EMAIL LISTS IMPROVE INNOVATION These relationships allow2000’s Citizens to offer conciergeIn his personalmeans connections, bank Gre stat in the early asFinancial a mortgage loan originator for Bank

style mortgage service. They derive pridewhen from helping the outdoors, of America, but left the great industry the marketchildren crashedand enjoy bilitation loan, a bring homeownership to the self-employed and to members of time. Greg is also known for gi the customer, I d in 2007. He then worked in a variety of other careers, the armed services, police, fire, and other heroes. “As a broker, raisers and events and promotes we represent the borrower first, not a financial institution.” week on social media. Meanwh They go above and beyond to help people like the self-emimproving opportunities in the m ployed start building home equity. “We’re able to get approval changing everything and real est and competitive rates with Non-QM products that don’t require to be on the older side,” he say W2s, only bank statements.” only 1% of licensed loan office “There is a big need to diversify Citizens Financial also proudly provides quality mortgage myself a farmer. I plan ahead, cu products for everyday heroes. “My dad served in the military, want to hire young people who one of my two best friends is a firefighter and the other was represent people in California’s

13) 6 HABITS OF HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE AGENTS

22) WHY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MATTERS & CAN BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE

Phone 888-461-3930 | Fax 310-751-7068

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To learn more about Greg Ritchie, visit citizensfinancial.co or facebook.com/citizen email gritchie@citizensfinancial.co or call 707

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6 Methods for Building Better Email Lists By Kendra Lee

Email lists can be a blessing or a curse. When they’re composed of real email addresses of people in your target micro-segment, and those people recognize you or your company by name, an email list is an invaluable lead generation resource. When the list is filled with contacts who don’t know of you or your company, i.e. a cold list, lead generation can be though – really tough. Likewise, if your list is populated with fake, inactive, or irrelevant accounts you’re at risk of being banned by your email software provider. Not surprisingly, I hear from clients all the time asking how to build an email list that will get results for their campaigns. Should they purchase? Should they attempt to build their own? Remember that with email list building your goal is to build a list of people within your micro-segment, so quality is more important than quantity. The more similar the contacts, the easier it is to tailor your nurturing and lead generation content to their specific needs. Here are six methods that will help you build a quality email list. 4

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Nurturing and lead generation activities: When you engage in social media, nurturing activities, SEO, and Adwords, those mediums provide forums for you to drive people to your website, start a conversation via a social channel, attend an event you’re hosting, and add people to your list. People who respond really do want to be part of your list.

Membership organizations: Whether it’s through industry associations, mastermind groups, or networking events, these types of organizations provide an excellent means for collecting contact information. Generally, people will update or provide their own information because they want other members to have easy access to them so you know the data is current.

Shared lists: By finding a peer who targets a similar microsegment with a non-competitive offering, you may be able to forge a partnership in which you promote to each other’s lists. This happens frequently within the high tech space, with consultants, and with professional services organization where they understand the value of collaboration.

Research the web and build your own: Increasingly, we’re seeing companies comb LinkedIn, Zoominfo. com, InsideView.com, DiscoverOrg.com and other websites for contact information, and then follow-up with companies to confirm the validity of that information. This approach is time consuming, but it can be very effective. A client who we coached through this process recently got a 41% open rate on their email nurturing campaign. I really like DiscoverOrg for the detailed information they have if you’re selling in the IT or telecom industry.

Purchase lists: There are numerous companies that sell email lists, but you need to be careful which vendor you buy from

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and how much you spend. Prices typically range from hundreds to several thousand dollars depending on list specificity and size. One warning: Expect higher bounce rates with these lists and negotiate for that issue when you purchase. To avoid high bounce rates, look for a list company that validates the information. In this way I’ve been very pleased with ExchangeLeads for new lists and validation of current lists. If you don’t have any list, this may be the way to get started.

Trade information for information: Sites like ExchangeLeads and Data.com community give you credit for providing contact information for companies you’ve worked with in the past. As you earn credit, you can use it to acquire lists for free. These services generally have a fee option as well, and the data integrity is dependent upon users keeping it current. Again, look for companies that validate data to reduce bounce rates and wasted time. I really like ExchangeLeads for trading information as well as purchasing it.

Ultimately, my advice would be to focus as much on the organic list building methods (#s 1-4) as possible, and supplement with the purchased methods (#s 5 and 6) when necessary. If you start with a purchased list, plan to nurture it and build your recognition. Don’t toss it away if you don’t get immediate results. At the end of the day, you want to strive for list quality over list quantity. Pushing your messaging out to unwitting, uninterested, or unsuspecting prospects won’t do anything to help you close more deals. Contact details for Kendra Lee: Phone: 303-741-6636 (Old fashioned, but very effective.) Email: Info@klagroup.com (Yes, I get every one of these personally.) Twitter: @KendraLeeKLA (And I do follow all direct messages on Twitter!) KLA Group is a sales consulting and training firm focused on helping clients get more customers in the Small and Midmarket Business (SMB) segment through lead generation, prospecting, hiring and onboarding strategies. Copyright©, Kendra Lee. All rights reserved. 6

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MICHAEL DAVIS 7

MICHAEL DAVIS Michael Davis began his career in the mortgage industry as an underwriter back in 1998. While the experience added skills to his repertoire, he was soon ready for a role that would make use of his people skills and provide him the ability to serve others more directly. In 2001, he took a position as a loan officer with an area broker that he’d work alongside for the next seventeen years, building a reputation as a consummate professional. Now, Michael spearheads his work under the banner of Prime Lending and has built a thriving business guided by integrity, communication, and an authentic spirit of service. 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Based in Rochester, Michael’s primary service area encompasses Upstate New York, though he is licensed to lend in all fifty states. At Prime Lending, he heads a tightknit team that includes an assistant, marketing lead, a processor, and three loan officers. Together, Michael and his team focus on service that’s communicative, thorough, and bolstered by Prime Lending’s comprehensive loan options—from eighteen unique renovation programs to cash incentives for those buying in moderate to low-income areas, as well as all conventional options in between. What’s more, Michael Top Agent Magazine

cites Prime Lending’s sole focus on mortgages as a key factor in his business’s success thus far. Likewise, he prioritizes accessibility and follow-through as defining characteristics of his working style. “I’m available 24/7 and my clients know they can always connect with me,” he says. “I touch base constantly with all Top Agent Magazine

parties involved in a transaction. I never want clients to wonder what’s going on with their loan or where we are in the process. Communication is key and we keep clients and referral partners included and in touch through every step. We’re transparent and we always keep ourselves accountable.” Copyright Top Agent Magazine 9

Considering his decades of experience, Michael offers multifaceted value to his clients. Not only does he possess the insights and wisdom of a seasoned professional, but he also lends his positivity and diligence to each transaction. “Nothing is better than a personal touch,” he says. “I’ve become one of the top loan officers in our area because people know how hard I work for my clients and have wanted to work with me as a result.” What’s more, Michael deeply values the interpersonal connections forged during a transaction and especially enjoys assisting 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

buyers who are embarking upon the homeownership journey for the first time. “I love working with first-time homebuyers,” he explains. “They may be nervous about buying a house, but then the day comes when they’re given the keys to their new home and they have that excited smile on their face. I always remember how that felt for me, and that’s the most important aspect of this business—helping others get into a home. It’s so important to take the time to help people and guide them to where they need to be so that they can start that next chapter in their lives. It’s Top Agent Magazine

so rewarding to help people on the path to the American Dream.â&#x20AC;? Beyond the office, Michael has given back to a variety of charitable and civic causes over the course of his career. In the past, he has served as a youth basketball coach for eight years, on the board of the Realtors Charitable Foundation for four years, and presently sponsors and supports his local Realtors Association. In his free hours, Michael most enjoys playing softball, or setting off on a Top Agent Magazine

cruise to a new destination. He also considers himself a major Yankees fan and enjoys quality time spent with his wife, Lisa, and their two young daughters. Looking ahead, Michael has plans to continue growing his business steadily, with an eye on adding new team members to the ranks while maintaining superlative standards of care and communication. For now, he is eager to serve the aspiring buyers and hardworking agents of the Upstate community he calls home. Copyright Top Agent Magazine11

To learn more about Michael Davis email Michael.Davis@primelending.com, visit lo.primelending.com/michael.davis, or call (585) 329 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1183 http://

12Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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6 Habits of Highly Productive Agents In a business that can be constant chaos, you’re constantly on the go and dealing with things as they hit you. It can be difficult to take a second and regroup. But there is a better and smarter way to work. If you take the time to create some better habits, in the end, you may end up being more productive. If you want to make better use of your time, as well as have more focus, here’s some habits that you’re going to want to pick up - all common to top-producing agents.

1. Learn how to prioritize Although it might be your instinct to get some of the boring work out of the way first, things Top Agent Magazine

that actually generate income (or are time-sensitive!) should be the first thing you focus on when you start your day. Lists are your friend! Make a list of things you want to accomplish for the day, the week, and even the month. Always list them in the order of priority. If things get cut off when you run out of time at the end of the day, at least it’ll be the things that are not as important or time sensitive. As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list, you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as 13

well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s and don’t ever waste it. As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s, and don’t ever waste it.

to accomplish it? Write it out and then incorporate that into your prioritized ‘to do’ list. You’ll be amazed at how driven you become to reach that goal when you actually write it out with clarity. And, the sense of accomplishment you get upon completing it will carry over to the next day. It’s important to remember to be specific. Once you get into the habit of meeting your goals, exceeding them won’t be far behind.

2. Remove distractions

when you need to focus This is especially hard when you’re a Realtor®. Most are constantly connected to their phones. But, unnecessary distractions can get you off schedule and make you lose your focus instantly. If you can, turn your phone off for the half hour it takes to do a task. Interruptions make everything take twice as long, especially when you take that text and then decide to check Facebook for a second. We all do it! Complete your task, then take ten minutes to respond to all texts and messages before you start up the next thing on your list. You can even schedule those ‘text backs’ into your schedule. A concentrated effort is always more effective than going back and forth between things.

3. Set daily goals This is so key. What do you want to accomplish for the day and what do you need to do 14

4. Don’t make excuses There’s that old saying, “The buck stops here”. Well, take it to heart. This is your business and you are responsible for doing everything you can to make it successful. Sure, there are reasons for why you didn’t get a listing or why your business is slow, but what are you doing to change things and make them better? Successful Realtors® work harder and come up with innovaTop Agent Magazine

tive ways to stand out when times are tough. They don’t look for excuses, they look for solutions.

5. Be deliberate

about everything you do When you’re making your list, it helps to have a goal in mind for even the smallest task. If you’re calling past clients to touch base, have a specific reason why you’re calling. Are you letting them know some market news? Thanking them for a referral? When you’re meeting a referral partner for lunch, have a goal in mind for what the outcome of that meeting will be as well. Yes it’s good to socialize and build relationships, but if you have a reason, make sure it isn’t put off until the final moments, when things are wrapping up. Always having a purpose in mind will also help you prioritize your list better.

6. Always look for ways to

get out of your comfort zone Yes, you are prioritizing what is most important or urgent to your business, but it’s also important to make an effort to break out Top Agent Magazine

of your routine as much as you’re comfortable doing. Trying out new things or taking some time to learn about new and innovative real estate techniques and technology, can have an energizing effect on your business. Not only might they lead to things that make you more productive, but it keeps you sharp and engaged. And, ultimately keeping yourself at the top of your game is what it’s all about. 15

KENNETH AULICINO “I get my greatest satisfaction from helping people who were turned down by other lenders. I have a lot of tools in my toolbox; whereas some loan originators may gravitate towards one particular type of product. I like being able to use everything I have.” When speaking with Kenneth Aulicino, Loan Originator at Family First Funding in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, one first notices his affable nature. Further conversation makes clear his dedication to helping his borrowers achieve the American dream of homeownership. With an impressive detail-focused and highly ethical approach, Kenneth has forged a career based on honesty, industry knowledge and a sincere willingness to go the extra mile when necessary. Kenneth, who prefers to be called Ken, began his career in the early 2000’s as a mortgage loan originator for Bank of America, but left the industry when the market crashed in 2007. He then worked in a variety of other careers,

including stints as a high school math teacher and a certified securities broker. In 2015, while assisting a friend who was in search of a mortgage, he was lured back into the industry and signed on with direct lender Family First Funding, and currently specializing in working with customers who are having difficulty getting loans. “I get my greatest satisfaction from helping people who were turned down by other lenders,” says Ken. “I have a lot of tools in my toolbox; whereas some loan originators may gravitate towards one particular type of product. I like being able to use everything I have. That means brokered loans, that means bank statement loans, that means an FHA or rehabilitation loan, among others. I try to find a loan that fits the customer, I don’t try to fit the customer to the loan.” With approximately eighty percent of his business based on referrals from satisfied clients and Realtor partners, Ken is clearly doing something right. “I’m very upfront and honest with my clients,” he says, by way of explaining this impressive level of loyalty. “I work from a place of integrity. I’m constantly in contact with my customers, and they know everything that is going on every step of the way.” Ken is also highly adept at demystifying the often convoluted and confusing loan process. “As a former math teacher,” he explains,

“I’m good at explaining how everything works. It can be very scary to the buyer. It doesn’t matter if it’s a first time home buyer or if they’ve done this before. They need to learn about the mortgage and the home buying processes.” Ken’s exceptional work ethic ensures that his clients can reach him when they have questions regarding the status of their loan. “They can call me at night, or early in the morning. I tell my clients all the time that the only dumb questions are the ones they don’t ask.” Ken’s appreciation for his clients – past and present – and for his Realtor partners is sincere, and he works hard to maintain relationships with these valuable referral sources. “Ninety percent of my customers are my Facebook friends, and one hundred percent of my Realtor partners are my Facebook friends,” he says. “I usually get together with my Realtors at least once a month for breakfast, lunch, dinner or coffee. I like to think of my referral partners as my friends.” Ken is also discriminating about those he chooses to work with. “I don’t work with people who don’t treat their customers the way I’d like to be treated,” he says. Ken is also heavily involved with his community, and is a part of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, the Sussex County Board of Realtors, as well as the Warren

County Board of Realtors. When he’s not working, Ken enjoys woodworking, and is a member of a local woodturners club. He also volunteers his time building sets for the Newton High School theatre department, something he’s been doing for seventeen years and which he became involved with when his daughter was cast in a lead role in her freshman year. “What I like most about what I do,” says Ken, his sincerity obvious, “is the satisfaction of helping somebody into a house and making it as stress-free for them as possible. There’s always going to be stress, but I work hard to take as much of it away as possible.”

For more information about KENNETH AULICINO, please call 973 - 903 - 1927 or email KAulicino@fam1fund.com Top Agent Magazine

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8 Tips on Using Disruptive Thinking to Improve Innovation You might be wondering what disruptive thinking is. How can anything disruptive be good? Well, if you’re caught in a stagnant place, shaking things up might be exactly what you need to gain some momentum in your personal or professional life.

the norms that keep you from being creative and implementing big ideas. Here are some simple things you can do to find opportunities that might be hidden if you stay stuck in the status quo.

Sometimes taking a step out of your bubble will give you a much needed perspective and allow you to achieve the breakthrough you need to take things to the next level. There is no more valuable commodity in today’s business world than innovative thinking, and the key to innovative thinking is breaking down

1. TAKE RISKS

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Without risks, there usually won’t be any major rewards. Sure being steady and careful might keep things going marginally well, but if you really want to go big, you need to go all in sometimes. If you go through the history of great innovations, none of them

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were achieved by playing it safe. Embrace mistakes. Learn from them, they often provide valuable insight and that will lead to great success on your next attempt. 2. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT INDUSTRY This might seem counter-intuitive, but you’d be amazed at what you can learn by looking into successful companies, no matter what the business type is. You’re almost certain to find valuable solutions, systems or technology, that might fit your business, giving you a unique advantage over the competition. 3.BE CURIOUS Break some of your daily habits, even if it’s as simple as ordering a new dish at your favorite restaurant. Even the smallest changes can help spark a new idea. Always be on the lookout for new ways to do things. Little innovation are all around you. If you remain curious and keep an open mind, you’ll be surprised as to what might spark the next great idea. 4. PICK THE BRAIN OF A NON-EXPERT Yes, there is a lot to be gained by having access to someone with an expertise in your field, but you can learn a lot from a newcomer as well. They are a blank slate, and may inspire you with their completely unique point of view on things as someone just starting out. 5. BE LESS JUDGMENTAL It’s very easy to dismiss a new idea. You have experience and that can oftentimes lead 20

to a million reasons why something won’t work. But there really is no harm in ignoring your initial impulse and thinking it though a bit more. If you or someone you work with has passion for an idea, it’s definitely worth pursuing. 6. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE We tend to look at things in a linear way. If you feel like you’ve stalled out on something, literally flip the script. Re-imagine it from different perspectives, reverse engineer the process. Anything you can do to see it from all angles, might get the creative juices flowing again, and could even lead to a breakthrough. 7. VALUE CHAOS Yes, it’s great to be organized and have a plan, but sometimes a little randomness can be that added ingredient that makes it all work. One of the major keys to successful disruptive thinking is breaking up everyday patterns. Sometimes the path to rational solution is filled with chaotic moments. 8. BE WILLING TO LET GO Don’t be rigid. Even the best ideas can always be refined and improved. You’ve invested a lot of time in your idea and it can be hard not to cling to it, but input from other people will only strengthen what you want to do. Having big ideas is great, but you also need to be pragmatic. Recognize changes you might need to make to get your big idea implemented. Disruptive thinking is all about flexibility.

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GREGORY RITCHIE Since 2005, Greg Ritchie has dedicated his career to helping others fulfill their financial and homeownership dreams. Although he didn’t plan to enter the mortgage industry, he grew up the son of a man who built a career as a real estate agent. “I knew about the mortgage field and thought it might be a good fit,” says Greg, who played college football and, straight out of college, packed up his car and moved from New Mexico back to California and begin his career. “I started in the L.A. area and worked for some companies that are no longer around after the mortgage meltdown,” says Greg, who in 2015 started his own mortgage company. That company, Citizens Financial, is based in Vacaville, California, and serves borrowers across the state, with a focus on Solano, Sacramento and L.A. Counties. Citizens Financial is a young company built by an aggressive entrepreneur offering mortgage services with a contemporary approach. “We are a new-style brokerage. It used to be that companies would look at up to 200 lenders for every loan, but I wanted to approach the market differently.” Citizens Financial works with a select, top wholesale lenders to meet borrowers’ unique needs. “I also have the top Non-QM lender in the business and a good amount of private sources.” These relationships allow Citizens Financial to offer conciergestyle mortgage service. They derive great pride from helping bring homeownership to the self-employed and to members of the armed services, police, fire, and other heroes. “As a broker, we represent the borrower first, not a financial institution.” They go above and beyond to help people like the self-employed start building home equity. “We’re able to get approval and competitive rates with Non-QM products that don’t require W2s, only bank statements.” Citizens Financial also proudly provides quality mortgage products for everyday heroes. “My dad served in the military, one of my two best friends is a firefighter and the other was

an undercover narcotics police officer and now works in SWAT.” He remembers people laughing at him for choosing to work with first-responders, police officers and members of the U.S. armed forces early in his career, prior to the mortgage meltdown. “That was on the West side of LA; all everyone else saw at the time were dollars, but I had a different perspective on the industry.” He moved his business to the Bay Area and continued delivering real estate finance services to underserved groups. Those clients couldn’t be happier; they appreciate Greg’s honesty, communication and his dedicated to helping them improve their financial situations, not just to closing loans. “You have to have a good group of people to work with in order to do this kind of work,” says Greg. Everyone at Citizens Financial embraces Greg’s goal of educating borrowers and using the best available technology to simplify the loan process for clients. “One of my mentors taught me to build a business on systems not on people,” says Greg, who is grateful to have both systems and good people. “Clients want the ease of transaction, but they still want the human connection. Technology is great, but it can create social retardation if people don’t keep a level of connection!” In his personal connections, Greg and his wife have two young children and enjoy the outdoors, community events and family time. Greg is also known for giving back through local fundraisers and events and promotes a different local business each week on social media. Meanwhile, he plans to play a role in improving opportunities in the mortgage industry. “Fintech is changing everything and real estate and mortgage brokers tend to be on the older side,” he says, noting that he is among the only 1% of licensed loan officers who are African American. “There is a big need to diversify the industry,” he adds. “I call myself a farmer. I plan ahead, cultivate, look to the future and want to hire young people who can grow in the business and represent people in California’s changing economy.”

To learn more about Greg Ritchie, visit citizensfinancial.co or facebook.com/citizensfinancial.co email gritchie@citizensfinancial.co or call 707 - 800 - 6047 www.

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Why Employee Appreciation Matters & Can Boost Your Bottom Line Attracting and retaining talent creates a positive working environment for your business, but it’s also good for your bottom line. When team members come and go constantly, your office becomes a revolving door, with no steady workforce, abiding company culture, or continuity for your clients. What’s more, breaking from your duties to post ads, interview applicants, and train new hires takes up valuable time—and time is money. Instead, creating a working environment with built-in 22

perks and morale boosters makes everyone happy, including you as a leader. You’ll have fewer fires to put out or squabbles to referee if your employees are motivated, feel appreciated, and inclined to work together for the business’s greater good. In that vein, let’s consider the concrete benefits of employee appreciation and how to apply these principles to your business in meaningful ways.

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What is employee appreciation and how do you enact it? Whether built-in through perks and benefits or by hosting regular events, employee appreciation is about making your team feel valued and part of a whole. No one wants to feel replaceable or voiceless, so it comes down to this basic truth: employees who feel heard and appreciated invest more in their work and your business. Likewise, no one wants to hop jobs every six months. Employees desire reliability and consistency in their work options, but they’ll be forced to move on to greener pastures if they don’t feel like their talents and contributions are recognized, or if there isn’t enough value to match their output. By displaying gratitude through employee appreciation, you’re sending the message that your employees’ efforts are respected and considered integral to your operation’s success. Employee appreciation also sets the right tone for professional relationships in your office to flourish, which makes for better workflow and communication on an interpersonal level. Motivation and morale are closely tied to employee appreciation, so there is a clear symbiotic benefit to investing in your employees’ happiness in order to breed a happier, more productive work environment. How do you make employee appreciation an active part of your business model? To start, keep it simple. Treat your employees to a bagel spread on a Monday morning to boost morale ahead of the workweek. Or, consider Top Agent Magazine

an employee happy hour on a Friday, or a group lunch mid-week. Well-timed moments of generosity can lift spirits and signal your intuitiveness as a leader, while creating fuel for upcoming projects and deadlines. If you want to take it to the next level, consider in-office perks from which your employees can derive value or morale. For instance, some offices allow employees to bring in their docile pets. Other offices keep the communal kitchen stocked with sparkling water, fresh fruit, and quality coffee to keep team members satiated. Maybe your office would benefit from a modern décor update, which might make for a more compelling, progressive workspace for your employees to enjoy. Whatever route you take, cultivating a positive office environment can extend employee appreciation on a daily, hands-on basis. Perks and benefits are another way to build-in employee appreciation and demonstrate your investment in your team. Bike-to-work benefits, subsidies for public transportation or gym membership costs, or even supplying your team with their own smartphone—all demonstrate a company culture that’s focused on fueling your team’s morale and productivity. While some of these steps may seem like a costly investment, the returns are unequivocal when it comes to lasting employee retention. Turnover is a blight on your bottom line, so taking a proactive approach to employee appreciation can inspire a dynamic team, lead to a more positive work environment, and boost your financials for the long term.

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