During my recent MBA webinar, “Owning the Customer: Keys to Originator Success,” I asked attendees whether their originators were reaching out to former customers. The overwhelming majority said producers were only using the lender’s CRM system to maintain contact. When asked to rate originators on customer engagement, the same attendees gave their producers a solid […]
During a recent training session on recruiting originators, I described our current mortgage environment as the “best of times and the worst of times.” The famous quote from Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” offers fresh insights for managers and originators trying to determine the best course of action for sustainable sales success. It […]
The most common selling mantras are based on the concept of “doing more.” Managers have forever emphasized that if originators simply work harder, knock on more doors or make more calls, sales success is guaranteed. While this sounds reasonable, it is not correct. It takes something else to succeed in origination. In selling, the “doing […]
In my sales training programs, one of the most important exercises I use is “50 Reasons Why People Should Buy from You.” When I ask originators why prospects should do business with them, most students cannot come up with more than a handful of reasons — let alone 50. Once they move beyond the standard […]
Researchers estimate that 95% of consumers’ buying decisions are driven by emotions. While most people believe they are rational and make decisions weighing all the evidence, the reality is very different. Many salespeople recognize this but inevitably, there are producers who claim their customers are different and more price-sensitive than other consumers. If you take […]
I know there is a robust refinance market going on and the Fed just moved to zero. So, why do I want to discuss how to increase sales results when originators have more business than they know what to do with? The reality is that at some point, the unprecedented decline in interest rates […]
The “do whatever it takes” sales strategy — a common mantra in mortgage banking — is often promoted as the best way to be successful in selling. This is no surprise when originators are on 100% commission and sales results drive their income. Many managers believe that each producer determines his or her own success […]
Change is a topic that is discussed every day in the business world. Whether it is a better way to manage stress or learning social selling techniques, adopting new habits is essential if an originator wants to succeed in mortgage banking. For most of us, the hard part is making the necessary adjustments in […]
When conducting training on lead generation, I often see originators who are not good speakers in front of a group. Some originators think they don’t need this skill set. Others think they are good at it when frankly they are not. The current environment requires scalable marketing efforts and effectively communicating to groups—whether in person […]
Everyone loves a good story. For adults and children alike, the best stories make a lasting impression. Who doesn’t remember the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree and the value of telling the truth. While originators aren’t tasked to share life lessons, they are challenged to connect with prospects in a meaningful […]