Ep 67: Getting Your Operations in Shape

In this episode of Building Bigger Lives, Geoff Zimpfer shares his experience in the mortgage industry and discusses the importance of platform building and training others. Geoff shares his background, including his experience as a sales trainer with Tony Robbins and his transition into the mortgage industry in 2003. He explains that the inspiration for his book "Disrupt or Die" and his Mortgage Marketing Institute came from his desire to help others succeed in the mortgage industry by sharing his knowledge and experiences.  He emphasizes the value of leveraging unique skills, creating value through education, and maintaining a beginner's mindset when teaching. Geoff also stresses the significance of adaptability in the face of industry changes, encouraging professionals to embrace new technologies while staying true to their authentic selves and maintaining strong referral relationships.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Kathryn and Michael attended the HousingWire Gathering Conference, where they engaged with top industry leaders, discussed strategic shifts, and explored the implications of AI and recent mergers like Rocket acquiring Mr. Cooper and Redfin. They noted a sense of calm and confidence among attendees about the future of the mortgage and real estate industries, emphasizing that AI will play a significant role in transforming delivery systems. The event provided valuable networking opportunities and insights, with leaders expressing optimism about competition and innovation in the housing sector. Kathryn and Michael plan to share these insights in future podcast episodes and explore potential guest appearances from conference attendees. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Craig Davis, an experienced coach in the housing industry, joins Michael and Kathryn  to discuss his background, leadership approach, and coaching philosophy. He shares insights on personal branding, setting proactive objectives, and diversifying referral categories to advance one's business in the mortgage industry. Craig highlights his passion for coaching and his unique approach to leadership, which he calls "fractional leadership." The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding one's value proposition and raising the value of clients, referral partners, and teams through a consultative approach. The three discuss their upcoming meeting at the HousingWire conference and the importance of building relationships within the industry. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage    

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Michael and Kathryn discuss the importance and process of conducting quarterly business reviews. They recommend scheduling reviews 7-10 days after the end of each quarter, blocking out a half-day for the review, though it typically takes about 90 minutes. The review process involves gathering relevant data, scorecarding the previous quarter's focus plan, and applying the KISS filter (Keep, Improve, Start, Stop) to determine what to continue, adjust, begin, or cease in the upcoming quarter.  They emphasize the importance of aligning quarterly plans with annual objectives and sharing the new plan with stakeholders. Furthermore, they stress the importance of reviewing and adjusting one's quarterly plan, identifying ingrained habits to make room for new habits and daily disciplines, and the value of teaching others as a way to improve oneself. Finally, they stress the need to reflect any changes in the calendar to ensure proper prioritization. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage    

In this episode of Building Bigger Lives, our guest Roy Meshel introduces a new video series with the theme "Nobody wants a mortgage, they want the moment." The series focuses on the idea that life is a collection of moments, and people seek mortgages as a means to create meaningful experiences. Roy shares that he has been hearing amazing stories from people in response to this concept. Michael expresses interest in discussing this theme further, as he believes it captures the heart of why people truly seek mortgages beyond just rates and loans. The conversation is set to explore some of the stories Roy has collected and the impact of this perspective on the mortgage industry. Roy discusses the importance of focusing on the human moments behind mortgage transactions rather than just the financial details. He explains how his company started sharing client stories to remind staff of the real impact of their work. Now they create video testimonials where past clients share meaningful moments in their homes. Roy recounts some powerful stories, including a veteran surprising his kids after deployment and a family celebrating a loved one's life. He emphasizes how these stories re-energize the team by highlighting the profound human experiences they help facilitate, beyond just processing loans. The initiative has changed how Roy views and describes his work - from simply doing mortgages to helping create meaningful moments for families. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage    

Michael and Kathryn discuss the time tracking tool, a spreadsheet that breaks down a day into 15-minute increments to log activities. They explain that the purpose is to create awareness of how time is actually spent, which often differs from perception. The tool can reveal inefficiencies, distractions, and opportunities for improvement in time management. They suggest using the data to identify high-value activities, group similar tasks, eliminate distractions, and create more effective time blocks. The goal is not micromanagement, but rather to gain insights that can lead to increased productivity and better work-life balance.  Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage  

Kathryn and Michael Regan, hosts of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, interview Peter Zevenbergen, a mortgage industry professional with over 20 years of experience. Peter, who also serves as a branch manager and volunteers in his community, shares his unique approach to the industry. Michael, who has coached both Kathryn and Peter in the past, expresses his admiration for Peter's distinct strategies and the potential for others to learn from his ideology. The discussion aims to explore Peter's value proposition and how he has set himself apart in the mortgage industry. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode, Kathryn and Michael discuss the importance of getting operations in shape, particularly in anticipation of increased volume. They explore different leadership styles, from motivating and driving teams to setting clear expectations. They emphasize the need for efficient processes, scalability, and profitability, as well as various uses for AI. They also discuss the importance of identifying tasks, eliminating duplications, and creating efficiencies. The conversation ends with the need for ongoing communication and adaptation to ensure the success of the operations, as well as leveraging available resources to prevent burnout.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

Chad Jackson shares his experience of spontaneously deciding to do the 12-Hour Walk, which inspired personal growth and transformation in his life. He also discusses his musical journey, including his 30-year career as a musician in Seattle and his new band, Sweetener. Chad's personal journey of transformation, which began with a physical challenge and led to mental and emotional growth, has positively impacted his team and family, and he hopes to continue this transformation in the future. Chad decided to do the 12-hour walk while attending an event in La Jolla. He was inspired by a book mentioned during a pre-event call and decided to do the walk a day earlier than planned due to weather concerns. Chad describes starting his walk at 5:30 AM, unplugged and without a specific plan, following the coast northward. He experienced a second wind and a sense of strength he hadn't felt in years, which was emotionally powerful for him. Chad ended up walking 27 miles from La Jolla to Oceanside, overcoming physical challenges and enjoying the experience of being alone with his thoughts.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

In this episode, Kathryn and Michael discuss the Stockdale paradox, a concept derived from the experiences of Admiral James Bond Stockdale, the highest-ranking US military officer held as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam. They explain how certain prisoners, who had specific expectations about their release or improved conditions, were negatively affected by these expectations. In contrast, those who managed to survive did so by balancing their hope for a specific outcome with the knowledge that the uncertainty could continue indefinitely. This balance allowed them to focus on surviving one day at a time, illustrating the importance of mental fitness in navigating uncertain situations. Kathryn and Michael discuss the Stockdale paradox in the context of business, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced mindset in uncertain economic times and focusing on what one can control. They also introduce the CIA exercise as a tool for clarifying thoughts and adopting an ownership mindset, and highlight the significance of networking and long-term vision in business planning. The conversation ends with a discussion on the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on what one can influence, with Michael sharing a personal experience as a metaphor for feeling trapped in one's own mind.   Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage