jeffturley

If you have never read the books "Good to Great" or "Built to Last" I would highly recommend them. For your personal life, family, management, and business these books have an amazing amount of wisdom to be applied across many disciplines.  Here are five perspectives from "Good to Great."

Business/Personal

"Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just easy to settle for a good life."

Team Building

"The geniuses seldom build great management teams, for the simple reason that they don't need one, and often don't want one.  If you are a genius, you don't need a Wells Fargo-caliber of managment team..."  For this reason I have often felt the smartest people don't make the strongest leaders.

Leadership/Family

"It is equally about ferocious resolve, an almost stoic determination to do whatever needs to be done to make the company great." Insert any word for company... family, spiritual life, marriage, management, fatherhood.

Culture

"In a sense, much of this book is about creating a culture of discipline.  It all starts with disciplined people."

Management

"Create a culture where truth can be heard" -4 Keys

1. Lead with questions not answers

2. Engage in dialogue and debate, not coercion

3. Conduct autopsies, without blame

4. Build red flag mechanisms that turn information into information that cann be ignored

* italics mine

We live in interesting times with 80 million baby boomers on the verge of retirement.  Experts are estimating the shift of wealth to the next generation will be between $9-11 trillion.  We have started to catch a glimpse of the shift with the philanthropy of Gates and Buffet, and many will experience the Gates/Buffet relationship in a "mini-microcosm."  How the boomers and their children handle the greatest migration of wealth to influence the world will be intriguing to watch.

Here are 5 perspectives I'm wrestling with in my own life.

1. "The world is full of miserable places. One way of living comfortably is not to think about them or when you do to send money." Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr Paul Farmer, A man who would cure the world.

2. "In a world of mollionaires and billionaires, my responsibility is to focus upon what has been entrusted to me and model giving to those I will entrust."

3. "Remember the woman who gave pennies gave much more than those who gave thousands."  (paraphrase of Luke 21:1-4) -- The art of giving is more about heart than the amount given.

4. "Like the Gates Foundation and Robin Hood, the Clinton Foundation is part of a new turn in philanthropy, in which the lines between not-for-profits, politics, and business tend to blur.  In this hard headed philanthropic world, outcomes matter more than intentions, influence isn't measured in dollars alone, and you hear buzzwords like  "scalability," "sustainability," and "measurability" all the time."  Forbes.

5. Dr Farmer stated that Margaret Mead once said, "Never underestimate the ability of a small group (family group) of committed individuals to change the world."  He paused. "Indeed, they are the only ones who ever have." Mountain Beyond Mountains

During the past few months of mortgage turbulence I have come to believe your credit score is and will be one of the most power financial tools at your disposal. I am committed to helping my clients understand and manage their credit scores. I am not a credit counselor, although recently we partnered with a software company which will allow us to give you a strategic plan to increase your credit score anywhere from 1 to 100 points. With this tool we can, with 90% accuracy, show you how to increase your credit score. If you would like to inquire further about this please email or give me a call.

5 Significant Perspectives from Resolve Lending, Inc. concerning Credit Scores

#1 30% Revolving Debt is King Keep your available revolving credit debt (all credit cards) at 30% of what is allowed. For example if you have a $10,000 line of credit, keep your credit debt at $3,000 or less.

#2 HELOC (Home Equity Lines of Credit) are included in your revolving credit. Make sure you keep your Home Equity Line of Credit low or you might want to think about switching to a “fixed 2nd mortgage” not a Home Equity Line if your credit score is struggling.

#3 Make your Mortgage Payment First! This might sound simple but many don’t understand the weight your mortgage payment has upon your next mortgage. The next mortgage you get is built upon “perfect mortgage payment history” not perfect credit card payments.

#4 4 Trade Lines available The goal should be to always have 4 trade lines of active revolving credit with 30% or less available. This can include gas cards, Nordstrom cards and other credit cards. The three credit bureaus want to see that people can manage debt.

#5 Give your kids a gift Start now by teaching your kids how to manage credit; it is a powerful tool. It is amazing how many parents shield their children from credit, viewing it as evil. Remember revolving debt is free if managed correctly. Most importantly our entire financial system is built upon it and our children need to understand the mechanics in order to succeed. Why not start mentoring them at an early age?

Resolve Lending, Inc. has had a great year with increased revenue over last year. We stand in a great position to leverage these difficult times. It is essential to understand a “Mortgage Broker” is uniquely different than the Mortgage Bank (email or call with questions). We believe in an ever-changing market the “mortgage broker” is exceedingly more important in order to navigate the storms of our industry.

And yes, we still have great programs and rates on:

• Construction Loans
• Stated Income Loans
• Jumbo Loans $417,000 or higher
• Commercial
• 30-year fixed (rates have been falling)

Please feel free to pass this valuable information along to friends and family.

Thanks,

Jeff