What are YOUR Business Goals for 2010?

Written By: Stacey Sprain,
Certified Ambassador Loan Processor (CALP)

2009 is certain to be a year that will go down in our memories as one of the most challenging and stressful years many of us have experienced in our industry. Between all of the regulatory changes, guideline revisions, product eliminations and overall market challenges, it’s a wonder we all remain standing here at the start of 2010. But THAT is the key- we ARE still here! We made it through the adversity and for all of you that remain committed and motivated, I commend you! High fives all the way around!

Now, let’s put 2009 behind us and move forward to 2010. It’s a new year and a new opportunity for us to work forward using what we’ve learned in 2009. Time for a new attitude, new determination and business goals for the New Year. With that in mind, exactly what are your business goals for 2010? Here are a few suggestions and some things to think about as you contemplate your goals for the New Year:

1. Prepare a list of topics to help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses you realized in 2009. Some areas to consider for the list:

- How well did you absorb and understand the market issues?
- How well did you absorb and understand the agency guideline changes? How well were you able to keep track of them?
- How do you feel you dealt with changes in technology such as LOS software, website detail, automated underwriting capabilities, imaging systems, etc.
- How well do you feel you dealt with communications?
- Were you able to absorb information from meetings and training?
- If you work in sales and originating, how would you rate your marketing abilities and capabilities? How do you think your borrowers would rate you on the same topic?
- If you work in sales and originating, how would you rate your communications with outside referral sources such as builders and realtors? How do you think those sources would rate you on the same topic?
- If you are a processor, how would you rate your overall organization level? How do you feel your loan officers and affiliates such as underwriters, closers, etc. would rate you for same topic?
- If you are a processor, how would you rate your communications for 2009? How do you feel your loan officers and affiliates such as underwriters, closers, etc. would rate you for same topic?
- If you are in sales/originating or processing, how would you rate your efficiency overall? How do you feel your colleagues and business partners would rate you for same topic?
- How would you rate your knowledge and understanding of the regulatory changes that occurred in 2009-2010 such as the TILA and RESPA changes?
- How would you rate your time management abilities in 2010? Do you feel you could benefit from more effective strategies so you can accomplish more in less time?
- What were your greatest achievements in 2009?
- What your greatest disappointments and faults in 2009?
- How well do you feel you were able to balance your work and business responsibilities in conjunction with your family life, hobbies, friends, free time and religion in 2009?
- Exactly what things do you feel you need to learn more about in 2010? How will you go about getting the information, education and training you need to learn what you wish?

2. Set appointments to discuss and review your progress and overall business dealings with those parties that can assist you in evaluating the areas you should focus on improving in 2010. Such should include:

- Your manager or supervisor
- Your immediate work colleagues; those you interact with on a daily basis; those who rely on you to achieve overall results and common goals
- If you are in sales, your realtors, builders and other business partners. What did they like and dislike about your relations in 2009? What did they expect and not receive? What are their goals involving your relations for 2010? Can you discuss each of your goals in order to establish team goals for the new year and how to hold each other accountable for them?
- Loan officers and processors should meet to discuss their faults, weaknesses and to establish areas where improvements can be made. Most often communications is a big concern.

3. Use the information from your own self-evaluation and the information you receive from your personal meetings with others to establish your top five goals for 2010 in priority order.

4. Determine the exact steps that need to be taken from where you are now to what it will involve and take to meet each of the top five goals. Once you are able to see the steps involved, you will be able to develop and establish fair and reasonable timeline expectations.

5. Establish and set timeline expectations for each of the top five goals on your list. Begin working forward through the steps needed to achieve and check off each goal.

6. As each of the top five goals is reached and cleared from your list, add another goal from your original list and work forward from there. This will keep you on track and will keep you challenged to strive for positive end results.

7. Be sure to document your goals and your progress in a place where it can be seen and viewed throughout your day. Whether it’s on a calendar, a bulletin board, on a piece of paper taped to the side of your computer monitor, scheduled in your electronic calendar, penciled in your planner, or spray painted on your wall, make sure that the goals are clear and that you hold yourself accountable for reaching to achieve them.

Always keep in mind, you made it through 2009, which was one of the most challenging years in our industry, so there is NOTHING you cannot door achieve in this New Year 2010. Reach for the stars!

Happy new year to you all! I wish you much success in 2010 and always!

About the Writer. As one of NAMP's volunteer writers, Stacey Sprain is currently a NAMP member in good standing and is a NAMP Certified Ambassador Loan Processor (CALP). If you would like to become a volunteer writer for NAMP, please email us at: blog@mortgageprocessor.org.

SOURCE: Published by NAMP Publishing Group, a division of the National Association of Mortgage Processors (http://www.MortgageProcessor.org)