How mortgage lenders can support staff during tough times

This week, HousingWire’s Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler interviews Vermillion Consulting’s Dale Vermillion. In this episode, the mortgage trainer discusses how mortgage lenders can best adjust their businesses during periods of growth, and how they can also support their staff during tumultuous times.

Here is a small preview of the interview with Vermillion, which has been lightly edited for length and clarity:

Sarah Wheeler: COVID has upended everything since last March — teams are working remote, they might have kids schooling at home, or possible health challenges, all while handling more work than they’ve ever had before. Even though this is a great problem to have, it’s very challenging. What are some ways that companies and mortgage lenders are supporting their staff during a pretty unique time?

Dale Vermillion: Well, number one, and this is where I’ve seen a lot of mistakes: If your people are working from home, you’ve got to set them up with technology and tools that will help them get the job done well. I see this constantly, where people don’t have access to enough monitors, or printers, faxes and there’s an expense that goes with that. You have to create an environment where your employees have all the tools they need to succeed. That’s rule number one. Rule number two is organization. There has never been a time in my almost four-decade career, that organization has never been more important than right now. In order to have a massive part of your sales or operational force working from home, which is the reality for most mortgage lenders out there today, you’ve got to understand the key is in their organization, and this is both for individuals and organizations alike, you’ve got to build an organizational process.

The Housing News podcast explores the most important topics happening in mortgage, real estate, and fintech. Each week a new mortgage or real estate executive joins the show to add perspective to the top stories crossing HousingWire’s news desk. Hosted by Sarah Wheeler and produced by Alcynna Lloyd.