Maxim Enterprises

It's been a while...

It's been a while since my last posting.  However, the strides that we (Maxim) have made over the last quarter have been significant.  We have improved our contractor extranet for reporting a contractor's performance.  Moreover, we have added a feature that will route a contractor's jobs daily.  As I write this, we are in our beta mode on this feature.  Finally, we are testing a new incentive program for all of our processors.  Two of our processor have volunteered for this and so far the results have been excellent. 

Over this past quarter, I could not help but recognize a few characteristics around the office and our contractors.  These characteristics have been self-motivated, result-focused and reliable.  I am not saying that our staff did not have these characteristics, but they are more apparent in this past quarter.  I believe that part of the reason these characteristics are more prominent now because of the measurements that we have instituted with our office staff and contractors.  It is amazing to see people how people react when they know that they can achieve 100% on their scorecard.  But even more amazing than achieving 100%, is how people react when there is a loss of work or loss of a contractor.  Those characteristics of self-motivated, result-focused and reliable are even more important in those kinds of situations.  The interesting part of this has been we did have a loss of work from a client and to see the staff and contractors rally around has been outstanding.  The important factor I am trying to make here is that business comes and goes.  There are large waves that we try to ride and then there are small waves that we ride.  The critical part here is not worry about the size of wave, but to look at what we have and create value for both our current clients and future clients.  We (Maxim) have been creating value for both our contractors and clients over the past 10 years and we have seen business come and go. 

I am more confident than ever in our unique process for clients and contractors.  Inside of these unique processes are unique methods that truly differentiate us from the competition.  If you are interested in being a part of this unique process as a contractor please contact our Vendor Recruiter - Krishna McCollins @ kmccollins@maximent or click on this link for the on-line application https://web.maximent.net/ApplyStepOne.aspx.  If you are interested in working in the office at Maxim please contact our HR department Kelly Shearer @ kshearer@maximent.net or 330-499-9289.

A special thanks to everyone on the Maxim team for an outstanding quarter.  I know that this next quarter will be even more special.  Keep up the great job!

Maxim handles the shell game

Magicians are great people to learn from and each time I get a sense of excitement and new opportunity. My favorite trick is the shell game. You get three shells to pick from and hope you pick the shell with the pea under it. The part I love is seeing how he moves his hands carefully and creates the illusion. When you first watch this trick, you focus all your attention on the first shell that he shows the pea. Only to find that all your focus did not help you pick the correct shell. So then what happens is that you try again and focus more attention and get more confused. Finally, you just start guessing which shell has the pea and still achieve no success. What has this taught us at Maxim? Maxim is not in the magician business, but many times we have been part of the audience for the magician. We deal with many clients and at times it appears they keep moving that pea with slight of hand tricks. However, I disagree with this past statement because of the current economic situation. Many of our clients are probably feeling like they are the audience in the shell game. They try to focus on that pea, only to find that it has moved. This can be frustrating for all participants in the audience. So how do you figure out the magic trick to eliminate that frustration? You can either learn the trick and become the magician. I am catching my flight now... To be continued shortly............

Continued 3/27/09... Or can enjoy the show and be in the present.  By being present, you are more aware of the surroundings and adapt to the changes.  It is virtually impossible to guess what the clients are going to do and how much work you may get for the week when they might not even know themselves.  Yes, we can chart out some graphs and look at past history to predict the future.  But, the point I am trying to make is be flexible with your plan for your business and do not always think that you are going to pick the correct shell.  There are just somethings that we can not control.  Let's enjoy the show and make the most of what our clients are able to give us.

Maxim works on "Being Present"

After this past summit, I have been getting many emails and phone calls about the closing remarks about "Being Present". I learned about these key traits through a class called Strategic Coach . This class has helped my both professionally and personally over the past three years. Here are the 12 traits that I had mentioned at the summit.

1. Awareness of what is taking place now

2. Doing what is appropriate right now

3. Freedom from Past Success

4. Freedom from Past Failure

5. Sense of Fresh Start each Day

6. Sense of excitement about opportunities

7. Sense of appreciation about everything that has happened

8. Sense of appreciation about everyone you know

9. Realization that future is created

10. Realization that the past can be re-utilized

11. Awareness of your Unique Ability

12. Awareness of others Unique Abilities

Be old fashion

Recently, many of you have been calling and telling me that other contractors are getting work in your areas.  Contractors are receiving phone calls from Realtors saying did you get this property or what is going on.  I have called  all of our clients and have specifically addressed this issue with them.  I have received the same responses from all the clients. 

First response was we are low on our volume compared to the last two to three months.  An example was a client had 300 work orders and now they are down to 150 or so. The reason for this has been the moratorium that many of the lenders, such as Fannie and Freddie, imposed on the banks.  I believe this is a short term move because of the current economy.  However, I believe that this is a bad move on their part as it will only stop the bleeding for a short period.  This lack of work has also been depending on the areas that you may work.  Some areas have been steady and other have been roller coaster rides.

The second response from the clients' was they have hired other contractors in our areas.  To me this is no surprise.  There is no guarantee of work in this business or any other business for that matter.  This is the reason why we have created our 100% compliance program.  If the client has other contractors at 100% compliance it is a very simple decision for the client.  Go with the person who delivers the results consistently 100%.  I have mentioned this several times in my emails prior. 

So what should one do as a contractor in this business?

1. Deliver 100% compliance to the client

2. Budget wisely for the next two-three months

3. Be patient

I have been in this business for the past 10 years and have seen many of the ups and downs that we all go thru as contractors.  If one was to practice the three items above, I believe that your business will be setup well for the next wave of work that is coming in the pipeline.  I am reminded of a commercial that I saw many years ago, it was a financial person saying " We do business the old fashion way, WE EARN IT".  This is so true in the mortgage field industry.  We must all earn it.