In this episode of the Lykken on Lending podcast, David interviews Ian Franz and Julie Gross about Company Culture.
What is Your Company Doing About Creating Culture?
If you’re not actively setting out to create the type of culture you want at your business, then you can be assured that it is being created for you by your employees, even if it’s a mesh of clashing personalities from various employees.
In this episode we’ll discuss what makes great culture and how you can begin to influence your company to move in a direction that inspires everyone to be their best.
We’ll also look at some current hot topics that should be of interest to everyone in your company: equal pay and opportunities for women, the millennial generation, company camaraderie, leading with respect and thoughtful behavior to everyone, and giving back to your community.
About Ian Franz – Director of Culture at Veterans United Home Loans
Ian Franz is honored to serve as the Director of Culture at Veterans United Home Loans, which he has done for seven years.
Veterans United is a VA-approved lender with 2,400 employees known for its company culture, having made the Fortune Magazine 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and the 2017 People Magazine’s Companies that Care list, and several other Fortune lists, such as Best Workplaces for Women, Millennials, Camaraderie, and Giving Back.
Ian credits all of the fantastic employees and leaders at Veterans United for making the culture what it is.
Julie Gross
EVP, Chief Training Officer and Culture Keeper – Certainty Home Loans
Julie’s passion for the mortgage banking industry is evident from the minute you meet her. With over forty years of mortgage banking experience, Julie can speak confidently about all aspects of our business.
As a “day one” employee, Julie helped to build Certainty Home Loans and in her 18 years with the company, has worn many hats. She has a diverse knowledge of both operations and production. With a very genuine desire to help loan officers succeed, she uses a hands on, old school “from the heart” approach while training. Julie created Certainty Home Loans University several years ago and has graduated several “platoons” of young mortgage bankers to pay it forward in our industry.
In 2011 the company created The Julie Gross Culture Award honoring Julie’s legacy in helping to build and keep the culture strong. Each year Julie presents this award to an employee who exemplifies the true culture of the company.
Henrietta
Need something to put a smile on your face or bring you good luck on a tougher than normal loan? A rubber chicken in a purple polka dot bikini, wearing way too much makeup will get the job done!
Henrietta makes us all smile – and laugh! You’ll learn more about her when you visit our Home Office or any of our branches throughout the country. And you can always email her at Henrietta@certaintyhomeloans.com
Excerpts from this Interview:
- Listen: Bailing Out the Bros.
- Listen: What do you do on a daily basis to affect and impact culture?
- Listen: We started something years ago that’s super simple but has been a huge hit.
- Listen: How to Ensure Culture is in Play Every Day.
- Listen: You have to have a presence with your employees.
- Listen: We don’t hire anybody if they don’t have our core values.
- Listen: It really goes back to old school values.