I’m not one to complain but I’m tired of winter; I’m tired of slow cars on Orem Blvd (the posted speed is 35); I’m tired of changing messy diapers; I’m tired of dropped calls; and I’m tired of waiting in line to eat at Iggy’s.
But what I’m most tired of is hearing economic doom and gloom.
I firmly believe that we hold the future of our economy and our country in our hands. I’m one who believes it ain’t all bad out there.
I recently heard Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert speak and he summed up my feelings when he said, “we often hear the phrase ‘this is the worst economy since the Great Depression’. This is like comparing a headache to a brain tumor. We don’t want to understate the current economic challenges, but we don’t want to overstate them either. Let us have an appropriate perspective, particularly here in Utah.”- Gary Herbert - Lieutenant Governor, State of Utah
The following highlights some of the good things about Utah and Utah Valley:
Home Foreclosures
Utah's foreclosure rate (1.4%) is less than half the national rate (2.9%). Utah homeownership rate is 4th highest in the nation. Four states (CA, FL, AZ, NV) account for approximately half of all foreclosures. During the Great Depression foreclosure rates neared 50%
Bank Failures
According to the FDIC, there have been a total of 28 bank failures in 2007 and 2008. In recession-free 1988-89, there were 1,004 failures. Since the Great Depression, the average number of bank failures per year has been 94.
Mortgage interest rates
Currently at 5% for 30 year fixed rate mortgages. Business mortgages have doubled because of low interest rates.
Housing
Bargains are bringing buyers back to the market. The number of existing homes sold in February rose 13% from the previous month. In the West homes sales surged 13.6%.
GOED
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development has more than 120 companies in active discussions with the state about moving or expanding in Utah.
Utah Exports
International exports from Utah during the first three quarters of 2008 was $8.1 billion. Over 50% higher than the value during the same period last year. This rate of growth ranks 4th among all states.
Unemployment
4.3% Utah (U.S. 7.2%) –Dec. 2008. During the Great Depression unemployment was 25%
More Great News
1. Utah unjoys a AAA Bonding Rating. This rating saves taxpayers money on interest costs.
2. Utah Best Managed State—Pew Research Institute
3. Provo ranked #1 as Money Magazine Best Small Cities in 2008
4. Year-over job change in Utah was –1.9% in December 2008
5. Energy and Natural Resources had 7.2% positive growth in December and has potential for continued growth.
6. Population in Utah continues to grow. Utah's population was an estimated 2,757,779 on July 1, 2008 - up 58,225 or 2.2% from July 1, 2007. Net in-migration in 2008 was 16,648, or about 29% of total population growth.
7. Mineral Lease Money has increased by 109% since 2005
8. Tourism at Zions National Park hit 2.7 million in 2008, setting a new record for Zions.
I love Utah.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Great ideas give birth to even greater things in the future
As the CEO of the Utah County Association of REALTORS® it was my honor to welcome the public, elected officials, and fellow REALTORS® to our new building Open House and Ribbon Cutting on Friday April 3. It was a great success. It was fun as many past presidents came forward as we enjoyed the slide show with all their photos and a note of what they were able to contribute during their term as President.
We opened this beautiful new facility because these leaders and others from the past recognized that sometimes great ideas are expensive…but they give birth to even greater things in the future.
Sure the timing of building turned out to be difficult because admittedly we face some challenges; both in terms of the larger economy and our specific industry. However, out of adversity emerges enormous abundance. But this can only be achieved when we seek to move from good to great and work together.
If you want to be great, then walk hand in hand with greatness. Who are you going to spend time with? Will it be those who can help you grow and achieve prosperity? Your behavior determines your result.
So here we are, the Utah County Association of REALTORS® moving into a new building that stands as a strong symbol of us yelling at the top of our lungs that we want to be great. Yes, we are reaping the benefits of those who have gone before us and now we pledge to pass on to others an even brighter future as we work hard and work together.
As I was preparing my remarks I was reminded of words I heard from a remarkable man named Nido Qubein, who gave me this advice, “It is a fact of life that what you choose is what you get. I want each of you to ask what do I need to put on my stop doing list, so I can become even better.” He continued, “As individuals, we reach for excellence in our business as we try to model success through best practices etc. but should we not try to model values and then when success comes we are better prepared to treat others as friends and not simply as customers. We should focus on the person and not the process.”
I agree. Our new building is nothing if we do not use it to treat others better. As the staff of UCAR, we hope to continue and even improve how we serve. With this investment I believe we are prepared to do just that. But each of us should use the tools around us to treat others better. This building is a tool for us as an association. But I ask you, how are you using the tools around you?
We opened this beautiful new facility because these leaders and others from the past recognized that sometimes great ideas are expensive…but they give birth to even greater things in the future.
Sure the timing of building turned out to be difficult because admittedly we face some challenges; both in terms of the larger economy and our specific industry. However, out of adversity emerges enormous abundance. But this can only be achieved when we seek to move from good to great and work together.
If you want to be great, then walk hand in hand with greatness. Who are you going to spend time with? Will it be those who can help you grow and achieve prosperity? Your behavior determines your result.
So here we are, the Utah County Association of REALTORS® moving into a new building that stands as a strong symbol of us yelling at the top of our lungs that we want to be great. Yes, we are reaping the benefits of those who have gone before us and now we pledge to pass on to others an even brighter future as we work hard and work together.
As I was preparing my remarks I was reminded of words I heard from a remarkable man named Nido Qubein, who gave me this advice, “It is a fact of life that what you choose is what you get. I want each of you to ask what do I need to put on my stop doing list, so I can become even better.” He continued, “As individuals, we reach for excellence in our business as we try to model success through best practices etc. but should we not try to model values and then when success comes we are better prepared to treat others as friends and not simply as customers. We should focus on the person and not the process.”
I agree. Our new building is nothing if we do not use it to treat others better. As the staff of UCAR, we hope to continue and even improve how we serve. With this investment I believe we are prepared to do just that. But each of us should use the tools around us to treat others better. This building is a tool for us as an association. But I ask you, how are you using the tools around you?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Start of something great
It is amazing the feeling I had yesterday when I opened the box containing my new laptop. It is almost like getting a new car. I now feel greater independence, freedom, and increased confidence to start something great and make it in the world.
I probably sound like a teenager; but I am almost 43 years old. Age doesn’t matter. Wheels move people and my new computer is my new vehicle. It even has that new-car smell.
Where am I going in my new vehicle? Anywhere I want but for starters I want to go up. I want to speed forward to reach higher and accomplish more. I want to lift myself, others around me, and especially those in my family. I want to improve myself and increase my productivity. I know this new tool will help me manage multiple projects and squeeze more out of each day. All of this and more is now within my reach.
I'm no computer genius -- this is my first laptop -- so it may take weeks and even months for me to become proficient. But for me getting a new computer isn’t about staying up with the latest technology. But I am the CEO of a small real estate/business association so I am busy and can use my new HP to better manage my life, instead of my life managing me. With greater efficiencies and increased effectiveness, I will try harder to serve others and treat people like people and not like projects or tasks.
Isn't that what should move a business anyway; creating value as we treat others with respect and seek to serve? When we do this then we gain friends and not just customers.
Wow. That is quite the swing; I went from opening the box with my new HP, to gaining friends and making the world a better place. What took me so long? I think I'll buy one for my wife.
I probably sound like a teenager; but I am almost 43 years old. Age doesn’t matter. Wheels move people and my new computer is my new vehicle. It even has that new-car smell.
Where am I going in my new vehicle? Anywhere I want but for starters I want to go up. I want to speed forward to reach higher and accomplish more. I want to lift myself, others around me, and especially those in my family. I want to improve myself and increase my productivity. I know this new tool will help me manage multiple projects and squeeze more out of each day. All of this and more is now within my reach.
I'm no computer genius -- this is my first laptop -- so it may take weeks and even months for me to become proficient. But for me getting a new computer isn’t about staying up with the latest technology. But I am the CEO of a small real estate/business association so I am busy and can use my new HP to better manage my life, instead of my life managing me. With greater efficiencies and increased effectiveness, I will try harder to serve others and treat people like people and not like projects or tasks.
Isn't that what should move a business anyway; creating value as we treat others with respect and seek to serve? When we do this then we gain friends and not just customers.
Wow. That is quite the swing; I went from opening the box with my new HP, to gaining friends and making the world a better place. What took me so long? I think I'll buy one for my wife.
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