Market Reaching its Peak

I do not profess to “Know” what real estate market will do in next year or two, but I would like to share some information with you that might help you in making decisions regarding buying or selling property in today’s market. The following information relates to types of mortgages that are currently being taken out by those who are currently purchasing or refinancing homes. Statistical surveys of mortgage market shows that percentage of adjustable rate mortgages comprised over 60% of loans obtained in last fiscal quarter. Even though traditional 30 year mortgage is still very low in terms of historical comparison, buyers and homeowners that are currently buying or refinancing are electing to go with adjustable rate almost two thirds of time. Does that mean that they expect interest rates to go down even more, or is it because they can no longer afford fixed interest rate, and believe that obtaining adjustable rate is better than not buying or refinancing at all?

Six Key Principles of Corporate Accountability

The foundation of any business transaction is promise of fair deal. In complex organizational relationships, it is all too easy to lose sight of existence and terms of this deal. On surface, that employer/employee relationship, called a job, is a fair deal wherein employer’s money is traded for employee’s time and talent. The deeper reality, however, is that employer is actually trading resources for a set of desirable results, which employee is expected to deliver. The promise to faithfully deliver as agreed by both parties is essence of accountability. We recommend that organizations give voice to their accountability through a document called an Accountability Agreement. An Accountability Agreement clearly states results that each member of an organization, from most senior to most junior, is expected to bring about [For specific examples of Accountability Agreements, please see our online tool at http://www.AlignOnline.com]. The following six principles form foundation for negotiating and understanding accountability. Together they form a practical theory of accountability, transforming effect it can have on an organization, and its essential role in creating significant business results.

I. Accountability is a Statement of Personal Promise Accountability is both a promise and an obligation to deliver specific, defined results. Accountability, as we define it, does not apply in an abstract way to departments, work groups, or entire organizations. Accountability applies to individuals and their personal promise that these functions will deliver agreed results. Accountability is first and foremost a personal commitment to organization and to those organization serves. It is more than just trying, doing your best, or behaving in certain ways. Accountability empowers individuals to push their circle of influence outwards in pursuit of results.

II. Accountability for Results Means Activities Aren’t Enough Everyone in an organization, from CEO to janitor, has some piece of business and a corresponding set of results which are theirs to achieve. Distinguishing results from activities requires a shift in traditional thinking built on an awareness of why we do what we do. For example, a typical supervisor’s job description includes activities such as “training,” “performance evaluations,” and “timely communication”. In contrast, a supervisor’s accountabilities should include a result such as “the success of all direct reports.” This concept addresses common observation that everyone is busy but only some people are productive.