CmB magazIne cmba-achc.ca spring 2018 | 31
just has to work harder in a tougher climate to
develop viable business opportunities. Clearly
identifying what one needs to do to revise their
business model with the appropriate adjustments
is paramount to the success of a business.
CMB: What do you feel are the biggest
challenges and opportunities facing the
Canadian mortgage industry today?
JB: e greatest challenges right now are
definitely in the regulatory space with extreme
changes in a short time span and, in particular,
in an increasing interest-rate environment.
One of the things we concentrate on at CIMBC
as a broker-centric organization is making sure
our broker members are very much prepared
with access to funds and a variety of lender
partners with unique options.
CMB: how do you personally strive
for excellence?
JB: roughout my career I have always
maintained the difference between "I can't" and
"I won't." Understanding the clear distinction
between the two is critical in determining
whether one succeeds or fails. Awareness
of one's surroundings is another very
important component to success, along with
the ability to build meaningful relationships
that add value to all parties in the business
equation. Excellence can only be achieved
for those who work hard and take the time
to build a business strategy that gives them
the ability to be agile.
CMB: What advice would you give to
those just starting out in the industry?
JB: Take the time to study the industry as
thoroughly as you can, and build a business
plan that works for you. Aligning yourself
with the right partners by verifying the pitch
is also critical to one's success. Be a leader,
not a follower.
CMB: Do you feel you are an industry
pioneer, breaking new ground during
your career? if so, why?
JB: Here's where I'm going to let my modest
side kick in, and allow for my accomplishments
to speak for themselves.
CMB: What's on the horizon for you,
career-wise?
JB: I'm focused on taking CIMBC to the
next level as an industry leader in the broker
space. With the newest additions to our team –
former BMO executive Robert Sinclair as our
president, and Calvin Quek, who's brilliant in
the tech space and understands the mortgage
business very well, which is critical to the
success of our business model of strategically
positioning our CIMBC member brokers and
their agents for what lies ahead – along with
our strong and rapidly growing broker partners,
let's just say I'm very excited about the future!
I'm not done yet with bringing meaningful
disruptive change to the industry.
"I'm not done yet
with bringing meaningful,
disruptive change to
the industry."
mblegend
