Tech Niches

Some people think they know it all, but none of us do. There’s value in gathering as a community and discussing problems and solutions with peers. And let’s face it, these days the mortgage industry has its share of problems. So, let’s get together and solve these problems. You and me.
No, I’m not going to visit the home or institution of every reader. And believe me, you wouldn’t want me to either. It’s a wonder my marriage has survived eight years and a true testament to my wife’s will and ability to withstand whatever comes her way. But I digress.

SourceMedia is holding our 12th Annual Mortgage Technology Conference next month (Jan. 22 and 23) in Las Vegas. I’m hoping that we can get together there and start a meaningful dialogue that bunks the trend of things happening in Vegas staying in Vegas. Let’s let Vegas be the starting point for an industry revolution. Only without the violence.

A lot of 2009 is going to be about survival. And let’s face it, the way to survive is to be efficient. And the smart usage of technology leads to efficiency. Doesn’t everyone need to be more efficient?

For this reason, I’m particularly looking forward to the Think Tank entitled: “How To Move Towards A More Efficient Process.” Our panel will include four experts that share their ideas on what it means to be efficient by using technology and providing tips on how lenders can gain more efficiencies in 2009 through the use of technology.

Our speakers include two well-known vendors (Jonathan Corr, Chief Strategy Officer at Ellie Mae and Greg Smith, Vice President and General Manager at Xerox Mortgage Services) and two very smart, tech-savvy and business-rooted lenders (Robin Lamb, CMT, AMP, Vice President, Correspondent eBusiness at Wells Fargo Funding, and David Zugheri, Co-Founder/COO at Envoy Mortgage). I have to admit that I’m really excited to meet Robin Lamb. I’ve heard so many good things about her and the role she is playing as a visionary in moving this industry forward through technology usage, but have never had the pleasure of meeting her myself.

So why do we call this a Think Tank? And why did I call this blog: Ask The Experts? Because we’ll be setting up circular tables for attendees to listen to this panel, the panelists will each speak, and then I’ll ask each table to work as a group to come up with questions, suggestions and comments to the presentations given. From there I’ll go to each table and ask one representative from that table to report back to the group what their thoughts are on the ideas discussed and prod the panelists for further details. We’ll have a real interactive session where ideas, problems and solutions are shared and hopefully resolved.

To see the entire agenda for the show go here. The beauty of the SourceMedia shows are that they’re small enough to have a real meaningful conversation. I know some times small means bad, but other organizations throw huge events that are really based around setting up meetings with prospects and mingling vs. actually going to sessions and solving industry problems. Those shows aren’t going to go away and there’s a place for them, but there should also be a place for smaller shows dedicated to helping the industry by starting some meaningful dialogue and providing a place for the industry to talk to itself.

So what do you think? Do you like the Think Tank concept? Will you join us for the show? Let’s ask the experts together.