Western Shamrock Corporation

Newsletter Date
February 2016

Mini Shamrock Scoop

Relationships: Tom Hudgins, President

elationships-What does
that mean? Why are they important
and what can I do to make them
important, lasting, effective and
mutually beneficial?

relationships are hard, time consuming

and require extreme effort. But the
end resultthat ability to relate to
others is one of the TRUE GREAT JOYS
in LIFE! The juice is worth the
squeeze!

While Im certainly no expert in

relationships I have had the good
Relationships are truly the foundation; fortune to be in many different
the core of our existence. They
environments, in many different
transcend borders, ethnicities,
places, exposed to many different
religions, belief systems, cultures, socio people all trying to relate to each
-economic statuses, sports teams (for
other in varying degrees of success or
those having just watched the Super
failure. I have gleaned a few truths
BowlGo Broncos), fashion,
about relationships and how they work
entertainment, and politics. They
or dont work and why they work or
separate us, as humans, from many
dont work.
forms of life that cannot and do not
form relationships.
Do what you say you are going to do
without exception: While this seems
Relationships come in all shapes and
easy to adhere to, many relationships
sizes: Marital, family, work,
are torn as a result of people not doing
customers, friends, enemies, strangers, what they say they are going to
social media, written, verbal, and non- do. Whether that is a meeting, a
verbal. They shape who we are, how
specific time, a customer request, a
we think, why we do things, how we
phone call, a
do things, when we do things and to
commitment, whatever. Little things
whom we do them to.
matter.
Webster defines a relationship as: the
way in which two or more people,
groups, countries, etc., talk to, behave
toward, and deal with each other.
So if the above holds true, why do we
struggle with relationships? Why do
they frustrate us, challenge us, cause
us to lose sleep over and otherwise
infuriate us? Make no mistake,

Tell the truth: sometimes the truth

hurts, sometimes people dont like
it. Ultimately the truth wins, you will
garner respect and develop
relationships because of it.

Invest time in relationships: As

take care, effort, commitment and

ultimately time. This time will result
in a true relationship built on lasting
respect, honor, and trust.

Choose the relationship

carefully: Relationships MUST be
mutually beneficialI get something,
you get something. A one sided
relationship is like a one sided deal
one winner and one loser. That is not
a relationship, that is a transaction.

Condone, Embrace, Encourage, Protect,

Strengthen and Fight for those
relationships: Nothing is more
important. It is worth the fight. It is
worth protecting. It is worth
having! Relationships tell us, guide us,
teach us, shelter us, protect us,
empower us, strengthen us, aide us
and ultimately define us! We are a
sum of our relationships, good and
bad, positive and negative, up or
down!
Whether you are with your family,
assisting a customer, counseling an
employee, or dining with friendsyou
are in a relationship! Make that
relationship the best it can be! It will
change your perspective, your attitude,
your altitude, and ultimately YOUR
LIFE!
Have a great February and a great tax
season!

discussed above, relationships are

work, they are hard, but they are
rewarding in the end. Relationships

Page 1

ROVING
REPORTER

First I would like to say ROLL TIDE! We

are National Champions once again.
Now in Jona's District we are trying to be
champions with our DQ. We are going
to tackle our DQ and become DQ champions. Happy Tax Season everyone and
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Happy birthday to Julie SalazarFrom:
DLE
Happy 9th Anniversary to Julie & Rudy
From: DLE

GA/FL District
Dan Anderson, DM

ax season is in full swing, the W-2s are

out and we have a great opportunity in every
branch.
The tax program is a great fit for our customers
and our industry. It provides a great service for
our customers and gives each branch the opportunity to make some additional bonus money!
Lets offer our tax service to everyone and make
this the best tax season ever.
Attitude is the single most important thing each
staff brings to work every day, if you have a positive attitude you will get positive results and vice
versa.

Numbers
Beverly Hughes, DM

emember the difference between a

boss and a leader; a boss says "GO!" a leader says
"Let's go!" E.M Kelly
Great leaders don't set out to be a leader... They set
out to make a difference. It's never about the role
- Always about the goal.
"The most powerful leadership tool you have is
your own personal example." John Wooden
Top 3 in BR's - TCA 14.41%, TCM 13.%, TCN
12.06% Top 3 in NL's - TCT 32, TCM 25, TCN 19
Top 3 in FB's - TCM 15, OID & TCA tied 8, TCN &
TMP tied 6 Top 3 gain of accounts -TCM 9, TCN
5, TCT 4 Top 3 lowest DQ - OID & TCN tied
8.21%, TCM 9.86% Top 3 MTD Sales - TCM
$3139., TCA $2345., TCT $2174.
Top 2 Lowest DQ Sales - TCA 6.01%, TCT 8.46%,
Top 2 Tax Offices - TCA 20, TCM 13 as of
02/04/2016 LET'S GO TEAM!!!

Western Shamrock

SUCCESS
Lori Smith: DM

eople who succeed have momentum. The more they

succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a
way to succeed. Similar, when someone is failing, the tendency is to
get on a downward spiral that can become a self fulfilling prophecy- Tony Robbins
Good job to EAT on BRS
Good job to ECR on 30s and 60s
Next month we plan to be able to mention every office in my hall
of fame.

Krystal's Kool Kids

Guest Columnist : Vertina Price -Manager

his year has started out with a BANG!!! Tax season is here.
Some in our District have exceeded last years taxes already in their
offices. We are looking forward to a GREAT tax season!! I was
asked how did I turn my office around. My answer is this. ATTITUDE & DETERMINATION. I decided that I wouldn't make excuses
that are so easy to come up with, instead I was determined to be the
top office. My attitude changed from I might, to I should, to I can
to I will! I WILL solicit every customer for the referral. I WILL stay
late. I WILL meet goals that are set for my office. I WILL give good
customer service. I WILL get it done! The I WILL attitude forced
me to make the necessary changes to lead my staff and office to a
successful 2015! We finally passed 100k in profit!! I WILL be a
top contender not only in the district, but in the company. If you
have found yourself stuck in a rut, just change your attitude and the
attitude of your staff. Remember that they see everything you do! If
they see you down and defeated they are too! Be DETERMINED to
be the best you can be. It WILL work if you work on it! We can
make it happen and make money at the same time. Lets ALL have a
great rest of the tax season and 2016!!!

Numbers:
Tommy Crow, DM

lease join the Laredo district in welcoming two new

employees the Western-Shamrock family at THB: Anita Rodriguez,
Manager and Maria Tapia, Account Specialist.
Congratulations to TLR, meeting the special January collections
bonus for both 30's and 60's with 1.92% 30's and 1.84% 60's. TZF
also met the bonus for 60's at 1.85%.
As district, sales were slightly higher than in January 2015 and all
stores made at least one sale, compared to 2015 when three stores
did not make a sale.
We will take these victories and build upon them in February. The
goal is to have every office at 2% or lower 30's and 1% or lower 60's
and each office selling a minimum of $3000 per month by March
2016.
Any article this time of year would be remiss not to mention
TAXES!!! As a district, we set a goal of 415 returns and an
expectation that every office bonus this year.
Together Everyone Achieves More!

Page 2

TAXES: Kizzy McDonald, DM

ard to believe we're in the 2nd Month of 2016. It's TAX Time and we have time to shine! Hats off to Shanquetta
Townsend in CBV, Shanquetta is leading my district in taxes, she's well on her way to 100
Tax Returns. She's at 71 Tax Returns as of today. Hat's off to CBV!
I'm excited about the new alignment in SC, we're happy to welcome CBI and CCA to our district.
I'm really looking forward to great and mighty things in 2016. It saddens me to lose my other offices
but I know they will do well under the leadership of their new District Manager, Steve Hester.
I would like to say to My District 2016 will be the year where we will make a Major Impact in all areas. Let's continue to offer
Superior Customer Service! Let's continue to stay Motivated and motivate those around us. Always walk in Integrity! Lets continue
to be LOYAL to each other, our company and our customers. I will do my very best to EMPOWER each of you for success with our
company.
I believe in 2016 something BIG is going to happen! Just Wait and See!
To My Fellow DM's can't wait to see you guys next month.

Arts Avengers
Art Dover, DM
Anniversary

# of
Years

Name

Location

02/10
02/12
02/09
02/15
02/25
02/25
02/02
02/02
02/10
02/12
02/06
02/17
02/01
02/04
02/13
02/15
02/04
02/04
02/07
02/12
02/26
02/05
02/07
02/05
02/02
02/02
02/02
02/03
02/09
02/09
02/18
02/19
02/23
02/23
02/24
02/09

19
19
18
17
14
8
7
7
6
6
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

MCKEOWN, KAREN J
WIEDENFELD, LISA M
RODRIGUEZ, MAGGIE
GRIFFIN, BRIDGET E
BURCH, SONYA G
SERRANO, CARLOS
ORTEGA, ASANNETTE
MCCLELLAND, LAWANDA D
FEHL, MATTHEW A
LOWMAN, JAMES R
VASQUEZ, RUTH A
FITZ, NATASHA M
RODARTE, EVANGELINA
PERRY, SAMANTHA H
ALBRITTON, TATRINA
CURLES, CONNIE
ANDERSON, RYAN
MARTINEZ, TABBITHA
MERCER, JENNIFER
MYERS, KEISHA L
STRONG, JULIA A
WILLIAMS, QUALITY C
HENDERSON, LENA A
CASTELLON, ANDREA C
FORE, BERNICE
JOHNSON, ANITA
LUEVANO, MONICA
CANNON, DEANNA J
CLAY, REBECCA
ROBERTSON, LENA K
MEDCALF, KIMBERLY
RURY, JANIS
MATTHEWS, JEANNE P
OLIVARES, VICTORIA
GRANT, PATRICIA
RINCON, KAREM

OSC
WSC
TFW
TCM
WSC
WSC
TMC
TNC
OSC
WSC
WNC
DCC
TES
AFL
AGR
GCR
WSC
TTY
WWF
EMC
HRL
ACL
TMI
WSA
CMR
WSC
WSC
OKC
DCH
TBT
TMH
OKJ
WSC
TRR
WTL
ACL

Page 3

irst off I would like to say thank you to my

entire district for stepping up in January and meeting
the challenges. Taxes are a part of our business, with
tools and training threw PTS we absolutely must book
every tax customer possible. I believe that each of you
will strive to do your very best to make everyday better
than the day before. In our industry today, we are faced
with many new challenges, but we have the ability to
adapt and move forward. This year as a district, new and
tenured staff are striving to increase our productivity
and to show that we are committed to being a
contributor to our great companys continued success.
To the new staff members in our district Welcome
David Hill CGA Manager
Echo Crocker CGA Account Specialist
Natasha Foster CGA Account Specialist
Marie Reynolds CLA Account Specialist
Claudia Sanders CRO Manager
Shameka Mobley CRO account Specialist
Joyce Crosby CRO Account Specialist
Joel Sprouse CSP Manager Trainee
Shanika McCrorey CYO Account Specialist

Western Shamrock

Back to Basics
Cecily Kelly, Regional Manager

o many of us
want quick fixes or to
take the easy way.
Unfortunately quick
fixes and easy ways
are not long term fixes
and in almost all cases
won't get you to your
ultimate goal.
So why do we waste our
time always searching for
these? We seem to spend
more time going around a
problem instead of facing
the problem head on. It
may be fear of failure or
we want to be successful
using our own way and
not a way that has been
proven successful. Lets go
over some examples of
what we need to do to get
back to the basics that
have been proven
successful.

3.) Using the 3-tier

application tray properly:
Do you consistently call
your UN-mades for the
first 5-days after they
were approved? Once the
5-days is up are you
sending an approved/
counter letter? Then do
you send another letter
and call those UN-mades
once a month for 90days?

4.) Qualify customers

what they qualify for:
Sometimes we make loan
decisions based on our
emotions or a feeling we
get. Are you focusing on
how the customer is
presenting themselves
(may even beg you to give
them more, trying to
make you feel sorry for
them), or from what other
creditors tell you? I have
seen way to many
GROWTH
defaulted loans that were
Sometimes we do this, we approved because they
come up with these great paid great with a
creative ideas before we
competitor. You need to
have even done our
refer back to our
basics. Here are some
company approval
basics in marketing to
guidelines to help you
grow your branch.
properly analyze the
application. Sometimes
1.) Referral solicitation:
you may just need to
When was the last time
sharpen your skills on
you sent me someone?
how to read a credit
Do you say this with every report.
customer contact...not hit
and misses? Do you
5.) Thank you calls: How
engage with your
many of you stick to this
customers, or do you tell
every week? Another
them on the fly as they are opportunity to build on
walking out the door to
your relationship with
send you someone?
your new customer and to
ask for that referral
2.) Online Applications:
business!
Are you checking email
regularly throughout the
6.) ADC Mail: Do you
day so can respond to
actually use this tool? Our
online applications
target customers are
quickly? Put yourself in
usually ones who
your customers shoes...If
associate with our
you applied online for
current customers.
credit and you got a call
So why wouldn't
back many hours later or you use this great
not at all, what
tool?!
impression would that
leave on you? Would you 7.) Former
even call back or answer
Borrower
when they finally called? solicitation: How
many of you call

Western Shamrock

your customers who paid

out? Do you do this on a
regular basis? Each week
call the ones that paid out
the week before? Are you
calling once a month to
customers who paid out
1month+ ago? When you
call them do you ask them
why they haven't been
back in? Or do you just
say, I was calling to let
you know you still have
$XXX available...Thank
you! That sounds upbeat
but it lacks quality. More
than you think your
customers won't do repeat
business with you because
of an indifference they
had with you. Ask them
why, and what you can do
to gain their business
back. A more engaged
solicitation call will not
sound like a sales call.
8.) Great Customer
Service: It really starts
here. If a customer has a
great experience they may
tell others (usually very
few). However, if they
had a bad experience with
you, they will tell
everyone! Make every
experience with every one
of your customers a great
one. Greet them right
away, build those
relationships at the
beginning. Thank them
and let them know you
appreciate them! A thank
you will go a long way!
We will look at
COLLECTION BASICS in
my next SCOOP article!
Thank you and good luck
getting back to the
BASICS!

New Training
Training Department

ere we are, about to be half way

through the first quarter and in the middle
of Tax season. Where are you and your
office compared to your TAX goal? We
hope that you are three quarters to your tax
goal. If you are not there, then the question
should be what is your plan? As most of you
should know a goal with out a plan is just a
wish.
As trainers, we have the opportunity to
travel to different states, cities and towns. It
is funny as we travel to these locations to
help train, we always hear that things are
different here, because people are different
here. An example of what we hear, is
these people do not want to pay and it is
hard to collect. Another example is it is
hard to get people to do taxes with us. There
is a tax company right next to us and they
promote, advertise, and have a person out
on the street with a sign and we do not.
The other example we heard recently was,
it is hard to sell here, because... Most of
the time they are correct. The reason they
are correct is, because of their belief system
which leads to their actions and then the
results. If you wish to change this, you will
need to change your Beliefs. Once you do,
your actions will change as well as your
final results.
With the recent policy change in Field Collections you will not be able to go visit a
customer at their job and home any longer.
With that said, we can hear many of you
saying that it will now be difficult to collect
due to this policy change. In order to help
maintain or improve your collections you
need to update all aspects of your customers
information. Updating information before
discussing their account by phone or in
person, will help you in the future to collect
these accounts. Our Founder would always
say that you could take the ten best customers and they would eventually become
your 10 worst. The reason he said this that
most of the time you could set your watch
by the way they pay and we normally do
not ask to update their information. Hence
the reason they go bad. Again your belief
becomes your reality. If you work on the
basics and believe that it will help you in
the present you will see progress in your
future and success as well. Will you change
your belief which will change you actions,
and then your results?
As trainers we are here to help and empower each of those we encounter.

Page 4

CASH CONTROL REMINDER, Policy Committee

o not leave the work area at

any time when the area is opened for
business without first closing all the
drawers containing currency or
negotiable documents. While away from
the work area and out of its view, close
and lock all drawers and cabinets
containing money and keep the key(s)
with you.
Complete one customer transaction in its
entirety prior to beginning any
transaction with another customer,
including putting all cash in the
appropriate cash drawers.
Employee cash drawers will be locked
when not in use. Cash must remain
secured in a locking bank bag in the safe
when that employee is absent. Only the

District Manager, HO Controller, or

Executive Staff may authorize a person to
open a cash drawer or bank bag using the
spare key from the safe for the purpose
of auditing or clearing the money.
Anytime the spare keys are used to open a
cash drawer or a bank bag, a witness
must be present to verify the count.
When the count is completed, the keys
must be secured again by the Manager/
District Manager and the witness.

will also be verified in the same manner

upon the return of the regular employee.
A cash sheet will be prepared for this
count and verified by both persons
performing the count. This cash sheet
will then be filed with the end of day
report.
Cash will not be counted at the
workstation when the office is open for
business.

When any employee has not reported for

work due to an unscheduled absence for
more than two days, the authorized
person will remove the spare keys from
the safe. The employees cash will be
counted and verified by two people.
If cash is to be turned over to a substitute
employee for use in the absence of the
regular employee, the substitute
employee will verify the cash with one
other employee as a witness. The cash

Birthday

Employee Name

Location

Birthday

Employee Name

Location

02/16
02/28
02/17
02/11
02/23
02/21
02/29
02/27
02/20
02/08
02/23
02/25
02/08
02/04
02/25
02/03
02/15
02/06
02/26
02/14
02/21
02/28
02/06
02/28
02/24
02/17
02/28

ALEXANDER, EMMYLEE A
ALVARADO, JESSICA
ARNOLD, SHANNON
BARAJAS, JESSE L
BAUTISTA, NANCY
BIVENS, CHANDRA E
BROWN, DAWNYETTA
BROWN, TONIKHA
CALDERA, ELSA
CASTILLO, JOSEFINA S
DE LA GARZA, GABRIELA
DICKSON, STELLA
DOUGLAS, JACQUANA D
DOVER, ARTHUR L
DUMAS, ANITA
EVERETT, COURTNEY H
GAONA, MAXINE Q
GARCIA, STEPHANIE
GAULT, PATTIE D
GIBSON, JOYCE
GONZALES, JESSICA L
GONZALEZ, MIREYA
GRIFFIN, BRIDGET E
MELENDEZ, LUIS A
HARTSELL, ASHLEY
HERNANDEZ, JENNIFER L
HORSLEY, STEPHANIE

MNV
MCA
SFT
WSC
DSC
TTL
LLC
CBA
TMS
OPO
TPN
TEN
CCB
CFS
ARV
GAM
WSA
WSC
CWO
GBB
TLT
WOA
TCM
TEL
TCM
WFN
AAC

02/18

JOHNSON, BRITTANY

TBN

02/19
02/28
02/07
02/06

JOHNSON, KRISTIE
LAFOLLETTE, KRISTIE K
LAWRENCE, MARY R
LEWIS, LAUREL M

GGR
GGC
CGR
EMC

02/17
02/19
02/07
02/06
02/11
02/11
02/10
02/26
02/13
02/09
02/02
02/13
02/29
02/17
02/03
02/09
02/06
02/10
02/15
02/17
02/27
02/23
02/05
02/27
02/13
02/26
02/02
02/03
02/12
02/10
02/21
02/04
02/01

LOGGINS, PAMELA
LOVATO, DEBORA S
LOWMAN, JAMES R
MARRISETT, KODY J
MARTINEZ, ANGELA R
MCCLAIN, JESSICA D
MCNISH, HEATHER L
MELTON, BRITTANY N
MORALES, ELIZABETH A
NARVAIZ, NAOMI
NUTT, AMBER
PEDROZA, ELIZABETH
PHILLIPS, FELICIA
RAMIREZ, ALBERTO
REGALADO, YAHAIRA M
RODRIGUEZ, MAGGIE
ROE, CARLA K
RUBALCABA, IDA R
SALANDY, HAYDEN
SALAZAR, JULIE A
SALINAS, SAMANTHA L
SHAVER, SHARON
SPIEKER, SUSAN
SRADER, HENRY M
TAPIA, MARIA A
TAYLOR, CYNTHIA
TELLEZ, ELIZABETH
THOMPKINS, ROSCHELLE
TUNG, CRYSTAL
VAUGHN, JAMIE
VIRGILI, BRANDI N
WICKHAM, JULIO
WIEDENFELD, LISA M

GDV
TBG
WSC
EMT
NSA
ZOP
ECV
TEN
DAS
TSO
GAS
WSC
ARO
DLL
THF
TFW
ELB
TEA
WSC
DLE
HRL
DLJ
WSC
GSC
THB
ACM
WAU
EKV
WSC
EGL
AHV
LAX
WSC

Page 5

Western Shamrock

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Diane Aliff, DM

The hardest hit office was Sumter, South

Carolina. We didn't know the impact
and the toll the flood would have on the
t had been bleak, dark and
community and the office itself. On
raining for 5 days straight. Would South October 7th around 9:30 am, I got a call
Carolina ever get a break from the rain? from the landlord letting me know that
October 2, 2015 meteorologists were
we would have to close the branch due
calling for astronomical rain falls
to the flooding. He told me I needed to
during the next couple of days on top of get there as soon as I could to make
what we had already received.
arrangements to get the office moved to
a temporary location and of course he
Every DM in South Carolina made
had a location for us. He described how
phone calls to all their branches to make the water washed up under the door
sure all the equipment was up and off
and flooded the entire office. I made the
the floor just in case an office got
necessary phone calls to let every one at
flooded during the expected rain event
home office know the impact and what I
and to give instructions on what to
needed to do.
expect if something did happen.
I had to pack! That was the first thing I
October 4th, 2015- 20 inches of rain has did. I didn't know how long I would be
fallen in 2 days. The rivers were rising
there so I made sure I had enough
fast. Streets started to flood and roads
clothes to last me a week.
were washing away. First responders
started shutting down streets, bridges
As I made arrangements to be there, I
and over passes. You couldn't get into
had to call around to find a hotel room.
any city and you couldn't get out. Dams Due to the displacement of so many
started breaking, roads were washing
families I was able to find one room left
away and we were just all watching
in the city of Sumter. As I finally made
helpless as the events of the historic
my way there around 1pm, I found the
flood of 2015 were unfolding.
roads in and out of some towns were
still closed and had to make my way
The situation is the result of a weather
around barriers. I finally got there just
system that funneled tropical moisture
after 3:30pm. It took a while due to so
into South Carolina and refused to move many roads still closed and I had to find
on. It was a garden hose that just kept
alternate routes to get there. It is
pouring ashore in one spot, and that
normally a one hour drive. As I got
spot was South Carolina.
there and surveyed the office, it was as
the landlord described. 2-3 inches of
State officials described it as a 1,000water had crept in and ruined the
year storm -- referring to weather
carpets! The stench from the wet carpet
terminology describing a storm with a 1 was enough to gag you and you could
-in-1,000 chance of happening in any
see the water line on the walls where it
given year.
had risen. Just my luck! I would be there
While the rain is beginning to move out the rest of the week.
of the region, as much as an additional
2 inches could fall. But some rivers may On Wednesday, October 8th, I made my
not crest for possibly two weeks,
way to the office early that morning and
meaning parts of the state will be
had the employees meet me there. I had
dealing with flooding for some time.
already got the new office keys from the
landlord the night before so now we
As the rain abated and moved on most
had to prepare to move the location. It's
offices in South Carolina were closed
amazing when disaster strikes the
due to the road closures and flooding.
multitude of people willing to help. It
Sumter, Camden, Manning, Kingstree,
restores your faith in humanity. We had
Bishopville and both Columbia offices
enough people lined up and ready to
were closed Monday October 5th due to work. Over night the landlord had his
the floods and road closures. Hundreds crew remove all the carpet out of the
of customers were affected and lost
office. All we needed to do was to move
some to all of their belongings during
the furniture, phone lines, utilities and
the record rain fall. Over 550 roads
file cabinets to the new location. What a
were closed in the State and 100 roads JOB!!
and bridges in the Columbia, South
Carolina area were impacted.
We had moved all the heavy furniture
and file cabinets and were waiting on

Western Shamrock

the IT department to send us someone to

get our computers moved, rewired and
up and running. That finally happened
on Thursday afternoon. By Friday
afternoon, we had phone service,
internet service, running water,
electricity and the computers up and
running.
The office was closed for one week due
to the flood water washing under the
back door and drenching the entire
carpet from the back to the front of the
office. I can truly say what a blessing it
was to have so many people working
together to get CSU back up and
running and back to serving our
customers that needed us the most
during this tragic time in our state. Even
after many months of recovery, we still
have customers that were impacted by
this disaster and our office there is
making a positive impact with one
customer at a time.
Thank you to those who were there to
help us to get back up quickly: James
Lowman, Scott Freeman, Carolyn
Glossbrenner, Michelle McDonald,
Tawaina Andrews, Lisa DeHoyos and
Mike Henry. I couldn't have done it
without the help and expertise of each
person listed.
Sumter, South Carolina is thriving once
again. As is all the other towns and cities
effected by the flood waters.

Page 6

Leadership
Mike Henry, Operations Manager

and use more praise. It is often

hard to know how employees
perceive you, so try to observe
recently read this
them closely or ask them in a
story about being an effective non-threatening way such as,
leader by Sherry L. Hesselbein "If you had to name my best
and I want to share it with
and worst qualities, what
everyone.
would they be?" An
Some say great leaders are
anonymous comment box
born, not made. And while
might also elicit the
there are some born leaders,
information you need.
many more have honed their
Know the traits the group
leadership skills through
values in a leader
extensive practice. So, if
There is no one-size-fits-all
you're not a born leader, but
leader. To be an effective
want to learn how to be, this
leader for a certain group, you
article will show you what
will need to understand what
you need to do to become the qualities the group values.
most effective leader you can
Trust? Creativity?
be.
Organization? You should
Be prepared for commitment
hone whatever qualities they
Effective leadership is much
value (ones that will also
more than simply giving
inspire them to work smarter
assignments and direction. It
and harder). If you don't know
requires vision, collaboration, the answer to this question,
planning and practice. And
observe your group members
this all takes time and a lot of or simply ask them what
hard work. If you aren't one of makes a good leader. They will
those "born" leaders, be
likely appreciate your
prepared for a serious
commitment to their concerns.
commitment to honing your
Develop a vision and solid
leadership skills.
goals
Assess your personal strengths Members of a group need to
and weaknesses
know what they are working
A good leader excels in some
toward. Your job as a leader is
areas, but also understands his to work with your employees
or her limitations. Knowing
to set measurable goals with
these strengths and
achievable milestones along
weaknesses will help you
the way. Your team members
delegate responsibility
should know your vision for
accordingly, hire people who the group as a whole and for
complement you, and know
them as individuals.
what areas you need to work
Learn and practice your skills
on to become a better leader.
Key leadership skills include
Learn how people perceive
communication, teamyou
building, vision and planning,
Good leaders have a thorough knowing when to take risks,
understanding of how they're motivating individuals and the
perceived. This knowledge
group, delegating
will make you better able to
responsibility, and more. To
communicate with employees become a good leader, you
and understand what qualities will need to practice these
you need to work on to
skills.
manage more effectively. For
Know the organization
example, if you are known as An effective leader knows the
being a bit too harsh, you can purpose and goals of his or
work on your tone of voice
her group, the purpose and

Page 7

goals of the overall

organization, and the best
strategies to achieve these
goals. The leader understands
not only how his or her group
operates, but also how it
operates in the context of the
entire business. You should
know what each department
and individual (assuming your
business is relatively small)
does and how it affects the
organization as a whole. You
should also understand the
external operations of the
organization that a leader
should choose his style based
on the willingness and ability
of the group to accomplish its
goals. If the group is unwilling
and unable, the leader should
be extremely hands-on,
providing a lot of help,
structure, direction and
encouragement to the group.
If the group is willing but
unable, the leader can be
more of a coach, providing
direction, guidance and
inspiration. If the group is
willing and able, the leader
can be more of a delegator. If
the group is unwilling but
able, the leader should focus
on building relationships and
motivating employees. These
are merely guidelines. A
leader must read the group,
understand what it needs to
succeed and how to make that
happen, and then do it.
Practice makes (close to)
perfect
Becoming an effective leader
takes practice. Work on your
skills. Seek feedback so you
can improve. Try new
methods when something
doesn't work. The more you
work on becoming an
effective leader, the more
likely you are to get there.

Carrie Timms,
District
Manager
Even if you're on the
right track, you'll get
run over if you just
stand there. - Will
Rogers.
I use this quote literally. I may be on the
right track in life
and work, but I
know that I can't remain still. I have to
continue to move
and to reach for
more. It seems that
we all create this
imaginary world to
live in, if only for a
moment. Then we
realize, once it's too
late, that we have
stalled. Things may
get in your way, go
around them. Learn
how to climb over
those things. If our
thought process
stalls on how to
grow, we get run
over. If we stop on
the tracks of delinquency, we get run
over. It's up to each
one of us to choose
the road wisely.
You cannot solve a
problem with the
same mind that created it. (Albert Einstein) Reset your
mind to keep moving down the tracks,
not to stall, not to
get run over.
Western Shamrock

Matthew's Moneymaker's:
Matthew Fehl, DM

month, but I am proud to say that 5

of the 7 offices finished with a gain in
accounts! The top producers were
y now the tax season is
WOM with a gain of 12 and then OKJ
underway and we should be gaining with a gain of 8. Thank you to all
momentum with the first week of
who gained accounts and for
February here. So far the top offices
continuing to keep an eye on your
in the District are OBR at 15, WOM
account base and focusing on not
at 10 and OKJ at 8. Those below
losing accounts. This is the most
double digits need to get it going.
important part of our job! Be sure to
Several of you are close and it is going achieve the Company's contest
to require your constant solicitation
around growth this month. The first
and asking each and every customer
tier requires a gain of 10 accounts.
to let you do their taxes. Follow up
Take advantage of it and set up 2016
with all your commitments and get
for success.
them in the offices. These are YOUR
customers you see every month and
Refinances: This is a tough season, but
you are available to them 52 weeks of continue to solicit every customer,
the year. They trust you with their
every time for the refinance. It needs
loan business, why wouldn't they
to be offered 3 times during each
trust you with their taxes? Again, the customer interaction. This is an area
time is now! It's February, if not
you are going to have to work harder.
now......when?
The customers are not coming in
asking for it like they were in
Growth: January is always a tricky
November and December, so we have

to sell it. Also, use the BR to cure

delinquency issues. The BR is a great
tool to get the customers back on
track and line their pay days up with
their due dates. The Company has
given us very reachable BR goals and
each one of us should take advantage
of it.
We must continue to control our paid
outs and drive the tax customers into
our doors. Everyone has their W-2's,
so we are going to have to sell
ourselves to each one of our
customers and new customers as they
come in. We have the products, we
have the quick turnaround times,
they trust you already, now we just
have to ASK them for their tax
business. Let's make February
FANTASTIC!

Love ~ Ernesto Calvo, Operations Manager

ebruary is the month of LOVE and

these DMs LOVE taxes! I am so proud of your
belief in our CORE VALUES and MISSION.
Taxes is WHAT WE DO and you made sure
your team BELIEVED in YOU enough to LOVE
taxes themselves! Whats not to LOVE? Its exciting, fast-paced, and OH THE BONUS! Who
does not LOVE a good bonus?!
Last, but certainly not least, lets recognize February as Black History Month. There have been
and continue to be impressive and iconic figures in our Country that should not go without
notice!
Have a great February and please, LOVE
WHAT YOU DO!
As of the publishing of this SCOOP, here are
the TRUE LOVES in the tax business:

Western Shamrock

BECKY
NATE
MIKE H. - SC
DEBBIE/LISA
BRANDY
KIZZY
KRYSTAL
CHRIS
FRANK
MIKE P.

429
406
271
213
209
201
197
188
149
148

TIM
CARLOS
JANET
MICHAEL M.
CORINA
DIANE
ROLAND
JANELLE

140
134
129
128
118
115
113
107
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