Heejin frequently tells an amusing story about her first job in the mortgage industry after immigrating from Korea. She would see managers walking around the floor holding a coffee cup, but not actually performing any function. She referred to them as “coffee cup holders.”
The purpose of the managers was confusing to Heejin, as she spoke little English and she was still trying to figure out American culture. She was witnessing something that is all too common in American business: ineffective middle management.
The problem with such middle managers is not just that they cost money, but that they make organizations far less efficient by asserting authority unnecessarily or by creating unnecessary work to justify their positions.
At JVM we have no managerial ranks and thus avoid the issue. We also try to avoid relationships with vendors and lenders who employ “coffee cup holders” b/c our service levels end up getting affected by them, sooner or later.
Beware of Coffee Cup Holders :)
Jay Voorhees
Founder/Broker | JVM Lending
(855) 855-4491 | DRE# 01524255, NMLS# 335646
