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4 must-read Lean books for every credit union leader
For years, the name Toyota has been synonymous with words like value, quality, productivity and profitability. Much of Toyota’s success is attributed to its management philosophy and practices, widely and simply referred to as “Lean.”
Over the past two years, First West has adopted Lean thinking in its business efforts—and the results are paying off. For...
“Treat people fairly and give people the right opportunities.” It’s a recurring phrase for Paul von Saarn. He wants to bring out the best in people and situations, and it’s what he does everyday in his role as senior vice president of risk management and credit at First West. If he wasn’t helping fund today’s go-getters and entrepreneurs in B.C., he’d likely be in Ghana, assisting credit unions there like he did as a mentor last year.
Some...
As an eight-year-old, Shawn Neumann remembers going down to the local Clearbrook Credit Union branch to open a savings account.
“My grandfather was one of the founders of Clearbrook Credit Union,” says Shawn. His grandfather was account #4 at the credit union, which would grow into First Heritage Savings and Envision credit unions, eventually becoming First West Credit Union. Shawn deposited his first few dollars in 1980 and he’s been a member ever since...
You may have a hard time seeing Michele Morgan for the dust as she puts her Harley Davidson through its paces on a weekend rip. But come Monday morning she’ll be back in the office, immaculately attired, and ready to lead First West’s IT team.
An avid motorcyclist, Michele has always thrived on challenge. Her career’s taken her from Northern Ireland to New Jersey, Vancouver and New York; plus various other spots in-between. And just for good measure she’s also...
The birth of their first child should have been one of the happiest experiences of their lives. But for Derek Nakamoto and his wife, their initial joy turned to serious concern when son Jaden was diagnosed with a hole in his heart just three days after entering the world.
Jaden required major surgery at Vancouver’s BC Children’s Hospital – on a heart the size of a walnut. “The hole was 4mm in diameter, which was significant,” says Derek, AVP, continuous...
When Kristi Miller talks about First West Capital’s successful first year, she does so in metaphors about running. The co-founder, vice-president and long-distance runner, who has logged four marathons and is training for her fifth, knows that growing a business is not a sprint, but rather "an endurance sport.” While the market has responded enthusiastically to First West Capital’s investment philosophy and style, the best is still yet to come, and Kristi...
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