What's The Diff?

The things Quicken Loans team members care about and want to share with the world

Licensed to Expire

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

By Ed Moffett

Ed-License

When I moved to California in 1996, I admit it; I let my Michigan license expire. Eventually I was pulled over for speeding and ticketed. That day, I went to the DMV in Cali, and began the process of applying for a California license. The following week I showed up in court with my new license, paid my $110 fine, and put the stressful situation behind me. Or so I thought…

When I moved back to Michigan in 2006, I did it again; and of course, I
was eventually pulled over and ticketed. Incidentally, the officer’s
reason for stopping me was, "causing a break." He decided to let me go
on the "causing a break" offense, when he discovered and ticketed me
for my expired license.

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Forgetting What Matters the Most

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Remember that "well-established" advertising agency that I used to work for? Well, they have once again inspired me to write about them.

I have a close friend named Emily that currently works for the agency as an administrative assistant. She recently told me that the accounting department she supports recently eliminated the only other admin besides herself. Not only was the admin let go, the agency completely did away with her position.

Why? It is all about the "budget" over there. Oh — did I mention that this happened the week of Christmas and her firing was along with hundreds of other people that week? Well, it’s sad but true and the saddest part is that this firing frenzy happens every year over there. Everyone knows its coming and just hopes it’s not their job on the line. 

The worst part…are you ready for this…at the agency holiday party this year, they awarded each employee a handsome bonus, just as they do every year following the inevitable mass firing.

So what does this mean for my friend?

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It’s Just Our Policy

Monday, January 29, 2007

Because of my e-shopping addiction, I’ve become a self-proclaimed authority on the entire process of buying stuff online. My latest experience comes from a large online retailer that couldn’t seem to get it right at any turn.

First, I place the order. Since I’m notoriously impatient, I check back to view my latest status every chance I get. It took four days to “process” my order. Whammy number one. I shoot an e-mail over to the store’s customer service asking if there was a problem. The reply made me want to poke myself in the eye with a fork:

"Hey Ann-Marie… Your order <blah, blah, blah>. Hit us back with any other questions.”

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What’s Her Secret?

Friday, January 26, 2007

By Edson McLean

There are three things my mother told me about women. 1) Never comment on a women’s weight. 2) Lying is sometimes okay. 3) If you forget a women’s birthday or your anniversary you’re as good as dead. That being said, you’re probably thinking I made a huge mistake. But you’re wrong.

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Computers and Smiles – The Life and Times of Mr. Carnell McLaurin

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Carnell McLaurin and studentsI recently learned about Carnell McLaurin from a story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.   Plain Dealer journalist Samuel Fulwood III wrote a touching piece about McLaurin’s struggles to overcome his daughter’s death 2 years ago titled "Hope and a dream heal a man’s pain."

Following the death of his daughter, McLaurin fought through his pain and found that one of the only ways he could deal with his loss was to help others.  His chance to do so came about in a pretty unusual and unique way.

While working as a delivery person for a package service, McLaurin noticed stacks of old computers wasting away in corporate closets and storage areas. 

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Do You Know Ron J.?

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

This is a true story.

It’s all about how knowing people and having friends can really make a difference.  And not only in the “I feel good about myself because people like me” sense. 

No, I’m talking about basic survival. 

And it’s also about how treating people with respect and dignity, even if you are uncomfortable being around them, can pay off with tremendous results.  It’s about making a good impression on someone.  That’s the DIFF in this case.  You really never know when your actions will come back to haunt you, or in this instance, save you.

So, here’s my story.

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Ain’t No Party Like a “Holiday Party!”

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Todd and Trisha Albery at the 2006 Quicken Loans Holiday PartyBy Todd Albery

Now that the holidays are over and life has returned to normal, I can look back and reflect on last year.

I’ve always thought there is no better way to end the year than with a company holiday party, right?

Over the holidays I visited with a bunch of family and friends.  We talked about our families, football, work and… our company holiday parties.

Now, I’m sure we can all agree that there are good company parties and
bad ones. My favorite "bad" story this year comes compliments of my
good friend’s company (name withheld). His company encouraged spouses
to attend (that’s a good start). They fed them dinner (good again). But
then the senior leadership decided this would be a great time to
conduct a two-hour business meeting … and then open the bar! I guess
they had a captive audience, but a two-hour business meeting in the
middle of a party… with spouses!?! Not good.

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Danny and Nina Move to Denver

Monday, January 22, 2007

I learned about dannyandnina.com from an article in the Detroit Free Press last week. 

I really like the concept behind this site and I think it is a cool and creative use of web technology.

Danny and Nina are two 20-somethings from New York City who decided to start a website asking people to vote on the city where they should move.  They called it an art/voting project.  They came up with 250 cities across the country and left the rest up to the general public.  People were given roughly 4 months to vote.

They received millions of visits and the site garnered plenty of media attention.  Denver won with over 1 million votes. 

Sadly, Detroit wasn’t even on the original list. 

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In Coney We Trust

Monday, January 22, 2007

By Carrie Shultz

What makes one coney stand out from the rest? They’re  all the world’s tastiest place after a night of heavy drinking, but aren’t they all the same place with a different name?  T & J Coney Island in Royal Oak, Michigan stands out for me is one of the most customer-oriented restaurants around and here’s why.

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Got Junk?

Friday, January 19, 2007

By Christy Brewer

So, I’ll have to just admit a bunch of stuff up front. After living in the same house for eight years with three boys (okay, one of them is Hubby), you accumulate stuff. And, although I’d like to think I’m Martha Stewart (Confession #1), I didn’t keep up with donating stuff as we were done with it. Both my basement and garage were packed with junk (Confession #2). No, you don’t understand. I couldn’t see the floor. Really, we’re talking about opening a box and finding Mike’s first computer, an Apple IIe.

Why were we saving this stuff, anyway?

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Thursday, May 17, 2012