Wednesday- April 1 2020

What we are about to experience in the next two weeks is a bombardment of bad news like we have never seen before. The days ahead will bring horrific stories of distress and tragedy. You know its coming. It can’t be avoided nor ignored. However, you do know that it will end…in a matter of weeks, the news will improve and as the curve is ‘planked’ we will slowly return to reopen business and some semblance of normal. We will recover!!

 I know it’s impossible but STOP watching the news…it will only raise your anxiety level. Connect online to both the Provincial and Federal Government web sites for updates on new initiatives or changes in policy…..and then watch Netflix or play video games…your psyche doesn’t need the constant negative reinforcement from the news, living is tough enough without TV telling me!! I stumbled on my Sirius satellite radio to a new channel…the Johnny Carson Channel, I think its 105? For those of you too young to remember, for over two decades, Johnny was the greatest host ever of the Tonight Show…these replays will provide you with incredible comic relief against this terrible hidden enemy of COVID-19. We will recover!!!

So my message is …Don’t allow the COVID-19 to get you down….think about HOW WELL you can do in this unusual and crazy environment…take action to be proactive, set about a daily routine to find new ways to do things…or learn new ways to convert old habits and effect change…..and above all….just get it done !!!!

We received a wonderful email from Mattamy reaching out to their customers and prospects….” for the time being, we’ve gone digital ” …great message showing patience and understanding.

Their message…Listen, Learn, Live, Love….about podcasts, exercise, super apps, resources for kids, and products we love….and not a mention of a DECO Home….a splendid guide to understanding the importance of feeling at home.

Many of you will know Peter as one of the best scale model makers in the business…his work adorns many a sales office…Peter, using his 3D printer skills has converted from making the models to making plastic protective masks for our first responders…Congrats Peter in finding new ways to do things and in making such a timely and important contribution.

All of the Tier One banks are helping their customers with mortgage relief, but response time has been, as expected, uncertain …CIBC has taken it a step further by dedicating a specific response team to facilitate action…and providing an up to a 6-month payment pause…you have to ask first..in addition, the new guaranteed $40k small business loan will be available from CIBC online during the week of April 6….great effort on CIBC’s part.

There have been so many changes, so rapidly it’s been impossible to keep up…please connect with my good friends at Aird & Berlis Law who are providing critical up to the minute Tax updates…in a language we all can understand !!!

Many of PMA’s team members are Independent Contractors and were not eligible to receive Employment Insurance. The Federal program just announced provides for up to $2000 per month for the next 3 months to those previously not eligible for EI….applications can be made starting April 6 through CRA

Most every new home site office in the GTA are physically closed…but open on line. There have been some deals written by appointment onsite…with person to person, contact…we are encouraging our team to avoid person to person contact….get yourselves connected to Zoom for video conferencing and use DocuSign to write the paper.

This week PMA held our first Zoom Sales meeting with the team…over 70 Zoomers participated…it was a roaring success…most of all, for the simple fact of personal connection…it is so vitally important in an environment driven by fear that we reach out to each other…even just to ask how we are doing.

Stay Well, Stay Connected, Stay Positive !!

Andrew Brethour