Learning & Sharing Together - Positioning Forward

Higher education inspires us to strive for the insights that yield intelligence and personal significance.  And here we are learning and sharing together – not about what we think we know, but mining for knowledge we don’t yet possess.  It’s this ambition that broadens the gap between you, your goals, and everyone else. This is your time.

Brian Solis, Engage! The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success in the New Web

Is the elevator pitch, as we know it, dead?

Is the elevator pitch, as we know it, dead?

Guest post by Julie R. Ferguson

This question needs to be asked by everyone representing your credit union. First impressions are critical! And, now, more than ever, new media is driving the process.

Growing Your Business through Insights & Targets

Highlights as Denise Wymore prepares for her “Psychographic Approach to Marketing” breakout session at the 2010 Marketing & Business Development Conference, October 8 in Austin.

Stop Blaming the Economy!

Three Tough Questions for Winning More Business in Today’s Soft Market

Guest post by Tim Wackel

Connecting the Dots!

Email rock star, Greg Cangialosi, President & CEO of Blue Sky Factory, part of stellar conference line up.

Does Social Media Work for CUs? Let�s find out

A lot of credit unions are wrestling with the business case for social media. Others are adventuring out into the social media arena, looking to see what makes best sense for their business strategies.

Filene Research Institute has launched "groundbreaking research regarding the quantifiable impact of social media marketing strategies."

Can you make a commitment of about two hours over the next year to complete one survey per quarter regarding your marketing activities?

"The results of the year-long research will produce a statistically tested way to predict changes in membership and products per member (or, member share) based on social media activities."

"In plain English: If you keep wondering whether social media is just hype or an effective marketing tactic, this is your chance to find out. We want you and many other credit unions to participate because more responses make for better analysis. In return for your participation, we will provide you with the results of the research. Even if you are not using social media, we would like you to participate."

Credit unions have been built around people helping people. Working together is the best way for us to position credit unions forward. Hoping you make the commitment to be part of this timely project!

Your Brand Speaks Volumes – Who Does It Say That You Are?

Marketing To Do List:

☑ Update logo
☑ New, slick, promotional pieces
☑ Marketing campaign approved and ready to launch

But wait, there’s more. When it comes to branding and image, ask yourself:

• Does the campaign support your credit union vision? Mission?
• Is your message consistent?
• Will your member experience match your message?
• Have you let your credit union staff know about you’re about to launch?
• Are the employees trained on the essential skills? Up to date on the featured product or service?

Branding goes well beyond marketing. As Mark Arnold passionately puts it, “branding is more than just changing a few brochures or the look of a newsletter. Much more. A true comprehensive branding program takes years to develop and impacts the entire organization. Your credit union doesn’t just “do” branding one year and mark it off its “to do” list. Your credit union must “live” the brand every day.”

Mark Arnold is teaching a full day course this summer at Southwest CUNA Management School on Advanced Branding. Limited seats available to help you further explore and expand your knowledge about branding.

Building a Lasting Brand: Advanced Branding for Credit Unions
Mark Arnold, CCUE July 20 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Mark speaks from first-hand experience when he covers:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency
• Lovemarks & Emotional Branding
• Gaining Staff Buy-In
• Brand Leadership in the 21st Century

Having led his credit union through a name change and ongoing branding efforts, Mark provides practical information on what to and not to do with your credit union’s brand.

If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to spend July 20 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union) with Mark and the SCMS Class of 2011. Limited seating available on a day rate. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

You do not have to be an alumnus or have a student currently enrolled to take advantage of the opportunity to attend individual classes.

Be Strategic About Social Media: Find Your People, Join the Conversation

Social media, however you define it, is a changing environment. Regardless of what you call it, think about it, or the tools you use, it’s out there. And yes, the tools change. It’s not about the tools. It is about the people, relationships, value, authenticity, and conversation. It’s about growing your business and serving your community.

Make a strategic decision.

• If customers/members and potential customers/members are having a conversation which relates to your products and services, it’s in your best interest to be part of the conversation. Find out where the conversations are occurring. If they are at the local business club monthly meeting, show up. If they are on Facebook or Twitter, listen, share, and interact.
• If they are not talking about your credit union, products, or services online, no worries. Or not? Have you provided products and services worth bragging about? Has your competitor? Have your service levels slipped? Your products fallen behind the times? Do you want to know what people think? Look, listen, and learn. Be strategic about whether or not social media makes sense for your credit union and market.

If you make the strategic decision to incorporate social media into your marketing and business development plan, be strategic about what you do.

• Don’t set up a credit union Facebook page just because someone else did.
• Twitter is not a 140 character commercial. It’s a place to help people find connections, learn about cool stuff/resources, and know more about your credit union and what you have to offer. Select the tool or tools best suited for your team and your members.

Southwest CUNA Management School has two courses this summer with limited seats available to help you further explore and expand your knowledge about social media.

Social Media I: Getting Acquainted
Dr. George Low - Texas Christian University (TCU)
July 20 (1-4:30 pm) with 1st Year Students

Social-networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn have seen unprecedented growth in recent years. Consumers are creating their own content on blogs, YouTube, and are rating products and services on message boards and other sites, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for marketers to use these social media to communicate with current and potential customers, and to build lasting relationships with them. The objective of this course is to give students valuable knowledge and skills needed to take advantage of these powerful social marketing tools. Teaching/learning methods will include class discussions of current trends and issues, mini case studies, and the sharing of experiences, ideas, and best practices in using social media as part of a broader strategic, integrated, marketing communications effort in the credit union industry.

Social Media: Let’s Get Strategic
Amanda Vega – Amanda Vega Consulting
July 19 (1-4:30 pm) with 2nd Year Students

You’ve heard about social media, have been dabbling on your own, or have incorporated elements of social media at the credit union. How do you advance to the next level? It’s time to get strategic with Amanda Vega, Amanda Vega Consulting. In this open discussion that is part information and part hands-on learning, plan to explore and discuss:

• What are the challenges and successes associated with social media in the credit union industry and who ultimately owns it?
• Advanced uses and tools in social media to help you get to the next level (comment marketing anyone?).
• The executive team isn’t buying into this marketing activity or simply doesn’t “get it.” – now what? How to and ensure buy-in from the decision makers
• New research on tracking, monetization and the like (a Facebook fan is worth more than $138) and the new tools that are out there to help quantify these efforts.
• Social media compliance, regulation, and policy tips
• Taking your social media to the next level, communication as a whole, arming you with real information and engagement suggestions.

If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to join us on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union). Limited seating available on a day rate. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

Big or Little, Rich or Poor, Creativity is Key when it comes to Business Development

When you hear someone say “business development” what comes to mind?

• If only we could hire someone?
• Sounds good, but we don’t have the money to spend right now.
• It’s someone else’s job!
• So busy right now, good idea but don’t have time.

Seth Godin wrote, "The thing that makes business development fascinating is that the best deals have never been done before. There's no template, no cookie cutter grind it out approach to making it work. This is why most organizations are so astonishingly bad at it. They don't have the confidence to make decisions or believe they have the ability to make mistakes."

With some creative thought, many options exist that don’t involve additional staff or expenditures. It’s time to get strategic and bring growing your credit union into focus:

• Educate, energize and involve your entire staff
• Set goals
  - community outreach
  - retention
  - overall membership growth
  - other metrics appropriate for your credit union
• Track results
• Communicate

If you’re looking for training for yourself or your team to help with business development strategies, plan to spend a day on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union) with Julie Ferguson, owner of JRF Consulting Services, LLC. With 16 years at First Tech CU, Julie knows credit unions. She brings real life experience and practical tips to SCMS Grad School, July 21, on the TCU Campus. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

Image Provides Insight into Ideal Candidates

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If you are planning a career in the credit union movement, professional development and networking are key to your success. As a leader, it is also important to have a plan to ensure that your team has a clear plan for developing their skills and network. Southwest CUNA Management School is designed to challenge you, your team, and your credit union forward.

 

If your find yourself or members of your team identified in the word picture to the left, you have a match for the profile of a future leader and SCMS student…enroll today!

 

Visit www.wordle.net to create your own "word cloud". It's a great tool to see if something you're writing has the emphasis where you want it to be.