One Boy... One Wish... Many lives changed.
Here is the inspirational story of a boy who had two weeks to live and touched the lives of so many different people.
As we approach this holiday season, keep an open mind for those around you who are in need. Even smile and friendly hello can change a person's day and even life.
While it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, "'Tis the season to give" little Brendon reminds all of us.
"Do you know enough?" A recent blog by Seth Godinprovided a simple reminder to stay in a state of constant learning. I would take it a step further to encourage making a commitment to apply the knowledge. Whether it's by networking, reading, or taking advantage of education venues, the opportunities are numerous for you to gain knowledge.
A simple conversation with two young professionals (James Robert Layand Brad Garland) before presenting for our management schoolevolved into a treasured friendship. With over 20 years between us in age, they have taught me volumes about social media over a short period of time. I've been encouraged by them to not only learn but to apply the knowledge. (This is my first blog thanks to them.)
As I've shared the excitement with friends about the tools (RSS Feeds, blogs, LinkedIn- Facebook next) I've been exploring in my "just in time playground", they have come along side, serving as coaches and encouragers to help further develop my skills. Yes, I use the terms playing and tools at the same time.
Realizing RSS Feedscould save me time and help me stay current with multiple topics on my radar is huge. Plus it's eliminated some of the email clutter. Saving me time speaks volumes.
LinkedIn's discussion and news sharing tools help me share practical information and encourage studentsto think. Sharing excitement and passion with others builds community.
I've always enjoyed reading, rotating in and out of fiction, non-fiction and business cycles. Back on a deliberate path to grow knowledge and skills, plus seeking to further develop my own background and application of various Web 2.0 tools, I stumbled into Seth Godinas an author while browsing the airport bookstore. Tribesturned me into a fan. I followed up with Meatball Sundae. His book The Diphad been in my stack (always taller than me) to read for a while. It's now the next read on my list. Enjoying the trip backwards through his books! Short reads that make you think!
Connecting with a friend from the past, Brandi Stankovic, I recommended Tribesto her and asked what she was reading. Trusting Brandi, she added to my reading list: The Six Pillars of Self Esteem, The Four Agreements, and Finding Your True North. On a weight loss journey, I'm avidly seeking information (and recipes) to help me stay on path. Along this journey, I've committed to sharing info and encouraging friends (my own little tribe!). What are you doing to develop yourself? To encourage your employees? How are you and your team sharing the knowledge? Give us a shout?
A big, warm welcome goes to Janine McBee who is now an author on our credit union blog. She has been very active and involved in helping prepare topics for new posts and look toward to her writings, thoughts and musings.
If you would like to get involved with our credit union blog and need a place to collaborate, communicate and innovate, shout back to contact us.
Tinker FCU has a new website that is getting some attention. The entire premise for the website is that the norm for consumer spending is going into debt by spending beyond their budget. This means that the average American is getting into debt and then doesn't know how to get out of it (cuna.org).
What is the website?? It is Tinker Buck the Norm and what is so great about it? First of all the parody of "bucking the norm" is a humorous way to make a huge point about consumer spending. Secondly, and probably most importantly the website is in place to promote financial empowerment.
The overarching goal of the campaign is to change how you think about finances:
"...how you think, act and feel about your money can make a big difference in your life. So get over what everyone else is doing and get smart about your money. Then you will hold the power-in the palm of your hand" (Tinker Buck the Norm).
Getting the American public to move away from the mentality of living paycheck to paycheck and setting a budget and sticking to it, can totally change each individual's financial future. This is what the site is all about, changing mentality and therefore changing lives.
Tinker is definitely "bucking" the bar and raising it to a whole new level. It is definitely something worth checking out.
This was Beacon’s 2nd Annual celebration of members; a free event to all BFCU members and their families. The community was also invited to attend. An estimated 200 people attended the event this year.
I have heard from an "inside source" Harley plans to make another appearance when Santa visits the credit union. I wonder who the kids will be more excited to see, Harley or Santa? Kudos to Beacon FCU for thinking outside the species!
Continue reading "Beacon FCU Hosts a New Breed of “Spokester”" »
Don’t be selfish… social media is not about you… it’s about relationships. It’s about others. Janine McBee asks, “Are you facing financial challenges when bringing up "social media" to your credit union powers that be? Are you being asked to justify any move toward social media by providing figures for ROI (return on investment)?”
When it comes to social media, it may be a while before you find the ROI you are looking for. However, there is so much more there in social media than ROI.
Jacob Morgan’s Blog on Social Media, Technology, Marketing, and Life provides some great insight: "Think of it like this, how much money would be willing to spend to keep your friends in your life? Think about your valuable experiences, your life stories, the things you have learned and the memories you have shared. How much is that worth to you? Can you quantify how much money you have made as a result of your friends or long term relationships? Now flip the question around, don’t ask how much money you are going to MAKE from your customers. Ask how much you are willing to GIVE to your customers. It’s not about you, or your brand. It’s about your customers; it’s about what they want."
Janine points out that, “He goes on to discuss how embracing social media tools requires a change in how we think about our customers/members. Yes I said customers. If we don't act like we are seeking and serving customers as we seek to attract and retain members, we are already missing the target.”
Jacob describes the approach to implementing social media well. "The first step in creating a social media strategy is not creating a blog or analyzing your objectives, it’s changing your mindset. It’s about realizing that your customers and your readers are doing you a favor by talking to you."
Janine refers to "Meatball SUNDAE" by Seth Godin where he writes, "It's been a decade since the underpinnings of this revolution were put in place. For the last ten years, ignoring most of what was going on with the New Marketing wouldn't have hurt you that much. Unless you were a travel agent, worked for a newspaper, owned a book store"...you get the idea. However, we are at a point to where we can no longer to a blind eye to “what is going on the real world”. Referring to the cliché “we’ve always done it that way” will not cut it anymore.
Janine points out that, “Credit unions need to explore new marketing mediums to attract younger members. At the same time, they need to make sure their products and services are designed to meet the needs and attract attention of younger generations.”
One way to find if you products and services are meeting GenY’s needs is simply by asking. Have a focus group… fire side chat… coffee round table discussion. Never the less, it is important to simply start the conversation. Yes… you can read blogs, books and white papers which provide good insight, but you will never know what your members (GenY members) need if you don’t ask.
Remember, social media is not about you but the relationships that you build and cultivate with your members. Relationships, above all other things, are priceless and are the glue helping to bind you to your members. If there is no relationship, there is no binding glue, and your credit union is simply a financial commodity that is easily replaceable.
How is your credit union using social media? Can you track usage to new accounts opened? Loans generated? Transaction revenue? Are you creating an inviting environment for your own credit union community? A place where people want to become members? Have a conversation? Speak their mind? Complain about what you are doing wrong or praise great service?
Do you have "lessons learned" to share? Shout back below and let us know.
In the midst of all the bad economic news, here is an article that might just brighten your day. The October 27, 2008 edition of “TheNonProfitTimes” covers a national survey contracted for online fundraising firm Convio by JupiterResearch, a Forrester Research Company.
“Despite the crash on Wall Street and the national economic recession, more than half of Americans polled say that they plan to give to charity this holiday season and only about a third of them will donate less than last year. That’s good news for charity officials holding their breaths about fundraising this holiday season. They might be looking at a $3 billion bonanza from online giving.”
Janine McBee notes that “Yes, even during these trying times, it is anticipated people will still be giving to help others! Are you telling your credit union story about how you help your members? Are you reaching out to where their hearts are? Are you making it easy for your members to identify local charities where they can make a difference by contributing time or money? Are you encouraging giving back to the community among your staff? Have you thought about highlighting in your communications about how your staff actively gives back? Make the day a little brighter…Share the good news!”
So let us know… what are you doing to prepare for the holidays and follow through with the credit union founding principle of “people helping people. Shout back and share your thoughts and ideas below.
Join the Drum Café in this video of the opening General Session of the conference. The focus was on establishing a common ‘beat’ with a shared mission and purpose that ties us all together. It transcends the spoken word, while relating music and rhythm, metaphorically to the dynamics of working together in your credit union, community, village, or “tribe” to achieve a unified goal! Rhythm is within all of us as a basic universal language that everyone understands, allowing dialogue among us at the most basic and creative level. This is just a short excerpt from the session!
If you vote today, you can head over to your local Starbucks (because they are basically everywhere) and enjoy a free tall cup of brew. All you have to do is tell them that you voted, so take advantage once you vote! If you haven't voted already, then make sure you head to the polls today and make your voice heard!
Plus... check out these other freebies for voters!
Thanks to DeAndre'e for the notice on these additional places...
If you vote today, you can head over to your local Starbucks (because they are basically everywhere) and enjoy a free tall cup of brew. All you have to do is tell them that you voted, so take advantage once you vote! If you haven't voted already, then make sure you head to the polls today and make your voice heard!
