I am a firm believer that movies contain powerful messages, some which can go unnoticed for years. Yes, even unforgivable films like Gigli and Daredevil (sorry Ben) can contain a meaningful message. As a practicing martial artist, I constantly look to the “holy grail” of martial arts films for guidance and in 1984, not 2010, the world was given The Karate Kid.
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
Continue reading "Learning & Sharing Together - Positioning Forward" »
Highlights as Denise Wymore prepares for her “Psychographic Approach to Marketing” breakout session at the 2010 Marketing & Business Development Conference, October 8 in Austin.
Continue reading "Growing Your Business through Insights & Targets" »
This morning I saw this tweet from Brett King, author of Bank 2.0. "Why social media campaigns fail? http://bit.ly/crNUVR Most marketers don't understand the 90-9-1 rule. (via @thebankchannel)"
Continue reading "Read This Before You Social Media #Fail" »
Guest
Post by Jack McAdoo, President & CEO, Beacon FCU
I
recently had the privilege to sit in with and listen to the very insightful
dialogue during the Southwest CUNA Management School c2c (Connect to Collaborate) Casual Chat this year after the Student
Alumni Dinner and Auction in Fort Worth.
What I heard was a strong reminder of many of my frustrations in the
early years of my career. I wish there
had been more of my peers there to listen to the words of our future
leaders. I thought I would write some of
this down to share, but understand, my words are not what is important
here. The words, feelings, passions and
emotions of this group are what is important.
First
of all, the c2c group is a group of 30 year-old and under students, professionals in our
industry...the credit union industry. The group was lead by 30ish credit union and supplier representatives. In
this particular session, there were approximately 40 men and women joined in a
circle to discuss topics of interest and concern. It was open forum. I was allowed to sit on
the outside of the circle with one strict rule; I was not allowed to
speak. I was allowed to submit a written
comment, but with no obligation from the group to discuss it.
This
group of extremely bright and creative professionals spoke for over an hour
about things that were important in their professional worlds. The discussion was sincere; it was candid;
and it was very informative. Here are a
couple of bullets of what was said:
What
I heard was not as important as what I learned.
I learned that by and large, that group of young professionals, the
group that will someday lead our industry, is frustrated! They are frustrated because you and I as
managers, as CEO's, are not listening to them.
Or, I guess more precisely, we may be listening, but we are not hearing
them. At least, the perception is that
we are not hearing them. And you know
what is said about perception?
Perception is reality!
Is
there anything more frustrating in our world than the feeling that no one is
listening? We must take note and learn
to communicate, or we risk losing this wonderful talent base to others and
other industries that have learned to communicate with them. Communication is not just talking. That's obviously important and based on my
experience with other CEO's, we have that part down! It is also about listening and actually
hearing what is being said. The
important part is to make sure everyone understands! That means goals and objectives both short
term and long term. How many times have
we heard great ideas, but for one reason or another they didn't fit into our
current strategic vision? The great
ideas were discussed, but nothing was ever done, and the idea gets lost,
leaving the one who thought of it feeling as if no one listened thus becoming
frustrated.
The
other thing that is important, or I viewed it as important, is that we as CEO's
need to quit blaming delays and inaction/no action on our Boards. Don't get me wrong. Boards are important, but let's quit kidding
one another. They look to us for direction. We as CEO's can make or break a decision on
an idea or proposal. Let's not blame or
hide behind the Board.
I
guess what I learned is that it is important to listen to and actually hear our
staff. Communicate with them! Make sure everyone understands strategic
goals and objectives and how ideas, suggestions, proposals, etc. fit with or do
not fit with the goals and objectives and why.
We must put ourselves in their position, and we will understand how
frustrated they can become.
Communication is key! Focus on
communication and stress it at all levels of the organization. Then, work on your listening skills!
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:
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 speaks from first-hand experience when he covers:
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.
Mark Arnold, CCUE July 20 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
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 you make the strategic decision to incorporate social media into your marketing and business development plan, be strategic about what you do.
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:
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.
It’s tough out there!
“Overall loan demand softened during the reporting period. There is more commercial and industrial loan activity in the pipeline but consumer loan demand outside of credit cards remains sluggish. Contacts report that they are turning down many potential mortgage borrowers due to poor credit. Credit standards remain tight and loan pricing is unchanged. Some contacts reported an increased inflow of deposits, which they attributed to the unease arising from recent stock market volatility. Although contacts are relieved that the Federal Reserve will retain regulatory oversight over state member banks, there continues to be concern regarding other impending regulation changes. The outlook is slightly optimistic with some concern about the impact of the Greek credit crisis.”
Source: The Beige Book, Federal Reserve Districts, Eleventh District – Dallas, June 9, 2010
According to CUNA’s 2010-2011 E-scan, “Credit union members demonstrated little appetite for additional debt in 2009, resulting in a meager 1% rise in credit union loan balances – the smallest gain since 1943.” Loans are out there for the financial service providers who are positioned to capture the business. Are you and your team on top of lending trends? Is your credit union ready and positioned to put new loans on the books? Have you considered various scenarios and mapped out plans to position forward? On July 14, Larry Biernacki, President & CEO, Arkansas FCU, will share with Southwest CUNA Management School students and guests from his extensive lending background, discussing such areas as:
If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to spend July 14 (1:00 pm – 4:30 pm) on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union) with Larry 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.
Click the image to enlarge.
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.
The secret’s out. Southwest CUNA Management School Students have been profiled. The PTP New Media & CU*Swag team caught one of this year’s third year students, Jason Duplant (Neches FCU) on tape. Look and listen closely to get an insiders’ perspective on the value of the school.
Careful analysis of this year’s 1st year enrollees reveals what a typical students looks like:
Who
Students come from credit unions ranging in size from under $1 million to nearly $1 billion. It’s exciting to see mutually beneficial relationships develop when Davy and Goliath are side by side in the classroom.
Students range in age from 23 to 62. Oh the lessons the generations learn from each other when they spend eight days on a college campus for three years. New for 2010 we have a special scholarship, networking, and mentoring C2C initiative for students under the age of 30 by August 1, 2010.
Experience levels cover a wide range.
Years on the Job: 1 to 26, averaging just under 6 years.
Years in Credit Unions: 2 to 31, averaging 11 years
Years in the Financial Services Industry: 2 to 33, averaging just over 13 years.
As for job titles, you name it and we probably have someone enrolled. The school is designed for everyone from management trainees to mid and senior level management to CEOs.
When July 11-21, 2010
Where Classes are held at TCU (Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas)
Students may be coming from as far as Africa. The majority of the students are coming from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
What
Intensive classroom training, world class faculty, unique networking opportunities, and developing a detailed two year strategic business plan for your credit union. Specialists gain an appreciation for how the various pieces of the credit union come together to complete/affect the entire company. Smaller credit unions get the opportunity to dream and think about how to strategically position their credit union forward. All students build a strong network of friends and experts to help them face challenges down the road.
Strategic alumni have been collaborating and brainstorming about providing additional value. As a result of numerous discussions, new opportunities are available for credit union folks to take advantage of what SCMS has to offer.
Day Students: Any league affiliated credit union may attend ½ to a full day, or even a couple of days on a day rate basis - $275 per day, lunch included, on own for accommodations. No homework. Click here for the full schedule.
Full Year Option: CUNA Management School alumni are invited back for a full year experience, living on campus, learning and networking with the class of their choice. This is offered as either entire 1st, 2nd or 3rd year options. Same price as a full time student, though no scholarship opportunities at this point. No homework.
If you, or one of your credit union’s talented up and coming stars, specialists, or seasoned vets are looking for challenges, fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and aha moments, the time to enroll in the school is now!
Contact Janine McBee for further information if interested: jmcbee@scms.coop or tweet @SCMSJanine
