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RECOMMENDED READING: The Thank You Economy

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011


Few people have leveraged the power of social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube in the way that Gary Vaynerchuk has done.

If you’re not familiar with that name, let me strongly encourage you to invest a few minutes of your time to learn how he used an online TV show called WineLibraryTV to build a brand and grow a business online.  He documents his experiences and shares a lot of insight in his book Crush It!, which was recommended by this blog a few months ago.

But Vaynerchuk’s second book is the one you really need to read.

It’s called The Thank You Economy, and here’s why every credit union leader should devour it:

It is probably the best book available regarding how the emergence of social media tools have forever changed the way customers want to interact with businesses.  The many examples Vaynerchuk shares will stimulate your thinking and reveal ways that you can strengthen member relationships by leveraging these new tools.

ACTION ADVICE: Pick up a copy today, read it, share it with your marketing team, your business development team, your senior management team, your branch managers, and your Board members–it is that important.  Everyone needs to understand what this new economy means and how it will impact everything you do in the future.  Reading this book will help your team come up with new ideas and approaches that will build stronger relationships with your current members and attract new members who will help you grow.  It will be time well invested!

Recommended Reading: Linchpin by Seth Godin

Friday, May 6th, 2011

The recent release of Seth Godin’s bestseller Linchpin in paperback was accompanied by an opportunity that every credit union leader should pursue.

Here’s the deal.

In a blog post last week announcing the release of the paperback edition, Godin offered free access to an awesome video created from an audio of a speech he gave last year to anyone who buys the paperback edition of the book.

It’s one of the best investments you’ll make this year.  You get a great book and access to an amazing  4-part video that will stimulate your thinking, while also showing you the power of motion graphics to tell a story (even if they do at times “run amok” as is stated on the video viewing page).

Trust me.  This is a book you want to read and a video you need to watch if you are serious about creating long term success for your credit union.

P.S.  The video would be a great way to kick-off or prepare for your next Strategic Planning Session…it is filled with thought-provoking ideas that will open the mind and lead to some real outside-of-the-box thinking.

Don’t Get Caught Being Incongruent

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Few things are more uncomfortable than finding yourself in a position where it has become clear that you are not walking your talk.

In today’s information flooded environment, it is much easier to find yourself in such a position than ever before–even though you may not realize that you are there.

Let me explain.

The day dawned like any other day.  Up at 5:45 am, head downstairs to workout in my home gym, grab some breakfast, shower, and up to the office to start a new week.

As usual, the inbox was filled with messages crying for attention.  Fortunately many of them were easily handled by pressing the delete key.

Then I opened it. (more…)

A Creative Approach for Increasing Your Visibility

Monday, April 4th, 2011

It’s no secret that I am a fan of creative marketing ideas and approaches.  I’m also a fan of doing the unexpected and seeing if it produces results.

In light of that, my experience this morning at a local deli/coffee shop merits sharing in the hope that it will stimulate some ideas for marketing your credit union.

Here’s the story.

On my way to a meeting with a coaching client this morning I stopped by my favorite deli for a cup of iced tea (as you’ll learn in a moment, I am not a coffee drinker).

Walking in the door expecting to see the usual suspects (i.e., the staff who know why I am there before the door even closes), I was caught a bit off guard when greeted by a new face.

The smiling woman extended a pleasant “good morning,” and offered me “a free small cup of coffee” (it comes with unlimited refills, so the size really wasn’t important–though I personally would have dropped that part of the pitch as it seemed to somehow devalue the gesture). (more…)

Grow Your Credit Union by Improving Your Current SEG Development Program

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Credit union leaders looking for ways to grow their credit union should take a serious look at their current SEG Development Program, ask some difficult questions, and define an action plan for revitalizing their efforts.  Note that the word current is used to suggest a focus on developing existing SEGs, not attracting new ones.

Here are three reasons why this is important: (more…)