Monday Morning Quarterback: It's about having the right tools...

Greetings!

Well...it's Monday morning and time to be the "Monday Morning Quarterback" as I review the weekend. 

I'll begin by sharing that my daughter and her fiance bought a house about 30 minutes from us and its the perfect place to start their family.  Two-story, big rooms, lots of space and a yard that backs up to a wide-open field.  Great deck and really cool sun room.  Perfect right?

Well...you know how that goes.  The landscaping was "nice" but not what they wanted, the deck was spacious, but not well tended, the front door was cool, but a storm door would be ideal!  So, we went to work to help out....and that's where the RIGHT TOOLS come into play.

In any job, having the right tools is critical to both success and efficiency. For me, it was the pick axe and narrow shovel that allowed me to get into tight spots and be focused on the job at hand.  Especially for us, being 30 minutes from our house, made tool selection and access very important....the right shovel, leveling sand, a pick axe, hedging shears, etc.   For marketers, the same concepts apply!  The tool set you have becomes the resources to drive your success.  Here are three key "tool kits" to concentrate on:

Inside Tools

• Your team:  Developing the right mix of talent and focus
• Your support: Generating the necessary executive support and encouragement
• Your delivery: Ensuring you build teamwork to deliver at the customer point-of-contact

      KEY: Organize your tools close at hand for maximum leverage and success.

Outside Tools

• Extension: Enabling new capabilities and skills to add to your team
• Focus: Tactical focus to allow you to think strategy
• Expertise:  Clear expertise and advanced skills that move you ahead

      KEY: Expand your team exactly where needed without HR expense!

New Tools

• New to you: new ideas that you have not explored but others have succeeded with
• New to everyone: new ideas that can change the game in your market
• New spin: taking a proven idea and making it your own

      KEY: Sometimes the "new tool" is exactly what need to take that next step

The key is the tool set you have as resources...but it is also the WILLINGNESS to use the tools at your disposal.  This past weekend, it took the pick axe and the narrow shovel to get rocks out so that the paver wall would be leveled with the leveling sand and be perfect.  The tools and willingness combined to make it happen...for your bank/credit union... its the same.  Use the tools you have and be open to new ones or from other sources...it just may turn out to be the best tool ever!

Cheers!

Bruce

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