TGIF...Getting ready for TGIM

Greetings and Happy Friday!

Today is a great day...and three specific reasons:

1. It's Friday...
2. Client work is rolling great
3. Monday is only 2 days away!

I know....sounds crazy right?  Well, when you have the benefit of working with great clients, both bank's and CUs, you have the best of the best in all facets of the work we can produce.

So...I have two items to share with everyone today...

(1)  Make today count!
(2)  Make those around you feel counted!

Simple words...but VERY impactful!  I just completed a proposal for a large potential client that deals with realigning their internal communications and the entire process reminded me how important those two simple steps can be to supercharge an organization.

Making Today Count!
We only have 365 days in a year...so we HAVE to make each on count!  How?  Put your best efforts forward, do things that are relevant, and MEASURE what you do.

Making Those Around You Feel Counted
This is all about empowerment.  We have all worked with people that have a "job" versus a "career"  Being the marketer, it is your mission to make sure everyone takes their job and their impact and sees it as a"career" while they are at your institution.  Share info, thank people for their efforts, communicate needs, ask for help...all small actions that make those around you feel counted!

Have a great Friday...and see you for a supercharged Monday!!

Cheers!

Bruce

Community Service Lessons from the Boy Scouts

This year the Boy Scouts of America are commemorating their 100th Anniversary and, to celebrate, they have created a program that we all can learn from.

They have created a Centennial Award. It is a special patch with slots for 5 ribbons - each ribbon signifies completion of achievements in a particular category:

• Leadership
• Achievement
• Community Service
• Character
• Outdoors

To earn a ribbon, a scout (or adult leader) must complete 3 of 5 specific tasks.

So, how would this work at your institution?

You could create a program for your staff and for your customers/members. You can create any categories you like, but let's use Community Service, since it makes the most sense. How about outlining the following standards:

1. Participate in one American Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity project
2. Donate food or time to any local food bank
3. Volunteer at least 1 hour to any local high school function
4. Participate in or donate to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life
5. Organize a litter pick up in your neighborhood

After completing any 3 of the 5 activities above, your customer or staff member get honored in some way.

Don't make it too complicated, base the program on the honor system and take their word for it. The idea is simply to motivate people to participate, not to create a program-policing nightmare.

By creating standards in areas like Community Service, Leadership and Financial Fitness you can have a complete program that would surely effect your community for the better and provide your bank or credit union with unique and positive public relations.

And in this time of negative publicity for financial institutions, wouldn't now be a great time for some good-will in your neighborhood?

Take care,

Eric