Southwest CUNA Management School Bulletin: Wanted Credit Union Professionals Fitting this Profile!

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 1^st 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.

Developing News

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 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd 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

Breaking News: Bankzilla Attacks!

Reports were pouring in yesterday from The Consumerist that Bankzilla was on the loose terrorizing people in Washington, DC. We have a special report with details coming in from another attack of high rates and hidden fees in Pasadena, Texas. Consumers can take action. 

CUNA MBDC - Brief Summary of Dennis Graham Session

At the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference, the CU GROW team sat in on a session with Dennis Graham entitled "Strike While the Iron is Cold."  Check out the video with Sarah Lay (On Twitter: mrsjlay) as she gives a brief summary his session on cold calling. 

CUNA MBDC - Brent Lawrence Interview

While at the 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference, we caught up with Brent Lawrence following his session on "Small Business Lending."  Brent is the Marketing and Public Relations Vice President at Deseret First Credit Union in the Greater Salt Lake City Area.  Check out our interview with Brent below and give us a shout back on ways your credit union is expanding your lending department.

CUNA MBDC - Day 2 General Session Recap

While at the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference, we caught up with Gigi Hyland after her general session on regulatory changes. Gigi is a Board Member of the NCUA and has dedicated much of her career to being an attorney and advocate for the credit union world. Check out our interview with Gigi below and give us a shout back with regard to your credit union's approach to the latest regulations.

CUNA MBDC - Young and Free Music Video Contest Recap

While the CU GROW team attended the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference, we caught up with the some of the contestants from the Young and Free HQ "Lookin' Like a Fool with Your Money in a Bank" video contest.  Check out the video below and make sure you give us a shout back!

CUNA MBDC - David Reske Interview

David Reske (on Twitter: davidreske), is the Founder and President of Nowspeed Marketing. Internet Marketing Veteran with significant experience in SEO, PPC, Social Media, Web Analytics.  At the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference the CU GROW team caught up with David after his session on "Social Media: What Gets Measured, Gets Funded."  Check out the video below and give us a shout on ways your credit union is using social media to reach your members.

CUNA MBDC - Tim McAlpine Interview

Tim McAlpine is a passionate credit union advocate who believes that credit unions and the credit union movement need to work harder to prove that there is a difference and that it matters.  Tim (on Twitter: currencytim) is the owner of Currency Marketing, who developed the program Young and Free.  The CU GROW team caught up with Tim at the 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference after his session on the Young and Free program.  Check out the video below and shout back with ways your credit union is working to reach GenYers.

CUNA MBDC 2010 - Day 2 Recap

Check out the video below from Day 2 at the 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference from the CU GROW team.  Don't forget to give us a shout back!

CUNA MBDC 2010 - Trevor Hendrickson Interview

While at the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference the CU GROW team caught up with Trevor Hendrickson for a quick interview.  Trevor just wrapped up a session on the "Effectiveness of Websites."  "Build it and they will come” may be the stuff Hollywood legends are made of, but not traffic driving, loyalty building, sales generating websites. Your website has the potential to increase the effectiveness of all your marketing efforts if you simply commit to the total integration of the Web into your marketing strategy.  Trevor (on Twitter: thendrickson) is the Founder & Owner of theWEBcentric.com.  Check out the interview with Trevor below and shout back on ways your CU is working to increase the effectiveness of your website. 

2010 CMBDC Conference - Credit Union Social Media Conversations

While at the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference in D.C., the CU GROW team caught up with Christopher Morris, Manager of Communications & Web Resources for the CUNA Council.  Christopher is responsible for the Councils' online presence, including all seven council websites, social networking site (CUNA Councils Connect), and other communication tools.Chris lead a discussion session on social media.  Check out the video below and give us a shout on how your CU is using social media to reach your members.

NAFCU Strategic Growth Conference 2010 - Rick Stokes Interview

The CU GROW team attended the NAFCU Strategic Growth Conference in Las Vegas.  While we were there we caught up with Rick Stokes after his session on "Your Credit Union's GPS."  Mr. Stokes is the Vice President of Marketing at Your Federal Credit Union.  Check out our interview with him below and give us a shout back!

CUAC Annual Meeting 2010 - Waking the Economy Up From a Bad Dream

At the Credit Union Association of Colorado's Annual Meeting, Dr. Gene Stanaland (who has been called the "Will Rogers of Economics") keynoted on Waking Up the Economy. He has the uncanny ability to take complex subjects and make them understandable and entertaining. Through his wit and style he makes the "dreary science" exciting, leaving audiences laughing and informed. The CU GROW Team was able to catch up with Dr. Stanaland for a short interview on his session.  Check out the interview below and give us a shout!

Experience Marketing: Are Credit Unions a Financial Commodity?

Walt Laskos recently published a blog post asking if credit unions are maintaining their edge.  This was spurred by a tweet that I had made from someone who follows me on Twitter.

“Listen up Houston CUs RT @adrienne78 I did not feel a warm greeting by more than one CU in my area but bank smiles and knows my name.”

In this financial climate, credit unions have received so much free press on a national level.  National media is doing the marketing for the credit union movement and speaking of the “credit union difference.” However, is this transpiring down to a local level?  What is happening in our communities?  Do our friends, family and community know the "credit union difference" or are credit unions becoming a financial commodity?

I spoke at the University of Houston-Clear Lake last night and about 85% in attendance were credit union members.  When I speak, I also advocate for credit unions and like to ask the audience to do some quick focus group recon.  The group was in the Gen Y U to Gen Y Pro range (22-30). 

We had a brief conversation about their credit union experience and many thought that it was the same thing as a bank or a banking alternative, but in the end, just another financial institution.

In the comments section on Walt's blog, Sarah Snell Cooke noted, "Credit unions are taking all the good publicity and member growth of the last couple of years for granted. Credit unions didn't got out and try to get attention, but basically they got mainstream media attention because they were the last ones standing. This recognition drove members to their doors. It's great that credit unions are trusted, but if they don't 1) treat members right, and 2) work to keep the media spotlight, they'll have had their 15 minutes of fame until the next crisis. Credit unions cannot rest on their laurels and not pick up the PR yoke or that member growth will die off and even reverse."

In regards to treating members right, this is where experience marketing comes into play.  What kind of experience does your member have in the branch, on the phone, on your web site, at an ATM or on a mobile device?  These are all touch points that provide different levels of engagement and different experiences.

The experience that your credit union provides to members through all the different touch points and channels will help your credit union rise above being seen as just another financial institution and commodity.

Watch the video below that I did with the Michigan Credit Union League as I expand more on these thoughts about how one company took a commodity (coffee beans) and capitalized on the experience delivered.

Business Development: A Team Sport

 

Guest Post by Julie Ferguson, JRF Consulting Services

 

Business Development is not a department. In a financial cooperative it has to be everyone’s job; from the Board of Directors to the front line employees. Credit unions who have limited or no dedicated business development staff often struggle with how to achieve growth goals. Each year the executive team determines that magical percentage for membership growth and it is shared with staff. What can sometimes be neglected are conversations about how the credit union will achieve that goal.

 

The first step is an evaluation of existing strategies in the areas of community outreach, SEG relationships, membership growth, and retention efforts. Part of the evaluation process should encompass reviewing the results and determining if they are indicative of the actual strategy or if the strategy was not properly executed. Once you complete your comprehensive evaluation you can move forward and create a business development business plan that includes new and enhanced strategies with implementation guidelines to position your credit union to meet its goals.

 

When business development becomes a priority for all staff, even those whose primary responsibilities are back office or operational, the growth goal becomes more attainable.  For obvious reasons, responsibilities for growth need to be scaled and realistic for each staff member. Opening up a dialog between business development and other departments will enable the exploration of increased involvement and ownership in the growth of the organization.  Setting specific, achievable goals for each employee and holding them accountable is an important component to the success of this structure. In addition, employees need to be trained on the skills necessary for effective participation in business development activities.

 

Creating a business development business plan and making growth a priority for all staff does not necessarily translate to an increase in budget. In fact, you will be amazed at what you can achieve when you focus on creativity and building valued partnerships in your community.  There are infinite possibilities!

 

Business follows relationships. Make business development everyone’s job.

 

Julie R Ferguson is the owner of JRF Consulting Services, LLC and helps credit unions create and execute results oriented business development strategies. She’s been in the credit union movement for over 17 years and spent 16 years working at First Tech Credit Union, currently a $2 billion organization, based in the state of Oregon. Julie speaks and consults nationwide. www.jrfconsultingservices.com.

 

Catch up with Julie live and in person during Southwest CUNA Management School’s Grad School sessions, July 21 at TCU (Fort Worth, Texas). You do not have to be an alumnus to attend.

CUAC 2010 - CUNA Mutual Group

A big shout out to the CUNA Mutual Group for sponsoring the CU GROW Team at the Credit Union Association of Colorado's Annual Meeting! Below is a quick interview with CUNA Mutual group, so make sure you give us a shout back!

CUAC 2010 - John Dill Interview

The CU GROW team was in Colorado Springs for the Credit Union Association of Colorado's Annual Meeting!  While we were there, we caught up with John Dill, the President/CEO of the Credit Union Association of Colorado.  Check out our short interview with Mr. Dill below and give us a shout back!

General Session of Day 1 at the 2010 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference

By harnessing the power of the internet and grassroots support, the 2008 Obama presidential campaign fundamentally changed the way political campaigns are conducted. President Obama called his campaign manager, David Plouffe, "the unsung hero" who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States. Learn how you can model your credit union after this campaign's success, delivering effective messages and mobilizing your own members. With humor, passion and intelligence, Plouffe shared his approach to overall strategy development and tactical implementation, harnessing technologies to help connect with people and engage them to act, and sticking to your game plan in the face of crisis and skepticism.   Mark Adams, gave the CU GROW team a quick recap of the session keynoted by David Plouffe from the first day of the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference.

Check out the video below and shout back with ways your CU is strategizing and harnessing technologies to help connect with your members.

SCMS New Faculty On Board for Summer 2010 Session

Fresh faces are on board to join the Southwest CUNA Management School faculty team and challenge students forward:

· Matt Davis  (AKA "The Credit Union Warrior") partnered with Filene Research Institute, Matt joins Denise Gabel for the 1 1/2 days of Innovation classes with 2nd & 3rd year students.

· Julie Ferguson, JRF Consulting Services brings a wealth of credit union and business development background to Grad School.

· David Goldsmith, MetaMatrix Consulting Group, Inc., is about to have a book published on strategic planning. He’s the final class for 1st year students, charged with sending them out challenged and future focused.

· Mike Petrone, CFE, CFSA joins us from CUNA Mutual Group (CMG) for the 1st year Risk Management course. In 2002, Mike was honored with the 2nd annual Michael G. Hallinan Risk Management Choice Award.

· Shawn Temple (one of last year’s Award of Excellence recipients), Bossier FCU, joins the team to work with students on the project (a two-year strategic business plan) requirements.

· Amanda Vega,  Amanda Vega Consulting brings real world experience to help second year students make strategic decisions related to social media and their  credit unions.

 

For a complete faculty team and course listing, scholarship information (deadline this week), and school application, visit www.scms.coop.

Excitement mounts as registrations come in for this year's first year class. To give you an idea of what students looks like:

• They are coming from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and possibly Africa.

• They hold titles ranging from President, Manager, Director, COO, VP, Accounting, Business Services Representative, Branch Manager, to E-Branch Manager and more.

• The credit union asset sizes range from under $20 million to around $1 billion

• The students range in age from early 20's to 50's. They have 2 to 28 years service in credit unions, with 2 to 33 years in the financial services industry.

• Education backgrounds range from Masters Degrees to High School Grads.

Thank you Bossier FCU for enrolling three in the first year class and to numerous credit unions who continue to enroll credit unions year after year!

 

LinkedIn Group - Credit Union Leaders Book Club Begins New Book - Seth Godin's Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

This week we are wrapping up discussions on Patrick Lencioni's book, "Getting Naked: A Business Fable...about shedding the three fears that sabotage client loyalty." Even if you did not read along with us, I'm encouraging the read and joining in the discussion threads. It's a great book for folks involved in sales and customer service. It can provide insights for large organizations with multiple departments/branches (when you substitute departments/branches for companies as you read). It also gives perspectives for organizations involved in mergers, as well as those simply looking to gain perspectives about their competitors.

It's no secret that I'm a Seth Godin fan. Next up, beginning April 26, we'll start discussions on Godin's "Linchpin: Are You Indispensible?".  Join us in our adventure as we explore Godin's thoughts about ourselves - our choices, our future, and our potential to make a huge difference. Whether you work for a credit union, serve a credit union, or just love your credit union, feel free to read along with us. Discussions and comments are encouraged.

Our approach is simple. We'll cover a chapter a week. Feel free at any time to add to the discussions and share your challenges and insights. Let's learn from and challenge each other.

For my credit union friends, I also recommend reading Godin's book "Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us".

Credit Unions - Social Media, Word of Mouth, Viral Marketing

If you missed the RadioFREE Credit Union Show, you can catch it here as we discussed credit unions, social media, word of mouth and viral marketing with Jason Dias and Scott McKenna. Be sure to follow @cuswag as we played a little game giving some CU*SWAG out to those who counted the number of times CU*SWAG was said. Fun times! Happy Friday to all.

Credit Unions and Small Business Lending

The following is an article and video shared by Winter Prosapio about credit unions and small business lending. A great read and powerful story. Watch and share with your friends. 

As posted on mysanantonio.com by David Hendricks noting that credit unions deserve a bigger role.

"One jobs bill already has been enacted by Congress, giving tax credits to employers who hire new workers.

As Congress mulls a second job-creating bill as mid-term elections approach, it ought to embrace a measure that wouldn't cost taxpayers a cent.

All Congress would have to do is lift the cap on business loans credit unions make for their commercially active members from 12.25 percent of loan portfolios to 25 percent.

Congress also should change the monetary boundaries of micro loans to from $50,000 to $250,000. Micro loans do not count against the current 12.25 percent cap on credit union member business loans.

The 12.25 percent change came in 1998 when Congress passed the Credit Union Membership Access Act. It was an arbitrary figure thrown in to appease the banking industry, which opposed expanded membership fields at credit unions.

The nation's credit unions have pressed for this change before. An effort in 2008 to raise the cap to 20 percent failed even as the federal government bailed out many of the nation's largest banks.

Since then, access to loans has shriveled even more, thanks to the “Great Recession” that stemmed from the banking industry crisis.

The Texas Credit Union League says commercial loans made at credit unions equate to only 1 percent of the commercial lending market. Making the changes the credit union industry wants in an upcoming jobs bill might lift the credit union market share to 2 percent, still leaving banks in almost total domination of the market.

Yet, banks will fight the change. Community and independent banks will squeak and squall. They will say they make loans to small businesses. It is their bread-and-butter business, they will say.

Small businesses say banks don't make enough of them. In the last few years, bank requirements for cash flow, collateral and other terms have risen. Banks avoid financing start-up companies, too."

Click here to read the rest of the story...

Shout back with your thoughts and ideas about credit unions and small business lending.

Video - TCUL Annual Meeting Opening Session

We kicked off the day in Grapevine with a special video featuring Dick Ensweiler and Co.  This video was a collaborative effort with the Texas Credit Union League and the CUGROW Team!  Check it out and make sure to leave your comments below!

Live: 2010 Texas Credit Union League Annual Meeting

Follow along with the credit union blog gang as we are at the 2010 Texas Credit Union League Annual Meeting in Grapevine, TX. Tweeps to follow: @jrwlay @mrjlay @scmsjanine @mrsjlay @cuconference@acm1985

Plus, we would love for you to follow along and join the conversation below or on Twitter using #TCUL10. As always, we will be tweeting from the sessions and getting interviews to post to keep you in the know. 

Trading Tada Tamale Soup recipe for Progresso Soup Souper You Contest Vote

So you're trying to watch calories and Mexican food is calling your name. Love tamales but gave them up because by the time you covered them in chili and cheese you’re on calorie overload and can't eat anything for days or have to exercise forever to make up for it? Don’t despair. A few quick ingredients and craving solved. Be prepared for yumminess (yes, I'm declaring this is a word!). My husband even said he liked this better than the chili/cheese combo:

Lady Mac’s Tada Tamale Soup
Estimate Weight Watcher Points for full pot of soup – 28 (4 to 6 servings – this is up to you)

Saute 1 diced onion ( I prefer yellow, but pretty much any onion will do) in 1 tablespoon of oil.
Add 2 cans Progresso Light Soup’s Southwestern-Style Vegetable Soup.
Add 1 can diced, fire-roasted tomatoes (don’t drain).
Cook on medium heat until heated through.

While soup is heating, slice tamales into bite sized pieces. I used Pedro’s Pork Tamales. (WW points may vary if you use a different brand).

Once the soup has heated through, toss in the tamale bites. Heat just long enough to warm the tamales. (Over cook and you get mushy soup. We like it this way thought too!)

Tada – dinner’s ready, soup’s on! Enjoy!

Optional - adding diced bell peppers (any color) and/or diced jalapeno peppers would also be good. You're on your own when it comes to level of heat you add in.

And of course, please keep voting daily for me until April 12!

Click here for the original story behind this post.