Connecting the Dots! Innovative Email Marketing Rock Star Keynotes Marketing & Business Development Conference

What do the following have in common?

• Finalist in 2010 Maryland Small Business of the Year Awards
• Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies 
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award Finalist 
• Email Marketing Integration with Facebook Connect 
• Bridging the Gap Between Email Marketing and Social Media 
• Marketing and New Media Leader Chris Penn 

Greg Cangialosi, President & CEO of Blue Sky Factory! 

You might ask how Greg was identified and booked as a keynote speaker for our event. It was a matter of connecting the dots! We connected through new media (Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, blogs), old media (reading a book, phone, email), and personal referral. 

The relationship journey began when I started following @cspenn on Twitter. Liking what Chris wrote, I began to follow his blogs. He caught my attention with his edgy, professional style. One day Chris posted a general tweet asking if we should be connected on LinkedIn? Appreciating the insights Chris provides, believing the one with the most contacts (relationships) wins at the end of the day, I connected to Chris. From there I checked Chris out on YouTube to see if he might also be a skilled presenter. Bingo! Now I wanted to know if Chris would be interested in keynoting our Marketing & Business Development Conference. 

While all of this was developing, I was reading Chris Brogan’s book Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust. His description of Blue Sky Factory and how they handle business was the icing on the cake. I was sold and wanted to find a way to work with Blue Sky Factory. And yes, the book was a great read! And yes, I also follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisBrogan. 

Chris Penn treasures family relationships. His brother was getting married the same time as our event. He thought it best he join the family for the ceremony, a most excellent choice I might add. Instead of ending the conversation, Chris asked if I might be interested in their CEO, Greg Cangialosi. I cyber stalked Greg to see what information I could find about him, his blogs, and again going to YouTube to check out Greg’s presentation skills. 

The journey continues. I follow a number of the Blue Sky Factory team on Twitter now. Love the passion and energy they bring to their world.

To connect with credit union professionals and hear Greg live, plan to attend the 2010 Marketing & Business Development Conference, October 6-8, at the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, Texas. 

Greg will cover: 

The relationship between business and consumer has fundamentally changed due to key shifts in communication tools and the interactions that are now taking place between businesses and their customers and prospects. This new landscape presents both challenges and opportunities to marketers and businesses of every size. 

It can be hard to know where to focus and to find meaning when the newest “shiny object” becomes mainstream or is the all of the buzz. Whether it’s social media, email marketing or mobile, marketers are asking themselves, how can these tools be useful to me? What works and what doesn’t? How do I implement and more importantly measure the effectiveness of my marketing? 

In this session, Greg Cangialosi will discuss how to take a broader, holistic view of this new era of marketing communications. Focusing on the core themes of the shifting consumer mindset and what is important to them when it comes to interacting with a business or brand online. 

Gain knowledge and insight by as Greg shares information about: 

• current market statistics on consumer behavior. 
• examples and case studies of companies who do it right and wrong. 
• how you can implement new strategies to grow your business a glimpse into the future of marketing – what’s coming next?

Greg will also present a breakout session on email marketing.

If you’re looking for fresh ideas on ways to grow you business, come hang out with us in San Antonio. Act fast. Early bird conference and special hotel sleeping room rate end September 9.

Hoping to see you there!

Lady on the Street - New Orleans

What do the people of New Orleans have to say about their financial institution? Watch the video below to find out as all credit unions can learn something from their responses. A big thanks to the Louisiana Credit Union League for having the CU Grow team out at the Annual Convention this past week. As always, shout out and share your comments below.

I Heard That!

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:

• My CU is slow to incorporate technology;
• Budget cuts!
• Slow to incorporate change!

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!

The CU Grow Show - Episode 1

Watch the first episode of The CU Grow Show featuring different topics including:

Crossfire: Bank vs. Credit Union in marketing

Spotlight: Featuring interviews from The One CU Conference

20 Second Fire Back: Christopher Morris sharing words of wisdom in 20 seconds or less

As always, remember to innovate, communicate and collaborate.

Editor's Note: Thanks so much to Christopher Morris for helping us spell Bill Cheney's name correctly and apologies for the error in the video.

Does Social Media Work for CUs? Let’s find out

A lot of credit unions are wrestling with the business case for social media. Others are adventuring out into the social media arena, looking to see what makes best sense for their business strategies.

Filene Research Institute has launched "groundbreaking research regarding the quantifiable impact of social media marketing strategies."

Can you make a commitment of about two hours over the next year to complete one survey per quarter regarding your marketing activities?

"The results of the year-long research will produce a statistically tested way to predict changes in membership and products per member (or, member share) based on social media activities."

"In plain English: If you keep wondering whether social media is just hype or an effective marketing tactic, this is your chance to find out. We want you and many other credit unions to participate because more responses make for better analysis. In return for your participation, we will provide you with the results of the research. Even if you are not using social media, we would like you to participate."

Credit unions have been built around people helping people. Working together is the best way for us to position credit unions forward. Hoping you make the commitment to be part of this timely project!