This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fasten your seatbelt for a job shadowing day like no other.
We're looking for 6 smart, super groovy students to join us on March 13, 2019.
Consider it your pre-graduation real world test drive.
Read More
Martha Bartlett Piland was inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame March 2. The honor recognizes those who have exhibited unparalleled leadership qualities, had proven business success and played an instrumental role in shaping the vision for a stronger community.
We've, expanded our strategic team with the addition of an award-winning local entrepreneur, Kristen Kogl, as Account Coordinator.
Welcome, Kristen!
Read More
We're thrilled to share our news about creative honors at the 2017 ADDY Awards for client work as well as some self promotion. The competition was fierce, with terrific creative all around.
Three cheers to everyone who entered.
Read More
Credit Donkey has named our blog one of the "Best Small Business Marketing Blogs for 2016: Top Experts to Follow."
We're thrilled!
Read More
It can be easy to lose sight of the good happening in the world. So MB Piland created "See the Good," a photo exhibit to shine a little light. Comprised of hundreds of submissions from clients and friends, it captures moments of good found all around us.
University of Kansas student Moriyah Ramberg has been selected for the 2016 MB Piland summer marketing internship. MB Piland designed the program to provide hands-on experience for young people preparing for a career in business and marketing.
Seveneightfive Magzine has named Martha Bartlett Piland one of its 2016 Women Who Rock.
"I'm thrilled to be included on this list... and in ithe company of such an impressive circle of other women," said Martha.
Read More
Martha Bartlett Piland has written Culturing Creative, a guidebook for fostering the curiosity and creativity that solve everyday problems.
Creativity solves problems, engineers spaceships and builds brands. It makes everything go.
Read More
Branders often overlook or ignore things that can have a big impact on the impressions they make on their customers. Case in point: the coat closet.
Some organizations inadvertantly leave others with a bad taste in their mouths over their closets—or lack thereof. Here's why:
Read More
While many organizations say they have heart, rare are those who have created a culture that truly inspires passion. The word ‘credo’ (I believe) comes from ‘cor do’ (I give my heart).
Do employees, customers and community give their heart to your brand? Here are some things to seriously consider:
Read More
Why should you be an “extra button” brand? The extra button brand is the one who gets a customer by when he’s in a pinch. It's the brand that helps a customer save face. It's the brand that has your back.
Deliver that kind of service, and you’re the life saver that builds unquestionable loyalty.
Read More
I recently heard someone in the c-suite of a company say that a key business development strategy hadn’t been launched because nobody told him to do it. I was shocked.
Why is he waiting—and by whom—to be told? Is this laziness or a symptom of something else?
Read More
Keeping your brand aligned means paying attention to the messaging and stories you tell inside your organization, not just what you say in public.
Why? Because without an intentional internal brand, your public-facing messages will never be truly authentic.
Keeping your brand aligned means regularly auditing everything that tells your story. When you evaluate advertising and PR messages, you should never overlook the many other things that speak loud and clear.
Here’s a starting checklist of additional things to monitor for your public-facing brand:
Read More
Watch any company’s recruitment video these days and you’re likely to see a foosball table, an espresso bar and a workout room. You may be wondering if you need those to attract great employees, too.
While games and fancy coffee are nice “extras,” they’re not the foundation of your culture. There are better ways to cultivate a winning internal brand.
You may think that because your website is updated and your new video takes your customers’ breath away that your brand refresh is spotless.
Employee behavior contrary to your brand promise will soil your brand overnight.
Many organizations have spent a significant amount of time thinking—and talking—about what they will do.
“We will deliver excellent service every time,” or “we will always be at the forefront of innovation.”
But what won’t you do?
Read More
When a bank's business development team gets charged up and ready to call on prospects, they’re often so eager to talk, they forget to find out about what’s keeping the prospect up at night. "Me, me, me!", they say. Don't be that guy.
When I was a new college freshman, a classmate who was also from out of town attempted to make a deposit in the local “first national bank.” It wasn’t the same “first national” that she had at home, but she hadn’t realized that. Some big confusion about her account ensued.
Your first answer might conjure playground riddles from first grade: a frog in a blender. But it also might be the answer to a common struggle for merging institutions: their advisory boards.
Without proper planning and an intentional effort, blending cultures of two advisory boards may cause things to “go round all day.”
Read MoreNearly every financial institution has a slogan. They believe it helps set them apart from competitors. And they think it’s a key part of their brand. While that may be so, we see two big problems with a majority of these slogans: 1) they don't truly differentiate, and 2) there’s no real support behind the promise.
Read More
Mergers and acquisitions are increasingly commonplace in the financial industry. So if your institution is joining or acquiring another, what do you do to ensure a perfectly blended culture that leads to consistent brand and customer experience at all branches?
Look no further than the '70s-era TV show, the Brady Bunch for inspiration. Here are 3 takeaways you can use to get started.
Read More
When was the last time you thought about putting your well-known contacts and customers together to bring more value to everyone? As a banker, you know lots of people. Are you using that knowledge to expand your reach?
Read More
Soon, Girl Scout Cookie Time will return. Over the years you’ve come to expect—and thoroughly enjoy—your purchase experience. Whether your favorite is Thin Mints or Samoas, you might think the cookies are a little pricey. And you also think they’re worth every indulgent bite.
Many community financial institutions say they’re customer-centric, yet have a brand promise too focused on the bank. What if your brand difference is about helping your customers win with their customers?
That would merit some roaring fans. Here's how:
Read More
The moniker “teller” has been around in banking since time immemorial. And while it may feel comfortable to you, it sends unintended messages. It positions banker relationships as one-sided—with the bankers holding all the power—and the customer taking what’s doled out.
You can be better. Here are 3 ways to get started:
Read More
Introducing TRANSFORMOTION™ in a Box, our subscription-based program designed to take your brain off its leash and let it expand in new ways.
WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH.