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.
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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!
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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.
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Credit Donkey has named our blog one of the "Best Small Business Marketing Blogs for 2016: Top Experts to Follow."
We're thrilled!
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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?
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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:
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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?
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Old school sales guys will tell you sales is just a numbers game. Get enough prospects into the funnel and they’ll dump out X% of customers at the bottom. Easy.
News flash, Herb Tarlek: your lack of a system is as outdated as your plaid polyester coat.
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Nearly 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.
That's a big, bland problem.
Read MoreMergers 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.
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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?
It's time to step back and think about how you can help others with more innovation and less "banking as usual."
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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:
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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:
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Many community bankers struggle with getting all of their staffers to feel confident with business development. That’s because staffers are afraid of the *S* word.
Don’t tell them to SELL, teach them to LISTEN.
Use our “Business and Baby” rule as your internal rallying cry.
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A bank president recently told me he lets safe deposit box rent renewal notices slide because he hates to bug people over something so small, and he wants to be nice.
It made me wonder whether he’s nice or just afraid to risk irritating a customer over a relatively small fee.
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My 92-year-old father-in-law Ralph is a WWII veteran and serial entrepreneur. Over the years, he’s owned a night club, a dry cleaning shop, a demolition business—and more. He’s an excellent negotiator and he knows how to lead and inspire a team.
And he knows first-hand the value of a strong banking relationship.
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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.