Community Bank Consulting Blog

Did You Know?

Capturing Attention Through Storytelling - Part 4

Master storyteller Ira Glass concludes his discussion on storytelling by discussing being genuine and avoiding two pitfalls.

Capturing Attention Through Storytelling - Part 3

Master storyteller Ira Glass continues his discussion on storytelling by talking about good taste and persistence.

Capturing Attention Through Storytelling - Part 2

Master storyteller Ira Glass continues his discussion on storytelling by telling sometimes the right decision is to dump a story that is just not working.

Capturing Attention Through Storytelling - Part 1

Ira Glass is a master storyteller.  He is best known for his radio show on NPR called This American Life.  His radio program is so popular that it resulted in a spin off on TV.

Storytelling is not only important in broadcast, it is also a great way to build relationships that result in building business with no selling required.

Listen as Ira shares some of his storytelling secrets for success.

Initiate change. Who me?

I've interviewed Steve Kruskamp, E-Commerce Marketing Manager at 1st Mariner Bank, Baltimore, MD on BankTalkRadio twice.  I love having Steve as a guest because his energy is contagious.  He is vibrant and willing to initiate change.

When I asked Steve if he encounters resistance in his quest to be innovative, his answer was something like "of course," yet he moves forward while still "playing by the rules."  He often hears "Steve, let's wait and see" when he suggests trying new things, yet he manages to move forward.  Steve is an initiator; the brand he represents is stronger for it.

Seth Godin did a blog post a few days ago entitled The initiator that starts "I'm just here to learn" and concludes with the question "How often does your brand initiate rather than react?"

Learning is a great!  Duplicating success is great!  Following is mediocre.

Are you an initiator or always a follower?  What is the real risk of being an initiator?

Follow a leader like Steve... take being an initiator out for a test drive!

Fear

"This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory."

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States during his first Inaugural Address (4 March 1933); part of this is often misquoted as "We have nothing to fear but fear itself".

The year President Roosevelt spoke these words, the unemployment rate in the United States was 24.9% as measured by Lebergott and 20.6% as measured by Darby.  Darby counts WPA workers as employed; Lebergott as unemployed.

Our economy remains challenging; however, our current challenges pale in comparison to 1933.

Are you operating from a place of fear... "unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance?"  Or are you operating from a place of courage?

I believe those that remain persistently courageous will recover stronger than ever!  Choose your strategy wisely.