Apr. 13, 2010 at 5:15pm

The Wizard Says: Create Emotional Voltage

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key
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“Engage the imagination, then take it where you will. Where the mind has repeatedly journeyed, the body will surely follow. People go only to places they have already been in their minds.” – Roy H. Williams, The Wizard of Ads.  Read more

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Jul. 20, 2009 at 4:46pm

Tactile tactics

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, The Power of Creativity
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One of my associates mentioned that her eye clinic has overly bright fluorescent lights in the restrooms, which can be quite painful when your eyes are dilated. Another colleague mentioned the awkward and uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room of her chiropractor’s office. These seem almost ironic and raise the question, why isn’t the patient experience a major marketing aspect for the service industry?

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May. 19, 2009 at 3:40pm

Spring into Wesabe

Posted by Kacie McKinney in Differentiation is Key, New Members, Strategic Communications
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When I first found Wesabe, I was blown away. I had been using an Excel sheet to track my finances (okay, well I started to for about a month and then realized I was never going to take the time to actually update it). And then realized what a great tool Wesabe is—and how much I actually use it.

That’s why I was so excited to see the recent news about its partnership with Delta Community Credit Union. Wesabe has been around since 2006, but recently launched Wesabe Springboard, a tool that allows credit unions to integrate Wesabe’s management tools directly into their Web sites. And it has the potential to grab those web-savvy generations.

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Apr. 29, 2009 at 4:27pm

Banking on Facebook

Posted by Guest Blogger in Differentiation is Key, Strategic Communications
Comments (1)

I remember when Facebook first came out. Back when things were simple. Only college students had access to the site and member profiles consisted of a person’s name, contact information and a simple photo. Now not only is anyone eligible to create their own account, but users can access the site for a variety of tasks ranging from selling their pet goldfish to accessing their checking and savings accounts.

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Dec. 17, 2008 at 1:30pm

Hitting a topical mark

Posted by Guest Blogger in Differentiation is Key, Strategic Communications, What We're Up To
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What does a jewelry store ad have to do with credit unions? Read on and I'll explain.

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Nov. 13, 2008 at 11:21am

Seriously - Don't be so serious

Posted by Guest Blogger in Differentiation is Key, The Power of Creativity
Comments (1)

The bank ad I saw the other day went something like this: “We’re strong, safe and secure.”

It should have added “… we’re extremely dull, boring and incredibly serious.”

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Nov. 3, 2008 at 4:01pm

What if…you actually went through with it?

Posted by Kacie McKinney in Differentiation is Key, Special Events, The Power of Creativity
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“What if…”

The start to a question that could lead to an exciting and brilliant marketing and public relations campaign and endless possibilities…if you let it.

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Oct. 16, 2008 at 1:16pm

The hipster way to finance

Posted by Kacie McKinney in Choose the Right Target Audience, Differentiation is Key
Comments (1)

What do organic carrots, Macs and The Flaming Lips have in common with credit unions?

Well, a lot actually.

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Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:14am

Do good and profit or just sit on our assets?

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key
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Referring to a topic I touched on in my post Bad Times Marketing, I have found some additional support to share with you.

Organizations around the world successfully copy credit union’s principles that many of us seem to have forgotten – like making money by doing good. Let’s call it social marketing.

You may be asking yourself,

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Aug. 14, 2008 at 10:42am

Brand strength can make a difference

Posted by Guest Blogger in Differentiation is Key, Strategic Communications
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What’s in a brand? Sometimes consumers immediately think of a company’s logo as being the brand. While the logo is certainly a big part of it, a brand consists of so much more. Read more

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Jul. 2, 2008 at 9:09am

Bad times marketing

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, Integrated Marketing
Comments (2)

Bad times creating marketing cuts? Not so fast!

The economy sucks. Organizations around the nation are saying “it’s time to cut our losses and save our marketing bucks until ‘le bon temps roule.’”

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May. 1, 2008 at 1:28pm

Credit unions need help? Don't send the Air Force - Part 2

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, Talking to Members, The Power of Creativity
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My last post discussed the importance of changing old habits and bringing innovative thinking back into the credit union movement. As I discussed in that post, Robert Gates is helping The Air Force get through the same problem. Here are some other comments from the Washington Post and Gates that can be applied to credit unions:

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Apr. 30, 2008 at 1:31pm

Credit unions need help? Don't send the Air Force - Part 1

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, The Power of Creativity
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Credit union membership is barely growing. In fact, it’s losing market share to banks and newer types of financial service providers such as ING. And goodness knows what Wal-Mart will do to us!

When was the last time the credit union movement launched a breakthrough, differentiating product or service? Are we dragging traditional thinking around like mules pulling a plow? Is success in our jobs a result of following the rules and carrying out the status quo?

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Apr. 22, 2008 at 1:32pm

Do unto others...

Posted by Melina Young in Differentiation is Key, Talking to Members
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After discussing some issues I have had buying a house, Kurt referred me to this blog post by Tim Kane about the notoriously bad behavior of title insurance companies. It got me thinking about customer service and credit unions.

I think banks are commonly being seen as gigantic institutions that care more about making money for themselves than really helping customers. No matter how many times banks tell me they put me first, it is hard to get beyond the stereotype and really believe them.

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Apr. 17, 2008 at 1:33pm

Twitter's get out of jail free card

Posted by Jamie Chase in Choose the Right Target Audience, Differentiation is Key, Talking to Members, The Power of Creativity
Comments (2)

The premise behind Twitter is telling people what you’re doing. I’m new to the Twitter-sphere and still figuring out what it means to me, let alone the credit union movement.

Chris Brogan’s blog about it grabbed my attention and didn’t let go.

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Mar. 4, 2008 at 1:46pm

Treat people like dogs

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, The Power of Creativity
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Do pets get better service than people?

In her health care marketing blog, my coworker Shari Campbell, says, “Bailey, our beloved Golden Retriever, needs to go to the vet for her annual exam.” She knows this because the vet reminds her when to bring Bailey in and makes a reminder phone call.

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Dec. 28, 2007 at 1:55pm

Go back to your big ideal

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Differentiation is Key, Social Responsibility
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It’s true, a company that stands for a “big ideal” will get more business than those that don’t.

According to Jonah Bloom, a columnist from Advertising Age, research by Cone Communications proves it. Eighty-seven percent of people say they will switch from one brand to a comparable one based on its association with a good cause.

What is your good cause and how will prospects know about it? Sixty-six percent consider a company’s position on social issues when deciding to buy its stock. Do your prospects know they become stockholders when they join your credit union? Do they know what cause you stand for?

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Dec. 27, 2007 at 1:56pm

Dick Ensweiler and I love credit unions

Posted by Jamie Chase in Differentiation is Key, Elections, Talking to Members
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Here’s a theory I’m pondering. Would you agree that people have more difficulty understanding what they haven’t experienced? I am much more likely to learn something if I do it. For example, I’m more likely to remember how to get to a new restaurant if I’m in the driver’s seat, paying attention to each turn, rather than simply enjoying the ride as a passenger.

Maybe this explains why Dick Ensweiler and I so passionately love credit unions while consumers aren’t that jazzed.

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