What I really need is...

Remember when...

The iPad was not a word, the iPod was a glimmer in Steve Job's eye, "tivo" was not a verb, noun or an understandable word at all!

Yes...the innovators have changed the world.

The financial industry is changing...for the better or for more challenge will remain to be seen...but changing none the less.

Your challenge-- should you decide to accept it-- is to figure out what your client or marketplace "really needs."

BancVue started recent innovation with the "high rate checking, Bank of America came along with "Keep the Change", Huntington Bank added the "24-Hour Grace" and "Asterisk-Free Checking."

Each addressed a fundamental financial need...that was not directly on the surface or clearly spoken by the customer-- but a clearly defined need indeed.  Similar to Tivo, people did not know what they were missing.  To me that is a hallmark of a true innovation-- something not expressly defined as a need by people, but once it arrives, one wonders how they got along with out (just TRY a day without your iPhone!!)

Here are three keys to helping YOUR organization innovate...

• Listen... Intently-- to you customers and your staff.  Their actions WILL show you what they need and what innovations may stick
• Get up close and personal-- the front line of your organization is probably solving the issue right now (the 1st switch kit was born as a sight draft and an industrious teller!)
• I think I can...I think I can-- the best innovations come from areas that are improbable and sometimes from a staff member that may be outside the realm of management...be open to the greatness of the idea!  Some of the greatest ideas started small and in a garage (think HP, Apple, Microsoft!!)

Innovation--- its AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

Look for it...be open to it...seek it out.  It is there for the taking and your clients will love you for it!

Cheers!

Bruce

MarketMatch is a full-service marketing consulting firm, dedicated to the credit union and community banking community.  We utilize knowledge-based strategies to help you FOCUS on the efforts that will generate MOMENTUM and yield the greatest RESULTS for your bottom line.

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