BCBSFO

I just returned from the BarCampBank San Francisco.

Unlike the BCB in Seattle last year, this one came with a souvenier t-shirt, over 45 of the smartest people I’ve ever met and a cool location - U Cal Berkeley.
Our single goal - to question everything as it relates to banking today. We questioned money, moving money, ethics in banking, ownership, laws, loyalty, relevance.

Remember that Far Side cartoon where a kid is raising his hand in class - and when called upon says “Teacher, can I be excused? My brain is full.”

That was me.

Thanks to our friends from across the pond Frederic Baud and friends (from France) and to Robbie Wright and Matt Iverson for pulling it together.

Off Topic: Airline movie reviews

March has been a busy month for me in the air. Consequently, I’ve been able to catch all four movies that United Airlines had to offer. Two going East (changes mid month) and two going West. I’m a big movie fan. Besides getting lost in a good book, getting lost in a good movie at 30,000 feet is a blessing.

Not so much with August Rush starring a doe-eyed Keri Russell who stumbles her way through this movie in a constant state of confusion. I can forgive the occasional implausible scenario - but the end of this movie made me want to scream. Spoil alert: Keri’s been looking for her son (whom her evil dad pretended was still born and secretly gave him up for adoption only to finally reveal on his death bed that the boy LIVES!) for months. Walking around in a stupor through Central Park - chasing after 11 year-old boys hoping he’s hers…..oh, and she’s also a world class Cellist who has come out of hiding to perform a major concert in Central Park where, are you ready for this, AN 11 YEAR OLD BOY will be conducting his first symphony right after she plays.

Somehow this slipped by her. She didn’t cross paths with him in rehearsal, didn’t happen to catch it on the news, nor does she bother to stay (after completing her flawless number) to see this phenom. Made me want to scream as loud as the 11 month old baby in the seat next to me.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: I had to get past the fact that “Earl” plays Dave, the Chipmunks “dad” but otherwise, it was sheer delight…and with a nice glass of red wine, all you need on a Monday night flying to Chicago. My sisters and I owned that album (much to my parent’s chagrin) and couldn’t get enough of it. This movie acknowledged the 60’s in fun and campy way while somehow making you believe that singing chipmunks COULD actually do well on You Tube!

Why I love the Marriott…

Because they love me. They keep track of my “loyalty” and know how to keep it.

Last week-end I used my Marriott points to stay at the swanky downtown Portland location on my birthday. Had a nice quiet birthday party at my brother’s house and upon returning to my room….discovered a lovely birthday dessert complete with card signed by some of the staff.

Wow.

Ambience.

When I get my copy of Northwest Palate magazine I read it, or shall I say, savor it from cover to cover. It only comes out once every other month. It’s the place to read about all the cool stuff going on in Oregon, Washington and Vancouver BC as it pertains to food and wine. Two of my favorite things - besides marketing and free checking, of course.

Can you imagine if we wrote about a new branch opening the way Northwest Palate writes about a new restaurant:

“There’s still a high funk factor here, and turning a speakeasy into a a recherche’ boite seems an unlikely endeavor for the owner of upscale Coupage - but the mixture of hipster barflies, quirky decor and epicurean nosh give the Triangle a unique intrigue.”

Instead we say things like “open to anyone who lives, works, or worships in the tri-county region….”

*sigh*

Culture eats strategy for lunch….

My friend Cheryl sent me this amazing quote yesterday:

“Company culture is determined from the top.  Ignore it, and it will spiral into bad morale, which is transparent to your customers.  Nurture it, and your metrics will prove it matters.  In short, culture eats strategy for lunch.” – Kevin Nolan, retired Affinity Health Systems CEO.

This is precisely why I have repositioned my brand to focus on culture. If you have a bad culture - marketing can’t help you.

Consider this:

If your culture SUCKS your members will market FOR you.

If your culture is FABULOUS, your members will market FOR you.

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs….

I stayed at the Hawthorn Suites in Racine, Wisconsin last week. They have a restaurant that sells wines by the glass that got them Wine awards! Their grilled salmon salad with slivered almonds and bing cherries will change your life. Who knew? Right???

But when you get in the elevator to go to your suite (read big room) you see the sign above. WTH?? As I exit on the 3rd floor I look out over this swimming pool expecting a scene from Animal House. Looks pretty benign. A nice family enjoying a warm romp in an indoor pool decorated with airplanes for the kiddies (it was 7 degrees outside). Hmmmmmm…..so what chaotic event caused them to commission a sign maker and permanently mount this to the elevator wall??

Look around your office. Walk outside and come in the door where your members do. What signs do you see? What does it say about your culture? Is it the story you want to tell? Is the sign working? (my favorite one is at the drive-up window - please have your deposit slip ready - um, when you get to the window - where the sign is)…….

I was told that I have to go to the local DMV in Racine. They have a sign there that reads:

“Profanity will not be tolerated here.”