Comments on: I am passionate about financial services!

By: Positive Invoice Finance

Positive Invoice Finance — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:14:18 +0000

When I go into a bank or CU branch, I don’t expect the person I talk to to be passionate about adjustable rate mortgages. But it’s NOT too much to ask that the branch rep be “into”

By: Brad

Brad — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:48:25 +0000

@Mick – To me, passion evokes direction.

Give people a purpose and it’s amazing how easily they can attain a goals.

By: Mick

Mick — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:38:52 +0000

Does passion come before direction? REI and Summit have in common the pursuit of the possible. I think you have the right idea when you suggest financial services are the same way. Family, or freedom, or achievement, or philanthropy can inspire people. If you can reveal to them how financial services open the door to their future, you can ride the wave of the passion they have for their own goals.

“Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible” – William Sloan Coffin

By: Guillaume’s blog » Blog Archive » Can financial services providers do good and make good money at it?

Fri, 30 May 2008 07:25:35 +0000

[...] 30th, 2008 Brad Garland’s latest post raises an interesting [...]

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:20:53 +0000

Great comments guys and I agree with your points.

@ Jodi – Making things simpler could go a long way. Well said.

@ Robbie – Looking at the bigger picture definitely brings things into perspective. Though, I still wonder how you do it down the lowest levels BUT other companies like Starbucks can so why not a FI?

@ Ron – Even if you took people that were more broadly passionate about “making money” I still think that type of passion is not a positive passion. People like that are more concerned with the cash and not the relationship of the FIs customer. Changing perception, however, by focusing on things like “getting out of debt” or “helping a person with a new business” are things that employees and people can feel good about and is where the focus needs to be placed.

By: Ron Shevlin

Ron Shevlin — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:07:18 +0000

C’mon, let’s use a little imagination here. When I go into REI — my favorite store — looking to buy replacement parts for my snow shoes, I don’t expect the sales person to be excited (or “into”) the replacement parts. They’re “into” (ie, passionate) about outdoor sports, and perhaps, snow shoeing in particular.

When I go into a bank or CU branch, I don’t expect the person I talk to to be passionate about adjustable rate mortgages. But it’s NOT too much to ask that the branch rep be “into” managing money, — ie, knowledegable, experienced, etc.

Don’t interpret the “passionate” too narrowly.

By: Robbie Wright

Robbie Wright — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:21:28 +0000

Getting excited about FI products is just about impossible. They are dry and no fun. That’s why FI’s need to get excited about their mission and why they exist. Get excited about fire fighters, or CIA employees, or postal employees. Whoever your sponsor group is. Get excited about that mission, and providing FI products won’t be too hard.

By: Jodi Torres

Jodi Torres — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:58:50 +0000

The teacher is the most important – making dull “have tos” fun and interesting. (Now I have some prejustice here as an ex-teacher). But I think the empowerment and security ideas work for me and maybe make it a challege –personal or part of a group or community, and then there is the making it relevant and simple. I think we over complicate so many things in financial services. It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist…..