If we had to pick the public relations flub of the first four months of 2017, try United Airlines. Calling United’s fiasco, a flub is an extreme understatement. For the airline, this is a public relations multiple engine failure, a public image crash and burn. The bare facts: United personnel physically removed a Chinese passenger from an overbooked Chicago-to-Louisville … [Read more...]
5 lessons for bankers from Augusta National.
Traditionally, at least, banking and golf go together like sweet tea and cornbread. And this week – for weekend duffers like me – marks golf’s high holy days. The Masters tournament begins today. Think of it, the coveted green jacket, the resplendent azaleas painted every color in God’s palate. Green grass my wife would kill for. Bobby Jones, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson, … [Read more...]
Kings, Queens and unlocking dreams.
Once in a blue moon – or in the case of this month, a “pink moon” – a story crosses our path at BankMarketingCenter.com that’s bigger than banking, bigger than community, a story that packs timeless truths for humanity. In March, the venerable CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes” recounted the story of a teacher, Dr. Jeff Bullington and the children of Franklin County, Miss. It’s a … [Read more...]
The priceless, timeless tool of old-school social media.
Call it “old-school social media,” better known as the thank-you note. You remember the handwritten note, those things your Mom fussed at you to finish after graduation. They may seem an antiquated notion in the age of social media. But the thank-you note is an important tool, not only in marketing, but it communicating appreciation to your team members. A healthcare … [Read more...]
The power of “Yes, Ma’am”, “No, Ma’am”, “Thank you, Ma’am” and “Please”.
A friend recounted a story of summers at his grandmother’s house. While visiting, the grandmother had some rules when visiting her house on the banks of a north Alabama lake. Always say, “Yes, Ma’am” and “No, Ma’am”, “Please” and “Thank you” Blessings before meals – always Always say “Thank you” for the meal and that you enjoyed it, whether you did or not. This rule … [Read more...]