Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank

Join us for a reflection on the first year of TLAB...complete with what's surprised us, predictions for the future and shameless plugs for our new content. And while you're here, listen to a few of the past episodes with some amazing leaders in financial services and beyond.

Marcus’s first book, FOR THE CULTURE, is out this May. He has worked with everyone from Beyonce to Nike to McDonald’s (he’s the brains behind the adult happy meal, most recently Cardi B and Offset) and is an award-winning marketer and cultural translator with one foot in the world of practice—serving as the Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden+Kennedy New York—and one foot in the world of academia—as a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. For the Culture is a guide to understanding the cultural forces that shape our world and how individuals and businesses can harness those forces to build identities that stand the test of time. Collins presents a comprehensive framework for developing a culture-driven marketing strategy, including insights on the importance of understanding one’s audience, developing a strong brand narrative, and leveraging social media to create buzz and engagement. Throughout the book, he illustrates the “whys” and the “hows” to empower others to successfully apply these learnings in their own pursuits… be it personal or professional.

BONUS Episode! Liz and I get together and share some of the most surprising things we've learned traveling around and talking about the book, Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank. Plus, we somehow commit to creating a wine and cocktail list to accompany TLAB bookclubs.

Today I am speaking to someone who needs no introduction, but since this is audio-only, I will give you some hints: The Linked Banker The guy who figured out how to put an emoji in front of this name on LinkedIn Author of The Recovering Banker Newsletter.   That’s right - it’s 🤘Eric Cook.   Listen for more!

I am keeping the bar high with my next guest, Joann Marsili.  Joann is the Chief Marketing and Digital Experience Officer at Fidelity Cooperative Bank out of Massachusetts.  She is a highly regarded, data-driven leader and an all around inspiring person.   Listen in for: "Give ideas time to get into the crevices of the organization." Why you should perform "the Starbucks Story" live.  Really! What is "Life Design Banking" Quick link to "the Starbucks Story" complete with sound effects: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/Y0EYYkZNIwb

This episode features my conversation with Michelle Toll.  Michelle has been a community banker since 1998 and her reputation and work in the industry speaks for itself. We talk a lot about: How to avoid group think Product isn’t what it used to be Passing down your banking relationship A new book idea!

A snippet from my time on Chuck Allen's Cool Change Podcast that gives you a glimpse of the story that started it all (in terms of the book, Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank). For the full episode, click here. If you would rather read the intro, I put a copy of it on our website www.thinklikeabrandbook.com

In this episode I am joined by Josh Herman, Vice President of Strategy at the $1B Frankenmuth Credit Union. Josh is a former federal examiner with the NCUA, VP of Compliance at a large regional bank ($70B) and Senior Associate at a Top 100 accounting firm. But wait! Josh is also the creator of the Envy cannabis banking program at Frankenmuth Credit Union. We talk about Sometimes Doing the Counterintuitive Thing, Cue the Remix and avoiding binary thinking – plus Josh turns the table and asks me a question - you won’t want to miss it! Key points 🎉 “Re-celebrate” 🍽️ Use the fork you already have (trust me, you need to hear this analogy) 🏈 No points for hitting the goal posts For more on Josh, click here.

Nick Kennedy is a Dallas-based business coach who offers practical guidance from his decades as an entrepreneur, author, and executive coach. For Episode 13, we talk on the Zoom phone about mindset shifts, how Uber drivers deal with the same things as high-powered leaders and the power of embracing tension and creating contradictions. 🛫 Uncertainty is where growth comes from 🛫 Courage is when you move past fear; the obstacle is still there 🛫 We like to wallow in the good things that come out of our decisions 🛫 Everything good we have comes from a risk someone took to make “it” better And…Nick announces his not-a-plan to launch Bling Bank.

Cindy Lo is the CEO and Chief Event Strategist at Red Velvet Events. I wanted to have her on the show to talk about how, during difficult periods like post-911 and COVID-19 she took the opportunity to pivot and remix herself and her businesses.   I think you'll get a lot out of the conversation!  For more on Cindy, please click here.