

Banking on Digital Growth
James Robert Lay
If you’re part of a financial brand marketing, sales, or leadership team, you know the entire industry is in the midst of exponential change fueled by new technologies. Consumers now make purchase decisions long before they walk into a physical branch location, if they walk into a branch at all, while mobile banks, digital lenders, and fintechs have transformed traditional growth models rooted in legacy broadcast marketing and branch sales strategies.Get ready to gain practical insights, proven ideas, and empowering inspiration as financial brand marketing and sales leaders, along with the leading digital marketing and sales technology firms, share their stories to help you maximize your digital growth potential here on Banking on Digital Growth.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 30, 2024 • 25min
370) Digital Growth Strategies: Balancing Internal Alignment with Market Presence
Understanding specific needs of those in the communities you serve is critical, particularly in unique markets like rural areas. But where do you put your focus first? It's the age-old philosophical question of what came first...the chicken or the egg?Is it on the external digital experiences that will impact both account holders as well as prospective account holders? Or should you put your focus on the internal experience to help other leaders within your organization learn a common strategic framework so that everyone can be aligned?This is a very common question and one that was recently posed by Cynthia Ramsey, brand manager at Progressive Ozark Bank. Together, we'll discuss how to navigate the delicate balance between providing technology solutions and personal touch in financial services. It's all about building trust...ensuring efficiency without losing the human element.Join us as we discuss:-Digital growth and its various definitions within an organization. (3:09)-Optimizing website traffic and lead generation for financial brands. (11:32)-Digital growth strategies for banks. (18:53)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 29, 2024 • 37min
369) Getting Financially Naked: Finding Hope Through Financial Coaching
For many, the world of finance is not just about numbers and investments; it's an emotional and psychological battlefield. In this episode, we delve into the world of financial coaching, a lifeline for those drowning in financial troubles. Audrey Cannata, Operations Lead at the Digital Growth Institute shares her journey through financial hardship and the emotional and psychological toll it took on her.Audrey's story is a testament to the power of financial coaching in navigating the complex world of personal finance. It's not just about making more money or investing wisely; it's about understanding your relationship with money and learning how to make it work for you.Join us as we discuss:-What is financial coaching? (4:33)-Imposter syndrome, and the importance of empathy (13:27)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. -Financial coaching program for improving credit score and reducing debt (20:38)Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 23, 2024 • 43min
368) Financial Inclusion and Future Growth for Financial Brands
Financial inclusion is not just a concept; it's a pathway to reshaping how we view prosperity and community engagement. But the financial industry still grapples with the complexities of truly achieving financial inclusion. Traditional models are being disrupted, leaving many organizations searching for effective strategies.Viola Llewellyn, the founder and CEO of The Tulle Box, joined the show to share how embracing a future-focused mindset, leveraging technology and innovative approaches drive financial inclusion. This shift is not just beneficial but essential for sustainable growth in today's digital era.Join us as we discuss:-Digital poverty, cultural beliefs, and financial inclusion. (9:13)-Effective policy regulation for growth and inclusion. (27:04)-Digital transformation, human-centered design, and value creation in finance. (36:39)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 22, 2024 • 28min
367) Banking on Discipline: A Key to Digital Growth
There is one word that differentiates financial brand marketing sales and leadership teams who are just dreaming about maximizing their future digital growth potential compared to those that are doing it right now today. Discipline. That's why in this episode of the Practical Perspective series, James Robert Lay gives you three practical ways that you can level up your discipline, so that you can level up loans and deposits going forward into the future. James Robert highlights the risks of a lack of discipline, such as revenue loss due to gaps in digital buying journeys. He also emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and adaptation, using the metaphor of taking the road less traveled, inspired by Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." This episode advocates for a disciplined, innovative approach to improve financial brands' digital presence and performance.Join us as we discuss:-Financial brand websites suffering from an R&D problem. (9:33)-Strategies for eliminating digital distractions (13:41)-Leveling up discipline through cold showers and new insights. (19:47)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 16, 2024 • 27min
366) Saying No to Grow: Strategic Decisions For Financial Brand Marketers
"No" is one of the most powerful words that can unlock future growth for you and for your team. Saying "no" or even "not yet" might just be what you need to level up your loans and deposits at your bank, credit union, or fintech.In this episode, part of the Real Solutions series, we're joined by Jill Sammons, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Wellbeing, and Wealth Advisory at BCU. Together, we'll dive into how the strategic use of "no" can be a catalyst for growth in loans, deposits, and overall business success. Join us as we uncover practical ways to say "no" with courage and confidence, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.Join us as we discuss:-Overcoming obstacles to growth in a legacy organization (1:27)-Employee experience, relationships, and technical agility (13:28)-Leadership and personal growth (20:47)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 15, 2024 • 23min
365) Aligning Perspectives for Collaborative Growth: Overcoming Organizational Obstacles
Financial brand leaders face the challenge of bridging the empathy gap with both existing and prospective account holders. This issue is compounded by internal perspectives and resistance to change.On this episode of the Real Solutions series, Jonathan Clay, a skilled data analyst at Louisiana Federal Credit Union, joins the shows to discuss the challenge of balancing individual responsibilities and shared goals within his organization. Jonathan and James Robert how conducting website secret shopping studies has been instrumental in understanding the consumer's mindset, while also acting as an objective outsider, has helped his team gain clarity and alignment.Join us as we discuss:-Obstacles to growth and the importance of perspective. (1:33)-Collaboration vs cooperation in digital transformation. (5:35)-Optimizing online banking experience through member feedback. (12:07)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 9, 2024 • 40min
364) Beyond Banking: Applying Philosophy in AI, Marketing, and Leadership
Does the word "philosophy" take you back to a monotonous college lecture that was a struggle to sit through? Well, today's episode is set to change that perception. We're not just talking about philosophy in the abstract; we're diving into how its ancient wisdom, surprisingly practical and relevant, can revolutionize the way banks, credit unions, and FinTech companies operate and thrive in this age of AI.Nikos Ntirlis, RevOps Manager at Databox, brings a unique perspective on utilizing philosophical principles as a strategic asset. Together, we'll uncover how philosophical thinking can empower you as a leader to guide your team confidently through the complexities and challenges of today's turbulent financial landscapeJoin us we discuss:-Building reputation and trust through ethos, pathos, and logos. (7:24)-Long-term growth and measuring success in marketing. (14:23)-The importance of reflection and self-awareness in personal and professional growth. (33:48)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 8, 2024 • 40min
363) Digital Resilience: Steering a Credit Union Through Crisis, Mergers, and Brand Innovations
Imagine it's early 2020. The world is about to enter an unprecedented period of lockdown due to COVID-19. Your credit union is facing not only this global crisis but also an impending merger, the launch of a new brand, and the daunting task of building and continually optimizing a website to support various business lines. Overwhelmed? Stressed?In this episode of the Digital Growth Journeys series, we're delving into the story of Sara Williams, the marketing director at Skyla Credit Union, and her team's incredible journey through these tumultuous times. Sara shares the pivotal lessons they've learned, the strategies that have driven their success, and how they've transformed challenges into opportunities for substantial growth. Join us we discuss:-Marketing strategy, automation, and data analysis. (13:52)-The impact of digital secret shopping studies. (26:41)-Personal growth and leadership development. (31:23)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 3, 2024 • 16min
362) Breaking Barriers: Embracing AI and Specialization for Marketing Growth
Many marketing teams within banks and credit unions struggle with integrating new technologies like AI and adapting to changing member behaviors.Adam Remshifski, VP of Analytics and Digital Marketing at American Heritage Credit Union, shares his journey of evolving the marketing department to meet these modern demands. However, adapting to these changes while maintaining growth is an ongoing struggle, especially as member behaviors and market dynamics continue to evolve.In this episode of the Real Solutions series, James Robert Lay provides valuable insights and real-world case studies to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and team expansion.Join us as we discuss:-Marketing challenges and emerging technologies. (4:56)-Navigating change in financial services. (8:11)-Digital growth strategies for financial brands. (11:42)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jan 2, 2024 • 34min
361) Decoding Financial Decisions Through Emotional Market Research
Traditional market research in finance is heavily focused on quantitative data, neglecting the nuanced emotional factors that influence customer choices. The gap between logical reasoning and emotional influence in financial decision-making leads to ineffective marketing and customer engagement strategies.Grant Gooding, founder and CEO of Proof Positioning, believes the answer lies in emotional market research: Understanding the emotional drivers behind financial decisions can revolutionize marketing strategies in the financial industry. Financial brands can leverage emotional insights to create more resonant marketing messages and product offerings, leading to increased customer loyalty and better financial outcomes.Join us as we discuss:-Understanding consumer behavior through neuroscience and research. (3:03)-Decision-making and marketing strategies in the financial industry. (7:06)-Emotional connections in financial branding. (16:55)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.