Banking on Digital Growth

The most important element of digital growth is not technology.  It’s not sales. It’s not marketing.  In fact, it’s something ancient. Something that’s missing in almost every conversation that happens in every boardroom across the country.  Humanity.  I’ve talked before about how you can generate 10X more loans & deposits. But 10x growth is only made possible through 10X thinking.  And any digital growth strategy that doesn’t place human connection at its heart is at best only half of a strategy.  I’m James Robert Lay, CEO of Digital Growth Institute and author of Banking on Digital Growth,  What I talk about:-Why only 15-20% of financial brands are “Digital Haves”  -The secret to digital growth that is missing from most conversations -How to take your marketing team from underestimate to invaluable -Why digital growth is about so much more than marketing and sales technology This episode is hosted by James Robert Lay  Founder and CEO at Digital Growth Institute You can find this interview, and many more, by subscribing to the Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher on Spotify, Google Play or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Financial brands tend to try to appeal to logic in their marketing.  I get it, money is a huge practical concern, so it makes sense. But in reality, there is nothing more emotional. If your marketing doesn’t consider that, then you need to learn more about mindstates. And there’s no better teacher than my latest guest, Will Leach, CEO of TriggerPoint Design, a behavioral research and design consultancy.  His book, “Marketing to Mindstates,” lays out the case for why you need to apply behavior design to research and marketing if you want to thrive in today’s complex world.  Will went over: -Why today’s marketing landscape is all about context -How mindstates have shifted under COVID-19 -How financial brands can directly employ mindstates in their strategy You can find this interview, 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.

It’s well past time to merge digital and human experiences. I’ve been saying it for years, but social distancing proved it.  It proved how, too. Face-to-face interactions through video.  On the latest episode of Banking on Digital Growth, I cover why face-to-face interaction, even remotely, is more important now than ever.  Things are starting to open up. But it will be some time before the world returns to normal.  And some things, like video communication, never will.  In today’s episode, I explain: -Why our new video habits are here to stay -Why you need to adapt to the new societal norms -5 ways you can start using video today Check out these financial brands we mentioned in today’s episode who are nailing video communication: -Louisana Federal Credit Union -Citizens Bank of Edmond -Canvass Credit Union You can find this interview, 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.

What if you could generate 10x more loans and deposits by asking 3 questions? (Caveat: They’re hard questions about fear and uncertainty.) You’d still give it a try, right? Especially in the post-COVID-19 world, insights from Banking on Digital Growth have the power to supercharge your growth potential. I’m James Robert Lay, CEO of Digital Growth Institute and author of Banking on Digital Growth, excited to share with you 3 questions that will supercharge your digital growth strategy. What I talk about: -If you’re the hero of your narrative, you’re doing it wrong -Why the soft skills of empathy and EQ matter more in digital now than ever -Up until now, if you’ve only dabbled in digital it’s probably because you’re afraid -3 hard questions about your digital growth plan   This episode is hosted by James Robert Lay  Founder and CEO at Digital Growth Institute You can find this interview, and many more, by subscribing to the Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher on Spotify, Google Play or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

A life in hospitality prepared my guest, Seth Siegel-Gardner Chef and Owner of Para Llevar, for a creative life where thinking on your feet in a chaotic environment is a valuable asset.   In a post-Covid 19 world, everyone from the hospitality industry, to mom and pop shops,  most of the local businesses in our communities are being forced to adapt and pivot into entirely new business models or face shutting their doors. Your financial brand can help if you also adapt and pivot towards your community. What we talked about: -The role of community banks and credit unions in support of their communities -Small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges -The need for fluidity and ingenuity in a post-Covid 19 world This episode is hosted by James Robert Lay  Founder and CEO at Digital Growth Institute You can find this interview, and many more, by subscribing to the Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher on Spotify, Google Play or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

These are challenging times for all of us.  Unemployment numbers are devastating.  Your account holders’ finances very well may be affected, as they struggle to adapt to a Post-Covid world. People are going to remember how you treat them during this time of their greatest need.  What strategies do you have in place to connect with your customers as they adjust to life after Covid-19? Help them along their financial journey with empathy and hope by implementing a few key changes! What we talked about:-The stresses customers are under in a post-Covid world -Adding a few simple items to your marketing plan can make a big impact -Opportunities for your financial brand to help and inspire hope Resources:-The Five Stages of Grief: An Examination of the Kubler-Ross Model   -The 8-Step Process for Leading Change   This episode is hosted by James Robert Lay  Founder and CEO at Digital Growth Institute You can find this interview, and many more, by subscribing to the Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher on Spotify, Google Play or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

87% of Americans reported experiencing "high" or "moderate" levels of anxiety in connection to money in a survey conducted by Northwestern Mutual. And that was before COVID19. Consumers have had to adapt to a new existence, where they conduct all of their day-to-day activities from home.  The pandemic has accelerated the need for people to adopt a completely digital-based lifestyle at breakneck speed.  People are sheltered. People are scared. And people are still stressed about their finances. Now perhaps more than ever.  Are traditional banks and credit unions seeing an opportunity to fill a new and emerging consumer need?  Sadly, from what I am observing, the answer is mainly no. Developing modern marketing & sales strategies to reflect the pain of financial stress post-pandemic is going to be a must for financial brands.  Some of the things I unpack in this episode: -How consumers feel about money directly influences more than you may think -Branch centric banking is dead -Financial brands have an opportunity to rocket forward right now -“Dabbling in digital” isn’t going to cut it. -How you can be the guide in the financial stories of others This episode is hosted by James Robert Lay  Founder and CEO at Digital Growth Institute You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In today’s episode, I talked to Founder and Executive Chairman of Moven, Brett King, to discuss the evolving role of AI in finance as the world is impacted by pandemic.  We dive into this topic by revisiting how the banking industry answered the call for modernization as technology soared in 2012, looking at ways for financial brands to once again adapt as individuals and businesses learn to navigate a Covid-19 world. I share insights into the evolving structure solutions financial brands will be contemplating as the demand for off-site banking develops in an uncertain time. The key insights in this episode, include: -The past and current state of digital banking -How AI will bolster the banking industry in a Covid19 world  -Brett King’s upcoming book, “The Rise of Techno Socialism” This episode is hosted by James Robert Lay  Founder and CEO at Digital Growth Institute You can find this interview, and many more, by subscribing to the Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher on Spotify, Google Play or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What can we do moving forward to effectively break free from the confusion and chaos of the Covid-19 crisis? How can financial brands  move forward and guide people in the communities they serve with confidence in this brave new world?  In this episode I think through the question on everyone’s mind right now. What should we do next? How do we move forward with confidence in a post-COVID-19 world? Plus we take a look at a key strategic lesson I’ve learned from watching one of my kids favorite movies (Frozen 2). The key insights I share in this episode, include: -Guiding others in a time of confusion and chaos  -Tips for how to open a dialogue with account holders in a new way -How important courage is. Now, more than ever. You can find this podcast, and many more, by subscribing to the Banking on Digital Growth podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher on Spotify, Google Play or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In 2010, Google calculated the number of books ever published to be an impressive 130M.    So, the question is: Does the world really need another book?  Specifically, does it need another marketing book? It’s a question I grappled with while writing my upcoming book “Banking on Digital Growth,” well before COVID-19 hit. Ultimately, I realized I needed to write it to help financial brands unlock the secrets of digital growth.  In today’s episode, I explain why it’s even more important now. You can find this interview, 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.