Small Businesses, Big Potential: Navigating Change in Community Banking
by James Robert Lay on December 2, 2024
Small business owners and community financial institutions face significant challenges in navigating the rapidly changing landscape of AI and digital growth. Limited knowledge and outdated beliefs can hinder future growth and collaboration opportunities, particularly in the SBA lendin …
Transform Your Relationship with Money: Changing Beliefs and Building Wealth
by James Robert Lay on November 25, 2024
For many, money feels more like a burden than a blessing. Guilt, shame, fear, and self-sabotage often sabotage our ability to achieve financial freedom, leading to cycles of stress and unfulfilled goals. These struggles aren't just about numbers—they're rooted in deep-seated beliefs f …
Building Trust in Banking: The Modern Banker and the Wisdom Economy
by James Robert Lay on November 19, 2024
Trust, composed of both words and actions, is now harder to maintain as customers have become more knowledgeable and have a wide array of financial service options beyond traditional banks. The shift from a personal, relationship-focused banking experience to a more automated, regulat …
From Thinking to Thriving: Leveraging the Kolbe A Index to Move Past Inaction
by James Robert Lay on November 18, 2024
Ever found yourself saying, “I need to think about it”? For many financial leaders, this simple phrase hides a deeper hesitation that keeps them stuck in inaction. Often, this delay stems from overanalyzing or waiting for certainty, which can stall growth, innovation, and much-needed …
Logic Meets Intuition: Strategic Growth in Banking
by James Robert Lay on November 13, 2024
In the realm of strategic planning, branding, and marketing for financial institutions, there exists a continuous tension between using pure logic and rationale versus tapping into feelings, emotions, and intuition. Leaders and marketing professionals often struggle with balancing the …
Why Playing it Safe is Risky Business for Bank and Credit Unions Leaders
by James Robert Lay on November 12, 2024
Risk aversion has become a paralyzing force within banks and credit unions, particularly in marketing and sales teams. For institutions that prioritize security, the common reflex is to avoid taking bold action—often to prevent failure or blame. However, as Audrey Cannata and James Ro …
The 3-Step Framework for Change: A Path to Growth for Financial Institutions
by James Robert Lay on November 5, 2024
Change is hard—especially in the financial industry, where traditional approaches can feel like a comfortable safety net. But as financial brands aim to grow and stay relevant, inaction or rigid mindsets can hold entire teams back. Adapting to new technologies, customer expectations, …
Leadership Burnout in Financial Services: Why Staying Stuck is No Longer an Option
by James Robert Lay on November 4, 2024
Many financial brand leaders feel stuck and unable to take the necessary actions to overcome the challenges they face. This sense of being stuck can stem from several factors, including pride, arrogance, fear of conflict, and the fear of looking in the mirror and confronting unpleasan …
Digital vs. Human: The First Step to Unlocking Growth in Financial Services
by James Robert Lay on October 29, 2024
Financial brands often focus on digital transformation and new technologies to drive growth, but they miss a critical piece: human transformation. Without aligning their teams and culture to embrace change, even the best technology won’t unlock new opportunities. Sticking to old habit …
The Digital Growth Accelerator: The Fastest Way to Thrive in 2025
by James Robert Lay on October 28, 2024
There’s no sugar coating it: Your bank or credit union is losing money—right now—because of hidden blind spots in your customer journey. If you don’t take action, these problems will persist, costing you even more in 2025. The longer you wait, the more you risk falling behind your com …