I'm Hiring New Clients

I'm hiring new clients! This is an unpaid job with great benefits

You will have peace of mind that I am looking out for your best interest, whether it’s for lending, accounts, credit, treasury or merchant. I'm looking for those who are looking for a Banking Relationship and not a one night stand (transactional based)

 I'm hiring clients that would like a banker that offers solutions that can benefit them, thinks outside of the box and is not a product pusher. I'm hiring clients that would like honest up front discussions, which are looking for a Banking relationship that is not transactional based and for a banker that will respond to their emails and phone calls in a timely manner.

If your current business banking relationship isn't working for you, I'm taking interviews for new clients!

Applying is free ....and includes coffee and a donut.

Although the above is light hearted, I understand the importance of a strong banking relationship and take my responsibilities of managing business relationships extremely serious.

With banks offering similar services it can get difficult to find that right relationship. I say relationship because that is how I believe it should be looked at. As a business owner you should be looking to your banker for more than just taking your deposits, and being an order taker. The term Trusted Advisor is currently being overused in the market, however that is how you should see your banker. You should feel comfortable speaking to them about your business, personal banking and business banking needs.

Your banker an extension of your business who has a team that can assist on the business and personal side and is there to make suggestions.

If a banker jumps in and tells you what they can do for you and how wonderful their bank is without finding out about you and your business that is your first warning sign. By not asking questions they are directing you to what they want and not what you need.

 Warning Signs it may be time to get a new banker or the banker is not the right fit:

• They do not ask questions about you and your business
• They keep telling you how great their bank is and continuously talk negatively of their competition
• They do not introduce you to their team
• They do not respond to your questions
• They sound like a salesman (should be looking to provide services that make your life easier, not just to increase your service cost)
• Only good thing they are offering you is interest rate

 They Should Be:

• Looking for opportunities to connect you with other business owners (not always possible)
• Introducing you to partners within Bank (e.g. Wealth Management)
• Providing you Articles about your industry or your personal interests you may find helpful
• Providing you solutions on your banking and credit needs. (e.g. Could be as simple as letting you know what the bank requires for you to get the increase in the line of credit, and making suggestions)
• Being available
• Asking questions about your business
• Bring suggestions to the ‘table’ without being asked

Choosing a banker and a bank is a big decision. Once you have narrowed down the banks and banker that fit your needs, ask yourself, “Would you mind being stuck at an airport with them?” or “Would you enjoy spending an evening out with them?” If the answer to the question is no, they may not be the right fit for you. Being comfortable and confident in your banker is equally important.


Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you would like to apply for the position. – Currently offering Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate Appraisal Fee Waiver (up to $5000 for Loans of $500 000 +) Promotion with FULL Relationship.
linkedin.com/in/ryanjoffe

Presentation Tips

In life and in work we are continuously on a ‘stage’ giving ‘presentations’. Some people are better in presenting themselves or their message than others.

When Barack Obama came on the scene few people knew who he was, yet he beat his fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton (a person most people new) to the privilege of running for the presidency. Why?

During the debates, TV appearances, and speeches whomever you spoke to (Democratic or Republican, Hillary supporter or Obama supporter) everyone would say the same thing, “He speaks extremely well. He gives a great speech!”  One of the reasons for Obamas initial success I believe was how he is presented himself, and spoke to an audience.

I recently had the privilege to go through a course in giving formal presentations. An added caveat was it was small group of four participants and a presenter.  As such, we were able to discuss each subject in depth, and get a lot of additional feedback from the presenter who had been doing this for over 25 years. 

During the course I took notes on what stood out to me. I hope some of these ‘tips’ will help you in your future presentations:

3 Key Questions to Ask Yourself:

“What is the point?”
“So What, Who Cares?” (Benefits)
“Why is it material to me, the customer?”

Six Critical Skills for Effective Presentations:

Presence -- Ability to convey confidence and energy. Gain credibility and attention (e.g. sitting or standing, eye contact, project your voice)
Relating- connect with your audience, ability to create rapport (e.g. thank everyone, mirror clients’ body language)
Questioning- anticipate and prepare for questions that may be asked
Listening- being able to pick up on words the audiences are using. Create a 70/30 dialogue
Positioning-tell story from your clients point of view
Checking – get clients input (be spontaneous)

Miscellaneous:
Give information in blocks of 3 (anymore and your message will be lost)
Visuals: Make sure it is uncluttered. “Less is more”.
Divide the audience age by 2 and that should be the font size (presenting a power point)
Handout Leave Behinds: Only give once presentation is done, otherwise the audience will be leafing through them while you are presenting
Ask twice if anyone would like to add to the agenda
Make sure you have your message: “What is your goal”
When asked a question, breath in for 2 seconds, breath out for 2 seconds prior to answering (this will prevent you rushing your answer)
Ask questions on top of questions.
Hand positioning is very important

“There is no such thing as presentation talent, it is called Presentation Skills”
 David JP Phillips

I hope some of the tips will be helpful. Please include in the comment section what works for you.

Creating an A (+) Team

 

My most recent conversation with my mentee was regarding how to get the best out of the team he leads/manages.  Below is the list we came up with.  Please add in the comments what you believe makes a leader/ manager successful.

• Be a leader/ manager not just someone who ‘barks’ out orders. (leaders are people who inspire people in achieving and giving their best)
• Guide people in their daily job and career (e.g. during your one on one’s, discuss their careers and how you are able assist them)
• Ask don’t tell your staff what to do (e.g. Please and thank you go a long way)
• Show them you care (e.g. When our new build branch opened, many members of our team had not signed up for their 401k. I spoke to each team member individually who had not signed up and explained the company match and benefits. Our branch had 100 % participation )
• Get staff feedback (e.g. what they like, don’t like, what they would improve upon and how)
• Empower your staff to make decisions
• Provide Continues Feedback (e.g. reviews should have no surprises)
• Make it fun (a staff that is not happy is a staff that fails)
• Make sure everyone learns from each other (e.g. have a staff member who is excelling in a specific area speak to the team for 10 -15 min on what they are doing to be successful)
• Create leaders in your team. (e.g. get them to lead/ manage a specific project)

As in Sports, it is not always the team with the best players that wins, but the one that is well organized and has strong leadership.

“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.”
Paul Ryan