Michael F Abernathy, Jr.’s Post

Existing as a research organization for the credit union industry over the past 35 years means that Filene has studied many challenging financial environments and provided credit unions guidance and innovations for how to manage levers to drive performance throughout them -- from the collapse of the dot-com bubble in the late 1990s, to the subprime mortgage crisis and U.S. housing bubble burst in the 2000s to the more recent economic effects of the pandemic. Filene's Center of Excellence for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, launched in early 2020 and led by Fellow Quinetta Roberson has been instrumental in guiding credit unions through challenging shifts in organizational culture, and insights on belonging and inclusion that have proven to drive business goals, support team members, and increase firm performance. We now share a new research brief expanding on Filene’s previous report on Employee Resource Groups from the employee perspective. By combining insights from both credit union leaders and employees, we offer practical strategies for enhancing the value and effectiveness of your ERGs through the business of belonging. One key credit union implication from the research is that when ERGs are well-aligned, they not only provide support, community, and professional development opportunities for their members, but they also contribute directly to organizational effectiveness and performance. With support from Rebecca Mitchell, PhD and Caitlin Q. Briggs, the full brief is now available for Filene members at: https://lnkd.in/edt5U-7d #35YearsofFilene

In today's dynamic credit union landscape, DEI serves as not just principles but as vital pillars, underpinning organizational success, community resonance, and ethical responsibility. DEI is crucial in the credit union industry for several reasons: 1. Representation: Credit unions serve diverse communities, and having a diverse staff that reflects the membership base helps understand and meet the unique needs of different demographic groups. 2. Innovation: Diversity of thought leads to innovation. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together, they bring a variety of ideas and approaches to problem-solving, which can lead to more innovative products, services, and strategies. 3. Market competitiveness: In an increasingly diverse marketplace, organizations that prioritize DEI are better positioned to attract and retain customers from various backgrounds. This can enhance market competitiveness and increase market share. 4. Employee engagement and retention: Employees are more likely to feel valued and engaged when they see themselves represented and included in the workplace. This, in turn, can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction, productivity, and employee retention. 5. Risk management: Lack of diversity can lead to blind spots in decision-making processes and increase the risk of groupthink. Embracing diversity and inclusion can help mitigate these risks by promoting broader perspectives and more thorough risk assessments. 6. Social responsibility: Credit unions often have a strong focus on community development and social responsibility. Prioritizing DEI aligns with these values by promoting fairness, equity, and social justice within the organization and the communities they serve. Overall, DEI is essential in the credit union industry to foster a culture of inclusivity, drive innovation, enhance competitiveness, and fulfill the social mission of serving diverse communities. #CreditUnions #DEI #CUYP

/🌟 Exciting News Alert! 🌟 Did you know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices can have a significant impact on employee retention rates within credit unions? 🏦 Let's dive in and explore how DEI is transforming the workplace! 💪 🌈 DEI ensures that everyone feels valued, respected, and included, regardless of their background or identity. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, credit unions can attract and retain a diverse range of talented individuals. 🙌 🚀 When employees feel like they can bring their whole selves to work, they become more engaged and motivated, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. 💼 DEI initiatives promote open communication, teamwork, and collaboration, creating a positive work culture that everyone can thrive in. 🌟 💡 Did you know that credit unions that prioritize DEI have reported higher employee retention rates? 📈 By embracing diversity, credit unions can tap into a wider talent pool, bringing in fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. This not only benefits the organization but also enriches the experiences of employees and members alike! 👥 ✨ At [Your Credit Union], we're committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate our employees' unique backgrounds, experiences, and talents. Together, we build a stronger, more united credit union that truly reflects the communities we serve. 🌍 🌟 Join us on this incredible journey towards DEI excellence! If you're passionate about making a difference, thriving in an inclusive environment, and contributing to the financial well-being of individuals and communities, we want to hear from you! 💌 🙌 Together, let's create a credit union that embraces diversity, champions equity, and fosters inclusivity. Because when we stand united, we can achieve greatness! 💫 #DEI #InclusionMatters #BuildingStrongerCommunities #JoinOurTeam

Okay, so I'm a recruiter. It may seem counterintuitive for me to share an article about ways to AVOID working with someone like me, but that's what I'm doing today. This is a wonderful article by Jill Nowacki that highlights how credit unions (or any organization) can do a better job of nurturing talent within their own walls. #creditunions #dei #succession #successionplanning #recruitment #leadership https://lnkd.in/e83724cy

🤝💼 The Impact of Teamwork in Credit Unions! Teamwork is the cornerstone of success in any organization, and credit unions are no exception. Here's why fostering a culture of teamwork internally can drive growth and member satisfaction across all credit unions: 🌱 Innovation through Collaboration: When credit union teams collaborate, they bring together diverse perspectives and ideas. This collaboration fosters innovation, leading to the development of creative solutions and offerings that better serve members' evolving needs. 🔗 Building Stronger Bonds: Working together strengthens internal relationships and fosters a culture of trust and support. Strong internal bonds facilitate effective communication, coordination, and problem-solving, ultimately enhancing the credit union's ability to serve its members. 🚀 Boosting Operational Efficiency: Teamwork streamlines processes and enhances operational efficiency within credit unions. By working together cohesively, teams can optimize workflows, minimize redundancies, and maximize productivity, ensuring that members receive exceptional service efficiently. 📈 Driving Collective Growth: Collaboration accelerates the growth of credit unions. By aligning goals, leveraging collective strengths, and pooling resources, credit unions can seize new opportunities, expand their membership base, and achieve sustainable growth that benefits all stakeholders. 💼 Enhancing Member Experience: Ultimately, teamwork translates into enhanced member satisfaction. By working together to deliver seamless, personalized experiences, credit unions can exceed members' expectations, foster loyalty, and build lasting relationships that drive long-term success. As we continue to champion teamwork within our credit unions, let's harness its power to drive growth, innovation, and member satisfaction across the industry. #CreditUnions #Teamwork #Collaboration #Infonancial_Solutions

The credit union industry has historically fostered a strong “Service First” culture. This culture is fulfilling, keeps employees busy, and, in some situations, keeps things growing well enough that senior leaders and board members remain happy. However, this is changing. Credit unions see that member growth is slowing, disruptive innovations are grabbing the attention and business of their members, and the younger generations are choosing other options besides their parents’ credit union. The “Service First” culture, or what is sometimes called “Order Taking,” is losing. From my experience, the “Order Taker” service approach continues to thrive in credit union and smaller banks because those tasked with promoting the financial institutions products and service, who should be selling, have negative attitudes and incorrect beliefs about what selling is. And the troubling part is, those most opposed to selling and promotion are the leaders overseeing the retail channels. So how do we shift the attitude and beliefs about selling at our credit unions? How do we get more employees on board with being “Value Creators” rather than “Order Takers?” It starts with mindset. Peter Drucker taught that, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Another way of saying this is that organizational and individual mindsets (the beliefs and attitudes) define our reality and results. If your credit union is stuck in the “Order Taker” service rut, or it is trying to get its sales culture moving forward faster, it must first shape the mindset. Shaping the organizational mindset starts by addressing and challenging these negative attitudes and beliefs about selling with clear guidance on what selling is and does, then support it with real member examples. Situations where a credit union employee offered the member a product or service that created value in the member’s life. #creditunionsalestraining #creditunionsalestrainingprogram #creditunionsalegoals #creditunionoutboundsalestraining #creditunionsalesleadership #creditunions

About 6 years ago I received what I now consider to be terrible advice from a respected leader in the credit union space. They said that although they thought that I was director/executive material, I would have an extremely hard road ahead if I physically presented with more than one “visual eccentricity”. This person was referring specifically to me casually expressing that I was thinking of growing my hair out, but I already had *GASP* stretched ears. I’m a bit embaressed that it took me 5 more years and a lot of other problematic statements to realize the toll it was taking on my mental health to be anything other than my truest self in the workplace. Since starting Ivy Tower, I have learned that the way I talk and present myself is valued by people in the community in a way that I never felt in 17 years working for credit unions. Don’t get me wrong, I think credit unions are, for the most part, incredible institutions who seek to leverage their money and power for good (as much as they can without the CFO getting too grumpy anyway). However for me, I am discovering that running things the way I think they should be run is going to do a whole lot more good for both me and the people I serve. I hope to see you all at our public events and private team-building seminars soon! ivytowerllc.com #storytelling #gamification #teambuilding #leadership

Revolutionizing Member Relations: SalesCU Supports Credit Union Frontline Excellence We are thrilled to announce that SalesCU is at the forefront of transforming member relations through our innovative sales training and leadership coaching programs for credit union staff. 🌟 Our mission is to equip frontline employees with the skills and confidence they need to excel, ensuring credit union members receive the highest level of service and support. Empowering Staff to Better Serve Members! Our comprehensive training programs empower credit union employees to deliver exceptional service tailored to the unique needs of each member. Here are just a couple of success stories that highlight the tangible benefits of our training: 🔹 *Caleb Morales* used active listening and empathy to understand a member’s needs. By exploring a HELOC instead of an unsecured personal loan, he saved the member significant interest expenses. 🔹 *Craig Carpenter* from Rogue Credit Union helped a member with excellent credit history who was drowning in credit card debt. By suggesting using her vehicle's equity and arranging a follow-up for a potential Home Equity loan or HELOC, he provided a personalized approach that brought financial relief. Driving Success Through Leadership Our leadership coaching programs cultivate a culture of excellence within credit unions. By developing strong leaders who inspire their teams with developmental coaching, we ensure that the benefits of training extend beyond the classroom, resulting in consistently high standards of member service. At SalesCU, we are dedicated to revolutionizing the way credit unions engage with their members. Our tailored training programs enhance the skills of credit union staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. By investing in the development of frontline employees and leaders, SalesCU helps credit unions build stronger relationships with their members, driving long-term success. Join us in our journey to revolutionize member relations and elevate credit union services to new heights! 💼✨ Read the press release here: https://lnkd.in/gmH4MZnT #CreditUnion #SalesTraining #LeadershipCoaching #MemberRelations #FrontlineExcellence #SalesCU #CreditUnionSuccess #salescu

Your bank or credit union may have the right people...but are they in the right seats? A Working Genius Productivity Assessment and Training can help you figure out what types of workers you have and where they fit into your workflow. In the long run, this creates a healthier culture and maximizes your productivity. Thanks to Pegeen Singley and the folks at Centric Federal Credit Union for their kind words regarding the program. You already had a great team before the Working Genius session, so we're excited to see how this further elevates your credit union. And if you want to do Working Genius with Shawn Temple, ask about scheduling your session at the link in the comments. #communitybanks #creditunions #workinggenius #training #productivity

Hello, everyone. How are you today? We value your input and want to know what you'd like to hear from us. If you're passionate about enhancing Credit Unions and fostering collaboration, we invite you to follow our Page. At rkGoBig, we provide collaborative operational solutions, but we're always excited for amazing discussions that can inspire new ways for smaller credit unions to thrive and become more sustainable. This collective effort will only make the Credit Union industry as a whole stronger. Whether you represent a large or smaller Credit Union, your contributions matter. Together, we can make Credit Unions more effective in serving our members and communities. Join us as we facilitate meaningful discussions and share best practices to drive positive change. Let's work together to shape the future of Credit Unions. #CreditUnions #Collaboration #FinancialServices #Sustainability #CommunityEngagement #CreditUnionIndustry #Networking #Innovation #LeadershipDevelopment #cuso #collaboration #cuna #CU