Its Good to Know Your Banker
Recently my bank opened a new branch that is a few miles away from my house. I used to visit the local branch that was located in the grocery store and enjoyed seeing the ladies on a weekly basis who were the tellers.
Since the store branch closed, I'm forced to travel a few miles more down the road to the new beautiful building that also offers drive through service. I've been getting used to that recently and so only spied at the tellers through the camera lens.
I've since discovered that it's worth it to go inside the bank and get to know the tellers. And I also learned that it's good to know the managers!
On one particular day I deposited money into the wrong account. I have a few accounts.. for business and/or personal, along with my husband's, his business and our son; and there was a deposit for the wrong account. It can cause problems when trying to do taxes and keeping everything in the right order.
She discovered the mistake and attributed it to me. I had asked the teller to deposit into an account without knowing the right account number at the time. Nevertheless, because of the confusion, there was definitely reason to believe that the teller might also be at fault.
After explaining that my side of the story and also my long history with the bank, this nice woman took the time to rearrange everything in my accounts. It did take some time but we got it straight. I was very grateful.
Today when I went into the bank, we spoke socially for the first time. We got to know one another and I found her to be such an interesting woman. She's Spanish and from Peru. She's also traveled all over the world and went to college in London. I enjoyed our conversation immensely and will look forward to seeing her again.
I'm happy I like my banker. And I'm happy she likes me. Why? Because she said some magic words to me that I'll hold onto:
"We'll take care of you Mary".
Why is that important? It's important because as an entrepreneur there are favors that I need. Checks to not be held or times when I might ask them to stay open a few minutes late so I can get there on time before they close to deposit a check. I've had times where I've been on the road and I needed something special from my banker and it's always easier when they know you versus just being a voice over the phone.
I'll take care of them too. I've brought them presents before when they did favors for me, and I'll do it again. I want to have a great relationship with them so they'll feel good about taking care of me, their customer.
How about you? Are you friends with the people who can help you at some point? Are you extra courteous to them or treat them like a friend? Do you know where they are from and a little about their family? Do you know their interests and what makes them tick?
It might be worth finding out so if and when the day comes that you need a special favor, they'll be happy to do it instead of resentful.
It just takes a few minutes of your time. But it could save you hours later.
Now THAT is what I call: A Good Investment!
Mary Gardner, The Charisma Coach, is an executive communications consultant and coach. She has coached and trained executives, sales professionals, celebrities and entrepreneurs in business and personal success. Mary has appeared on ABC's 20/20, does lifestyle TV reporting and lives in Orlando with her family.
For more information: mary@marygardner.com or WEB: www.marygardner.com
Latest News
Bank of America and PRIME–Working Together to Support the Over 50s ... The FINANCIAL, Georgia - It aims to unlock entrepreneurialism in the over 50s in the UK by helping this group get back into employment through setting up their own businesses. ... |
Could auto industry layoffs spur more entrepreneurialism in Mich.? MLive.com, MI - So in the wake of all this economic destruction, will entrepreneurialism and creativity flourish? Some business leaders think so. ... 'There's no such thing as job security' |
Norfolk entrepreneur wins top award Norfolk Eastern Daily Press, UK - ... and at LEAD East - a new initiative which promotes entrepreneurialism in order to help ensure continued growth in the East of England. ... |
Risky Decision-making Essential To Entrepreneurialism Science Daily (press release) - ScienceDaily (Nov. 12, 2008) — Whether someone will become the next Richard Branson, Steve Jobs or Henry Ford may be down to whether they make risky ... |
Two Degrees, LLC Appoints Mike Heffernan as Chief Financial Officer MarketWatch - Now is the time to bring on a financial expert that we know and trust, and who shares our spirit of entrepreneurialism, to ensure our continued success. ... |
Economic downturns can spur mergers, innovation Seattle Post Intelligencer - We've seen consolidation inspire entrepreneurialism most clearly in Washington's banking industry. Every time a bank is bought, that frees up capital and ... |
Max Levchin, Jawed Karim, Tom Siebel, Scott Banister, Reid Hoffman ... SYS-CON Media, NJ - ... co-founder of Zivity, Reid Hoffman , founder, President and Chairman of LinkedIn and others to Discuss Cross-Country Entrepreneurialism in Two Panels. ... |
Chamber joins Go Texan Jack County Herald, TX - Retirees are increasingly drawn to smaller rural communities with access to urban services, and rural entrepreneurialism is a growing trend. ... Chamber provides info on how to donate |
Range of Bay area firms take note of Entrepreneurship Week Bizjournals.com, NC - Entrepreneurialism, invention and innovation are important to advancing living standards, said Ken Evans, regional director for Entrepreneur Week in his ... |
Portland trying new solar-powered public toilet Northwest Cable News, OR - Entrepreneurialism aside, the city says it's recognizing a humanitarian need for public rest rooms. To reduce opportunities for vandalism and crime, ... |
Resources
-
Sorry there are no resources available at this time