The Competitive Edge for Banks Credit Add the Human Touch back to your Lending ProcessAs global economies suffer and loan delinquencies and losses rise, lenders who know their customers best are most likely to be able to collect. It pays to spend time up front in the decisioning process by mixing judgmental lending with automated decisioning. Lenders who employ a mix of scoring and judgmental decisioning are coming out ahead. They:
Banks that blend automated and judgmental decision making are also doing better on the collections side. Why? Learn more about improving credit performance ... Sales & Service Match Customer Needs to Products and BenefitsCustomers are looking for five basic benefits when they purchase financial products and services from your bank:
Your job is to find out which benefits customers most want and need and which of your bank's products and services will give them those benefits. Common financial needs can be captured in these five general categories. If you can remember to use these words and phrases prominently when you make a recommendation, you will pique the interest of your customers and be well on your way to building customer connections that yield positive results. Learn more about improving sales and service performance ... Leadership Manage Successful Organizational ChangeManaging organizational change is a tough and serious challenge - even for the most experienced leaders. Well-managed change initiatives have common elements that help to increase a change leader's odds of success.
Learn more about improving leadership performance ... U.S. Public Seminars Minimizing Problem Loans
New Articles "When You Are Up to your Waist in Alligators it is Hard to Remember You Started Out to Drain the Swamp" or, "Remember When Real Estate Loans Made Us Lots of Money?"
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The Competitive Edge eNews
Tips and Techniques to Improve Performance
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Community Banks Performance Improvement Tip 5 Ways to Retain Customers for the Long TermAttracting and retaining customers is essential to the success of your community bank.
Learn more about improving community bank performance ... U.S. Public Seminar Minimizing Problem Loans Web Event Replays International Financial Reporting Standards Quik Links Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Us | Complimentary Resources |
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Banks Credit Loan Documentation - The Basics (Part 2)In last week's issue, we explored why, during economic downturns, good loan documentation becomes even more critical in protecting your bank's interests. This week, we look at the three contact basics all good loan documentation should include: offer, acceptance, and consideration. Whether contracts are simple or complex, the basics of all contracts are the same. An offer outlines the terms of the agreement, which are presented for acceptance by the other party. Learn more about improving credit performance ... Sales & Service Take Advantage of Opportunity Triggers (Part 3)An opportunity trigger is a cue you notice that might indicate an unmet customer need. There are three types of opportunity triggers:
A customer account trigger comes about when you are assessing a customer's account and notice information that might indicate a customer need. A customer account trigger is not a specifically stated need; it is an inferred need that you need to investigate before making a referral.
Referring a customer to a team member to meet a need is an important part of creating customer connections. Being aware of potential opportunities, or opportunity triggers, is the first step in the referral process. Learn more about improving sales and service performance ... Leadership Use Coaching to Manage through ChangeOne of today's key business challenges is keeping people focused, motivated, and productive during periods of organizational change. Learn more about improving leadership performance ... U.S. Public Seminars Minimizing Problem Loans
New Articles "When You Are Up to your Waist in Alligators it is Hard to Remember You Started Out to Drain the Swamp" or, "Remember When Real Estate Loans Made Us Lots of Money?"
Knowledge Currency
Quick Links ... Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Omega | Complimentary Resources |
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Credit Unions Performance Improvement Tip 4 Best Practices of Scorecard CoachingScorecard coaching (coaching staff to achieve outstanding and predictable results) is one of the primary responsibilities of managers at all levels in a customer-centric arena like sales and service.
Managers who conduct highly efficient scorecard coaching sessions with their direct reports derive the greatest value from your credit union's top performers, convert average performers to top performers, and create prompt and sustainable increases in sales growth, member loyalty, and profitability. Learn more about improving your credit union's performance ... Need some tools for Accelerating Lending Performance? Access our newest online resource! Visit www.Omega-Accelerate.com now where you can enter the Race to Accelerate Lending Performance -- a four-lap race where you can access complimentary tools to improve credit quality and prepare for a profitable future. Public Seminar Minimizing Problem Loans Webcast Replay What Kind of Executive Coach Are You? QuickLinks Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Us | Complimentary Resources |
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Banks Credit Loan Documentation - The Basics (Part 1)Proper loan documentation supports your bank's legal rights to be repaid. Good documentation will not, however, repay a bad loan. Learn more about improving credit performance ... Sales & Service Take Advantage of Opportunity Triggers (Part 2)An opportunity trigger is a cue you notice that might indicate an unmet customer need. There are three types of opportunity triggers:
An initial request trigger is noticed when the reason the customer is in the bank might suggest a related need. If you can identify the common types of initial requests, you can be better prepared to meet other related needs through referrals of products and services as appropriate for each customer.
Try to always tie the opportunity trigger to the customer's fundamental need rather than to a specific solution. The customer is more likely to see your genuine interest in his or her well-being and be open to further discussions. Learn more about improving sales and service performance ... Leadership Strategies for Leading High-Impact Team MeetingsA critical factor in getting people motivated about team meetings is how credible you are as a meeting leader. Increase your meeting credibility by following these simple rules: Always begin on time Don't try to do too much, stick to one or two important agenda items Encourage everyone to contribute and manage counter-productive behaviors If you don't know the answer to a question, promise one later and deliver it Learn more about improving leadership performance ... Need some tools for Accelerating Lending Performance? Access our newest online resource! Visit www.Omega-Accelerate.com now where you can enter the Race to Accelerate Lending Performance -- a four-lap race where you can access complimentar tools to improve credit quality and prepare for a profitable future. Complete all four laps by September 19, 2008 and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a free laptop (no purchase required)! U.S. Public Seminars Minimizing Problem Loans
Web Events You Won't Want to Miss! Sustaining Learning Beyond the Training Event
New Articles "When You Are Up to your Waist in Alligators it is Hard to Remember You Started Out to Drain the Swamp" or, "Remember When Real Estate Loans Made Us Lots of Money?"It is no secret that the commercial real estate market is following the same negative trends we have seen in the residential real estate markets over the past year. It is also no secret that many financial institutions have long held to the premise that: "If you lend on dirt, you can't get hurt." We are now seeing that this long-held premise has all of the validity of an old wives tale. Download the complete article, authored by Dr. Jerry Crigger, Omega Performance's vice president and senior consultant: credit and risk. Knowledge CurrencyPublished in Mortgage & Finance Brief (Aug./Sept. 2008 issue) Online learning offers many advantages for time-poor brokers and programs can be individually customized to suit specific education needs. Get your complimentary copy of this article, authored by Howard Cook, Omega Performance's new business and alliances manager, Australia, now. Quick Links ... Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Omega | Complimentary Resources |
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Contact Centers Today's Tip Boost Retention In Your Center -- 5 Easy WaysOftentimes, reducing employee turnover and boosting retention in the contact center comes down to making agents feel acknowledged and accomplished at the end of the day.
Learn more about improving contact center performance ... Complimentary Webcast You Won't Want to Miss! Sustaining Learning Beyond the Training Event September 17, 2008 Come See Omega ICCM Canada Conference & ExpoWhen: October 8, 2008 Quick Links Our Website | Events | Omega News | About Us | Complimentary Resources |
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Banks Credit Negotiation BasicsWhen you decide it's time to discuss issues with a borrower for whom things don't appear to be going well, it's important to remember some negotiation basics. Learn more about improving credit performance ... Sales & Service Take Advantage of Opportunity Triggers (Part 1 of 3)An opportunity trigger is a cue you notice that might indicate an unmet customer need. There are three types of opportunity triggers:
A verbal trigger is something the customer says or something you overhear that might indicate a customer need. Sometimes a verbal trigger may be something mentioned in a normal conversation and may not constitute a specific request.
Although the comment wasn't intended as a request, it might imply a need that triggers an opportunity for a referral. Verbal triggers occur during many transactions every day. With some verbal triggers, as when life events occur for customers, the financial situation changes.
Learn more about improving sales and service performance ... Leadership 5 Tips for Communicating Through ChangeCommunication is the single most important activity to engage in when leading people through some type of organizational change.
Learn more about improving leadership performance ... Need some tools for Accelerating Lending Performance? Access our newest online resource! Visit www.Omega-Accelerate.com now where you can enter the Race to Accelerate Lending Performance -- a four-lap race where you can access complimentary tools to improve credit quality and prepare for a profitable future. Complete all four laps by September 19, 2008 and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a free laptop (no purchase required)! U.S. Public Seminars Understanding Corporate Finance
Minimizing Problem Loans
Web Events You Won't Want to Miss! Sustaining Learning Beyond the Training Event
New Articles "When You Are Up to your Waist in Alligators it is Hard to Remember You Started Out to Drain the Swamp" or, "Remember When Real Estate Loans Made Us Lots of Money?"It is no secret that the commercial real estate market is following the same negative trends we have seen in the residential real estate markets over the past year. It is also no secret that many financial institutions have long held to the premise that: "If you lend on dirt, you can't get hurt." We are now seeing that this long-held premise has all of the validity of an old wives tale. Download the complete article, authored by Dr. Jerry Crigger, Omega Performance's vice president and senior consultant: credit and risk. Knowledge CurrencyPublished in Mortgage & Finance Brief (Aug./Sept. 2008 issue) Online learning offers many advantages for time-poor brokers and programs can be individually customized to suit specific education needs. Get your complimentary copy of this article, authored by Howard Cook, Omega Performance's new business and alliances manager, Australia, now. Quick Links ... Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Omega | Complimentary Resources |
Thursday, September 04, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Credit Unions Performance Improvement Tip 5 Ways to Boost Member RetentionAttracting and retaining members is essential to your credit union's long-term success. Loyal members tend to be more satisfied, refer new members to you, and buy additional products and services.
Learn more about improving your credit union's performance ... Need some more Ideas You Can Bank On? Visit Omega's Blog! A new post by Omega's Mark Faircloth was posted this week. See what Mark has to say (and send him your comments) by visiting our blog, Ideas You Can Bank On, now! Public Seminar Understanding Corporate Finance
Complimentary Web Events You Won't Want to Miss What Kind of Executive Coach Are You?
Sustaining Learning Beyond the Training Event
QuickLinks Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Us | Complimentary Resources |
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
The Competitive Edge for Banks Credit Reach Top Lending PerformanceIn today's fast-paced, ever-changing financial services environment, it is especially important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your bank's lenders. Objective confirmation of a lender's ability to perform at the highest levels is crucial to ensure that lending training remains targeted and cost effective. A credit skills assessment can help provide that confirmation by testing lenders on the skills and information they need to analyze and make sound loans. The assessment helps you:
Learn more about improving credit performance ... Sales & Service 5 Ways to Increase Your Selling PowerSuccessful selling is all about helping customers select the best possible product or service for their financial needs. Follow these five tips to increase your selling power and build stronger customer connections:
Learn more about improving sales and service performance ... Leadership 4 Must-Dos When Leading People Through ChangeHow many change initiatives has your bank gone through so far this year? Less than five? More than ten? Achieving breakthrough business results amid a change integration initiative -- whether it be a merger/acquisition, internal reorganization, or a technology system update -- requires your bank's leaders to successfully guide their people through the change and keep them focused, motivated, and productive. Here are four best practices for leading people through change:
Learn more about improving leadership performance ... Need some more Ideas You Can Bank On? Visit Omega's Blog! A new post by Omega's Mark Faircloth was added today. See what Mark has to say (and send him your comments) by visiting our blog, Ideas You Can Bank On now! U.S. Public Seminar Understanding Corporate Finance November 6, 2008 November 13, 2008 More information and to register Web Events You Won't Want to Miss! What Kind of Executive Coach Are You? New Articles "When You Are Up to your Waist in Alligators it is Hard to Remember You Started Out to Drain the Swamp" or, "Remember When Real Estate Loans Made Us Lots of Money?"It is no secret that the commercial real estate market is following the same negative trends we have seen in the residential real estate markets over the past year. It is also no secret that many financial institutions have long held to the premise that: "If you lend on dirt, you can't get hurt." We are now seeing that this long-held premise has all of the validity of an old wives tale. Download the complete article, authored by Dr. Jerry Crigger, Omega Performance's vice president and senior consultant: credit and risk. Knowledge CurrencyPublished in Mortgage & Finance Brief (Aug./Sept. 2008 issue) Online learning offers many advantages for time-poor brokers and programs can be individually customized to suit specific education needs. Get your complimentary copy of this article, authored by Howard Cook, Omega Performance's new business and alliances manager, Australia, now. Quick Links ... Our Website | Our Blog | Events | Omega News | About Omega | Complimentary Resources |
