LAKE MARY, Fla.-Times are tough, but that's all the more reason to attend Credit Union Journal's upcoming Grow Show, where a variety of proven growth strategies will be on tap.
"Credit union executives love ideas, but they really love ideas that have been kicked around a little bit," said Sam Kilmer, VP, market development for Harland Financial and a speaker at CU Journal's conference.
Kilmer said his session, titled "Fly Above the Turbulence! - Applying Resources and Managing Risk" will focus on the opportunities available during these turbulent times and feature a variety of credit union-tested ideas.
"The approach that I normally take when speaking about a big topic like this is to discuss key trends, and then immediately identify opportunity in that trend, then wrap up with specific examples in that trend," he said. "It's a tough year for the financial service industry. Our belief is that in times of a lot of changes - like now - there are a lot of opportunities for forward thinking."
Kilmer's examples will include tangible results, he noted. "In some cases, numbers, analysis, thoughts," he said. "And concrete examples with concrete results. I also plan to share some of the challenges people have had to overcome."
He said he is looking forward to the question and answer session, which usually take place at the end of his sessions. "In these types of sessions, discussions usually start in the audience, which is very good," he said.
Kilmer hopes attendees will leave his session with a lot of ideas to bring home to their credit union. "I think one of the most important things they will walk away with, besides examples, is perhaps how to balance growth in risky times," he said.
Kilmer said this would not typically be a year when people were thinking about growth. This is why he plans to help CU executive learn how "they can size the opportunity right now," in particular by using current business tools and technology.
Credit union culture will also be key throughout his discussion. "How do we service? How do we sell? How do we hire? How do we compensate?" he said. "All of this really comes into play to impact the entire shop."
