My Challenge To Credit Unions Stuck In The Velvet Rut

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As a leader, it’s so easy to get comfortable. The status quo is comfortable. You can minimize the inconveniences. You easily hand off the stuff you don’t want to do or don’t like to do. You’ve found a good rhythm; you enjoy your groove, and you never want to leave your spot.

You’ve found that magical place commonly referred to as a “velvet rut.” It seems like a nice place to be, but the comfort you feel tricks you into thinking you’re not stuck.

Stoicism teaches that the velvet rut is also a death rattle, for as soon as we stop growing, we start dying.

Seneca once said, “No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.” Seneca often wrote about the importance of adversity. While we as credit union leaders may want to shy away from the discomfort of adversity and the fear and uncertainty risk brings, you’re wasting the opportunity to make life-changing impacts through the service of your credit union.

What decision that could bring your credit union growth are you delaying because it gives you some discomfort? Dig deep and ask yourself, how are you holding your credit union back because the fear of the unknown outweighs the big reward you, your team, your members and your community could be enjoying?

“Marketing” is in our company’s name, and it is our flagship service to credit unions, however, our real value comes from helping you ask the challenging questions that lead you toward answers to what is standing in the way of your credit union’s strategic growth.

Credit unions must recognize that they need to be challenged to achieve meaningful change and succeed. We will relentlessly question everything to dig down to your root ‘why’ and help you focus on that to get unstuck. Credit union strategic planning should get your leadership team thinking from various perspectives, rigorously probing critical growth opportunities, and take action with accountability.

An actionable credit union strategic planning session will work with your leadership team to outline what success looks like, who owns what projects, and identify upfront what could be holding you back from achieving your goals. In short, we’ll help get you out of that velvet rut.

My passion is hauling credit union leaders out of the velvet rut and finding success using our time-tested process to get real results. Are you ready? Let’s talk.

A strategic planning session is just what you need.

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Dexter Ochoa

Development Assistant

When it comes to blending logical thinking and creative problem solving, Dexter’s abilities are undeniable! Beginning his career as a Web Developer, he’s no stranger to the wide world of Marketing and Advertising. Calling Biñan City in the Philippines home, Dexter has a burning desire to visit the Alpine peaks and valleys of Switzerland. While that journey may be far off, he is still no stranger to international travel. While visiting Japan, he was able to enjoy his favorite delicacy: Sushi and Sashimi. He also learned unexpected facts about Japanese Yen, specifically that it has special markings for the blind to know its value!

Living life by his motto to “Do good even if the world is unfair,” Dexter would also advise his younger self, “It’s hard, but you’re doing good!” Whether he’s enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning or the occasional Pale Pilsen in the evening, Dexter is eager to work with the talented professionals of YMC, and we’re just as eager to add his talent to the team as well! His marketing words of wisdom? “Be creative, and just do what you want!”

Andrew Wyche

Copywriter

Hailing from the NC state capital (that’s Raleigh if you didn’t know), Andrew is YMC’s Copywriter extraordinaire. That’s why he knows that “The verb form of ‘reconnaissance’ is ‘reconnoiter.’ The former is, strictly speaking, a noun.” Seriously, he knows his words and he’ll use those words to get bold and weird (in a good way) with his copy. Fuelled by a love for pasta, shellfish, a good single malt, or a meal consisting of all three, Andrew navigates life with a motto engraved in his heart: “Choose kindness. Always.” It is this guiding principle that has led him to explore the realm of marketing, driven by a desire to connect with people in meaningful ways. As he continues to chase his dreams, one bucket list item stands out above the rest – a pilgrimage to Scotland. With his heart set on adventure and his pen poised for creativity, Andrew’s journey is far from over.

Alex VanHaasteren

Senior Web Developer

Alex is YMC’s Senior Web Developer and, as the title suggests, she is an absolute pro! While she initially started in graphic design – working long and hard to expertly bring concepts to life – she also felt drawn to technology and applying her natural ability to problem solve. Web Development proved the perfect blend of her creative passion and technical savvy.

When Alex is out with friends – including her YMC colleagues – she’s up for Greek cuisine or some good pulled pork BBQ washed down with Diet Coke. Or an Old Fashioned, if the occasion demands. Someday, she hopes to go to Africa on a safari. Hopefully she’ll see a giraffe in the wild, because – as she’s pointed out – its neck is too short to reach the ground!

When she isn’t jamming out to T-Swift, she’s happy to impart some marketing words of wisdom, “Aim to create something unforgettable.” For day-to-day inspiration, she would remind you of two fundamental truths: You decide your happiness, and Ice cream is its own food group—not just a dessert.

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