---
title: Plansmith Blog | strategy (2)
description: strategy |  (2)
---

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# Plansmith Blog

## [3 Ways to Build an Engaged Strategic Planning Team](https://blog.plansmith.com/3-ways-to-build-an-engaged-strategic-planning-team)

 Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 3/8/17, 3:35 PM

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[![](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/strategicplanningbanksengaging.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/3-ways-to-build-an-engaged-strategic-planning-team)

Don't let your bank fall victim to outdated preconceptions of strategy. Traditionally, strategy has been made out to be a big, scary word. It sounds daunting, dark, and almost threatening. Or, at the very least, kind of boring. But what you're thinking of is the strategic planning of the past.

Make strategic planning a priority that your team will take ownership of in a positive way. Here's how to put a fresh twist on your institution's strategy.

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/3-ways-to-build-an-engaged-strategic-planning-team)

## [Focus on Customers Not Commodities](https://blog.plansmith.com/focus-on-customers-not-commodities)

 Posted by [Jim Fugitte](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jim-fugitte) on 2/15/17, 8:03 AM

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[![customersnotcommodities.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/customersnotcommodities.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/focus-on-customers-not-commodities)

With so many different community banks offering so many different products, banks often ask us how they can better compete on product offerings. If a bank is offering two checking accounts with no monthly fee, three with rewards, and one with insurance, what should a competitive bank offer in response?

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/focus-on-customers-not-commodities)

## [Does Your Bank Look Trustworthy?](https://blog.plansmith.com/does-your-bank-look-trustworthy)

 Posted by [Tom Parsons](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/tom-parsons) on 2/8/17, 9:30 AM

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[![brandtrustworthy.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/brandtrustworthy.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/does-your-bank-look-trustworthy)

Trust. Nearly a decade after the global financial crisis, banks are still struggling to win it back from the general public. According to a recent study from Brunswick Group, only 27% of Americans trust banks. And globally, [56%](http://www.clark.com/more-people-trust-big-banks-than-congress-and)[of people favor smaller, more personal banks](http://www.clark.com/more-people-trust-big-banks-than-congress-and) – this provides community banks with a huge opportunity.

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/does-your-bank-look-trustworthy)

## [The Loyalty Benefit: 5 Steps to Win Back Business](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-loyalty-benefit-5-steps-to-win-back-business)

 Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 1/6/17, 8:53 AM

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[![LoyaltyBenefitWinBackBusiness.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/LoyaltyBenefitWinBackBusiness.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-loyalty-benefit-5-steps-to-win-back-business)

It's a new year. It's a good time to evaluate performance and revisit overall bank strategy. The new year also means looking into sales techniques. Of course you focus on prospective clients, but what about everyone else? Who is everyone else? Good question...

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-loyalty-benefit-5-steps-to-win-back-business)

## [The Loyalty Benefit: 5 Steps to Improve Client Retention](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-loyalty-benefit-5-steps-to-improve-client-retention)

 Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 1/6/17, 8:51 AM

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[![loyaltybenefitimproveretention.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/loyaltybenefitimproveretention.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-loyalty-benefit-5-steps-to-improve-client-retention)

## **New Year - New Clients?**

It's true, it is a new year. What happens when the new year hits? Sales goals are reset, people are desperate for change and everyone is presented with a fresh start -- ready or not. If it sounds overwhelming, you're not wrong, but let's focus on the positives.

In this time of chaotic newness lies beautiful opportunity. This includes the chance to earn new business, as well as the opportunity to maintain current clients and win back former ones. It's definitely an exciting concept, so let's dive in!

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-loyalty-benefit-5-steps-to-improve-client-retention)

## [Another Reason to do Strategic Planning](https://blog.plansmith.com/one-and-only-reason-to-do-strategic-planning)

 Posted by [Tom Parsons](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/tom-parsons) on 11/18/16, 3:46 PM

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[![strategy blog 2 (1).png](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/strategy%20blog%202%20(1).png)](https://blog.plansmith.com/one-and-only-reason-to-do-strategic-planning)

**I’ll Take BOSS for $1,000, Alex**

Answer: “Because the OCC says so.”

What is “Why should I care about strategic planning?”

More specifically, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency says so. 

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/one-and-only-reason-to-do-strategic-planning)

## [Survey Results: Strategic Planning for Community Banks](https://blog.plansmith.com/blog/strategic-planning-for-banks-recent-survey-results)

 Posted by [Jim Fugitte](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jim-fugitte) on 7/21/16, 2:21 PM

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[![july13blogjimfugitte.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/july13blogjimfugitte.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/blog/strategic-planning-for-banks-recent-survey-results)

**Most say strategic plans end up on the shelf!**

Plansmith Corp. recently conducted a survey of CEOs and CFOs on the role of community bank strategic planning within their organization. It was not surprising to learn that 90% said they have a strategic plan, but a closer look revealed some interesting statistics on the implementation of their plans. 

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/blog/strategic-planning-for-banks-recent-survey-results)

## [CEOs: 3 Thoughts on Strategic Thinking](https://blog.plansmith.com/ceos-3-thoughts-on-strategic-thinking)

 Posted by [Jim Fugitte](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jim-fugitte) on 6/8/16, 10:00 AM

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[![strategy\_jim\_f\_blog.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/strategy_jim_f_blog.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/ceos-3-thoughts-on-strategic-thinking)

**Compliance**

The cost of regulatory compliance, declining product prices, and technological threats from new entrants all narrow the path to future profits. Even if the yield curve improves, these threats will force community banks to search harder to improve earnings. It can’t be done on the fly; only strategic thinking and careful planning in the context of your market and the opportunities available will be successful. Would you coach a Super Bowl team without a playbook? Probably not.

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/ceos-3-thoughts-on-strategic-thinking)

## [A Tech In Community Bank’s Clothing](https://blog.plansmith.com/a-tech-in-community-banks-clothing)

 Posted by [Ricardo Pena](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/ricardo-pena) on 5/22/14, 3:30 PM

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[![ATechInBanksClothing.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/ATechInBanksClothing.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/a-tech-in-community-banks-clothing) 

The road to profitability begins with a very simple concept. An asset is acquired at a certain value X and it is sold at a value Y where Y is greater than X and the difference between the two gets you going. This is a concept that is very simple indeed. But this post isn’t a narrative about the arithmetic involved in generating profits; rather it is a discussion that begins with examining the nature of the assets being bought and sold, which is money.

Non-financial businesses ranging from the humble lemonade stand to the behemoth WalMart are easy to understand. The assets being transacted are, for the most part, quite tangible. It is easy to understand that something is manufactured, it is delivered to a retail place of business, it is stored in a warehouse as a portion of inventory, it is displayed on a shelf and it is ultimately purchased by people like you and me to put in a bag to take home. The equivalent chain of distribution can be identified in banking but there is one big difference that makes it all the more complicated. It is the fact that the product, being money in its many different forms, is not something you see, feel, taste, hear, or smell in any direct way.

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/a-tech-in-community-banks-clothing)

## [Community Bankers, Use Scenarios to Reduce Uncertainty](https://blog.plansmith.com/community-bankers-use-scenarios-to-reduce-uncertainty)

 Posted by [Karen Schaefer](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/karen-schaefer) on 5/9/14, 12:00 PM

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[![UseScenariosReduceUncertainty.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/UseScenariosReduceUncertainty.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/community-bankers-use-scenarios-to-reduce-uncertainty)

If you are a parent, you use "what if" scenarios every day with your child. What if you get lost? What if you saved your allowance rather than spend it? What if your friends ask you to…? What if you study for that test? What if a stranger offers you a ride?

[Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/community-bankers-use-scenarios-to-reduce-uncertainty)

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