I'm signing off blogger. I am moving my site back to my mac address.
You will be able to reach me at http://www.camminges.com
My Blog feed:
http://web.me.com/caminges/Cams_World/Cams_World_Blog/rss.xml
I hope this move will be worth it. I know I've been silent for many months. Alot has happened in the past six months. A new job, a new city, and a son in college. I've got plenty of material lined up and ready to go.
Thanks,
Cam
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Shutterbug Again
_DSC0188.jpg
Originally uploaded by camminges
It's been a while since I've been out taking some pictures. There are a lot of cool places to take pictures in St. Louis.
My recent trips have included the St. Louis City Museum and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Pictures
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Agitators, Catalysts, Dreamers, Evangelists, Consumers and Doers
How many titles does your organization have? Here are some common traditional titles.
- Assistant Vice President
- Vice President
- President
- CEO
- Chairman
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Branch Manager
- Marketing Director
- Personnel Manager
- Accounting Manager
- Facilities Manager
- Network Manager
- Data Processing Administrator
- Electronic Services Manager
- Teller
- Personal Finance Representative
- Administrative Assistant
If you're like me, you're title is probably somewhere above. I believe titles should describe who you are not what you do. Titles put people into corporate boxes which I believe stifles creativity, ingenuity, and flexibility. All three of these attributes are critical to our success. Kill titles! We need agitators, catalysts, dreamers, evangelists, consumers, and doers. Put those folks in a room and see what happens. No need to post on Monster.com or careerbuilder.com. They're already working for you.
My good friend Doug True's Me-Too, Me-Too, Me-Too, Me-Too post struck a chord with number of folks. That particular post got 17 responses from credit union bloggers. That number of responses is rare considering how many blogs we all probably subscribe to and try to participate in.
"Folks, we can't offer "free'er" checking. In my opinion, there is too much cookie cutter product offerings that are copied and launched with very little thought on what your members want or how they will see the new offering as relevant" - Doug True
That resonated with me because we've all fallen to the notion to compete with the same set of cookie cutters that everyone else has. Programs like rewards checking are cool but they're just newer versions of the free toaster campaigns from back in the day.
To keep the lights on, we've reverted to things like ATM surcharge fees. Uh oh! We've done it now; we've pissed off the GonzoBankers. Their recent article on ATM fees is right on in many ways. As a credit union executive, I understand our side. As a consumer, it SUCKS! We're addicted to fee income. Yet, there's not a damn thing we can do about it – right? Wrong!!!! Right now, somewhere, someone is working on an NSF killer. I'll bet these folks do not work in the banking or credit union industry. They're pissed off consumers that want to stick it to us. I say let it be us be the ones that attack this problem head on. First, recognize we have a problem. Second, do something about it. There is something to collaborate on. Sign me up.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Butterfly House
Monday, June 23, 2008
Kill Phone Trees
Is this you? Member calling your 800 number....
Hello, Thank you for calling (fill in your name here) credit union. Please listen to the following 9 options. Please listen carefully as some of these options may have changed.
Press 1 for Branch & ATM Locations
Press 2 for Automated teller
Press 3 for credit card and loan information
Press 4 to apply for a loan
Press 5 for mortgage information
Press 6 to speak with an investment advisor
Press 7 to speak with a member services representive
Press 8 to hear a duck quack
Press 9 if you know your party's 4 digit extension
That's only the first level of the infamous phone tree. Think about it....how many layers exist between us and our members?
Some might think this is trivial but I believe it's symptom of a larger problem with credit unions. We may think we've reduced our costs by doing this but we've eliminated the direct contact with our members. We've added layers between us and them. What do we mean that we have tolerances for abandoment rates? What we're saying is that it's okay for members to get fed up with waiting and eventually hang up on us. Who was the genius behind this? Let's face it, we've all been drinking this kool-aid.
Here's what we're doing....
We're developing an AIR and iPhone widget that leverages VOIP and GEO/GPS based technologies that will enable our members to press a call button to speak directly to their local representatives without navigating our phone trees. Other options such as access to their account information will be PUSHED to them instead of them having to login and PULL the information. We're also taking our member service operations online so that members can report a lost/stolen ATM card, stop a payment, order a new debit card, etc at the push of a button.
Who knows if this will fly. But, as humourous as the "Press 8 for a duck quack" may seem, it's pretty sad we've made this a reality for our members.
Hello, Thank you for calling (fill in your name here) credit union. Please listen to the following 9 options. Please listen carefully as some of these options may have changed.
Press 1 for Branch & ATM Locations
Press 2 for Automated teller
Press 3 for credit card and loan information
Press 4 to apply for a loan
Press 5 for mortgage information
Press 6 to speak with an investment advisor
Press 7 to speak with a member services representive
Press 8 to hear a duck quack
Press 9 if you know your party's 4 digit extension
That's only the first level of the infamous phone tree. Think about it....how many layers exist between us and our members?
Some might think this is trivial but I believe it's symptom of a larger problem with credit unions. We may think we've reduced our costs by doing this but we've eliminated the direct contact with our members. We've added layers between us and them. What do we mean that we have tolerances for abandoment rates? What we're saying is that it's okay for members to get fed up with waiting and eventually hang up on us. Who was the genius behind this? Let's face it, we've all been drinking this kool-aid.
Here's what we're doing....
We're developing an AIR and iPhone widget that leverages VOIP and GEO/GPS based technologies that will enable our members to press a call button to speak directly to their local representatives without navigating our phone trees. Other options such as access to their account information will be PUSHED to them instead of them having to login and PULL the information. We're also taking our member service operations online so that members can report a lost/stolen ATM card, stop a payment, order a new debit card, etc at the push of a button.
Who knows if this will fly. But, as humourous as the "Press 8 for a duck quack" may seem, it's pretty sad we've made this a reality for our members.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
TAPS has left the building.....
As of June 1st, my credit union became a customer of solution.Lending (F.K.A. TAPS) which is now offered by Akcelerant. It was an exciting yet surreal moment. For some reason, it brought back several fond memories of the creation of TAPS. Doug True and I designed TAPS on a my porch with a cheap whiteboard and a couple of cases of mountain dew. We never imagined what would come of that day. We were just two guys trying to solve a problem for our credit union. It was raw innovation at its finest.
Who would have thought that not only did we solve the problem for our credit union but that it would be serving up loan originations for over thirty credit unions across the country. I get all goose pimply to think that hundreds of millions of dollars were originated from an idea that Doug and I originated on a porch. Pretty Cool!
TAPS is no more but the idea lives on and is in great hands with Akcelerant. They are going to do great things with solution.Lending and I can't wait to see what will come next.
Who would have thought that not only did we solve the problem for our credit union but that it would be serving up loan originations for over thirty credit unions across the country. I get all goose pimply to think that hundreds of millions of dollars were originated from an idea that Doug and I originated on a porch. Pretty Cool!
TAPS is no more but the idea lives on and is in great hands with Akcelerant. They are going to do great things with solution.Lending and I can't wait to see what will come next.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Significance of God
This week, we (Carol, Ryan, Carol's Mom, and I) took a family vacation to Arizona. The final destination was the Grand Canyon.
The road to the Grand Canyon took us to the following:
This was probably one of the best Botanical Garden's I've been to. It was amazing to see all the flowers that actually thrive in a desert. Of course, there were many different types of cactus plants that were just beautiful.
We did some hiking and got some great pictures. Superstition Mountain certainly has a desert landscape but tends to look at the greener side. The greenery mixed in with the desert landscape was breathtaking.
Located near Superstition Mountain, this Ghost town was the location of an old gold mining camp back in the 1800's. We took a tour of an actual mine. Most of the town's buildings are replicas.
Located about sixty miles from Phoenix (on the way to the Grand Canyon), this was an incredible place. If you want to get up close and personal with wild life, this is the place for you. There is a tour that takes you through an African plains landscape. On that tour, we encountered a giraffe, camel, a few zebras, ostrich, and several other animals. I got some great pictures. Looking at the picture below, you might think that was taken with a telephoto lens far away. I was probably 15 feet from this lion.
This was recommended by Doug True who is going there in a couple of weeks. If you want to go see the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend taking the train. The train depot is located in Williams, AZ which is about sixty miles from the Grand Canyon. It's about a two and half hour train ride up to the Grand Canyon. I would highly recommend buying the first class package. It's worth every penny. On the way to the Grand Canyon, you will go through a desolate part of Arizona. Looking at this landscape, one can get a glimpse into the past on how it was back in the 1800's. When you're riding in the train, you will see old telegraph poles and lines that was operational up into the 1950's.
The Grand Canyon was absolutely amazing. Any photographs do not do it justice. It's one of the most incredible places I've ever been to. The landscape changes with every foot step. I took over 800 pictures in two hours. On the second day, we came up later in the day to catch a sunset. Wow! It's amazing how the colors of the landscape changes with the position of the sun.
Finally, during this trip, Ryan's Grandmother took a turn for the worse. The week before we left, the doctors had given his grandmother a good prognosis. Ryan's grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer. For several months, she was going through chemotherapy. Some of you may know, that Ryan moved down to Texas so he could spend time with his grandmother. Ryan has had to make many sacrifices in order for this to happen. All of his high school credits did not transfer. Therefore, he has had to double up on his classes as well as take night classes. Certainly, Ryan's grandmother's condition weighed heavily on our minds during the whole week. On Thursday, Ryan's grandmother was removed from life support.
This week, we all experienced the Significance of God. Experiencing the beauty of the landscapes he created as well as the situation with Ryan's grandmother. All part of God's plan.
Click here to view the photos from our trip.
The road to the Grand Canyon took us to the following:
- Phoenix Botanical Garden
- Superstition Mountain
- Goldfield Ghost Town
- Out of Africa Safari
- Grand Canyon Railroad
Phoenix Botanical Garden
This was probably one of the best Botanical Garden's I've been to. It was amazing to see all the flowers that actually thrive in a desert. Of course, there were many different types of cactus plants that were just beautiful.
Superstition Mountain
We did some hiking and got some great pictures. Superstition Mountain certainly has a desert landscape but tends to look at the greener side. The greenery mixed in with the desert landscape was breathtaking.
Goldfield Ghost Town
Located near Superstition Mountain, this Ghost town was the location of an old gold mining camp back in the 1800's. We took a tour of an actual mine. Most of the town's buildings are replicas.
Out Of Africa Safari
Located about sixty miles from Phoenix (on the way to the Grand Canyon), this was an incredible place. If you want to get up close and personal with wild life, this is the place for you. There is a tour that takes you through an African plains landscape. On that tour, we encountered a giraffe, camel, a few zebras, ostrich, and several other animals. I got some great pictures. Looking at the picture below, you might think that was taken with a telephoto lens far away. I was probably 15 feet from this lion.
Grand Canyon Railroad
This was recommended by Doug True who is going there in a couple of weeks. If you want to go see the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend taking the train. The train depot is located in Williams, AZ which is about sixty miles from the Grand Canyon. It's about a two and half hour train ride up to the Grand Canyon. I would highly recommend buying the first class package. It's worth every penny. On the way to the Grand Canyon, you will go through a desolate part of Arizona. Looking at this landscape, one can get a glimpse into the past on how it was back in the 1800's. When you're riding in the train, you will see old telegraph poles and lines that was operational up into the 1950's.
The Grand Canyon was absolutely amazing. Any photographs do not do it justice. It's one of the most incredible places I've ever been to. The landscape changes with every foot step. I took over 800 pictures in two hours. On the second day, we came up later in the day to catch a sunset. Wow! It's amazing how the colors of the landscape changes with the position of the sun.
Finally, during this trip, Ryan's Grandmother took a turn for the worse. The week before we left, the doctors had given his grandmother a good prognosis. Ryan's grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer. For several months, she was going through chemotherapy. Some of you may know, that Ryan moved down to Texas so he could spend time with his grandmother. Ryan has had to make many sacrifices in order for this to happen. All of his high school credits did not transfer. Therefore, he has had to double up on his classes as well as take night classes. Certainly, Ryan's grandmother's condition weighed heavily on our minds during the whole week. On Thursday, Ryan's grandmother was removed from life support.
This week, we all experienced the Significance of God. Experiencing the beauty of the landscapes he created as well as the situation with Ryan's grandmother. All part of God's plan.
Click here to view the photos from our trip.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Fisheye Lens
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Standing Innovation
Question: How many times during a day do you use the word "Innovation"?
I use it often. Why is that? I notice other people do it too. The word "Innovation" just rolls off the tongue. It's smoooooth!
Innovation is a drug that we're all addicted to. Once get a taste of it we have to have more. Whether or not we're doing it -- we know that we should be doing it. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Adobe, and Google just to name a few have set the benchmark. These companies are Innovation factories. I'm sure these companies have had more failures than successes when it comes to Innovating. Remember Apple in the 90's. Does anyone remember the Apple Newton. I do. In fact, I still have mine. It still works. It was a huge failure for Apple. In fact, it failed FAST.
Amazon just released a device called "Kindle". It's an electronic book. I purchased one for my wife for Christmas. It still hasn't shipped. The early reviews are mixed. I wonder if Amazon expected this. Were they expecting a home run? Don't know. They're taking a risk.
I would be willing to bet that the majority of companies don't have the capital and resources of companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Adobe, etc. We struggle too with this at the company I work for. Never a shortage of ideas. The challenge is getting those ideas off the shelves.
In future posts, I'm going to share my ideas on how to get those ideas off the shelf.
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