Author： Jeffry Pilcher
Time： January 18, 2010 (9:15 am)
You’ve got to be very careful with your “green” claims. Once you crack the door with something like “go green w/e-Statements,” there will be members who point out all the other ways in which you are NOT green.
It’s better to do one of two things. (1) Be quietly green. Just do it because it’s the right thing to do and don’t toot your horn about it too loudly. (2) Make a concerted, committed effort to make your organization green in enough meaningful ways that you can say something publicly.
Trying to cherry-pick the easiest ways to be green will only get you in trouble if you try to brag about it in marketing.
Author： Nicolette Lemmon
Time： January 18, 2010 (9:36 am)
So true and good advice! It also applies to any consumer cause that is attached to marketing to build brand credibility. Thanks!
Author： Jeffry Pilcher
Time： January 18, 2010 (11:50 am)
That’s true. Good point Nicolette. It does apply to any cause-marketing effort. If you don’t care enough to make a real, meaningful difference, why are you supporting that cause?
Author： Nicolette Lemmon
Time： January 18, 2010 (12:32 pm)
Yep…and consumers are more likely to call you out on the Internet to a larger audience if you’re “faking it!”
Author： Kate
Time： January 22, 2010 (11:41 am)
Another perspective is that in a co-op financial institution (credit union) a savings to the credit union is passed down to all its members. It’s also a major convenience not to have to file or destroy monthly statements and is a way for members to “opt-in” to choose how they prefer to receive statements. e-statements are all good.
Author： Nicki
Time： January 22, 2010 (1:19 pm)
So true, Kate. Thanks for the comment. The benefits do go both to the consumer and the financial institution! The concept of e-statements will go the way of Direct Deposit and returned checks, won’t it? Safer options of electronic delivery and cost savings.