This week I was invited to an event hosted by my business bank.

I was pleased (and curious) that they’d decided to invite their customers to talk about the recession. The aim was to help us to explore how to ‘manage’ our businesses during these difficult times.  

They started by giving a 20 minute presentation about the latest survey of business opinions and trends (January 2009) and then it was over to networking and a number of mini talks about marketing and the support available.

The one thing I was looking for was ‘Vision’ and ‘Inspiration’.

We are now in a time where we are having to let go of the past and ‘the way we were’! I can’t argue that there have been previous recessions but I believe the nature of this one is very different.  I don’t believe that we (or anyone) has a ‘map’ that will take us out of this particular recession.

Although there is some common sense advice we can take (watch costs and keep marketing and developing oneself), I for one don’t just want to survive this recession, I want to feel like it’s been a life changing experience that has transformed me and my business for the better and as a result I have found my wealth! 

Its going to take vision, courage and a huge letting go of the past to get us through this one in a successful way.

Yes, I’m sure there will be pain (lasting change isn’t easy) but I was left feeling that there’s still a lot of shock and denial about what’s just happened and a real uncertainty about what this really means to us all (both as an individual and from a business perspective).    

I see the banks (and financial services) needing to go through a significant image transformation. I don’t mean a re-branding exercise and a different approach to marketing, but a real culture shift that focuses on future generations, vision and wisdom.

I want to work alongside a bank that has a higher level of conscious and wants to collaborate with its customers to bring wealth to all (not just the chosen few) and who can make a real difference to both my business and my life. Think of the film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and the difference between Mr. Potter (the disabled banker(!) and George Bailey who wants to loan mortgages to people so they all have a better life!

Amen! x