Pub. 7 2018 Issue 4

June2018 7 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s The YBOK Board pause for a photo before a friendly paintball match ahead of the conference. Tom Galbrecht, Bank of the Prairie, Olathe prepares to pitch onto the green. Outgoing YBOK President Tyson Oakes, FirstOak Bank, Independence welcomes this year’s conference attendees. Gavin Schmidt, ESB Financial, Manhattan, and Tyler Walden, Allen Gibbs & Houlik, Wichita, catch up during a break. KBA staff Sara Blubaugh and Nicole Ortiz enjoy visiting with Meridith Elliott Powell prior to her presentation, “Own it: You in the Driver’s Seat – Six Steps to Grab Control of Your Career.” Dave DeFazio enlightens the crowd during his insightful presentation on retail subscription services. Following the annual meeting, Dave DeFazio, StrategyCorps, explained consumer behaviors are changing fast, thanks to companies like Amazon and Netflix that are redefining traditional customer experiences. Subscription services are quickly becoming the dominant strategy and technology investments are changing our business. More than 50% of all American households now subscribe to Amazon Prime. FinTech and mobile content has done more than provide exposure to alternative lenders and financing avenues. “We’re addicted to our phones. We’re using them more than ever.” DeFazio believes that even the flagship personal banking product, the checking account, could be facing a significant makeover in the not-so-distant future. He also pointed to deposit displacement as a potential cause of alarm for traditional free checking. Easy mobile access to P2P platforms, such as Venmo, make it more convenient for traditional banking users to opt to store their funds elsewhere. He stressed bank marketers have a timely duty to better understand these trends and lifestyles of today’s modern consumers. “Own It: You in the Driver’s Seat – Six Steps to Grab Control of Your Career” was provided by Meridith Elliott Powell. She stressed to the group the importance of literally putting yourself in the driver’s seat. The truth is, you have the power to take charge of your very own career. Powell drove home the message to be successful by saying that you must be clear with what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Build your network and make connections. “It’s a pretty simple formula”, she said. “People help you get what you want to be successful.” After she engaged the attendees in an activity, she closed by saying “Build your network, have the courage to ask, and focus on the opportunities, not the obstacles.” Lindsey Roy closed the conference with her presentation titled, “Harnessing the Power of Disruption: How to Turn Your Biggest Challenges Into Your Greatest Opportunities.” Roy shared with the audience her story of being in a tragic boating accident while on vacation where she lost her left leg, suffered extreme injuries to her right leg and lost temporary function of her right arm. It was while recovering in the hospital she started to write a blog to share her step by step story. In the days, weeks and months to follow, she realized there was a healing power in telling her story. Attendees were inspired by her message that as you face disruption, you must find a way through. Everyone faces disruption at some point. Work brings disruption. Home brings disruption. Health challenges, family situations, financial burdens, anything on the unexpected and unprepared spectrum bring disruption. She stressed the need to use the power of perspective, be resourceful, and no matter what, find the hidden advantage. That evening, BEL Tree Farm was the site of a special BBQ dinner where attendees participated in yard games and enjoyed a delicious meal. The YBOK Spring Golf Tournament was held at the Salina Country Club Friday morning. The next YBOK conference will be held at Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane on September 6-7.