22 JULY / AUGUST 2018 FLD FOCUS One of the questions I remember being asked as a kid was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As a boy growing up in Indiana in the ’90s, I was a big Reggie Miller fan. My dad and I would scour trading card shows to buy every Reggie Miller card out there, and I still have all of them today. Needless to say, I wanted to be the next Reggie Miller, and I spent every school recess playing basketball, and many hours in our barn, shooting from long range, just like Reggie. Obviously, though, since I am writing this article, my dream did not come true, as I discovered early on that my athletic ability was limited. Now I am the proud – and tired – dad to three boys. Whenever my wife and I ask them what they want to be, their answers change weekly from dreams of being an astronaut, farmer, scuba diver, police officer, firefighter and even a trash collector. So far I have never heard them, or any other kids for that matter, say “I want to be a banker!” But why not? My sons are always dressing up in their police uniforms or astronaut gear. Imagine if they would put on some nice pants and a shirt, maybe with a tie, and pretend to be bankers? One of the most significant challenges in today’s banking industry is attracting talent. That’s why the Indiana Bankers Association is placing strong emphasis on attracting new talent to banking through the NextGen Bankers component of our three-year strategic planning initiative. The IBA Future Leadership Division will be an instrumental part of achieving success in this area. How do we attract talent to banking? It starts with Tell the Story, another IBA strategic goal. Bankers know the important role banks play in their communities and the direct impact they make on people’s lives. Bankers help customers achieve their dreams of buying homes, saving for college or retirement, and starting small businesses … and yet they do so much more. Banks are continually supporting their communities in a variety of ways, including donating to local charities, sponsoring sports programs and helping with community events. In fact, recently on Facebook I noticed a flyer for a youth talent showcase in Boone County. The event was sponsored by four banks located within the county, coming together to support the community. Banks do great things, and we need to make sure that others are aware. That’s why the IBA Community Commitment Campaign exists, and why we need as many banks as possible to participate. Your stories of commitment to community need to be told, primarily through video and social media, so others outside of the industry can see that banking is a noble profession that makes a difference. Additionally, members of the FLD have a unique opportunity to tell the story from the point of view of how they have been bitten by the banking “bug.” College and high school students – even middle school students and younger – will relate to hearing the banking story from professionals at earlier phases in their careers. They will be interested in why you chose to be a banker, how you impact people’s lives, and why you believe banking is a fulfilling and worthwhile career. Your stories can motivate others to consider a banking internship, a college banking major and a banking If You Tell Your Story People will come into banking Josh Myers Assistant Vice President - Member Engagement Indiana Bankers Association jmyers@indianabankers.org @joshmyersIN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==