Speaking Videos
Shari Storm
Shari spent 16 years as an executive at a Seattle credit union, where she oversaw marketing and IT.
Her proudest accomplishments at Verity Credit Union included being named an Innovator of the Decade by Net.Banker, heading up the successful Verity Mom campaign, and participating in Filene's prestigious i3 program.
Her first book, Motherhood is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better Boss was published by St. Martin's Press. With almost 20,000 copies sold, it has been translated into Mandarin and purchased for publications in four countries. The book has received tremendous press, including Time and Redbook magazines, Martha Stewart's radio, BusinessWeek online, the Costco Connection and the cover of the Metro News New York, to name a few.
Shari has been named a Woman of Influence by CU Times. She has been featured in American Banker, Credit Union Management, and The CEO Report.
She is now the CEO of Category 6 Consulting, which specializes in developing strategy with a strong focus on culture, marketing, and fintech.
Shari received her undergraduate degree from University of Washington and her MBA from Seattle University.
Shari lives in Edmonds, WA with her three teen daughters, her movie-making husband and a dog named Cedar.
Speaking Topics
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Maintaining Momentum / How to Work Together When We Can’t Be Together
Social distancing is causing all sorts of stressors, both personal and professional. How can you maintain strong bonds with those you care about most? How can you ensure that you don’t lose momentum in your career? More importantly, can you find opportunity in the current crisis?
Learn a few communication tips to build stronger, long-lasting alliances with your teams, your boss, and even your friends. We will explore strategies for developing habits that allow you have better executive function, even in times of chronic stress.
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Recruit, Retain, Mentor, Motivate
How can you recruit and retain talent when you don't have the budget to pay what your competitors can? How can you make your company more attractive to great employees within your current limitations? This lively, funny, interactive presentation gives straight-forward, applicable advice on how to build a reputation of being a place people want to work. This stand out session shares advice on building morale, mentoring rising stars, and keeping teams motivated over the long marathon that our jobs often are, that is immediately actionable.
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Building a More Positive and Productive Work Environment
Learn techniques for building an environment that is drama free, where employees feel valued and empowered. Often small changes in the way we interact with our teams can have a long and lasting impact on their job satisfaction. We will discuss ways of handling staff during difficult times – especially during times of change.
Learn the art of motivating others - and yourself - to be more productive, more effective and to enjoy your job more.
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Kids These Days: Capturing the Hearts, Minds, and Wallets of Young Members
Every financial institution wants to be there when a young person is ready to open their first credit card or get their first car loan. Consumers in the early stages of adulthood can be extremely profitable and presumably result in many more years of relational banking. Early affinity to a brand can lead to a lifelong relationship. “There’s lots of evidence that the brands you are emotionally connected to as a child you remain connected to as an adult,” says Rachel Geller, a partner and chief strategic officer at youth-oriented agency The Geppetto Group in New York.
Consumers under the age of 25 present a host of opportunities for banks and credit unions, both now and well into the future. Is your financial institution doing enough to capture this critical market segment? Learn 10 things you can start doing tomorrow to ensure you don’t miss out on a vital strategic initiative.
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Capturing the Most Power Market: Post Covid
If your board has ever asked, “who do we serve?” you know that is a difficult question to answer. As credit unions, we tend to want to be all things to all people. As a marketer, you know that is virtually impossible.
What makes a good target market? First, we will discuss the necessary attributes that ensure a viable target market for your credit unions. Then we will talk about moms. After all, moms control 85% of all household spending. Moms are the biggest influence of what brands their children will choose. Moms have strong online networks and rely on referrals from other moms. Make a mom happy and you've got the whole family plus her friends as new members.
Additionally, parents are facing new challenges at this very moment - kids at home, precarious family finances – credit unions are the perfect resource to help families. We have an opportunity to assist our members like never before, and potentially increase loyalty and gain new members.
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Sparking Innovation at Your Credit Union:
Hear case studies from other financial institutions that are known for their innovative spirit and ability to execute. Learn systemic processes to encourage the right kind of innovation at your credit union. During this session, the group roll up their sleeves and practice "Future Priming", an exercise that can be done at all levels of a credit union to teach employees how to spot opportunities and threats that may be just around the corner.
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Building Confidence in Your Communication Skills
Often small changes in the way we interact with others can have a great impact on trust, respect and productivity. Good communication is critical for leading any successful team. Learn to communicate with confidence, clarity, and kindness. Become the type of leader who inspires others to do their best work and go the extra mile.