Dear 1% - Occupy This!

Yes that's right!  We are everywhere.  That thing in the park is just a rouse to keep your eyes off the real Revolution.  So listen up you 1% because this isn't going away. 

Stop acting like sheep.  You are so very clever to see a trend and quickly write a marketing campaign around one of your products and show the market just how much you care.  Your campaigns are entertaining and clever but really don't play out all that well.  So here's some ideas:

• on one hand you preach the new trend of savings and have rushed to get budgets bearing your logo to smart phones across the land.  Better idea - practice what you preach.  Take responsibility for the mess you have created and work with your clients to make it better. (Kudos to Bank of Montreal who seem to do this more than others)
• Big buck bonuses area based on quarter earnings:  Better idea - adopt a new model for business that encourages investors to buy into a long term vision.  Hold back the executive big buck bonuses for 5 years and then rate the overall performance of the bank. 
• Staff are treated like chattels and measured on performance and out comes on a yearly bases.  Better idea - your staff are the 99%.  If you want treat the 99% better then start on your own door step.  Develop mission statements that mean something. Hire people who believe in your vision and will take pride in their work and not just the top 1% of grads who are all competing for the top spot and will stop at nothing to prove their worthiness.  
• You're products are all designed to make the 1% more money.  Better idea - tell us how you make your money.  Most of the 99% have no problem with idea of profits and we appreciate your service. But when you boast record profits as Rome is burning it's a little hard to take.   Give more back. 

Yesterday I had a the honour of speaking with someone who like me had left the banking system over disillusionment.  This person told me they left because they were tired of lying to people.  Every month there was a new product to push and a new script complete with answers for objections.  When I started Mortgages for Women I did my own research over a two year period.  I worked with a marketing firm that did a ton of focus workshops for me.  The message was clear.  "Give it to me straight, give me a go forward plan, don't base #'s on assumptions, and don't make it sound likes it's all about me."  Sound familiar?  Yup - that's what the 99% are asking for.