Author Archives: Brandon Kunz

Choices

Posted on by • Posted in Financial Services

Success in digital financial services (and most endeavors) is dependent on not only determining what to do and when, but how and when and with whom.  Most importantly we must understand why we are pursuing each initiative and how it supports our broader strategic direction.  For that matter we must understand the “why” behind each of our implementation choices such as why that, why then, why that way, why that partner.choices

Consumers and businesses are consistently exposed to high quality, well thought out user experiences in adjacent spaces.  This has lead to an escalation of expectations that banks, credit unions, and FinTech organizations are all measured against.

In response, we must not panic, rather we need methodical focus on providing real solutions to real problems.  The problems to tackle first are those that are urgent, pervasive and for which our customers are willing to pay for a solution (or for which we are able to garner an attractive return on investment).

Xtensifi provides financial and technology organizations with the vision, strategy and execution strength they need to succeed in expanding the breadth and depth of their digital offerings.  We help you do the right things and do them extremely well.  Whether you need help understanding market forces, establishing your strategic direction, determining your path forward, or need resources to ensure successful implementations contact us at bkunz@xtensifi.com.

Lengthen Your Stride

Posted on by • Posted in Fun

Several years ago I participated in a hiking trip with a group of boy scouts to a lake not too far from where we lived. The hike occurred over several days and was a lot of fun. Two or three other leaders were there with me, and I remember one of them hiking behind me during part of the trip.

Later, when we discussed with the boys around the fire what they had learned during the hike and how it could apply to their daily lives, that particular leader offered up a “life’s lesson” as an example. He explained that when hiking behind me he noticed that I had longer legs than he did. He told the boys that it appeared clear to him that with longer legs I was able to travel just a little bit further than he did; each and every step of the way. Perhaps the difference was only an inch or so with each step, but the cumulative result was such that it was difficult for him to keep up.

He explained to the boys that by “lengthening our stride” in our responsibilities in daily life and doing just a little bit more, but doing so consistently, “with each step,” we would travel much further and faster and accomplish so much more in life.

Sometimes we can become overwhelmed thinking we need to make major investments in time and effort to do something; that a task or desire is just too far out of reach.  Yet, many times the same task or desire can be realized by breaking it up into manageable chunks and applying a conscious and consistent effort to do just a little bit more each day.

At a conference I attended reference was made to the saying; “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

I think the first challenge is to determine which is the right elephant.  The next challenge is to determine where to begin.  Then we have to keep after it, day after day, week after week, traveling further and faster until the goal is realized regardless of the challenges or obstacles that present themselves. Then, we get to determine what to tackle next. And every once in a while, we get a chance to stop at the proverbial campfire, reflect, and realize that while we may have a long way to go, we’ve already accomplished much.