Resource Center Breaks Grand Boundaries in Banking
When it comes to business, oftentimes the little guys don't get a fair shake. It's not neccesarily because they are being picked on; It's just that they don't always have all of the tools they need at their fingertips like the big boys have grown to enjoy. If only the smaller businesses had someone looking out for them, like a guardian angel that pops in with a bit of sound advice once in a while. It wouldn't have to take a miracle for such an act to occur. It would just take someone who cared enough to help.
In 1916, in Bristow, Oklahoma, SpiritBank was established. Although there are now 15 locations in the Sooner state, it ironically began as a small, humble business. What's not ironic, is that for the past 89 years, in the rural areas where the bank put down roots, small businesses needed their services as much as they needed them for customers. This mutual bond has been the backbone of SpiritBank, proving that breeding success with success makes for great offspring.
In May of 2004, recognizing where the bread meets the butter, SpiritBank in Tulsa delicately and thoughtfully launched the Business Resource Center (BRC). This ground-breaking concept is designed to reach out to small business owners and essentially be their guardian angel. With no strings attached, the bank is laying down the red carpet, leading entrepreneurs to the resources they need to excel in whatever their industry might be. The BRC is as unique as it is admirable.
"We're providing services they don't normally get from a bank. All we expect in return is a deepened relationship", said Ted Cundiff, BRC President.
Another relationship evolved and deepened between Cundiff and Grand Laker, Sean Griffin. Through a number of coincidences and local connections, Griffin became involved with the upstart of the BRC. When he was introduced to what the bank desired to do, the graphic facilitation wheels in his head began spinning like a flashy disco ball in the 1970s. He was highly impressed with the project and its magnitude.
"It was original. It was new. It was innovative. And it intrigued me," said Griffin.
One of the most intriguing facets of the BRC was how non-traditional a start-up it was going to be. There wouldn't be much time before it would have to support itself. Financial flow is obsolete in a dry revenue stream. Dragging ones feet was not an option. They had to get going.
A group of experts in all areas were assembled for focus groups. Brain-storming would instantly lead them to a plan of prioritization. The first goal was to create the Business Solution Series. Two of these forum events and a follow-up session have already taken place. The second goal was that the BRC have its own home, its own building.
The third goal is to get a functional, user-friendly website up as soon as possible. Word about the program has been spreading rapidly and the website will help to bring everybody together in a virtual manner.
The spokes in the BRC wheel are the Preferred Partners that assist the small business owners in ways that normally wouldn't be available to them. This includes services such as accounting, computer technology, human resources, marketing, law advice, and many more. There's no price that can be put on these informational avenues.
"They are only partnering with the best of the best," said Griffin.
The contribution to the business community that SpiritBank and the BRC are making is unbelievable. A traditional service of the bank over the past century has been modernized to pay the largest dividends in this day and age. There are monthly forums scheduled in the Business Solutions Series throughout 2005.
It's going to be a grand year for many small business owners.