December 18th, 2009
It’s the time of year when we are all absorbed in the “hustle and bustle” of Holiday parties, eating, shopping, eating, hurrying from here to there, and more eating. I’ll have to say that it’s also a time of the year that we get to do special things for people we care about. It’s a time of year that we can make homemade gifts and share them with our family and friends and enjoy the simpler things in life as well. I love the feeling you get with “giving”; I love to see the reflection of a smile in one’s eyes. I love that feeling! I could go on and on about what I love about this time of the year, but today it’s about doing simple things that make a difference – a difference to someone. It’s about Random Acts of Kindness….
Have you ever been the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness? What’s even better is doing a Random Act of Kindness for someone – it’s amazing! What if you worked for a company that had its own “Random Acts of Kindness” program? You see, I’m lucky – I do, and it’s one more thing about SmartBank that I love.
Earlier this week, Pam, one of my associates, was walking by one of the neighboring restaurants here in Teaster Crossing, and noticed 10 or 12 fireman eating lunch at the Blue Moose. Pam recognized a great opportunity to do something nice for group of public servants who consistently do for others risking their own lives with selfless acts to protect others. Pam pulled the waitress aside and asked for their bill, and in turn instructed the waitress to give each fireman one of her special cards telling them they’ve just experienced a “Random Act of Kindness”. Pam secretly slipped off and back to work.
Another one of my associates, Erin, was recently calling a client early one morning to schedule a visit with him later in the afternoon. She asked if “now was a good time to talk”. He mentioned that he was at breakfast with several of his friends and colleagues at a local eatery. On her way to work, she stopped in this eatery, and asked the hostess to bring her the bill for the group that her client was eating with. Again, she left her “Random Act of Kindness” cards, and slipped away. This time when the waitress delivered the surprise that they had just experienced a random act of kindness, she was surprised with the gift they gave by “paying it forward”. This group decided to pay their bill in the form of a tip to their waitress.
These are just a couple of the many stories I could share. All in all, I believe that there’s much more happiness and gratification with the gift of “giving”, and it’s great to be part of a company where corporate philosophies are a reflection of the people we have here at SmartBank. You see, some of the special things we do at SmartBank aren’t things we’ve read about in some book about company culture. It’s ideas cultivated by our people, it’s the life experiences we’ve had, and it’s the things we’ve learned from our friends. I’m fortunate to work in an atmosphere where values are part of the company culture, and friends are made every day…..
November 12th, 2009
We had a conversation in the Knoxville Branch a couple of weeks ago about how thankful we are for our health. The funny thing is that this conversation followed on the heels of several us of defeating illnesses. Why did we wait until we’d gotten sick to think about how thankful we are when we’re healthy?
Sometimes things get so hectic that I forget to stop and think about the things – big and small – for which I am thankful. It’s that time of year when we all give thanks, so what better time to adopt a program of thankful-thinking? I’ve read about people who start or end each day by thinking of three things that they’re thankful for. Impressive. I’ll never be that disciplined about my thankful-thinking, but I can do better.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I will tell you just a few of the work-related things for which I am thankful:
- I am thankful for all the new Associates at our SmartBank Branch and all of the talent they’re bringing to our organization. So, thank you, Bill Arant, Cortney Daugherty, and Kelly Taylor, for joining SmartBank.
- I am thankful for all of the new Clients we have gotten to know. Thank you, Clients, for giving SmartBank the opportunity to earn your business. We are even busier than we dreamed we would be. We love it when you come visit with us.
- I am thankful that when the list came out of who needed to bring what to our Branch’s Thanksgiving meal, that Gena assigned me a jar of turkey gravy. Thank you, Gena, for recognizing my challenges in the kitchen and sparing me from having to actually make something. (Also, thank you for the tip that Heinz makes a mean jar of turkey gravy.)
July 30th, 2009
Things are off to a really great start at our Knoxville Branch. Please join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 10:00AM. After the ceremony, we will be serving light hors d’oeuvres. We would love for our clients and friends to join us for the celebration. And, if you just want to learn more about SmartBank, come on out! Please RSVP to Gena Hankins at 865.868.2701 or ghankins@smartbank.net. Our address is 7827 Montvue Center Way. Call us if you need directions. See you there!
June 18th, 2009
Dane Bradshaw, former University of Tennessee basketball all-star most recently named to the University’s All-Century Team, has a new team: The SmartBank Team!
Dane, with his charming personality, strong values and sound character, is highly regarded among many. And when he gets in front of a crowd, people are eager to hear what he has to say.
Dane recently joined the SmartBank team – a decision that has proven that leaders can be successful whether they are on a basketball court or in a board room. Dane has become a face that resembles the faces of SmartBank. His involvement with SmartBank includes speaking to 8th graders in our community about S.M.A.R.T. choices (in case you’re wondering what the clever acronyms stand for; Success, Motivation, Adversity, Respect and Team). Dane also attends public relations events in our community for various non-profit organizations with the SmartBank team. Most recently, Dane was a special-guest speaker at a Boys and Girls Club Dinner where he received a standing ovation. It was cool to see the crowd intently listening while he described experiences he had as a U.T. basketball star who was privileged to play for one of Tennessee’s most successful basketball coaches, Bruce Pearl. It’s obvious when you hear Dane speak of Coach Pearl, that their relationship goes beyond player/coach. There is an apparent feeling of respect and admiration for Coach Pearl in the eyes of Dane Bradshaw. I’ve been to a couple of events where both Coach Pearl and Dane were speaking, and I believe the ball bounces both ways and found that Coach Pearl has equal admiration and respect for Dane.
The accolades that follow Dane have not come easy or without hard work and dedication. Dane is a true leader possessed with the same qualities you’ll find in SmartBank Associates.
SmartBank has become one of the fastest growing new financial institutions in the country. Opened in 2007, SmartBank has 4 offices, 53 “smart” associates and has reached $250 million in assets – an astonishing feat accomplished in a short time. I’m proud to be part of a team that surrounds itself with great attitudes, high-energy, fast-paced people that always continue to raise the bar to new levels. Working at SmartBank is more than just a “good job”, it’s a life experience that encourages and supports the development of good leaders. SmartBank believes the key to successful business, whether on the court or in a board room, is leadership and SmartBank is full of great leaders.
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June 2nd, 2009
We are very excited to announce the opening of our Knoxville branch, for a variety of reasons, some more important than others.
Important things: First of all, having an additional location will help us to better serve existing clients. Secondly, we know that entering into a new market will provide us with many opportunities to meet new folks. We can’t wait for that because then we’ll be able to introduce them to SmartBank and show them why they’ll love banking with us.
Not-so-important things (well, depends on who you ask): All of us who work here can easily scoot over to the mall to do some shopping during lunch, and Starbucks is about 45 paces from our front door.
We have assembled an all-star team in Knoxville, and we’d really love for you to stop by and meet Gena and Kenny. We are conveniently located just west of West Town Mall in Montvue Center, the same shopping center as Starbucks and Classy Lady. Our hours are Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. See you soon!
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May 29th, 2009
SmartBank would like to congratulate all of 2009 High School and College Graduates. A special congratulations to Nick Manis and Kris Gustafson who work with SmartBank and have recently graduated from the University of Tennessee. Special congratulations also to Dolly Parton who was gifted an honorary doctorate from the University of Tennessee. The University has rewarded only a few this honor. To listen to her speech please forward the clip below to 2:30:45.
Dolly Parton’s Commencement Speech at the University of Tennessee
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April 22nd, 2009
With all of the excitement around Earth Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it has given me a moment to reflect on how the park has benefited me over the years. I feel lucky to live so close and am able to enjoy what is in my back yard whether it has been to hike, swim or camp. I realize that many people have to take vacation time to enjoy what I can each day and I am blessed to be able to see the mountains each morning on my way to work. This morning they were crisp and almost seemed like they were superimposed.
In efforts to make my own personal strides to help the National Park I am trying to be more conscience of what I buy, use, and how I dispose of things. Recently, I am trying to buy more products that are better for the environment and my health, I am working with my coworkers to recycle at the office and I have switched my bank account to the SmartGreen Account SmartBank is offering.
One of my favorite attributes of the account is the benefit to the Park without affecting my budget. Everyone has a cause to promote these days and most of them are at the expense of the consumer such as: ‘donate $1 in addition to your bill to support____.’ This isn’t the case for the SmartGreen Account. If I use my SmartBank Green Debit card as a signature- based transaction (I don’t enter my pin number; I would select the transaction as credit), SmartBank will make a donation to Friends of the Smoky Mountains National Park and Great Smoky Mountains Association for the National Park.
I plan look into other events that the Park is hosting to further enjoy and aid the park’s ongoing maintenance and education.
I can envision the Dwarf Irises, Bluettes and Trillium I saw last weekend in Greenbrier. If you haven’t been in the Smokies in a while, this is a great time of year to see the wildflowers.
