#60: How to Leverage Internal Expertise to Drive External Impact

Are you looking to take your community development services to the next level? If so, don’t underestimate the breadth and depth of internal expertise that lies right at your fingertips. Your bank is likely full of subject-matter experts that can enhance your existing services or perhaps even build out an entirely new external partnership.While banks typically engage mortgage officers, lenders, and retail team members with opportunities to teach financial education in the community, other departments have a wealth of technical expertise to offer. Employees’ technical expertise in core business functions can result in the creation of deliverables at the end of a short project (i.e. creating a social media strategy, designing a logo, conducting a technology assessment) or can result in actionable recommendations. Think of your employees as pro-bono consultants. For example, consider how you might leverage the internal expertise found in these departments to drive the positive and meaningful impact your organization has on the community. (Ensure the benefitting organization meets one of the four community development purposes!)• Compliance: Serve as a subject-matter expert at a small business fraud prevention workshop or a consumer protection workshop (identify theft, fraud prevention, common types of financial exploitation, etc).• Human Resources: Teach on workforce development topics such as resume prep, interview tips. Serve on an advisory board for a nonprofit focused on financial service career pathways for LMI individuals. Consult with an organization as they develop an employee handbook.• Marketing: Create collateral (brochure, etc.) or a logo pro-bono for a local nonprofit. Help a nonprofit or small business develop a social media strategy.• IT: Serve on an advisory board for a nonprofit focused on financial service career pathways for LMI individuals. Conduct a technology assessment for an organization. Assist with the installation of new software/hardware.• Accounting: Provide assistance on accounting/bookkeeping. Help organizations review internal controls and policies.• Legal: Review contracts, etc. pro bono.CRA Today helps bankers master the Community Reinvestment Act, get exam ready, and change lives through the power of community development.Want to learn the CRA basics? Sign up for CRA Essentials Live! A live webinar with Linda Ezuka that shares everything you need to create a solid foundation for your CRA journey. https://hub.cratoday.com/freewebinarReady to take a deeper dive into the CRA? Join your fellow CRA enthusiasts in the CRA Hub as we navigate regulatory change, study core CRA concepts and connect as community development professionals across the nation.https://cratoday.com/hub/CRA Today Website: https://cratoday.com/ Linda Ezuka, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-ezuka-cra-today/Copyright © 2022 by CRA Today LLC(No claim to original U.S. government material)All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author and publisher.This podcast is a periodic publication of CRA Today LLC and is intended to notify and inspire recipients of new developments in the Community Reinvestment Act. It should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own attorney concerning your situation and specific legal questions you have.