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SmartyPig®: September 2009 Archive

The following posts were made in September 2009. You may subscribe to the RSS feed for this archive if you would like to take your time reading through our posts.

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September 30, 2009 • Posted by Michael Ferrari

A Note From Our New CEO!

I'd like to introduce myself as the newest addition to the SmartyPig team. I'm Bob Weinschenk and have just joined SmartyPig as CEO. We are out in New York where we presented at the Finovate show (an exposition to announce/discuss the best new financial and banking technology) and announced a new set of social networking tools. The feedback and press have been extremely positive - it's a nice welcome.

It would be an understatement to say that I'm excited to join the SmartyPig team. Given my background, which includes creating and managing the growth of four start-up/emerging companies, I can truly say that SmartyPig is an extension of one of my life's passions - to take great ideas and create companies around them. In the case of SmartyPig, the idea is truly intuitive - the concept of buying items with money you have vs. money you have borrowed is not a new idea! But I'm impressed with how that idea has really resonated with consumers, and the company - through web technology, creative rewards, and the use of social media - has created something special. My job now is to create even MORE value for our customers.

Oh yeah, and to have fun along the way. I can tell you that the team we have at SmartyPig is truly incredible - so great to work with -- and I feel extremely honored.

One of the main reasons that I love early stage companies (besides working with incredibly creative and intelligent people), is that we have no excuse for being anything but agile and adaptable. We should be able to bring new ideas to market faster than others, and should be able to address issues that aren't working for you in a timely fashion. I know it's often overstated but I do believe we need to earn your business every day and intend to act accordingly.  While Google has made it's name with the mantra "Don't be evil," I'd like to extend the principle to state that you can expect that "SmartyPig does good." If it's not good for you it's not good for us. To this end, I would really like to hear from you. Because I'm almost continuously on the road email is the best way to communicate with me - bob@smartypig.com.

I also want to let you know that I see every customer support email that comes through SmartyPig. It's the least that I can do to understand areas that we can improve. As I've read through the support logs, our blog and GetSatisfaction, I've also been extremely impressed with the number of you who have shared ideas on how to make SmartyPig a better company. I love it - please keep it up.

While 3 1/2 weeks hasn't yet allowed me to get my arms around all areas of our business, there are some clear messages I've received from customers. At the risk of simplifying some great feedback - I've heard the following. I've heard that you we're disappointed that we dropped the interest rate twice in a relatively short period. Further, I heard that you would really appreciate a rate increase. I've also heard that you want an enhanced redemption program when you close out a goal with greater flexibility, more retail partners and larger cash-back boosts.

I can assure that your messages have been received, and I'll do everything I can to address these very valid issues.

Please don't stop pushing us and please feel free to contact me.

Bob Weinschenk
bob@smartypig.com

 

Tags: smartypig   •  ceo   •  bob weinschenk   •  finovate

11 Comments | |

September 24, 2009 • Posted by Michael Ferrari

"Dream Big" with SmartyPig on YouTube and Bring Home The Bacon

We've heard so many great stories from you - our customers - and now we want you to share your dreams with us on YouTube for a chance to win $2,500. Here's Erica with more info:

So what are you saving for? A dream vacation? College fund? Home improvements? We want to hear all about it! Be sure to tell us how saving with SmartyPig has helped you dream big, and turn those dreams into a reality. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started with your video:

• What current dreams are you saving for?
• How is saving with SmartyPig different?
• How has saving with SmartyPig taught you to save better?
• How have SmartyPig's social savings tools helped you spread the word about your saving goals?
• How has saving with SmartyPig changed your life?

We're giving one lucky, creative filmmaker $2,500 towards his or her SmartyPig goal, and five runners-up will receive $500 each towards their goals. All you need is a video recording device (Flip Cam, iPhone, webcam, etc.), a YouTube account, a great story and the ability to bring in the votes. The winner of the contest will be selected based on the number of views and five star ratings they get on their video submission as well as creativity and originality.

So get inspired, get creative, and start capturing your SmartyPig dreams on video. The SmartyPig "Dream Big Video Contest" will launch on YouTube on September 24, 2009. You have until October 5, 2009 to submit your video entry. Winners will be announced on October 13, 2009. Full contest details and rules can be found here.

Dream big, and start creating!

The SmartyPig Team

 

Tags: smartypig   •  dream big   •  video contest   •  youtube

6 Comments | |

September 18, 2009 • Posted by Michael Ferrari

Gartner & 1to1 Customer Awards Honors SmartyPig

The 2009 Gartner & 1to1 Customer Awards honor 18 companies making a big impact through their customer relationship strategy and achieving an unrivaled level of excellence in delivering the customer experience. The 2009 Gartner & 1to1 Customer Awards honor exceptional results in six categories: Customer Strategy, Organizational Transformation, Customer Service Optimization, Enterprise CRM Optimization, Marketing Optimization, and New Media. Gartner & 1to1 Customer Awards honored SmartyPig this week in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the following category:

• New Media Optimization: excellence in the use of Web 2.0 and new media applications.

For a complete list of winners, visit the 2009 Gartner & 1to1 Customer Awards:
http://www.1to1media.com/View.aspx?DocID=31829

This award is the direct result of the relationship between you, our Super Smart Saving customers, and us here at SmartyPig as we try to redefine how people interact with their financial services companies. And by that we mean: You talk, we listen, we act and the dialogue is ongoing. We value your involvement. You have helped shape our company and our service in countless ways. We hope for nothing more than to be the go-to place for simple, smart saving, and to have the process be as transparent as possible. More importantly, we hope to hear from you often. Thank you!

And thank you to Garter and 1to1 for this wonderful honor and recognition!

- Michael Ferrari, co-founder
@mferrari

 

Tags: smartypig   •  gartner   •  1to1   •  award

0 Comments | |

September 10, 2009 • Posted by Erica Adams

Smart Indulgences: How to Splurge Without Consequence

I'm not going to get holier-than-thou. We've all bought things that we didn't plan for - big-ticket items that we just had to have. (Right there! Right now! Gotta have it!) 

And while the sticker shock is always tough to digest, the remorse of monthly credit card payments can be even harder. Long after the shine has faded on a new purchase, it's easy to find yourself still making minimum monthly payments plus 15% interest. "Was it really worth it?" we wonder. It's enough to take the joy out of splurging. 

But it doesn't have to be so painful - or 15% more costly. Buyer's remorse can be a thing of the past. With a little forethought and setting money aside these kinds of big expenditures can be easy, fun, and even empowering. You're buying something outright, with cash that you set aside for just that purpose... How's that for being responsible and autonomous?

At SmartyPig we want you to break the vicious cycle of credit card debt. We want you to enjoy the empowerment that comes from managing your money, and making big purchases without fear of crushing credit card consequences. And we want you to benefit from that process. While you save for your item at SmartyPig, you're earning an APY of 2.01%, one of the best rates around. Once you've met your goal and are ready for that new item, you're able to redeem your goal to one of our retail partners including Amazon.com, Best Buy and Overstock.com offering boosts of up to 6% - giving you the most money for your money.   

So when a purchase seems overwhelming, sit down and think about how much it costs and how long you want to be paying for it. Then, go ahead and buck the trend. Set your plastic aside. Figure out how much you want to save, when you want to save it by and how much you're able to save each month. Before you know it, you can be watching the big game on your new flat screen or soaking up the rays next to azure waters. Your indulgences can be guilt free and SmartyPig can make that happen.

Tags: smartypig   •  saving   •  money   •  debt free   •  splurge

0 Comments | |