I read Sriram's
blog about having a dream - wanting to be a bank. It got me dreaming.
If I wanted to be a bank who might I choose to run it?
Being a bit of an alternative thinker I thought - who would go the hardest, but do it nicely and with a smile? Well, having a very bright and popular wife, I was reminded that there must be some under-appreciated and very bright girls out there. From what
I read in Maggie Berry's Finextra
Women in Technology Group, they may well be under-rewarded too.
There's more to it than just being really good at business, these girls are also members of that group in our society which just happens to really control most of the spending. Women. If you want to be a bank, and provide transactions, perhaps having the
needs and wants of women foremost is a good idea.
It could also really stick it to the 'guys'. In a nice way.
I immediately thought of Sallie Krawchek. I recollect a little friction with the new boss and the possibility that Sallie as CFO, might have been pushed into a role outside her interest or specialty. Sallie is certainly well known for her honesty and ethics.
There is no doubt about her ability to run a top wealth management machine. I hear Sallie is looking for a challenge.
Suzan Sabancı Dinçer, Chairperson of Akbank, Turkey's most successful private bank would be a very attractive addition with her knowledge and connections to bridge the gulf. That Citi shareholding in Akbank shouldn't interfere too much nor Suzan's seat on
Citi's international advisory board.
Margaret Ann Livermore, Executive VP and HP's Head of Tech Solutions Group would be an excellent choice and I suppose we could use HP for back-end services. Perhaps do a deal with both and get Margaret on the board?
Promotion is the key to any new business and getting into the minds of consumers. The right plan might see us achieving two objectives, getting a good handle on the consumer and a little 'free' media. Not in the sense that you might imagine, but through
cross-promotion of a sort. Remember nothing is free.
When I think about who knows the consumer, I can't go past Susan E Arnold, President of Global Business Units at Procter & Gamble. On the money. I have more than just Susan's welfare in mind and P&G might like to be in on the overall plan, which involves
TV advertisers.
Nancy Tellem, President of CBS Paramount Television could have some fun with us, revolutionise TV and maybe put a bit of fire into those upfronts.
Judy McGrath Chairperson and CEO of MTV Networks would have a ball too, probably to the detriment of a certain trendy music download site.There a lot of potential customers who also like music.
Susan Decker, President of Yahoo could provide exactly what we need, and probably find a nice niche for Yahoo too.
I doubt that BofA could spare Amy Woods Brinkley at the moment but Amy would be a sage addition to round out the team and Amy recommends trying on the unfamiliar to advance career-wise.
I know a few guys might wonder how I could contemplate an all-girl team. Anyone who knows them will tell you. Besides, girls just want to have fun, and winning, being recognised and suitably rewarded is fun. Others came to mind but I'll have to draw the
line somewhere.
That's my pick for an all-girl bank board, that is if I too can have a dream like Sriram, although I didn't for a second think about government handouts, because my dream team would undoubtedly be a sure thing.
Perhaps they too have a dream to be a bank.
PS. A follow-up
story in the NYTimes after the subject received plenty of discussion a Davos.