Customer Retention

Wells Fargo Fiasco: The Downside of Upselling

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By Carolyn Goodman

If the recent Wells Fargo fiasco is any indication, the sales and marketing culture at Wells Fargo (and many other financial institutions) should be taking an abrupt left turn — and none too soon.

Early in my career, I was working for a large financial services company and we would have long strategic planning sessions on how we might be able to generate new accounts through in-branch and direct mail upsell and cross-sell techniques. Applied for a home loan? Since the bank ran a lengthy credit check, why not offer a credit card to help furnish that new abode? Carried a higher balance in a non-interest bearing checking account? Push the customer to add a savings or money market account to their portfolio.

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Headshot of Carolyn Goodman

Carolyn Goodman

A blog that challenges B-to-B marketers to learn, share, question, and focus on getting it right—the first time. Carolyn Goodman is President/Creative Director of Goodman Marketing Partners. An award-winning creative director, writer and in-demand speaker, Carolyn has spent her 30-year career helping both B-to-B and B-to-C clients cut through business challenges in order to deliver strategically sound, creatively brilliant marketing solutions that deliver on program objectives. To keep her mind sharp, Carolyn can be found most evenings in the boxing ring, practicing various combinations. You can find her at the Goodman Marketing website, on LinkedIn, or on Twitter @CarolynGoodman.

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