There is a lot of confusion in the financial industry about the blurring lines between banks and other financial service industries, not to mention online-only banks and Fintech startups. Fintechs forced banks to make convenient transactions a basic requirement for all financial institutions; however this change left the human relationship aspect of banking on the […]
Are Insurance Companies the Latest Threat to Banks? Read More »
Once upon a time a retailer could offer products with a generalist, one-size-fits-all approach. Foodservice operators could present the same menu across their entire network. Banks could offer the same products and services at every branch. Apparel stores could stock whatever fit into their store. And people would buy. As anyone in the retail industry
Retail Storytelling Through Curation Read More »
An RFP, or Request for Proposal, is an official document that notifies potential suppliers of a new project and asks for a detailed response of their proposed fees, team members, and process. This method aims for fairness and clarity in competition for the work. A clear and concise RFP will make searching for a supplier
Checklist for an Effective RFP Read More »
There are no guarantees or crystal ball allowing banks to predict what 2019 will bring them. However, through the use of scenario planning, learning from like-minded industries who have overcome similar challenges in addition to a strong company culture, banks can embrace the twist and turns in business easily while ensuring the organization remains resilient.
How Banks Can Plan For 2019 Read More »
As 2018 comes to a close, it is time to look ahead to what will influence the banking industry in 2019 and your goals for the new year. Do you have a plan for key strategic initiatives that you want to accomplish? Major trends of digital transformation and customer centricity will continue to be relevant,
The Three Biggest Opportunities for Banks in 2019 Read More »
Another year has come and gone, and that means it is time to do some reflecting. 2018 saw a lot of companies (including ours) undergo a rebrand, and as with every year, some turned out better than others. While there are many reasons that a company may opt for a rebrand, one thing is certain:
Our Favorite Rebrands of 2018 Read More »
Banks have been slow to adopt what is often referred to as content marketing, or content strategy – but now that the return on investment is becoming clear, it’s important for financial institutions to catch up. What exactly IS content strategy, and why do banks need to make this investment? Content strategy is the planning,
Why a Content Strategy for Banks is Important Read More »
Brainstorming is a common technique used by many organizations to create new concepts and products. In a typical brainstorming session, a small group of people discuss potential ideas and solutions. The goal is to generate and record as many thoughts as possible by postponing judgement and analysis, and encouraging unusual or far-fetched contributions. In theory,
How to Run a Better Brainstorming Session Read More »
The term “cult brand” describes any brand that sparks obsessive, fanatical loyalty in their customers. But how much do cult brands really resemble actual cults? Is there something in human behavior that drives this kind of fanatical response? In this white paper you will learn: What brands can learn from cult and tribe psychology What
Cult Brands and How to Build One Read More »
In today’s highly competitive and quickly-changing banking industry, the pressure is on for banks to prove their relevancy to their customers and outperform their competition. Banks today understand the critical need to connect with customers emotionally and to develop services to fulfill their unmet needs. And yet, innovation can be a difficult process to nurture
How Financial Institutions Can Drive Innovative Culture Read More »
In “Key Considerations When Vetting Your Strategic Partner,” we determined how you should vet your strategic design agency by exploring the three tiers of strategic requirements. Design Thinking Strategy, focused primarily on how to link the package design to underlying, unrealized opportunities in the marketplace. Brand Strategy includes a wide range of strategic tools, from positioning,
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Package Design Firm Read More »
There are more than 21,000 creative professionals in the top three largest cities in North America alone. When you factor in all mid to large cities in North America, it’s daunting for any company to select a strategic design agency to tackle their packaging brand transformation. A key factor in selecting the right firm is
Key Considerations When Vetting Your Strategic Partner Read More »
With so much access to information these days, decisions can be hard. We are all generally more informed, but there are also more options to consider, opinions to hear, and claims to be validated. Simplification can help address this issue, and many industries have leveraged it in their branding and business strategies in order to
How to Simplify the Banking Experience for Customers Read More »
Banks shouldn’t be playing catch up with their customers, but as the pace of change intensifies, retail banks are always at risk of falling behind. In this white paper, we explore what you need to know to connect with customers in the year 2025, and some of the scenarios that may take place in the future, namely:
When Customer Behavior Catches Up with Banking Technology Read More »
No one doubts that artificial intelligence and automation will change the role of staff in retail environments. The question is, how? A new theory is starting to play out in some industries and may come as a surprise: the reaction to an automated experience is a yearning for more human interaction. In a way, though,
What Automation Means for Staffing in Retail Read More »
Great retail brands such as Starbucks, Apple, Harley Davidson and Zappos have prospered by effectively aligning their internal corporate culture with the needs of their most loyal customers. A strong culture ensures that every brand representative the customer interacts with, over the phone, in person or online, is consistently delivering cultural values that are aligned
How to Foster a Strong Retail Brand Culture Read More »
Will AI and big data live up to the hype? Will they become another fad? In this white paper we explore the usefulness of these new technologies for marketing and retail, and discuss how they must feed a fundamental human need for emotional connection. Using Hotspex, a research firm that taps into the core feelings
What Is Your Retail Brand’s Emotional Equity? Read More »
The banking industry is in an era of tumultuous change to say the least. It makes logical sense to look at your competitors, but what exactly are you looking for? Knowing how to mitigate the risk and optimize the return on investment for such huge initiatives requires a lot of background work from the start,
Worksheet: Benchmark Marketing for Banks (and How to Use It) Read More »
Comfort can have different meanings. It can mean physically comfortable, with soft seating and moderate temperature. Or, a person can be mentally comfortable, where a space is calm, safe, and welcoming. In a retail context, store design can play a large role in making customers feel more at ease. Have you ever walked into a
Designing More Comfortable Retail Spaces Read More »
On Thursday, September 20, Shikatani Lacroix hosted a book launch in celebration of the release of Jean-Pierre Lacroix’s newest book, Desire by Design: What Data-Driven Marketers Should Know About Driving Desire for their Brands. Taking place at The Broadview Hotel in Toronto, the event consisted of a keynote presentation, panel discussion, and book signing. Jean-Pierre’s
Shikatani Lacroix Celebrates Release of Desire by Design Read More »
