It is no longer a surprise that Fintech firms are shaking up the financial service industry. The most recent example is Ant Group, who has been making news for a potential record-breaking IPO, which some analysts believe could surpass $35 billion USD. Though the offering is currently on hold as the company responds to changing […]
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One of the buzziest and most debated tech terms of the last 5 to 10 years is artificial intelligence. To start off with, what does the term artificial intelligence actually mean? If you just Google “define artificial intelligence,” you’ll discover that even computer scientists and engineers don’t entirely agree on what to call everything that
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It is mind-boggling how far the technology of chatting has come. Turn on a movie or television show that was filmed earlier than 2007 and you may find yourself thinking “if they had a smartphone, this conflict wouldn’t exist” – something I recently mused about in the context of the Shakespearean classic, Romeo and Juliet.
How Chatbots are Changing Consumer Behavior Read More »
Technology has been a salvation during the pandemic and has thrust us into the age of omni-channel once and for all. And yet, there is a looming threat to the digital brand experience: a growing sense of mistrust in technology and the cyber-verse. Fanned by the flames of fake news, online hate and political interference,
Digital Distrust: How Brands Can Navigate a World of Disruption Read More »
COVID-19 has accelerated many of the digital transformation behaviors that were already in progress before the pandemic. While many larger retailers had the resources to adapt quickly, smaller retailers often had a tougher time in updating their physical stores. Unfortunately, this inability to adapt in-store digital signage undermined the delivery of effective communication with customers
Tips for Implementing Digital Signage on a Dime Read More »
Digital transformation was something retail organizations and financial institutions were already talking about before COVID hit. The pandemic has accelerated the trend and brought with it more challenges that were not anticipated. While brands have adopted many makeshift processes and systems to address these needs, companies are now wondering what’s going to stick after the
Digital Ecosystems and the Future of Retail and Banking Read More »
From the growth of online-only retail platforms and Fintechs to a global pandemic that has pushed many customers online, it is no secret that the retail and banking industries are at a crossroads. As new technologies emerge, SLD and JohnRyan have conducted an extensive study among retail and bank executives to better understand the new direction
THINK FUTURE: How Digital Ecosystems Will Change Retail and Banking Read More »
Any branded environment tells a story and a big part of that story is visual. Today, we’re talking to Cybelle Jones, CEO of SEGD, a not-for-profit professional organization for designers from all over the world who focus on shaping content-rich experiential spaces. Trained as an architect, she’s worked on many projects that involve historical and
How Experiential Design Can Help Tell Your Brand Story Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation initiatives by financial institutions and retailers, bringing the need for a robust digital ecosystem to the forefront. In a study we recently conducted with over 500 banking and retail executives, we have seen that though many realize a digital transformation is essential, there is still some confusion as
The Shift to Digital Ecosystems Read More »
As disruption from the pandemic rises and falls in waves around the globe, retail brands are pivoting their business to try and make up for related sales losses. Many brands were in good shape to manage this with robust digital and omnichannel ecosystems already in place. Many luxury brands, however, were not as well prepared.
Why Your Sales Staff Need to Be Online Read More »
It has been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Walmart, who have gone from losing out on a joint bid with Microsoft to take over TikTok’s operations in the United States to now partnering with Oracle and claiming a 7.5 percent stake in the Chinese social media platform. While it may seem bizarre for Walmart
What Walmart’s TikTok Bid Means for Retail Read More »
It’s no secret that the role of packaging has evolved from being strictly focused on practicality to now having a central role in a brand’s identity. These days, packaging serves as an effective marketing tool – especially with augmented and mixed reality innovations – and gives brands an opportunity to use their packaging to creating
How Mixed Reality Can Elevate Your Packaging Design Read More »
Today, we’re talking about cash. Is it going to go away completely? Is it unhygienic? Should retailers still allow cash payments, or is it okay to push consumers towards cards and digital-only? Today, our President Jean-Pierre Lacroix is talking to David Fagleman, Director at Enryo, a consultancy firm in the UK that helps support financial services in
Will COVID-19 Be The Demise of Cash? Read More »
To most, shopping means paying a visit to your favorite store or mall to give yourself a feel-good experience that results in instant gratification. You leave the store feeling satisfied and well taken care of. Often, retail associates are there to offer assistance every step of the way, and, most importantly, give a sense of
Online Personalization Strategies for Fashion Retailers Read More »
Over recent years, most financial institutions have embraced mobile apps as a way to provide better service and convenience for their customers. In 2019, over 75 percent of Americans said that they used their mobile device to check their bank account, and as COVID-19 has forced branches to temporarily close, the number is even higher for 2020. However, simply
Super Apps and the Future of Banking Read More »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/arytza_banner_animation_1.mp4 FRESHLY BAKED ARYTZA needed a website for their Canadian clients that would help them find product information and also offer ideas and inspiration. CLIENT Aryzta Food Service Canada PROJECT E-Commerce Website RELATED SERVICE Web Design Digital Strategy https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/arytza_webscroll_1.mp4 THINK ARYZTA needed a Canadian site that would help their sales’ representatives engage customers with
Aryzta Foodservice Read More »
2020 will surely be remembered for a lot of things. From a global pandemic to growing social movements, 2020 has presented enormous obstacles as well as opportunities for those that rise to the challenge. For financial institutions, one way to take advantage of these opportunities for transformation is through 5G. Some experts estimate that within five years,
How 5G Will Change the Banking Industry Read More »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BostonPizzaHeadingAnimationNOLOGO.mp4 The Fan Experience A place where every sports fan can come to watch big games and support little leagues… a place where the fan experience is what it’s all about. CLIENT Boston Pizza PROJECT Flagship Design RELATED SERVICE Digital Experiences Retail Design Environmental Graphic Design Digital Signage UX/UI Design Service Design https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BostonDigitalSignage.mp4 THINK
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MaplewaveWavenNoLogoV2.mov Amplifying Brand Culture Maplewave needed an unparraelled image and online presence to drive organic growth. CLIENT Maplewave PROJECT Brand & Website Design RELATED SERVICE Visual Identity Design Corporate Communication Web Design THINK Founded in 1988, Maplewave built their success supporting telecommunications brands with software and retail optimization systems through word-of-mouth and relationship building. Wanting
Design Thinking is a term that many of us have heard, but what exactly does it mean, and how can financial brands benefit from this approach? Today we’re speaking with Janet Jones, a design thinker with an incredible range of experience in design, strategy, and innovation about design thinking for financial brands. Janet’s experience includes
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