The Association of Professional Futurists (APF) is a global community of futurists whose main focus is to promote the value of Strategic Foresight and Future Studies to businesses, governments, and the general population. Each month, they host a session in which a member of the association leads a discussion on a specific topic. To kick […]
Embracing Future Transformation Read More »
It has been a long time since we have experienced such a disruptive year. Many of us are wondering if 2021 will bring with it the same level of uncertainty or if the dust will settle, and what a new normal will look like. To that point, at the end of each year, we provide
Six Things That Will Define 2021 Read More »
If 2020 taught us anything, it is that predictions and best laid plans don’t always come to fruition. While many brands learned this the hard way, there are countless success stories from the past year – stories of brands that adapted, listened and inspired. As we look ahead to 2021, the unknowns and challenges that
2021 Trends and Implications for Retail Brands Read More »
The word transformation gets bounced around a lot, and like any other word that starts to become part of our marketing vernacular, it can start to lose its true meaning. That being said, when it comes to what’s happening in the world of retail banking, there really isn’t a better word to describe what’s going
Why Now Is The Time To Embrace a Bank Transformation Read More »
The world continues to struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, and in its wake, consumer behavior, and therefore, brand service design, is being rewired. The good news is the recent announcements by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna regarding the viability of their vaccines energized financial markets and provided a much-needed sign of hope. The race to
What Brands Can Learn from the COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Read More »
Any business that relies on bringing people together has been forced to pivot quickly in 2020. In some cases, innovation and resilience has shone through. In other cases, a lack of preparedness had meant closures and bankruptcies. At SLD, we have decided to take a longer view of how current trends and events have altered
Using Strategic Foresight to Understand the Future of Large Gatherings 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 »
What is around the next corner? Another pandemic? A trade war? Fully autonomous vehicles? While the possibilities may seem overwhelming, the brands that properly prepare for the unknowns of the future will be better equipped to withstand any unexpected occurrences. All one has to do is look at the numerous bankruptcies and closures due to COVID-19
SLD’s Guide To Future-Proofing Your Organization Read More »
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
Design Thinking and the Future of Banking Read More »
The retail industry is one that has been significantly impacted by technology with the growth of online-only retail platforms, the rising cost of labor and the growth of alternative payment platforms such as mobile wallets. Ironically, in spite of this disruption, our retail consumer study conducted in May clearly identifies that retail stores remain a
COVID-19: Retail’s New Reality Read More »
To help CPG brands better understand how to navigate through COVID-19 and its eventual aftermath, SLD has conducted consumer and industry studies to determine how the needs and behaviors of shoppers have been impacted by the current pandemic. Watch as Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD, and Gerri Brownstein, Publisher at BXP Magazine, discuss the results
COVID-19: How CPG Brand’s Can Remain Relevant Read More »
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, BXP and VMSD Magazine partnered to host a webinar focused on the current customer landscape and how it might change in post-COVID-19 reality. Titled “A Look Ahead: Insights for Retailers & CPG Brands in a Post-COVID-19 World,” the webinar featured guests from The Kroger Co., Walgreens, Soapbox and Westwin, as well as
Insights for Retailers & CPG Brands in the Post-COVID-19 World Read More »
The foodservice industry has not lived through a global crisis of such magnitude since World War II. Arguably even great wars failed to impact the foodservice industry as significantly as COVID-19. Built on the social value of sharing time with others, during other crises the foodservice industry offered a meaningful way for people to connect.
COVID-19: Foodservice’s New Reality Read More »
To help foodservice operators better understand how to handle COVID-19, SLD has conducted consumer and industry studies to determine how consumer needs, behaviors, and loyalty have been impacted by the current pandemic. The results of these studies, as well as tactical strategies for foodservice brands, are shared in the webinar below. Watch as Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President
COVID-19: How Foodservice Brands Can Remain Relevant Read More »
A field of study that previously was seen as something of an academic niche is now emerging as a key tool that can help brands not only stay relevant, but if leveraged to its full extent, can even help them leapfrog ahead and become leaders. That field is strategic foresight and future studies. Today, we’re
Strategic Foresight and How It Can Help Brands Read More »
In this episode, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD speaks with Manpreet Juneja, a Design Strategist at SLD about a study we recently conducted on the subject of future readiness and strategic foresight. The study asked brands to consider the subject of the future and how well prepared they think their organization is to cope with change. Transcript Melinda:
Discussing SLD’s Future Readiness Report Read More »
The retail banking industry is one that has been significantly impacted by technology with the growth of Fintech alternative banking platforms, the shift of consumers away from branches towards digital channels and the rise of alternative payment platforms such as mobile wallets. Ironically, in spite of this disruption, our Future Readiness study conducted in January
COVID-19: Retail Banking’s New Reality Read More »
COVID-19 has accelerated what was starting off to be a shaky start to the new year with trade conflicts leading to fuel wars, as one example. Our “new normal” means social distancing, washing our hands more in one week than we did through all of 2019, working remotely, worried about whether it’s safe to buy
2020: The Lost Year Read More »
The globe is being disrupted due to the rapid transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, retailers and financial institutions have initiated social distancing strategies to minimize the spread of the virus. These initiatives include marking safe distances within waiting queues, limiting the number of customers in the store, adding plexiglass screens to separate staff
Strategies for Retail Banks Amidst COVID-19 Read More »
