In my book, Desire by Design, I cover in great length the power of fans in driving desire for brands. What I have learned over the many years of helping brands remain relevant is the fact that for any brand, whether it’s toothpaste or a new high-end car, having brand ambassadors promoting your product is […]
How to Convert Customers into Brand Ambassadors Read More »
In celebration of Canada Day, Shikatani Lacroix has designed new in-branch décor for TD that will be displayed in branches throughout the country. Among the designs are maple leaf themed window clings, teller counter displays and floor decor, and a digital spot that will be displayed within each branch. For the Toronto and Vancouver flagship
SLD Creates Canada Day Décor for TD Read More »
There is a growing realization amongst financial institutions that the one-size-fits-all approach is coming to an end, and the importance of defining customers beyond conventional criteria is now paramount. One way to do this is by developing customer personas. This allows for more focused marketing and merchandising, and also ensures that all efforts are targeting the ideal
Creating Customer Personas for Banks Read More »
Every industry, from trucking to healthcare, is being disrupted by non-traditional competitors, or by direct competitors that have reinvented their business model. To ensure relevancy, it is critical to create effective strategies and to understand the driving factors fuelling this disruption. Disruption happens in two different varieties, each driven by specific dynamics in the marketplace.
Emerging Industry Disruption Trends and New Business Models Read More »
Disruptive forces have been causing chaos in virtually every industry, and the retail world has been staggering to catch up. Some brands are ahead of the curve, innovating and growing while others still have some work to do. In this whitepaper we will explore some trends that are challenging current value propositions in order of
Four Disruptive Trends that Will Threaten Your Brand’s Relevancy Read More »
When we meet someone new, their appearance, voice, and behavior quickly form our first impressions. As we interact more with that person, their traits and flaws become clearer. So, if your bank was a person, who would it be? This anthropomorphic question can help clarify your brand identity. It can also help your customers relate
Defining Your Bank’s Personality with the Big Five Read More »
The bitcoin bubble might be deflating, but that doesn’t mean banks can afford to ignore the larger growth of cryptocurrencies. Even if they’re not the world-changing disruptor that some advocates trumpet, cryptocurrencies at Bitcoincenter are changing the way that consumers think about currency, investment, and the influence of blockchain on our financial system. Customers are
How to Leverage the Notoriety of Cryptocurrencies Read More »
The Financial Brand Forum is one of the most attended banking conferences in North America. It is a leading event globally, as it focuses on current and future trends in banking. This year’s conference, held in May, was attended by more than 2,000 banking professionals, in addition to more than 50 keynote speakers covering all
Digital Transformation Checklist for Banks Read More »
Seniors are about to take over the world. Between 2025 and 2050, the number of seniors on the planet will double, and for the first time in history, there will be more people over 65 than children under age 5. How this massive demographic change will impact us is not entirely clear, but industries need
What Retirees Need from their Banks Read More »
Humanizing the Banking Experience Banks have used automation to remove friction points for customers to great success. However, automation cannot replicate human interaction, which is more important when it comes to making big financial decisions. Banks have addressed convenience and are working on trust, building customers’ confidence comes next. This will require highly-skilled humans, with
Tsinghua PBCSF Global Finance Forum Read More »
SLD recently won Silver at the Shopper Innovation Awards for our work with China Zheshang Bank (CZ Bank) in the In-Store Engagement category. The annual awards, produced by strategy, celebrate the best in retail-focused campaigns as well as consumer packaging. “We are extremely proud of the work we did with CZ Bank and to be recognized by strategy is a honour,” says Jean-Pierre
SLD Wins Silver at Shopper Innovation Awards Read More »
2016 was the year an unprecedented shift happened in Canada’s demographic make-up: for the first time in recorded history seniors outnumbered people under 14 – and the US is likely to follow suit in the next 5 years. By 2050, seniors who may heed the help of professionals like Burzynski Elder Law, will make up
What Retirees Want from their Banks Read More »
Most banks claim they put the customer first – but who is really delivering on this claim? Every year J.D. Power, Forbes, and industry publications like The Financial Brand research which banks are doing the best job at putting consumer’s needs first. They don’t always agree on which bank is top of the list, but common
Major Banks Excelling at Customer Service Read More »
Getting what you want from your design agency can sometimes feel like a game of Broken Telephone – you think you’re being clear and helpful, the creative team thinks they’re offering solutions that work, but at the end of the day, the final deliverables aren’t quite right and no one knows who is to blame.
Write So Designers Will Listen: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Design Brief Read More »
For many years, banks have contributed to established charities, sponsored artistic events and institutions and, in many cases, created their own foundations or charities. However, Millennial and Generation Z consumers are less likely than previous generations to view these efforts as being authentic, and they may have a point. These contributions, many of which come with tax benefits and
The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility Read More »
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it makes sense that ugliness should be as well. However, some brands are almost universally regarded as unappealing when compared to competitors. Many of those ugly packages, websites, and environments develop cult followings from loyal customers, much to the frustration of brand managers who pour their
When customers think of your bank, does it have a narrative? Does it stand for something? If not, it may lack a compelling brand story – that means that it’s becoming lost in the competitive financial institution landscape. Not standing out can be a problem, especially when banking is a service that often has a reputation as
Does Your Bank Have a Compelling Brand Story? Read More »
How far can self-service go? What conceptually is self-service, and what does it have the potential to be? Self-Service Banking Europe 2018 features more than 40 speakers from leading banks and industry experts from around the world. Join SLD president Jean-Pierre Lacroix as he presents on the limits of the channel and examines how banks can get
Self-Service Banking Europe 2018 Read More »
Banks are beginning to recognize that high value customers, if they are to be kept, increasingly demand recognition of their special status. Though this may be irksome to those of us with little more than a mortgage, credit card, and checking account, the reality is that banks are no longer in a position to be
Attracting High Value Customers with a VIP Experience Read More »
CZ Bank has won a Distinction Award from 2018 REBRAND 100® for its comprehensive rebranding. The reimagined brand, brought to life in partnership between SLD and our Shanghai-based partner MetaThink, touched every part of the bank ecosystem. “We’re thrilled about all of the positive attention this project has garnered,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, president of SLD. “Being recognized by REBRAND is
CZ Bank Snags Distinction Award from REBRAND 100 Read More »
