Doc Searls continues his exploration of all that’s wrong in the interactions between customers and the services and products they need.  All the identities in our wallets and purses, from social security numbers to credit card numbers to library and museum memberships, are given to us by organizations. More importantly, they represent “customer relationship management” (CRM) systems that at best respect a tiny fraction of who we are and what we might bring to a “relationship”. What CRM systems call a “relationship” is so confined, so minimal, so impoverished and so incomplete that it insults the word. Source: Turning the world … Continue reading Turning the world I-side out | Linux Journal

 Dave makes a good case here for Banks to lever their investment in chip to support new revenue.  “So if the bank sends me a simple USB smart card reader so that I can log on with my chip and PIN card, that’s convenient. But the bank could then store either more key pairs, or more certificates, on the smart card and charge other organisation’s (e.g., the government, retailers) for using them. This makes solving the phishing and fraud problem a line of business rather than a cost and, surely, that’s a way to get something done.    …  the bank … Continue reading "Digital Identity – chip cards as a line of business"

This paragraph is immensely powerful in its implications. I am reading Ray Ozzie’s financial analysts speech. I have been critical before of Ray, and his impact on Microsoft. I have moved to “on the fence”. This is an analyst speech, and I don’t know yet who wrote it. But if 50% of this makes its way into the Microsoft DNA, then that can only be good for the company. MSFT Financial Analyst Meeting: Ray Ozzie As an industry we’ve talked about the power of massive centralized data centers as long as I can remember, from Ted Nelson’s Xanadu to all … Continue reading Our world has evolved into one with amazingly powerful “edge” devices

I just registered and had a look around Vancity’s social network site and I am highly impressed. Are you ready to change everything? | ChangeEverything.ca Welcome to ChangeEverything.ca, the site for people who want to change themselves, their communities or their world. We’re still putting the finishing touches on our design and making sure all the lights and buzzers work, but we’re glad you’re here — and we hope you’ll jump right in. Things I liked: its a hosted blog site without calling itself that – its very user friendly encouraging people to get engaged. There is loads of upside … Continue reading Are you ready to change everything? – Vancity social network site

The theory of the long tail, developed by Chris Anderson, and covered in this Economist article, shows that money can be made on the periphery of an industry, without being a hit.  This is a phenomenon built on the internet.  It is interesting to apply that theory to banking. Economist.com | Articles by Subject | What the long tail will do The niche, the obscure and the specialist, Mr Anderson argues, will gain ground at the expense of the hit. As evidence, he points to a drop in the number of companies that traditionally calculate their revenue/sales ratio according to … Continue reading The long tail is affecting banks too

Many people are jumping on the Google is failing bandwagon. Scoble, Loosewire, and others.  Here are some contrary thoughts, just to stir everyone up. To set the stage, here is a quote from Google investor relations site. Google Investor Relations We generate revenue by delivering relevant, cost-effective, online advertising. Businesses use our AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the thousands of third-party websites that comprise our Google network use our Google AdSense program to deliver relevant ads that generate revenue and enhance the user experience. Lets go deeper. The theme in the comments … Continue reading Maybe Google is smarter than we think?

Follow up to the US Banks reaction to ING shows it works.  Produce a better product and people will buy it.  This is not about brand awareness, or any other fuzzy logic – its about simple pure product design.  Incidentally, when I say product, I mean product in the holistic sense.  From a customers perspective, the design of the product, and the design of the channel, ie the delivery mechanism have little to differentiate them.  So this is the holistic offerring I am referring to here. Finextra: Citi’s Prince hails Web savings success Citigroup says its new Internet savings account … Continue reading Its the equivalent of opening 23 new branches and took two months